Page 61 of Need You To Choose Me

I scan her face, but that unreadable mask is firmly back in place. “We’ll talk later?”

I needed to know that this wasn’t the end. That while I might need to sort this whole situation with Daniel out, and I still had to tell Levi, she’d give me a chance to make this right.

She’d give me—giveus—a chance, period.

Her throat bobs as she swallows and nods. “You know where to find me.”

“That I do. Good night, Blondie.”

“Night.”

She turns around and makes her way inside. I wait to hear the resoundingclickof the lock falling into place before I face my house.

Yes, I hate how this whole situation played out, but I couldn’t deny that a part of me was relieved that the truth was finally out in the open.

Now I just had to figure out how to make things right.

With everybody.

Shaking my head, I make my way back home. The house is eerily quiet as I climb up the stairs. Levi’s door is open, and he’s lying in his bed.

Taking in a long breath, I enter the room. “All done buddy?”

“Yeah,” he murmurs, his eyes heavy with sleep. “What’s with Daniel? He just ran into his room and slammed the door.”

I sit down on the edge of the bed and slick back his hair. “He’s angry with me.”

“That’s nothing new.”

“No, I guess it isn’t. Sleep tight. I’ll go and talk to him.”

“Mm-hmm… Night, Dad.”

“Night, buddy.”

The bed creaks when I push to my feet. I’m just at the door when Levi calls out. “Dad?”

I look over my shoulder at his sleeping frame. “Yeah?”

“Today was lots of fun.”

“Today was lots of fun for me, too,” I whisper back. He nods, snuggling deeper into the pillow. By the time I close the door of his room, he’s already asleep.

Rubbing my palm over my face, I look at the room across the hallway.

You’re in this mess because you’ve tried to avoid this in the first place. It’s nobody’s fault but your own, so now deal with it.

I let out a sigh and crossed the room. Silence greets me on the other side, and the need to barge in and make sure Daniel is really inside is strong. I didn’t forget that he wasn’t back home like he said he would be. Then again, did I really get to judge him for not confiding in me when I didn’t do the same?

“Daniel?” I knock against the door, listening intently for any sign of life, but there is nothing. “We have to talk about what happened.”

More silence.

“Dan—”

Something bangs against the door, making it rattle.

Loudly.

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