Page 63 of The Art of Deception

Levi smirks, glancing back out to his schoolmates who are all watching us in the car. I can’t help but feel proud of him for not putting on a show in front of them.

“Let’s go home,” I call.

“Yes, let’s go home,” Xander replies as he pulls out onto the road, making Levi smile the biggest he has in weeks.

Chapter Eighteen

ALEX

As we walk inside Tomi’s home, I reminisce on the first time I was here. The first time we made love. The first time I truly knew I was done for with her. I knew I was in deep. I knew we would end up together. But whether we could weather the storm that hit when she found out about me was another thing completely. We made it through the hurricane. Now, we just have to deal with the cleanup.

We walk inside, and it appears exactly the same. Utterly perfect. Levi strolls in and sits on his sofa in the family room and glances at me to follow him. I sit, and as I peer up at Tomi, she nods at me. Levi goes to start up his video game, but I place my hand out to stop him. He eyes me suspiciously as I take the lead.

“Levi, before you start playing, there are some things Tomi and I want to talk to you about.”

Levi sits back on the sofa, his stature tall, like he’s alert and listening.

Tomi slides onto the armrest of the sofa, sitting next to me in support. The three of us together as a family. Well, technically, the four of us, just Levi doesn’t know that yet.

I reach up, grab Tomi’s hand, and link her fingers with mine, making Levi smile. “You two are back together.” It’s more of a statement than a question.

“Yes, is that okay with you?” Tomi asks.

Levi shrugs. “I like having Xander around.”

My chest fills with pride. I love this kid, and knowing I’ve made an impact on him like he’s made one on me means everything. “Levi, how would you feel if I was here a lot more?”

His eyes dart around the room. “Like for breakfast after yousleep here?”

I smirk. “Like if I slept here every night, and my things were here, too.”

His eyes stop darting around the room as he turns to me. “You want to move in?”

I bob my head. “Only if you’re okay with that?”

He hums under his breath like he’s debating it. “Will I still have my room?”

Tomi leans forward. “Of course, Xander will share my room.”

Levi nods. “Okay.” His voice is high-pitched, like he’s excited. “Will you get married now?” he asks as Tomi stiffens beside me.

I glance at her, and she’s calmly avoiding eye contact. We’re not at that place just yet. We’ve only just gotten back together, and I need to prove to her that I’m in this, that Iamtrustworthy, and that I only have this family’s best interests at heart.

I’m never going to fail her again.

I need to prove that to her before I even think of asking her something this huge.

I know it.

She knows it too.

I glance back at Levi and shake my head. “No, buddy, we’re not getting married. Not yet, anyway.” I add that in to let Tomi know I see that future for us. “But there is something else we need to tell you.”

Tomi stands from the sofa and shifts to sit in front of Levi on the coffee table. She wants to take it from here. So, I let her. This subject is a little more life-altering than me moving in, so it has to be broached with care.

She leans in, and he turns from her to me and back to her. He obviously senses there’s more and starts to panic. “You’re keeping something from me,” he blurts as Tomi licks her lips, letting out an exhale. I rest my hand on her thigh to let her know I’m here if she needs me.

“Levi, I found out some news. Something that’s going to change all our lives,” Tomi starts.

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