Page 70 of Ace of Spades

“Come on,” I say, taking her hand and heading out the way we came.

We walk back side by side, and I drop her hand the second we’re in sight of people. But as we pass through the crowd, her fingers brush mine.

And this time, I don’t pull away. I let my body feel the full heat of being so close to hers.

As we make our way back to the seats, my head spins at her admission.

And I hate that I have to continue to be a bigger man.

I hate that the past has taught me not to take risks.

When I do, I end up losing.

Even if in the moment it feels like a win. Life’s taught me better.

Sienna is young. She hasn’t learned that lesson yet.

But as I watch her touch her lips as she watches the game… I wish, for once, I could just be reckless and give her what she wants.

Chapter17

Levi

The next morning, the crew is busy at work with the week’s builds.

Kim’s stupid K-pop is loud and obnoxious, as per usual.

But now that I’ve heard these tracks more times than I can count, I find myself secretly mouthing the lyrics to myself as I work.

I won’t ever admit that to her though. She’s been trying to put me onto Korean pop music since she started dating Jun Yu nearly two years ago.

I guess persistence pays off… eventually.

Sienna called in saying she had some personal business to handle this morning and would be coming in late.

So, at least I can delay the impossible feelings I have when I’m around her by a few hours.

It’s only when I hear Carter’s voice at the entrance of the shop that I poke my head out from my office.

“Special delivery! Did somebody ask for a custom bike?”

Kim appropriately turns down the volume of the music.

“What bike?”

I look outside and see that Sienna and Theo are dismounting a bike from the back of Carter’s truck.

A bike I very much recognize as the one that Theo hasn’t returned until now.

I walk outside, and instantly, I know something is wrong.

Why are they bringing it here… on Carter’s truck?

“What did you do?” I ask, Theo, a little too harshly.

Sienna steps up between us.

“Listen, Levi. It was an accident, okay. But you don’t have to worry. I promised Theo I’d help him fix it.”

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