Page 112 of Holiday on the Rocks
“You made me a promise. I said the only way I’d leave that hospital was if you gave her the letter, but you never did.” Levi’s head shook. “I should’ve never fucking trusted you.”
My brain felt like my junk drawer being dumped onto a trampoline. A letter?
“She needed a fresh break.”
“Maybe from the eighteen-year-old me, but not when I came back for her every year on our anniversary. The letter told her I’d be at our spot if she wanted us. She was everything, she was my wife.”
“Stop saying that,” Will hissed.
“I should’ve just gone after her regardless of you. That letter was the explanation she’s never had. She thought I just left her there and never contacted her again. How could you let her think that?”
My jaw hit the floor and bounced a few times as my temples began to throb.
“She’s moved on.”
“Did she? Because her kisses tell me otherwise.”
Will’s hand hit the table. “Back the fuck off.”
“Every day I fought myself to not get into my truck and come for her. I thought she read my letter and didn’t want me back. The only way I wasn’t going to go to her was to move to a different continent. I did that because I believed she wanted to let it all go.” I looked into the room to see his head shake. “Do you know how many times I was packed to come back? She was all I thought of.”
“Don’t kid yourself, it would’ve never worked.”
“I finished college and have a good life and career now. I didn’t have your respect back then, and I didn’t deserve it. But I’ve earned that now. I’ve fucking earned it.”
A quick peek showed Lexi looking thoughtfully at Levi. “I think we can agree you have, Levi.”
“Thank you.”
I took a step away when Will cleared his throat.
“Clint loves her. I’m asking you to stay away, Levi.”
“I know what you’re asking.”
I heard his feet, and I quickly disappeared into the coat closet as my brain tried to wrap around the conversation that included all the missing puzzle pieces. He’d written me and said the words I longed to hear for what felt like an eternity. The explanation that never was.
He’d come back every year on our anniversary?
My heart was skipping beats which I was pretty sure could kill me, while my feet were rooted in the closet as my stomach weaved itself into a French braid. All the blank spaces were suddenly filled. There was a confirmed answer. An explanation for the chunk of my heart that had been missing for so long.
I stayed in the dark closet until I was certain everyone had left the kitchen, and I was a mess. I needed to resuscitate my brain. I dug deep for a pep talk.
Look at you. You’re not a total mess. Being awake and stuff like that. You’re tucked away in a closet not even stabbing Will right now. You deserve a coffee for being a magnificent little sunbeam.
I finally exited the closet and bolted into the bathroom. Yeah, sometimes in life you just vomit.
Once I’d seen my last meal in reverse, not recommended, I tip toed back to my room. I locked my door and plopped onto the bed. I buried my face in the pillow searching for his scent. Memories zipped through me of being held against the shower wall while he touched me like only he could. Where my name mixed with cursing as he reminded me what it could be like to be owned by him. Because I kind of always had been. My heart was cocooned in warmth.
He’d written me. He’d come back for me every year on our anniversary. He thought I didn’t want him.
My family had taken the reins of destiny and sent me in a different direction. Even through the pissiness I felt toward Will, I was floating. Yeah, I’d kill him later. I was literally bursting with joy. Ecstatic was the only word to describe what was bubbling through my veins. I kicked my feet against the bed while I screamed into my pillow.
He had wanted me. He’d always wanted me. So was it safe to assume he still wanted me even though he’d stated clearly as a train derailment that we were only a closure thing? Maybe he was just saying that?
I heard a ping and looked over to see Levi had dropped his phone when he popped into my room. I hopped up, grabbed it, and held it in my hands ready to get it back to him. The case was smooth, shiny, and felt good in my hands. Of course everyone has a screen lock code, but I wondered if he had a screensaver. Although I was alone, I locked the door and pulled the curtains closed.
I ran my finger over the screen and a rustic trail surrounded by trees and water popped up. It was beautiful. I bet it was a Brazilian path where he where he runs. Yes, his bare chest would glisten in the sunlight as his muscly body jogged along causing gasps and horniness from passing tourists. Sigh.
