Page 3 of Forbidden Match

“God, Levi, we’re just teasing,” Haley says with a roll of her eyes. “Go after the one who actually did it, why don’t you?”

“I am,” Levi scowls.

As if out of nowhere, Sam shows up with a towel and a thunderous, angry look. Levi turns to my brother. “I watched Haley give that kid from earlier some money and pointed out your sister,” he said, his fearsome eyes boring into the head cheerleader. “Then he dumped a slushie on her. Wouldn’t be surprised if she put him up to asking her out, too.”

I hadn’t thought of that at all. It stings more than I care to admit, especially since Levi’s the one pointing it out. But then again, hisfury on my behalf feels amazing. I’d hate to be on the receiving end of that glare.

“What the fuck, Haley?” my brother asked.

“And I’m willing to bet that this isn’t the first time she’s been such a—”

“It’s fine,” I pipe up, interrupting Levi. I’m not defending Haley at all, but if they keep going on like this, she’s really going to make my life hell. I won’t be able to quit the cheer squad fast enough to escape her wrath. I’m just trying to think of my future, when Levi and Sam aren’t going to be around to protect me.

“No, it’s not fuckingfine,” Levi continues.

“He’s right,” Sam says, mashing the towel into my hands as puts a protective arm around me. He ignores the fact that I’m covered in freezing sugar water. “Come on, Molly. Let’s get you cleaned up. I’ve got a sweatshirt in the car.”

As he leads me away, I turn back as I hear Levi snarling at Haley. “You wanted my attention? You’ve got it now. But you’re not going to like it, you got that? If you ever give Molly any grief again, I’m going to make sure you regret it.”

“It’s just a joke, Levi,” Haley whines, sounding more upset by the minute.

“Does it look like I’m laughing?” He shakes his head at her crocodile tears and follows us out of the food court.

I can hardly believe it, but when I look past him at Haley, she looks genuinely upset. It almost feels like she’s taking him seriously. As she should—Levi has a reputation for taking no shit, but giving plenty of it when needed.

And he stood up for me. Mine was the side he chose when it mattered most.

That night, I drift off to sleep, replaying Levi’s heroic rescue over again and again in my head. I find myself embellishing more and more each time, until it ends with him sweeping me into his arms and declaring his undying love to me in front of everyone, all but brandishing a sword against my enemies.

That little fantasy doesn’tjusthaunt my dreams, however—it lasts all through high school, even after he graduates.

All at once, I stopped getting bullied and developed a full-blown crush on my brother’s best friend. I was able to make friends and settle in to being a high school student, all thanks to Levi, but I’ve never been able to let go of my undying attraction to him.

Chapter 1

Levi

Five years later …

I wake up just in time to turn the alarm off the second it blares. Years of waking up well before dawn has me conditioned to know it’s time to get another day of work under my belt. The branches of the trees outside my curtainless window wave in the winter wind, dark against the stars that are still painted on the predawn sky.

I don’t have to worry about any nosy neighbors since I live so far out in the woods, and I’m not the least bit cold despite the wind outside. Because I built this cabin. Cut every beam and placed every brick. It’s as solid as my reputation as a contractor in town, which is why I need to get up when it’s still basically nighttime.

I’ve worked hard since my high school graduation to become one of the best builders for miles around. Despite only being twenty-three years old, people know that if I make something for them, it’s going to be just what they wanted and it’s going to last. And it’s going to be done fast. It’s the reason I’ve managed to be successful in branching out on my own in the last year.

As I switch on the coffee maker and head for the shower, I feel my habitual frown settling into my face. My small crew isthe best, but we’re beginning to fall behind on this current job. I need to whip them into shape with one of my “pep talks” when they get to the site today. In order to stay in front of the competition, I not only have to promise excellence, but also speed. In a couple of years, I should be able to allow myself a little more leeway but right now? It’s nose to the grindstone and pedal to the metal.

I head out with my scarf wrapped around my face and my coffee steaming out of the hole of the travel mug. The cold between my door and my car can only wake me up so much. I haul myself into my old truck and make my way down the long, winding road through the forest and to the outskirts of town where we’re building a new rec center.

I’m the first one there as usual and I take a moment to go over the day’s plan, check the equipment, and inspect yesterday’s work one more time. It was a great honor to get a contract like this, and it will go a long way to getting us many more, but only if we can get it done in the insane timeframe I promised.

As my three full-timers and the rest of the day workers straggle onto the site, I’m on my second cup of coffee and already cutting rebar strips. Nobody’s late yet—I’m just perpetually early.

Jim, my foreman, raises an eyebrow at me as he goes to pour himself a cup of coffee in the trailer, motioning for me to follow him.

“We’re going to have to ask for an extension,” he says by way of greeting.

“No way,” I say. “Safety’s on point. I’ll do overtime if it’s necessary. Hire more people.”

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