Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 108124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 541(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 541(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
Alex looked to me. “Mom, can Dad please stay with us? He won’t be in the way. He can stay in my room.”
“I don’t think so, Alex.”
Alex pleaded. “Please.”
The sad look on his face hit me straight in the heart. My son never asked me for much. He’d put up with a lot, given the mess of a relationship his father and I had. Am I really being fair to him?
“I suppose…we can make room for your dad,” I said, swallowing the anxiety uttering those words brought on.
“You sure?” Tanner asked. When I nodded, he mouthed, “Thank you.”
I was pretty sure I’d just made a huge mistake. But I’d do anything for Alex, and that proved it.
***
Levi was home when we returned to the inn.
Alex couldn’t wait to tell him about Tanner staying with us.
“Uncle Levi, Dad is staying with us. Isn’t that the best news ever?”
Levi’s eyes darted to me. Frowning, I did my best to offer a silent apology.
And he did his best to pretend he was happy about it as he forced a smile. “That’s amazing news, buddy.”
Tanner ruffled Alex’s hair. “Last I recall, your favorite food is pizza. Is that still correct?”
“Well, now it’s pizza and Iggy’s fried chicken.”
“Ah. You discovered Iggy’s, did ya?”
“Uncle Levi took me. We had dinner there one night when Mom was out. He told me a bunch of old stories from back when you guys used to go there.”
Tanner looked over at his brother and smiled. “Thanks for showing him around.”
“It was my pleasure.” Levi smiled. “We had a good time that night, didn’t we, Alex?”
Alex nodded. “We always have a good time.”
A look of sadness crossed Tanner’s face, as if realizing for the first time that it wasn’t only the inn Levi had been looking after.
If he only knew...
Looking down at Alex, Tanner clapped his hands together. “What do you say we give your mother a break tonight, and I’ll order pizza for all of us?”
“You don’t need to do that,” I said.
“I want to.”
Alex jumped up and down. “Mom, please! Pizza sounds so good!”
He didn’t realize my hesitation had nothing to do with the pizza but everything to do with Tanner pushing his way back into our lives at warp speed. But all I could do was sigh.
Tanner ended up ordering three large pizzas to be delivered. Levi and I were quiet throughout dinner while Tanner and Alex made up for lost time. Alex filled his dad in on how camp had gone all summer and the upcoming peewee football season.
After dinner, Alex went to take a shower. Tanner asked Levi if he wanted to grab a couple of beers from the fridge and head out back. He agreed, and I watched them go, only to realize my nerves were shot. What would they discuss during their man-to-man time? I could only imagine what was going through Levi’s mind. He’d been forced to keep his emotions inside since Tanner’s arrival, and it killed me that we hadn’t had a chance to talk.
Later that evening, after I tucked Alex in, I went to my room earlier than normal. The second I closed the door behind me, Levi texted.
Levi: Are you okay?
Presley: I am. You?
Levi: Okay is a relative term.
Presley: I’m sorry I got pressured into him staying here.
Levi: You did the right thing.
Presley: I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.
Levi: The only thing making me feel uncomfortable now is the thought of him upsetting you.
Presley: I miss you. We were supposed to have our day together. Instead, I feel like the world turned upside down.
Before Levi could respond, a text from Tanner came through.
Tanner: I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you letting me stay.
Before I could respond to Tanner, another text from Levi lit up my phone.
Levi: I wish I could come to your room right now. This fucking sucks.
And then a text from Tanner.
Tanner: You looked so beautiful tonight.
Then from Levi.
Levi: I need you tonight, Presley. I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I know he’s my brother and I love him and you belonged to him first and all that…but I am feeling SO goddamn possessive right now.
Shit.
Tanner: Seriously, Presley. I know my staying here isn’t easy for you.
My brain was spinning.
Levi: Are you there?
I shook my head and responded to Levi.
Presley: Yes. I’m here.
Tanner sent another message.
Tanner: I was hoping you could carve out some time to talk to me tomorrow. There’s a lot I need to say to you.
I responded to Tanner.
Presley: I’m not sure we have anything left to talk about.
But it was Levi who answered me.
Levi: What the hell are you saying?
I looked down and realized I’d sent that last text to the wrong brother.
Presley: I’m sorry. That was meant for Tanner.
Levi immediately messaged back.
Levi: He’s texting you right now?
I could feel his anger through my phone.