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)
“Why not?”
“It turns out, I have to head back to Colorado early. I’m leaving tomorrow.”
“Oh no! You can’t leave yet. Why?” he asked with a panicked expression.
The sound of Presley’s shocked voice rang out from behind me. “What?”
I hadn’t realized she was within earshot. My heart sank. Suddenly I could no longer form the words to properly explain myself.
Fuck. Looking into her eyes, I said, “I was gonna tell you over breakfast.”
“Tomorrow?” she breathed. “Tomorrow?”
I nodded. “My agent called and said they need me back at training camp early to work with the new receivers. I figured since I had to leave in two weeks anyway, I might as well head out there.”
Presley looked devastated, as if all of the joy had been sucked out of her. I tightened my muscles, vowing to remain strong and reminding myself that ultimately I was doing what was best for her—for everyone.
I regretted telling Alex first, though, and wished Presley and I were having this conversation alone. But it was too late.
“Please don’t go yet, Uncle Levi.” Alex’s voice cracked, and it broke my damn heart. Here I was thinking he had all he needed with his dad here. But he seemed really broken up over the bombshell I’d just dropped.
I knelt and placed my arms around his shoulders. “I promise to come back and visit the first chance I get, okay?”
Come hell or high water, I needed to stick to that promise, even if things would be awkward between Presley and me. My nephew shouldn’t have to pay for my indiscretions. Despite Tanner being back in the picture, I’d developed something special with Alex, and I wasn’t willing to throw that away, even if I’d forever be second fiddle to his father.
I knew if I could manage to keep what happened between me and his mother secret, my relationship with Alex would remain strong. My relationship with Presley, though? I had no idea what would become of that now that I’d made this decision. But I loved her, and sometimes loving someone means doing what’s best for them in the long run.
“Thanks for making breakfast, but I’m not hungry,” Presley said as she left the room.
My heart ached. I wanted to run after her but had virtual shackles on me with my brother standing here.
With Presley gone, I finally looked over at Tanner.
“Shame you can’t stick around,” he said.
Except his tone didn’t sound the least bit sincere. I wondered if he hadn’t been so oblivious after all.
CHAPTER 26
* * *
Presley
“Do you think you can run to Home Depot and pick up the bolts we need to hang the swing on the porch?”
Tanner’s forehead wrinkled. “The swing I put in the garage the other day?”
“Yes.”
“The bolts to hang it come with the swing. I read it on the box.”
I’d been afraid he might say that, so I’d snuck into the garage a half hour ago, opened the box, took out the bolts, and hid them in my dresser drawer.
I shook my head and reached into my pocket for the directions. “It says they’re supposed to be in the box, but they weren’t. I opened it earlier.” Unfolding the paper, I pointed to the picture of the bolts included with the parts descriptions. “This is the size we need.”
Tanner took the paper. “I’ll pick them up tomorrow. I have to go over to the college and do some paperwork. It’s right down the street from the Home Depot.”
I shook my head. “No. I need it hung tonight. The guy who revamped the website for the inn wants to add a video of it on the homepage before we officially open. Something about giving it movement to catch the eye.”
Tanner sighed. “Alright, fine.”
“Could you also stop at the grocery store and pick up some coffee beans?”
“There’s coffee in the cabinet.”
“Not anymore. I made an extra pot this afternoon and finished the last of it.” Or the can is sitting in my underwear drawer next to the swing bolts.
Tanner nodded. “Okay, sure.”
“And…would you mind taking my car and putting windshield wiper fluid in? Oh, and I told Alex he could stay over at his friend Kyle’s tonight, if you could also drop him on the way.”
Tanner’s brows rose. “Anything else?”
“No, that’s it.” But only because asking you to drive to Florida to get some fresh oranges might be a bit over the top.
Normally I felt bad asking people for favors, though today I’d been incapable of feeling bad for anyone but myself. This entire day had been absolute torture. Tanner hadn’t left the house, and I thought I might seriously burst if I didn’t get some alone time to talk to Levi. So I had no choice but to create a few chores to make it happen. Levi had been scarce all day, holed up in his room with the door closed, like he was right now. So once I got Alex and Tanner out of the house, I went straight to his bedroom and took a deep breath before knocking.