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)
The woman flashed a glossy smile. “Sixty-seven point seven percent. Highest in the NFL.”
“And how many yards did he throw for?”
“Four-thousand, seven-hundred and seventy.”
“How about the year before?”
“Four-thousand, three-hundred and twelve.”
Tanner tilted his glass to his brother. “You’re welcome.” Then he announced to the table as a whole. “Can everyone please move down to make room for Arielle?”
I wanted to tell him to cut it out, but if I challenged him, I was afraid he would make an even bigger scene. A few people looked over at Tanner with concern on their faces, yet they shifted their seats. Tanner strolled down to the end of the table and grabbed an empty chair, then returned to make it fit next to his seat.
If this was an attempt to make me jealous, he’d failed to realize it wouldn’t work. Jealousy only rears its ugly head when something you want is threatened.
He held his hand out for Arielle to sit and flashed a wicked smile at me. “Presley, honey, why don’t you come sit next to me so Levi can sit with his new friend?”
Levi looked over at me and then at his brother. His teeth were clenched as he spoke. “That’s not necessary, Tanner.”
“Sure it is. And Presley doesn’t mind at all, right, babe?”
Through my peripheral vision, I saw practically the entire table watching the scene. So I quietly got up and walked around to the other side, hoping to diffuse the situation. Arielle squealed a thank you and ran around to take my seat next to Levi.
Tanner proceeded to finish his newest drink and snaked his arm around the back of my chair. Levi said nothing, but kept staring daggers at his brother. I began to worry things might come to a head. I did my best to remain calm, but when I noticed Arielle’s hand slip into Levi’s lap, I’d had enough. I tossed my napkin on the table without touching my dessert.
“It’s getting late. I’m going to take Alex back to the hotel.”
“What? The night is barely getting started,” Tanner said.
“Actually, I think this night has gone on long enough.” I stood.
Tanner tried to stand, but he stumbled back into his seat. “I’ll go with you.”
I placed my hand firmly on his shoulder. “Please don’t. Maybe Arielle can find a friend for you.”
I looked at my son. “Come on, Alex.”
Then I caught Levi’s eye. “Goodnight, Levi. Enjoy your evening.”
***
An hour later, I was back in my hotel room and still hadn’t calmed down. My heart pounded, and I found it difficult to hear with the sound of the blood whooshing through my ears. That was probably why my son had to tell me someone was at the door of our hotel room.
“I didn’t hear anyone knock.”
“I heard it.”
I dreaded the thought of another scene with Tanner. “Okay. You stay in bed. Let me check.”
Looking through the peephole, I was relieved to find it wasn’t Tanner; it was his mom. But even though I could breathe a little easier, I still wasn’t in the mood to talk. Yet I slipped the chain from the top lock and opened the door.
Shelby smiled warmly. “I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“You didn’t. Alex is in bed, but he’s still awake, and I was…unwinding.”
She nodded. “Pretty sure I’d need two bottles of wine to unwind after what you were tangled up in tonight.”
I sighed. “It was not a relaxing evening.”
“I understand.” She lowered her voice. “I hate to bother you, especially at this late hour, but my son asked if I would come keep an eye on Alex so he could speak to you.”
“It’s late, Shelby. And to be honest, I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to speak to Tanner right now. I need to cool off a little.”
“Oh…no.” Shelby shook her head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean Tanner. It’s Levi who asked me to come.”
CHAPTER 32
* * *
Levi
Wearing a hoodie and sunglasses, I waited in front of the hotel and prayed no one would recognize me. Coming here wasn’t smart, but there was no way I could stay away after Presley had left the dinner so upset tonight.
The moment I’d laid eyes on her earlier, it felt like all the willpower I’d tried to muster up since leaving Beaufort had disappeared into thin air. I’d just wanted to leave that freaking dinner and take her home with me, make love to her all night long. Instead, all I’d been able to do was observe her. Presley hadn’t looked happy in the least. And Tanner’s bizarre behavior only made everything worse.
My heart raced as I continued to pace outside the hotel, hoping my mother wouldn’t return to say Presley refused to see me. A man walking by kept staring, and I prayed he didn’t come up to me. I adjusted my hood even lower over my head.