Page 69 of Fallen Stars

“I am in love with Ollie.”

A gasp echoes throughout the room and I have no clue who it came from. Nor do I care.

Levi West just told a roomful of people he is in love with me.

He erases the distance between us, takes my hand in his and locks onto my teary gaze. “I’ve been in love with him for years.” With an infinitesimal nod, he mouthsI love youbefore turning back to his parents. “I’m tired of hiding who I am to please you.” He laces our fingers. “This is the real me; take it or leave it.”

Stunned in silence, his parents and the Calhouns stare at us. When no one speaks up, Levi tightens his hold on my hand and starts for the front door.

As we exit the house, everyone stirs back to life and voices boom in the background. I can’t make out what they are saying, but their volume and tone speak for themselves.

Anger. Lots and lots of anger.

Rushing to his car, we get in and he cranks the engine. Less than a minute later, he parks outside the pool house. Out of the car, Levi waits for me at the front and takes my hand when I step up to his side.

“What are we doing?” I ask as we enter his home on the West property.

Levi spins around and walks backward, his luminous eyes never straying from mine. When we reach the door leading to his bedroom, he stops and swallows.

“Can I stay with you?”

A surge of adrenaline spikes my bloodstream as my heart rattles my rib cage.

Levi is in love with me—he is mine—and just asked to stay at my place.

The backs of my eyes sting as emotion swells in my throat and saliva floods my mouth. Telling him yes dancing on the tip of my tongue, but I’m too overwhelmed to articulate the actual word.

Lips tucked and rolling between my teeth, I slowly nod my acquiescence.

The corners of his mouth tip up in the most addictive smile. He steps into me, frames my face with his hands and kisses me with unfathomable hunger. I melt into his touch, the kiss, his taste. Get lost in his warmth, the way his tongue caresses mine, his moans as his fingers slip into my hair.

All too soon, he breaks the kiss and drops his forehead to mine. Our heavy breaths mingle as we come down from the temporary high.

Will it always feel like this with him? Powerful. Soul-consuming. An endless need for more.

God, I hope so.

His thumbs stroke my cheeks as he drops a chaste kiss to my lips. “I love you, Oliver.” He nods almost imperceptibly. “So fucking much.”

Tears well in my eyes as I inhale a shaky breath. I clutch his wrists and meet his spellbinding blue eyes. “I love you, Levi.” I grip his wrists harder. “Moje srce.”My heart.

June 29th

Today made me dizzy. The highs, the craziness, the confessions. L told me he’s in love with me. He announced this monumental truth in front of his parents and the Calhouns. I think I left my body for a moment when he said the words. I doubt he wanted to tell me like that, but after the shit A tried to pull, he needed everyone to hear him.

A has obviously gone insane. I mean, who does what she did? Who spends a shit ton of money on an engagement ring for themselves to pretend they’re getting married to someone they’re not even with? Yeah, they agreed to fake date to shut their parents up. None of it was real, though. L put an end to the charade weeks ago, but it’s obvious she didn’t hear a word he said. Her problem not ours.

Either way, I’m glad that shit’s fucking over and we can move on.

L moved in with me today. Well, kind of. He packed up most of his closet, work stuff and anything of importance, shoved it in every nook of his car, and brought it to my place. While he packed, I talked to Mama. She and Papa were cool about it since I pay rent. I just wanted them to know before we showed up with duffel bags and L’s car spent more time at our house.

I’ve dreamed about this moment for years. It’s hard to believe that he’s here, that he’s mine, that we’re together and in love. But I’ll happily count my lucky stars because L is worth every single one of them.

EIGHTEEN

LEVI

I’ve falleninto the literal pit of hell.

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