Page 102 of Breaking the Habit

“Stop donating to the research organizations?”

“All of it. The whole reason you signed this stupid contract was to make for a more secure future for Gage. I’m not going to let you take that away from him now because of some stupid, engineered drama.”

He didn’t look convinced. “But I know how you feel about all this shit. And I don’t want you dragged into it.”

Riley shook her head, her gaze drifting to the hard line of his collarbone, visible below the collar of his T-shirt. “It’s too late. I’m already in it. And you know what?” She shrugged. “It’s different this time around. I’ll figure it out.”

“Riley,” Levi said.

“I’m serious. I…sort of remember parts from my drunk night last weekend. And I remember being so angry that I wanted to sell you out. But in being a drunk asshole, I remember it made sense to sell myself out, too.”

“I triedvery hardto sneak you out of there,” Levi added.

“I’m sure you did. But the truth of the matter is that I’m a sports photographer for someone who is famous. I can’t avoid the spotlight. Not anymore. I mean, it’s not like I want to be a drunk asshole every weekend—"

“You were kinda cute even when you were screaming obscenities.”

“Or maybe I could be a drunk asshole more frequently. Point is, it’s happening. And I should roll with it.”

Levi’s lips were quirked into a private smile. She felt like his gaze both rejuvenated her and made her melt into a useless puddle.

“But they’re gonna publish really, really baseless shit about me and Titi,” Levi said, his voice soft. “That’s the whole point of this. To fabricate a relationship that doesn’t exist, so that it can go down in flames for her benefit. It might reflect onto you.”

“I don’t care,” Riley said, feeling the meaning of those words down to her bones. “I’ve tried to keep myself out of the spotlight so hard and for so long. It hasn’t worked. And being a hermit just to avoid attention? That’s not how I want to live.” A sigh rattled out of her, and she felt both excitement and anxiety prickle through her with the revelatory words. “People will always think what they want, no matter what I do. In fact, it almost doesn’t matter what I do—there will still be someone waiting to speculate and take it wrong and ultimately call me a whore. I’d rather be living my life. As long as you’re with me, and we both know the truth of what’s going on, I don’t care.”

“Fuck.” Levi grinned so wide, it damn near stretched off his face. “I think I’m gonna cry.”

“I’m not saying I want to be in the tabloids all the time. We can find a balance, you know? Figure out how to work it. How tomake itwork.”

“I should warn you…there’s probably going to be an article coming out sometime about me peeing on your house.”

A laugh escaped her. “Did you piss on my house?”

“I did, but only accidentally, and because I was waiting for you for hours after the fight on Saturday. Nikki wouldn’t let me in because she’s a good friend to you. So, you know. If they spin it that I was hexing your house with my urine or something, don’t believe it.”

Laughter overcame her. Because it was ridiculous. All of it. And for the first time in her life, she could handle the frustrations and absurdity of it all. With Levi at her side, she had not only a partner but a jokester in crime. She wouldn’t be suffering alone.

Not anymore.

“And if you get mad at me again,” Levi went on, “I’ll send John Stamos to make it better.” His eyes sparkled, sending amusement and heat and love curling through her, filling every last space of her body. “Instead of makeup sex, it’ll be makeup Stamos.”

She melted against him, laughter and tears escaping her in equal measure. This man gave her something she’d always dreamt of but hadn’t truly thought could exist. This man showed her that love didn’t only injure, it could also heal. Levi surged forward and captured her lips in a kiss that stopped time. Her entire body tingled with unshakeable certainty.

“Hey, Ri,” Levi said when their kiss broke. “Wanna hear my new joke?”

She ran her hands through his hair. “Absolutely.”

“It’s about bread.”

“Tell it.”

“I can’t stand white bread, but I looove Ri.” Levi’s satisfied smirk made her roll her eyes.

“Okay. See, I don’t trust people who like rye—”

“Think about it. Say it again.”

“I love rye?” Riley asked.

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