Page 78 of Breaking the Habit

“I don’t know what I’m doing,” Levi said, the words damn near sticking to his throat. “I’ll be honest, I’m making this shit up as I go along. But somebody has got to be there for Gage. And it’s me. It’s only ever gonna be me.”

Riley nodded, and when she looked up at him she had tears in her eyes. “Of course. You’re so good to him.”

He rubbed at his face for a second while Riley rubbed his back. Opening up to her wasn’t as scary as he’d imagined. Pressure hissed out of him. Left room for other things.

“I’m trying my hardest to take care of him,” Levi said in a low voice. “Because if I don’t make it, then we both fall. It’s not just me. Like, if I missed rent or an electric bill, and it was just me? Who cares? But now, I got—” His voice broke away, and he drew a deep breath. “I got this whole other life to think about constantly. Like, every second. And failing isn’t an option.”

“You’re never gonna fail, Levi,” Riley said. “It’s not in you.”

“I’m glad you think that. But failure is around every corner. If I don’t win the match. If I don’t get my sponsors. If I can’t bring in the money to pay for all his medical expenses.” He ground his jaw. These worries were always clawing at the back of his mind. “We don’t have anybody to fall back on, Ri. It’s all on me. My parents had some money, but it’s all gone already. Between the funeral expenses, paying off debts, and taking care of Gage, there’s nothing left. It’s only what I bring in.”

She slid her hands down his forearms, until her fingers interlaced with his. She searched out his gaze, and the understanding he found in her face sent a tidal wave of relief through him. But more than that. Encouragement, too. She would go to bat for him. He had an ally in her.

“I think you’re the only person I’ve ever said this to,” he whispered, so quietly he almost didn’t hear himself speak.

She dragged her fingertips through his hair, her face soft with understanding. “I can’t be the only one who knows your story.”

“One of few. And the only one in LA.”

“Even Travis doesn’t know?”

Levi shook his head. “He knows I have a brother. But they’ve never met.”

Riley frowned. “But he would love Gage.”

“I know. It’s…we’ve had problems in the past. I don’t let people get close to Gage. Not until they can prove they’ll stick around.”

Riley’s eyes softened, and she slid her small hand around to the back of his neck. “And you think I’ll stick around.”

He hefted with a laugh. “I’m hoping you will. You’re the only girl Gage has met, so we might as well be married now.” Levi looked her up and down, some of the heaviness clearing from his chest. And that was what Riley gave to him, whether she meant to or not. She lifted some of the weight from his shoulders. And god, it felt good to get a break even for a little bit. “Speaking of which, did you bring the Stamos keychain?”

She nodded, rummaging in her black handbag. “I have him right here.”

She brought out a rectangular-encased Uncle Jesse a moment later, handing it over. Levi grinned, closing it inside a fist.

“Good. It’s mine now.”

Her eyes widened. “You’re not giving it back?”

“I have plans for this.”

“Levi.”

“Trust me.” He went over to his closet, tucking the keychain into a small box on the shelf. He didn’t want to spill the secret yet, but he knew she’d love it.

This was his way of showing her how much she meant to him. He’d known before their conversation, but opening up to her only sealed the deal.

When she got it back, there’d be a house key attached to it.

Chapter 25

Riley awoke slowly the next morning, letting the sensations trickle through her in stages.

First, it was the gray hues of dawn, peeking in past the shades.

Next it was the solid wall of Levi around her. The copper heat of him, pressed against her back, warm leg thrown over hers, as they spooned and shared one pillow all through the night.

And then the contentment hit her next. The shuddering satisfaction that crested her body, not in shock waves, but in the languid knowing of a slow, steady stream.

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