Page 8 of A Step Too Close
“Jesus,” I say. “I love you guys. Goodbye.”
“Text me,” Macie laughs.
When the call ends, Levi smiles at me. “What?” I ask.
“I’m proud of you, Arden,” he says.
“Text your brother,” I say.
“Fair is fair,” he says, laying his phone on the desk in front of us. I watch as he navigates to Jett’s contact before he stops. I gently grab his hand and squeeze, triggering him to press the call button and place the call on speaker.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” A man answers.
“Hey to you too, little brother,” Levi says. “Got a second?”
“I have all the seconds in the world, Levi. How are you?”
“Nothing is wrong. Relax, Jett,” Levi says gently. “Look… I’m not going to bullshit here. Okay?”
“Oookay,” Jett says.
“After Charlotte and Melody died, I turned into a drunk and I was ashamed of who I had become. I did start my own PI business and have somehow managed to make that into something successful, but… A really special woman came intomy life and motivated me to get sober. I haven’t had a drink in seven months and she is encouraging me to reach out to y’all.”
“I love her already. When do you want to meet up?”
“If I give you an address, can you get Mom and Dad there without telling them? I want it to be a surprise,” Levi says.
“Oh, for sure. And I should probably go ahead and fess up… I totally stalk you,” he laughs. I know where your office is and everything.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. I sometimes think I have seen you in that coffee shop across the road,” Levi laughs. “I listen to everything you guys send me. I read every text… I’m not perfect and you all didn’t deserve that, but… I was drowning for a long time.”
“You watched them get raped and murdered. I don’t know anyone who would take that well, Levi,” Jett says. “No one ever blamed you. If we did, we would have hunted you down. Mom told us all of the time that when you were ready, you’d come back. You have always processed things alone, and this is no different.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Levi says.
“So… Who’s this miracle worker of a woman?” Jett asks.
“Her name is Arden,” Levi says, smiling at me. “I met her when I was giving a lecture at the college. She then proceeded to bugthe shit out of me until I agreed to take her on so she could get field hours to get certified as a PI. I made her start with physical training but today is her first day in the office.”
“Oh, so she’s Charlotte,” Jett says.
“She and Charlotte share some similar qualities,” Levi laughs. Seeing the way his smile reaches his eye warms my heart. “Not that I am intentionally comparing her to my dead wife.”
“Meh. I’ve been compared to worse,” I say.
“It’s nice to meet you, Arden. Will you be there tonight?” Jett asks.
“Yes,” Levi answers for me.
“Are you two dating?”
“We are just exploring things right now,” Levi says.
“Oh, that is your bullshit way of saying yes, but you are too nervous to admit it,” Jett laughs. “I will bug you more in person. What time?”
“Six okay? I’ll make dinner,” Levi says.
“Sounds good. Thank you for calling, Levi,” Jett says.
