Page 61 of Power Play

Is he nuts?I can’t just pack up and leave. I have a shift tomorrow morning. And Harper—

“Yeah. Demi is taking Harper for a sleepover tonight,” he tells Tyson, but I know he’s

really telling me. “Yep. And Gary and Linda were very excited when I told them the plan. They said they’d hold down the fort while I stole her away. Uh-huh. I know. Nah, man. I’m just lucky she still thinks I’m cute. Alright, dude. See you tomorrow.”

He puts the phone down on the table and turns to me, putting his arm around the back of my chair.

“On a scale of one to ten, how badly are you panicking internally right now?” he asks. I bite my lip, but I can’t help but smile. He has the sweetest way of calling me out but also showing me that my anxiety isn’t something I have to change. He’s ready for it. He’s ready to help me through it. I’m not used to it yet, but it sure does feel good.

“Only like a six,” I say, laughing. “I can’t believe you did all this.”

He shrugs.

“I wanted to spend my last night before my last game with you,” he says. “And secretly, it was my way of making sure you actually came to the game.” His eyes drop for a moment. “I need you there, Lo.”

I pick up his hand and put it in my lap. After all he’s done for me, after everything that’s happened, I would do anything for this man.

“Then there is where I will be.”

An hour later, I’m packing up a bag and frantically looking through my drawers for something—anything—sexy to wear tonight.

“Ugh,” I say, flipping through my closet.

“Relax,” Demi says from the phone on my bed. “Just grab some lingerie and call it a day.” I groan.

“I’ve had a kid since I was eighteen and have never had a serious relationship since. I don’thaveany lingerie. I have nothing. I have nothing sexy, and I am not sexy. I’m basically the nerdy teenager he left. Oh, my God,” I say, feeling the spiral sinking in.

“Hey,” she says, but I ignore her. “Lola Rae Dennings Calway. Look at me right now.” I roll my eyes and pick the phone up off the bed. “That man doesn’t give a shit about how you look. Do you know how excited he was to plan this? He’s called me about six times. He just wants you. Breathe. Let yourself enjoy this without making it into something that makes you worry.”

I draw in a long, slow breath—in through the nose for four, out through the mouth for four.

“Okay,” I finally agree. “I gotta finish packing and then pack Harper’s bag.”

“No, you don’t. I’ll pack her bag. She and I are going shopping beforehand. She’ll be fine. Just worry about yourself,” Demi says. I look down at the phone. I never feel like I deserve any of this. When my family sticks their neck out for me, when they show me and my kid so much love…I feel unworthy of it. And with Levi, it’s amplified times a thousand. He has no obligation. He just does it all because he wants to. And I’m not sure what to do with that yet.

“Thank you, Dem,” I say. She smiles and winks at me.

“Go. Have fun, baby sister.”

A few minutes later, there’s a knock at the front door, and I’m grabbing my duffel bag and walking down the steps. Dad lets him in, and they shake hands as he closes the door.

“Wow, ready on time?” Dad asks with a smirk as I make my way down the stairs. I roll my eyes.

“It’s a little easier without a little munchkin running around,” I say, pinching Harper’s sides playfully as she tucks back into my dad’s arms. “You gonna be a good girl for Aunt D. tonight, sweetie girl?”

“Yes. We’re watchingDespicable Meand having popcorn. And snacks! Other snacks. And chocolate. And brownies!” she says. I laugh and put a hand to my face.

“Good Lord,” I say, shaking my head and pulling her in for a kiss. “Thanks for keeping her until Dem gets here, Dad.”

He nods and kisses my head.

“Of course. Now go have fun. Tell Mama we will see her tomorrow at the game!”

“Bye, Mama! I love you more than the stars,” she says. I smile and kiss her one more time.

“More than the stars, baby.”

I turn to walk toward the door, but Levi hasn’t moved. He walks toward Harper and my dad and pulls a small bag from behind his back.

---