Page 17 of Playing the Neutral Zone

“Why would you say that?”

“Because it’s the truth.You never did with him.”

“That’s because I never had to!”I cried.

That part was true.There had never been a day in my life since I’d met Levi that I ever had to stand up for myself.Our relationship never worked that way.We didn’t do things to one another that hurt the other.We never had to apologize or mention that we didn’t like the way the other person was treating them, because we never took the other for granted.It was as if we had a mutual understanding between us, until, well, until that morning.

“I beg to differ.I think had you of stood up for yourself to start with when you wanted to date him, you’d have been with him now.”

This was the problem with being close to your brother and sharing your thoughts and feelings, I thought to myself.He’d seen me agonize over the fact that Levi wouldn’t commit to me until I’d graduated from school.Even though it bothered me, I’d never voiced my disappointment or disagreement with him.

“That’s your opinion, but I’m going to remind you that his reason for not dating me was because of you.”

“I’m not getting into this with you again.I’m only going to say that he can’t treat you like that, Scarlett.You did nothing, and his behaviour crossed a line I didn’t like.So, therefore, he should be and will apologize to you.Did he come down and talk to you?”

I pulled my phone away from my ear and looked at the text Levi had sent.I still hadn’t responded.I debated how I was going to answer him when I heard him clear his throat.

“Well?Did he?”

“Yep, he did.It’s fine.I just don’t want you fighting my battles for me,” I said, hearing a knock in the distance.

I got up off my chair and stepped into my condo, only to hear another knock at the door.

“Good, I’m glad.Now, if you don’t want me to interfere, then stand up for yourself.”

“I’ve got to go.I’ll call you later.”

“Talk later.”

I ended the call and walked over to the door of my condo, looking through the peephole.I immediately stepped back when I saw who it was.I looked down at myself, wrapped in my silk lavender-colored bathrobe, and let out a sigh.I closed my eyes, unlocked the door, and then opened it to come face-to-face with Levi.He wore a pair of faded and ripped jeans, and a Dominator’s T-shirt, along with a Vancouver Grizzlies baseball hat backwards over his dark hair.He stood there, hands in his pockets, staring at me.

“Can we talk?”he questioned.

I looked around the hallway for Mia.

“Aren’t you missing someone?”

“It would appear that way.She’s upstairs with her nanny.I have some errands to run, and since she isn’t feeling too well, I figured it was best she stay home.Anyway, I wanted to stop in.Do you have a couple of minutes?”he asked again, his eyes falling down my body, then back up to my eyes.

“Sure, as you can see, I’m not dressed for any type of adventure.Come in,” I said, stepping to the side and waiting while he entered.

I shut the door behind him, turning to find he’d made his way into the living room.My heart was racing and the room suddenly felt very warm, although I’d left the sliding door open.

I followed him and was just about to him when he stopped walking and turned, causing me to stop as well.Our eyes locked, neither of us saying anything.I cleared my throat.

“What is it?”I questioned, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Look, first, I want to apologize for last night.I’m sorry for accusing you.”

I nodded.“Don’t worry about it,” I replied, trying not to act like his actions had bothered me.“Anything else?”

Levi looked at me.I could tell he wanted to say something else, but he said nothing.

“What?”I asked.

“What, what?”he repeated.

“You want to know something, I can tell,” I said.

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