Page 55 of Playing the Neutral Zone

“Already in my hand, Levi.No worries there.Consider it done.”

“Thanks, Harvey.Oh, and if you can get her to agree for a million, I’d appreciate it.”

“Do my best, Levi.Talk soon.”

I honestly feltlike my life was finally turning back to normal.Weeks passed, Mia finally stopped asking about Scarlett, and Skylar had taken the one million and signed the paperwork.I’d never been so relieved.The one thing I feared the most was losing Mia.

I’d just finished a slew of away games, and we were now on mid-season break, which meant I had nowhere to be for at least a week.

I slipped from bed and got into the shower.It was still early, but I wanted to get a head start on vacation.I was taking Mia home to see my parents for a few days before life returned to normal.

Once I showered, I made my way to the kitchen to make special animal waffles for breakfast.It was a tradition that I’d started, we had animal waffles the first day of mid-season break.Then we were heading to the airport for our flight to New York.

I had just poured the batter into the waffle iron when my phone pinged.I figured it was the guys, I grabbed it and opened my app to see Scottie’s name.

Scottie: Can we talk?

I tapped the edge of my phone and then opened the waffle iron, removing the first waffle.I added more batter and shut it before responding.

Levi: If it’s quick, yes.Busy day ahead.

Immediately, my phone rang, and I grabbed it, hopefully before it woke Mia.She was still asleep, and I always enjoyed seeing the look of surprise on her face when I placed the plate of animal waffles in front of her.

“What’s up?”I questioned.

“Levi, we need to talk.”

“About?”

“Scarlett…”

I closed my eyes.The last thing I wanted to do was to have a conversation with Scottie about his sister’s actions.I was still pissed with everything that had gone down, and I knew I would have a hard time not telling him exactly how I felt.

“Levi, she’s crushed.”

“She should be,” I bit out.

The last thing I wanted to hear was how hurt she was because of something she did herself, because, frankly, she wasn't the victim here.

“Did you give her a chance to explain?”

“No.Why the hell would I?”

“Levi, she didn’t do the things you think she did.It was someone else.”

I was seriously beginning to think she was a master at getting people to believe her lies.I questioned everything we ever had between us.I certainly had to second-guess her sob story about her and Duncan and the fact that she never loved him.For all I knew, that was nothing but a crock of shit to weasel her way into my life.Now that I thought about it, I was even more disappointed with myself that it had worked.

“Is that what she told you?A sob story to get you to believe her, so she doesn’t come out looking like the bad guy, but a victim in all this as well?”

“Levi, come on, man.”

“Scottie, to be honest, I don’t want to hear it.”

The line was quiet for a moment, and then Scottie cleared his throat.

“Levi, listen.She quit her job and moved home.”

“Convenient, add on more pity Scarlett vibes.And I should care, why?”

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