Page 62 of Playing the Neutral Zone

KNOX: Yeah, I finally let Lorelai read the article.She’s in tears, she really laid it out on the line.

CLAY: WOW, that is all Peyton, and I have to say.

LUCAS: Ella is crying too.She wants to know if you’re going to forgive her?

LEVI: I know, I’m at a loss for words.I think she owns my heart guys, no matter what everyone thinks.

COLTON: Fuck me, even I shed a tear.

DYLAN: Levi, you better take her back, she made the big guy shed tears.

CLAY: Didn’t think that was possible.

LUCAS: That’s funny.

LEVI: He does have a soft side, none of you guys have found it yet.

KNOX: Your woman did.So, what the hell are you waiting for?You going to go and get her?

LEVI: Thought everyone hated her?

DYLAN: The girls had a feeling something was wrong, they didn’t hate her, they just felt something wasn’t right.Of course we don’t hate her, we barely know her.

CLAY: Yeah, what the hell are you waiting for?Go get her.

COLTON: If you don’t go get her, I’ll take her.Anyone who writes an apology to the entire world is one you need to be willing to put your heart on the line for, now go get her.

LEVI: Thanks, guys, for always being here.

I shut my phone off,then stood in the kitchen, drinking down the first glass, refilling it before heading back to my room.I needed to come up with a plan, and then I’d head to her hotel in the morning.I was just about to go to my bedroom when I heard a tiny knock at my door.Glancing at the clock, I frowned.It was well past midnight.

I placed my glass on the counter and made my way over to the door and, without checking to see who it was, I pulled the door open, shock filling me when I saw who was standing there.

Chapter 19

Scarlett

I stood in the hall, my heart beating so hard I could barely breathe.They published the article over twenty-four hours ago.I had hoped to see Levi at the game, but somehow, he’d slipped out before I’d been able to speak with him.I’d been looking at my phone all night, praying for a message from him the entire day, to at least know he’d read what I’d written, but by the time I got back to the hotel tonight and still had heard nothing an hour later, I couldn’t sit there any longer.

I was supposed to fly back to New York the day after next, and while it was still a while away, I didn’t want to waste my time waiting.So, I got dressed, called a cab, and had them drop me at the building.Lucky for me there was someone who’d just left the building, so before the door locked, I’d snuck in and made my way to the floor Levi lived on.Now I stood, staring at his closed door, just having lightly knocked.

The last thing I wanted to do was wake Mia, so I stood there waiting to see if he opened the door before I knocked harder.Just as I was about to knock again, I heard the lock click and the door opened, my eyes falling on Levi.

We stood there looking at one another.

“Hi,” I said, my voice barely audible.

I stood there, my heart aching as I stared at the man I’d fallen in love with, hoping and praying that he’d read the article and would find it in his heart to forgive me.I’d gone over this moment in my head what felt like thousands of times.I imagined he’d take one look at me and, without a moment’s hesitation, pull me against him, kissing me, begging me never to leave his side again.Only it was far from what I’d imagined.

Instead, he stood there, staring back at me.

“Hey,” he whispered.

“Could I come in?”I questioned, trying to read the look in his eyes.

Finally, Levi stepped to the side, not saying a word, but giving me enough space to let me into his place.He quietly shut the door and stepped away, placing his hands on his hips while he watched me.A funny feeling came over me as I stood in the entry of his place.I’d hoped he was going to make this easy on me, because I’d figured he’d have read the article.

“Levi, I know it’s late, and I am so sorry to drop in like this, but I couldn’t wait any longer.”

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