Page 49 of Levi
“I’m conflicted because I want to strangle him for making decisions about our life without including me in it.But then I also want to climb him like a tree and never let him go.”
“Well, life is too short to have regrets,” she slurs, and I think that lemon drop was the drink that pushed us over to the drunk side.“Is Grandma keeping our baby tonight?”she mentions as the bartender comes over with another round.
“Here is another round ladies,” the woman places two lemon drops each in front of us and then two shots.“Thought you might like to try this shot, it tastes like a jolly rancher.”
I pull out my phone and send a text to Grandma, asking her to keep Halo overnight and she gladly accepts.Before I lose my nerve, I send a text to the number Levi gave me letting him know about Halo being over at Grandma’s house, in case he wanted to spend some time with her.I turn my phone on vibrate, not wanting to be disturbed.Just as I place it on the table, in case Grandma or Glammy might need me, Everly holds up the shot for us to toast.
“To maddening sexy men!”Everly cheers, and I repeat the same chant before our glasses touch.
Bottoms up!
Levi
Watching her walk out the door just now was like watching her do it two and a half years ago at the restaurant.I’m not sure what I expected, but I was hoping she’d stay.I’m sure it was a lot to process, but the thought of her going back to that bastard has me in knots.Something doesn’t sit right about Buttons and Brody, and that entire situation.
A knock at the door brings my eyes away from the window, hoping that Saylor has come back to me, but it’s Dr.Blake on the other side.
“I heard Saylor leave and wanted to know if you needed a session?”she offers with her notepad in hand.
I open the door wide to let her through and aimlessly walk over to the sofa to veg out.I was shocked that Saylor even showed up at the hotel.I feel like I didn’t even get the chance to really talk to her.We only covered the threat and not the progress I’ve made being under Dr.Blake’s care.
“Were you able to tell Saylor everything?”she asks, and it makes me roll my eyes.
“I told her most but not all.It was a lot to take in for her, so she left.”I sigh and rub my hands hard over my face.
“And?”
“And, I hate that she probably is headed back tohimfor comfort when it should be me,” I huff.“I know the role I played in this and take full responsibility, but it still hurts.Doesn’t she understand whathisrole played in all this?I thought she heard what Mitch and Dean were saying but now I’m not so sure.”
“Mr.Thorne—”
“Can’t you call me Levi?I think after a year we should be on that level at least,” I quip.
“Mr.Thorne, the reason you left Dr.Jordan was because you’d gotten too familiar with each other and thought she was more of a friend than therapist,” she states, and I appreciate that about her but it still feels weird.
“Fine.”I sound petulant but don’t care right now.
“What goals are you wanting to accomplish while here in Montana?”
“Get my wife back and have my daughter never leave my side.”I’m quick to answer.I’ve thought about this ever since we got off the plane here.
“And if your wife doesn’t want to leavehim?”Dr.Blake asks my biggest fear.We avoid saying his name out loud.
I know after speaking with my grandparents that Saylor and Brody are being intimate, and I hate the thought of her with someone else but as everyone reminds me, it’s my fault.
“Then I’ll just have to show and remind her why she chose me first.She has no idea what I’ve gone through to get here today and the changed man I am from it.”
“That’s good, Mr.Thorne.It’s realistic and I think you have what it takes to get you there.Please remember that it’s been over two years that Saylor has been away from you and a lot has happened to her as well.Even though she’s hadhishelp, she has been doing this on her own, essentially.It’s not going to be ‘a few flowers and chocolate’ kind of situation to fix this.”
“I know.Saylor hates getting flowers anyway; she thinks it’s a waste of money since they die a few days later.”I smile thinking how she’s not like every other woman.Jewelry won’t do either; she’s anactions speaks louderkind of woman.Although, she did love it when I bought her new baking tools.
“Were you able to speak about seeing Halo?Or of all the things you’ve done to get you ready to be a father to her?”
“No, we only were able to discuss the threats that led to her leaving and the crash.We touched onhima bit, then she left when she learned we were still married and not divorced.”
“Did she seem receptive in what you were saying?”
“I’d brought in Mitch and Dean to confirm when she had her doubts, but she seemed to take everything in stride.”
