Page 118 of Well Played

I looked at my son. “Come on, Alex.”

Then I caught Levi’s eye. “Goodnight, Levi. Enjoy your evening.”

***

An hour later, I was back in my hotel room and still hadn’t calmed down. My heart pounded, and I found it difficult to hear with the sound of the blood whooshing through my ears. That was probably why my son had to tell me someone was at the door of our hotel room.

“I didn’t hear anyone knock.”

“I heard it.”

I dreaded the thought of another scene with Tanner. “Okay. You stay in bed. Let me check.”

Looking through the peephole, I was relieved to find it wasn’t Tanner; it was his mom. But even though I could breathe a little easier, I still wasn’t in the mood to talk. Yet I slipped the chain from the top lock and opened the door.

Shelby smiled warmly. “I hope I didn’t wake you.”

“You didn’t. Alex is in bed, but he’s still awake, and I was…unwinding.”

She nodded. “Pretty sure I’d need two bottles of wine to unwind after what you were tangled up in tonight.”

I sighed. “It was not a relaxing evening.”

“I understand.” She lowered her voice. “I hate to bother you, especially at this late hour, but my son asked if I would come keep an eye on Alex so he could speak to you.”

“It’s late, Shelby. And to be honest, I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to speak to Tanner right now. I need to cool off a little.”

“Oh…no.” Shelby shook her head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean Tanner. It’s Levi who asked me to come.”

CHAPTER 32

Levi

Wearing a hoodie and sunglasses, I waited in front of the hotel and prayed no one would recognize me. Coming here wasn’t smart, but there was no way I could stay away after Presley had left the dinner so upset tonight.

The moment I’d laid eyes on her earlier, it felt like all the willpower I’d tried to muster up since leaving Beaufort had disappeared into thin air. I’d just wanted to leave that freaking dinner and take her home with me, make love to her all night long. Instead, all I’d been able to do was observe her. Presley hadn’t looked happy in the least. And Tanner’s bizarre behavior only made everything worse.

My heart raced as I continued to pace outside the hotel, hoping my mother wouldn’t return to say Presley refused to see me. A man walking by kept staring, and I prayed he didn’t come up to me. I adjusted my hood even lower over my head.

I turned and felt instantly calmer at the sight of Presley approaching through the sliding glass doors. She wore what looked like polka dot pajama pants and had a hoodie thrown over her shoulders. Her hair blew in the wind as she walked in my direction.

I waved so she would notice me, considering I was unrecognizable in this getup. When she stopped a few inches away, it took everything in me not to reach out and touch her. I had to remind myself I had no right to do that. She wasn’t mine anymore, even if touching her would have felt so natural.

Fumbling with my hands, I said, “Thank you for coming out to see me. Were you asleep?”

She shook her head. “No.”

I gently placed my hand on her back and led her away. “Let’s move to the back of the building. I don’t want anyone to recognize me.”

We walked along the grass at the side of the hotel before stopping in a quiet spot, illuminated by a streetlight.

She crossed her arms. “What’s going on, Levi? Why did you want to see me?”

“Do you have to ask? I haven’t been able to think straight since I saw you tonight. And after the way you abruptly left the dinner—I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep unless I came to you.” I could see her face turning red.

“You should’ve just forgotten about me and taken that woman home,” she spewed.

I raised my voice. “Are you kidding? I don’t know what the fuck Tanner was even thinking bringing her over to the table. I had no interest in her whatsoever.”

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