Page 82 of Well Played

The second Tanner’s car pulled out of the driveway, I rushed to Presley’s side in the kitchen.

She looked so beautiful, leaning against the counter, holding her coffee while lost in thought.

“Hey,” I said.

She looked up and smiled. “Hey.”

I pulled her into my arms and spoke against her neck. “I feel like it’s been forever since I’ve gotten to hold you.”

Presley exhaled. “What the hell are we going to do, Levi?”

I placed a soft kiss on top of her head. “I thought I’d have this all figured out before we had to face him. Clearly, that’s not the case.”

“Yeah.Everythingwas easier when he wasn’t here.”

I pulled back to look at her. “Last night when we were outside having beers, he kept saying how good you looked. This mixture of guilt and jealousy hit me like a ton of bricks. And I didn’t know who I hated more in that moment—him or myself.”

“You have nothing to be jealous of,” she said as she ran her fingers through my hair. I closed my eyes, wanting so badly to carry her to my room and bury myself inside of her. But I got the impression she wasn’t in the mood. Presley seemedwaytoo preoccupied.

I had to know. “What else did he say when he texted you last night?”

“He told me I looked beautiful yesterday and said he wanted to talk to me today.”

“Fuck. He wants you back, Presley.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Yeah, I do know it. He didn’t say it in so many words last night, but it’s obvious.” Panic started to set in, and I felt the need to stake my claim. “You’re a nervous wreck,” I told her. “And I feel like I’m about to lose my mind. Not sure how much more of this either of us can take. Maybe I should tell him about us tonight.”

She shook her head. “No. Definitely not.”

Her adamant stance confused me a little. “No?”

“I don’t want him to find out what happened.”

Her choice of words jarred me.

“Happened?You realize you just used past tense.”

“That’s not what I meant,” she stammered. “It’s just…not the best time.”

“When will it ever be, Presley? Seriously. You think it’s gonna get any easier as time goes on?”

“No. I just don’t think it’s the right time to hit him with it.”

I moved back. “You seemveryconcerned with Tanner’s feelings.”

Presley shook her head. “I need some time. I feel like the rug was pulled out from underneath us, and I haven’t had a chance to regain my footing. Let’s just give it some time.”

I felt so many emotions, but the one that freaked me out the most was fear—fear of losing her. Unfortunately, I covered it with anger. “Fine. Take all the time you need. Just let me know if it’s gonna be forever.”

“Levi…” She reached for me. But I took a step back and put up my hands.

“Don’t.I need some air.” I headed for the door.

***

Levi: I’m sorry I acted like an idiot earlier.

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