Page 67 of Well Played

He cocked his head to the side. “I’m good. I’ve been thinking about you lately. Wondering if maybe we could grab a bite to eat again sometime. It’s been a while since we caught up.”

I’d thought maybe Jeremy would take the hint that I wasn’t interested after I bowed out of going to the music festival with him. But was I really not interested indefinitely, or was I so intoxicated by Levi that nothing else mattered at the moment?

“Things are a bit hectic over at The Palm Inn currently. I think for now, it’s best if I don’t take you up on your offer.”

He looked back toward the kids. “I’m getting a little too old for beating around the bush, you know? And I really like you. If you’re not interested in going out with me ever again, I’d prefer you just tell me so I don’t make a fool of myself and keep asking. I promise there won’t be any hard feelings.”

I decided to be as honest as I could right now. “I think you’re a great guy, and I did have a really nice time with you. But I have something…personal going on that I’d rather not discuss. And it means I’m unavailable to go out with you for the time being.”

“I had a really good time with you, too,” he said, crestfallen as he nodded. “Fair enough, though. No pressure. Just know that the offer is always open.” He looked past the tree I’d been leaning against and spoke to someone. “Oh, didn’t see you there.”

I turned around.

Levi.

He held two coffees. My stomach sank. Levi was supposed to have been at the house overseeing the work being done while I was at practice. It must have finished up early.

The tension in the air was thick as Jeremy said, “Anyway, I’d better get back to the boys. See ya around, Presley.” He nodded toward Levi and took off.

Levi’s cold stare made me uneasy as he silently handed me one of the coffees. He opened his and blew on it, then took a sip, continuing to say nothing.

“How long were you standing behind the tree?” I asked.

“Long enough to hear you promise Coach a date in the near future.”

Shit.“That wasn’t what I said.”

“Oh, you’re right. I believe it was that you have something personal going on, and you couldn’t go out with himfor the time being.” He fiddled with the lid to his coffee. “Thissomething personalguy—does he have a name? Let me guess, is it the chump who actually cares about you, but you only seem to view as a fuckboy?”

“Levi…”

“You’re keeping your options open. I get it.” He looked out toward the field. “Anyway, I figured I’d surprise you. Looks like I was the one in for a surprise.”

“I’m not interested in Jeremy,” I insisted.

“Not interestedright now.Yeah, I got that much. But you might be after I’m long gone. Implying that things might change in the future said it all. Let me translate what you meant. ‘When Levi leaves and I no longer have him around to fuck me, I might be interested in fuckingyou, Jeremy.’”

I deserved every bit of his wrath. If the roles were reversed, and I’d overheard him talking to a woman, I would’ve been just as pissed. But this was my opportunity to set things straight.

“I’m just trying to be realistic, Levi. Pretty soon, you’ll leave town and go back to the life you came from. Playing house with me…it’s just a phase for you.”

Anger filled his eyes. “What have Ieverdone to give you that impression? Don’t use my past or even Tanner against me in your answer either. This is about you and me, Presley.Us.When have Ievergiven you the impression that I wasn’t serious about you?”

I couldn’t answer his question. And that terrified me. It made me wonder if my own fear had distorted everything. He’d been nothing but caring, attentive, and dare I say,lovingwith me. But fear was a bitch, and I couldn’t seem to come to terms with all of the obstacles we’d have to get through to actually be together. It wasn’t a realistic possibility, as far as I was concerned.

“You scare me, Levi, for so many reasons.”

“So you’re stopping yourself from getting close to me. Same reason you’ll let me fuck you in the ass but won’t even kiss me outside of the bedroom…”

I winced.

“Shit.” He closed his eyes. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for. I’m just frustrated. This is not the time nor place for this conversation.” He turned away.

When I followed and put my hand on his arm, he whipped around. “What is this really about, Presley? Is it just about Tanner, or do you really not trust me?”

I stayed silent, not wanting to admit that Ididworry about his ability to be a one-woman man, even if he’d done nothing specific to warrant my insecurity. I knew old habits died hard, and I couldn’t accept that he’d changed.

He took my silence as an affirmative. “Well, then, I’m fighting a losing battle. If you can’t trust me, that’s worse than worrying about how Tanner would react. Without trust, we have nothing left to say to each other.” He dumped the rest of his coffee on the grass and crushed the cup in his hand. “And by the way, I’m just as fucking scared as you about all this. But I’m not gonna pretend what we have is nothing to try to neutralize it.”

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