Frustrated, she told her, “I know, Mom, I was there. I felt it all. I would love for you to give him a chance. I need him.” She could hear the desperation in her own voice.
A throat clearing had them both spinning to see Levi standing in the doorway, his eyes serious as he walked in the room. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, Mrs. Morrison, and I apologize for that. I won’t, however, apologize for who I am.” He moved behind Hayes, his hands searching out her shoulders. “I’m not perfect. I’m sure I’ll screw up more than I’ll ever be able to count. I’ll say the wrong thing, and lose my temper, and likely make you want to chop my balls off on more than one occasion.”
“You’re not helping your case, Levi,” Hayes whispered up to him.
“It’s alright, sugar. This is who I am, ma’am. I grew up watching and learning from parents who loved each other so thoroughly that they barely spent any time apart. I watched as my mother fell to her knees when my pops was diagnosed with lung cancer. Seeing her pick herself back up was a beautiful sight. She didn’t grieve before he left us, she gave him life. A life I’d kill to give Hayes. I can’t pretend to understand everything you and Eric felt when you lost one child and nearly the other all in one night. Frankly, I hope to never have to learn what that would do to my spirit.” He looked down to the girl in front of him with so much emotion reflected in his gaze. “Hayes brings me to life. I’ve witnessed my big brother fall in love the past couple of months and jealousy has eaten me alive that he found it before me. If your daughter lets me, I’ll give her the world.” Hayes’ father had joined them and was standing with her mother. “Hayes is mine. There’s no way around that. I’m not letting her go for anything.” He looked both of her parents in the eye. “Not even for you.”
Her dad reached his hand across the counter, saying, “Welcome to the family, son.” A huge smile of approval overtook his face.
“Well,” her mother wiped her hands on her apron as she walked around the counter, “you promise me something, Levi.”
“Anything.”
“Don’t break her heart.”
His grin was nearly blinding. “Not in a million years, ma’am.”
“You don’t let her give into her own monsters, either.” Hayes was a bit shocked when the woman met her eyes, a knowing look reflecting back. “She thinks I don’t see it, but I do.”
He turned to her, his hands cupping her jaw. “I’ll slay every last one of them.” He leaned down to kiss her with that promise.
“Don’t make me bring the hose inside,” her father warned, breaking them apart. Laughter filled the house for the rest of the evening.
Chapter Eleven
It’s never too late to apologize.
“You’re sure you want to go in there?” Alyssa had been trying to talk Hayes out of going into Levi’s shop since picking her up, and she didn’t understand why.
“What’s the big deal?”
“Does he know you’re coming?” Lys refused to answer Hayes the million times she’d asked that question.
As they parked, her friend turned in her seat to look Hayes in the eyes. “It’s different in a shop. It’s a real man’s world.”
Not shocking. “I know.”
She just shook her head, confusing Hayes further. “You want me to stay?”
“I’ll be fine.” Slamming the car door, she made her way to the entrance where a neon Open sign was flashing.
As she walked in, backpack slung over one shoulder, she was shocked to see the lovely young woman at the front counter. The person had long, curly blonde hair and wore such a feminine dress that Hayes felt like a boy compared to her. The woman looked like she belonged on the cover of magazines, not some car shop.
“Hi!” Her smile was genuine as she greeted Hayes. “How can I help you?”
“I’m looking for Levi.” Her nerves were getting the best of her now that she was actually there.
“He’s not here yet.”
Before the woman could say anything else or Hayes could ask if she knew when he’d be in, two men came through a side door laughing and pushing each other around. They stopped short at seeing them together.
“Dayum,” the taller one said as he walked behind her.
“Gonna introduce us to your friend, Soph?” the one with darker eyes asked.
“Joey,” she pointed to the tall one still circling behind her, “Mac,” she nodded to the other man, “she was just looking for Levi.”
“Fool’s probably at home banging some weekend chick,” Joey growled out behind her, making her heart clench. Too close for her comfort. Shifting from foot to foot, she hoped the woman—Soph—would help her out.