Chicks, Man

“Whatever you say, baby. So, Levi, I can’t thank you enough. Your recommendation to have Braydon stay back and assist on the Clifton case was a lifesaver. Fine job that young man did.”

Hold the phone—what? My brow furrows, and I turn to my dad. “What did you just say?”

Levi steps in. “It wasn’t a recommendation, just offering some names.”

“Son, you personally guided me to the best shot we had. Recommending Braydon for the job saved us. Great work.”

My mouth drops, and my wide eyes find Levi, who refuses to make contact with me. “You told my father to put Braydon on the case?”

Levi turns to me, his eyes seeping guilt. That asshole. “I didn’t tell him—”

“After you knew he was coming, you picked him out of everyone, knowing he was my date for the weekend?”

“Oh, come on now, it wasn’t like that. He didn’t need to be here anyway. He’s not family.”

My eyes squint, my lips pressing into a hard line. Family? Is he insane right now?

“Baby, Levi’s right. These are family trips. He would have felt out of place.” My head snaps toward my dad.

“Oh, is Rebecca family now?”

“Honey, Rebecca’s one of Stacey’s closest friends, Braydon is just an acquaintance of yours. It wouldn’t have been right for him to come.”

Everyone has lost their marbles. I face Levi, shooting daggers at him with my glare. They are aimed and firing right at him.

“You had no right to mess with my plans.”

“Oh, and you still wish he was here? That he came?”

I’m so mad, I can strangle him. He had no right to decide what was best for me. He had no right to choose who I spent my time with. My anger fuels my response. “Even more so now.” I drop the stupid piece of wood and turn to my dad, not caring he just witnessed our argument.

“I’m sorry. I’m not feeling well. Can I just take your car home? You can ride back with Kipley.” Levi’s eyes dart my way, but I ignore him and anything he wants to say. I also know he won’t in front of my dad.

“Are you sure, honey? It’s a long drive.”

“I’m sure. This was a mistake coming here. I just want to go home.”

My dad’s eyes soften. “All right, honey. I bet your mom will be happy to have some time with you.”

I don’t waste another second before going to grab my bag, sensing some relief Levi won’t dare follow me. Luckily, my dad traps him with work talk, allowing me the space I need to pack my things. Once I’m done, I exit the tent and take the long way around the fire so I can hug my dad without giving Levi anything but my back.

“Drive safe, baby girl. Call me when you get home.”

“Will do, Dad.” I offer him a kiss on the cheek, and before Levi can think of a clever way to get my attention without being obvious, I hightail it to my dad’s car and out of Ketterville.

Hannah

“Seriously, don’t worry about it.” I smile across the desk at Braydon as we sip our morning coffee. I sigh into my cup, the first taste of French vanilla gracing my taste buds. “I’m glad you were able to help. My dad praised how you came through. Great job!” My mind wanders from the present to the weekend, and I lose myself in thought.

I drove straight home Saturday, making it home by nine. My mom was super happy to see me, and it allowed us to cuddle on the couch and catch up on some of our girly shows.

I texted Dad I got home safe and placed my phone on mute. I half expected Levi to make an effort to call me, text me at the least, to explain himself, but those messages never came. For a second, I made an excuse, trying to convince myself he didn’t have my phone number, but we work together. He has all my information.

As the night progressed, I received a few texts from Kip telling me he was sad I left and everyone missed me. I laughed. I couldn’t help it. What a lie. Then, when Kip sent a snapshot of them all by the fire, Rebecca’s claws all over Levi, I shut my phone off.

My brain and heart were at war. What was I really doing with Levi? Playing with fire? Probably. Setting myself up for major heartache? No brainer. I don’t get who I think I am trying to play on the same field as Levi. I still can’t understand what he truly sees in me. Then again, people say so many things in the heat of the moment.

As Golden Girls played, I wondered how it would have been if I’d never tricked Levi into meeting me in the closet. If we only worked together, would he have ever seen me as more than Kipley’s younger sister. Or would he have grown to see what he claims to see now? Would my smarts and dorky personality have won him over?