One Choice (Hogan Brothers 2)

Her parents left the room and quiet settled over them as they watched each other. He was fascinated by her strong, yet soft, personality. She was always throwing him for a loop.

“Wanna talk about it?” He wasn’t asking about anything specific but figured it could cover just about anything.

“I pushed myself too hard. I shouldn’t have done it, and now I’m paying the price.”

“What accident?” He knew she’d know what he was referring to as soon as he said the words.

“That,” she said pointedly, “I don’t want to talk about.” Anguish lurked in her gaze, more now than when he’d first run her down in the park.

“I’m sorry about Saturday,” he told her, hoping they could retain some sort of relationship. It killed him that she was in high school. His biggest fear being what people would think.

Not of him. He couldn’t give two shits what anyone thought of him other than his mother. But what they’d say about her.

Maybe they wouldn’t comment about her specifically; maybe it would be directed more towards him. He had a feeling, however, that no matter the rumor, it would still hurt her.

“About what?” she barked. “Making me feel used after getting you off or rejecting me like I was nothing after making me promise to stay away from Dustin?” That name made Levi growl involuntarily.

Her distress had him closing his eyes.

“I’m sorry I hurt you,” he clarified.

“Yeah, well, it’s probably best this way, anyhow. No false promises.” Things weren’t going how he had hoped. “Just go, Levi.” Her voice sounded desolate, and he hated it.

He had done this to her.

Whether she said it or not, he knew he was the reason she’d overworked herself. He was the reason she was sad.

He had to fix this. He just didn’t know how.

With that thought, he granted Hayes her request and left the house.

It physically hurt to see Levi.

Hayes shouldn’t be so invested in him; nevertheless, she couldn’t help it.

There was a greater force at play, and she was struggling to fight her way away from the feelings he evoked by just being in the same vicinity as her. She became a bundle of hormones and not the rationally-minded woman she strived to be.

When he’d seen her on the stairs struggling to even walk, his

pain had been just as intense as hers. His eyes shined with regret as he took her in.

The minute he’d picked her up and carried her to her room, her body screamed warmth and comfort in his embrace. She both hated and loved it.

Her mind hated him.

Her body sung for him.

His flinch as she accused him of using her nearly had her caving in to hear what he had to say. But she couldn’t. She wouldn’t allow herself to be sucked into a relationship with a man who would resent her because she was still in school. It didn’t matter that she’d have graduated by now if only the accident hadn’t happened. But it did, and she didn’t, so it apparently meant everything.

Another time, another place, and maybe they could have had something.

As it stood, she hoped she didn’t have to see him again.

She had to keep reminding herself that his leaving was a good thing. That she needed him to go so she could focus on school, on getting her body back into shape. Her heart needed to shut the hell up and quiet down its temper tantrum.

Concentrating on her new goals was imperative.

He was too sinful a distraction.