One Choice (Hogan Brothers 2)

“You coming back, Levi?” Casper asked as he walked past the man’s office.

“Yup, back in an hour, man.” He left before he could be scolded about bringing Hayes around. The man wouldn’t stop.

Hayes was waiting outside for Levi, searching the streets. Probably trying to figure out where they were. “You alright?” he asked, placing a hand on the small of her back, guiding her to his car.

“Fine.” She answered absently. While buckling her in, she spoke. “Where are we?”

“North side of town.”

“I’ve never been here,” she said as he closed the door.

Dropping into the driver’s seat, he told her, “Not much out here but old warehouses and a couple trucking businesses.” They were quiet again during the drive home. The silence wasn’t strained, it just was. He found he enjoyed that she didn’t feel the need to fill it in with small talk.

“Have you lived here your whole life?” She finally broke the silence as they entered the small downtown area.

“Sure have,” he responded with a smile. “Where’d you grow up, Hayes?” He wanted to know everything about her.

Clearing her throat, she quietly answered, “San Diego.”

“Nice,” he replied looking over at her. He saw her frown. She looked sad. Deciding to change topics, he asked her, “Any plans after graduation?” Still inwardly cringing at the thought of her being in high school. She was worth it, though.

“College in the fall I guess.” Panic nearly stole his breath.

“Staying in the state or going back home?” If she left, he might just follow her. The mere thought of her not being around was enough to steal his breath.

Her head rolled on the headrest to look at him, and amusement shone brightly in her eyes. She heard his panic. “Colorado State. I’ll be studying Food Science and Nutrition.”

“Right,” he had to clear his throat. “Your parents know?” He got the feeling she kept a lot to herself. And from the brief meeting he’d had with them, he didn’t think they knew.

“Not yet. I got a full scholarship. I’m sure they’ll be happy. But they’ll also suffocate me.”

“You don’t think they’d like to know before you’re just gone one morning?” He didn’t know why he was pushing her.

“Drop it, Levi. Okay?”

There was something there. He wanted to push for more, but fear of her shutting down on him kept his mouth shut. The remainder of the drive was shrouded in silence as he fought his instinct to take her over and show her she could trust him. Hayes continued to stare out her window as the town flew by.

When they finally arrived at her house, she practically jumped out his car, but he was faster and met her by her door before she could take off on him. He helped her to the sidewalk leading to her house, where he noticed before she did that her parents were sitting on a swing.

“Hi, sweetheart,” her mother greeted, startling Hayes into jumping a bit.

“Oh, hi, Mom.” Her smile was as fake as Christmas in July.

Her father stood and walked over to them. “Mr. Hogan,” her father greeted with his hand out. He had the feeling that this might possibly be the defining moment for how he and Hayes moved forward.

“How are you, sir?” Levi asked, shaking the man’s hand.

“I’m good, son.” He nodded towards Hayes. “How’d she do?”

Levi figured she had told her parents where she was. “Good. We only worked the knots from her leg today. Tomorrow, we’ll work on stretching a bit.”

Hayes stood still beside him as he talked to her father. When her mom spoke up, she became reanimated. “How about I help you upstairs, honey?”

She looked torn between him and her father as her mom pulled on her arm. “Sure, Mom.”

Before she was encased in the house completely, he took a step to her and turned her head with a finger under her chin. “Night, sugar.” He kissed her lightly on the lips. She was completely shocked by his bold move to react. He smiled as her mom helped her up the stairs.

About to say goodnight and head back to the gym, her father stopped him with a hand on his arm. “A word, Mr. Hogan.”