One Choice (Hogan Brothers 2)

She could see the appeal of that. Never in a million years would Hayes have asked Levi to stop fighting for her. She wasn’t fond of him getting bruised up, but if it were what he felt he needed to do, she’d have accepted it. Didn’t mean she wasn’t glad he was stopping, though.

Going away to college in the fall left her a bit worried about how they were going to handle being apart. While the commute wasn’t lengthy, she was troubled that with her course load and studying, they might interfere with their budding relationship. Levi hadn’t said anything other than he was proud that she was going. Maybe she was making a mountain out of a molehill. Maybe it wouldn’t even be an issue. Nonetheless, she couldn’t help fretting over it.

Lys talked happily about anything and everything for the remainder of the class until the bell rang, and they parted ways. Lys went in search of Brett, and Hayes just wanted to get home.

As she passed Dustin in the hallway, he shot her a glare so deadly it sent a chill down her spine. She’d never led him on, never accepted a date, and still, he hated her all the same. She didn’t think she’d ever understand his behavior.

Just a few more days. She repeated the words to herself as she walked out the front doors.

Much to her surprise, there sat Levi, sexy as ever, waiting for her. Her smile was involuntary as he walked up to her.

“You should be in bed.”

“You’re not there.”

“I would have been eventually.”

“I also made plans.”

“Such as?” Her curiosity was getting the best of her.

“It’s a surprise.” His eyes twinkled with excitement.

“Levi, you shouldn’t be overdoing it.”

“Cross my heart, I’m not. The pain’s receding, and I can take a full breath without crying like a two-year-old girl.” She wasn’t so sure she believed him.

“So, if I poke you in the ribs, you’re not going to cry like a pageant queen who didn’t win the crown?”

He paused before answering. “In my defense, I’ve made plans, and if you do that, we may not be able to go.”

She hemmed and hawed over the decision. Just as he started to look uneasy, she relented. “Fine. I won’t for now.”

His smile widened at her answer.

“Where are we going?”

“We’re leaving on a jet plane! Don’t know if we’ll be back again.”

“You really shouldn’t sing, Levi.”

His jaw snapped shut at her words, and she couldn’t help the burst of laughter at his sad eyes. Soon enough he couldn’t either.

Chapter Seventeen

Surprises can sometimes be the best way to heal.

Shock was all Hayes felt as the plane landed in San Diego. Everything had been a rush from the moment he picked her up to the second they boarded the aircraft. He hadn’t been lying when he said they were leaving on a jet plane.

He’d explained his plan on the ride to the airport, and she had been humbled by his thoughtfulness. Levi never ceased to amaze her. Their bags had been in the trunk of his car, and while she had little say in the matter, she enjoyed what he was doing. She worried that going to see Ryder would make all her insecurities rise to the surface.

Reaching such a huge milestone in her life without him there to witness it had weighed quite heavily on her heart for a few months now. Not wanting to always be a reminder to her parents about it, she’d confided in Levi about how she felt.

The term “best friends” was such a lame way to describe her and Ryder’s relationship. He was so much more than a brother and friend. He’d been her greatest confidante, and not having him there on the biggest day of her life was a sad reminder of both their dreams not coming to fruition.

“You ready?” Levi asked her as they disembarked the jet.

“As I’ll ever be.” Her voice was quiet as she followed him to baggage claim and then to the rental place.