Chapter 82

Chapter 85
Harper

Being with Levy is the best feeling in the world as I sit at my kitchen island as he preps a dinner for Taylor and I. Dylan said he would try and come over but wants to catch up on his studies since he had to miss a few nights due to his football practice. Between football and Lacey, he isn’t getting much time to be with us. Or maybe he is still weirded out by me dating his daddy. Can’t say I blame him.

“So, you girls excited for the morning?” Levy asks as he sautés the onions and mushrooms in the pan to go with the chicken for our fajitas.  

Taylor and I both nod, “yes, I can’t wait to finally see Momma again,” my younger sister says with enthusiasm. To be honest we have both missed Momma even though she was never like a mother to us after our father left. Who by the way we haven’t heard from for ages. That’s life, right. What can you expect? He’s gone on to have a new wife and children, I guess Taylor and I don’t really figure in his life anymore. His loss.

“Aren’t we?” Taylor says nudging me bringing me back from my far away land of what a shitty father my dad turned out to be.

“Absolutely, I can’t wait either. I hope though that she stays clean, Sis.”

Taylor bites her lips then rolls them in. It’s what she does when she is feeling anxious. At least my sister is eating these days. For a while I thought that I’d have major issues on my hands when momma went into hospital with her overdose then into the rehab place.

“Good, and I am sure that your mother is mentally in a much better and stronger place than when she went in. So, who is hungry?” he asks as he places the onions and mushrooms in a bowl and the pan-fried chicken in another bowl. Everything else is already on the table.

God, he looks sexy in his sweat pants hanging low on his hips and a tight navy T-shirt showing off his ink and biceps. What gets me the most and has me swooning almost off my chair, is the way his forearms ripple. I can’t wait until he gets me back into bed tonight. Although, I’m not sure if he is staying yet or going back to his.

“I thought I could drive you both if you like that is, or did you both want to go alone?” he sounds almost not sure of himself by the tone of his voice. I squeeze his hand when he takes a seat by my side.

“I think we should go alone, it’ll be too much for momma to take in that I’m dating the guy across the road who is my ex-boyfriend’s daddy. Let’s break it to her once she has settled in.”

He nods. “Fair point, sorry I hadn’t thought of that. I have the guys standing around still to protect you ladies and your momma. I’m not sending them anywhere. We don’t want fuck ups coming to your house.”

“Won’t momma think that’s a bit creepy?” Taylor asks as she takes a wrap from the side plate and begins to spoon fajita mixture on it, then folds it like it’s precious china.

“She will understand,” I tell her taking a wrap off the plate. Levy waits for us to serve ourselves first. Ever the gentleman. He gives me a wink; it makes butterflies float in my stomach. I squeeze my thighs together.

“What time are we going in the morning?” Taylor asks.

“I’m thinking we should leave at half eight, the lady said momma will be ready for ten. That way we can get there in plenty of time and be ready for momma in case she will be early.”

Taylor nods. Levy kisses my left temple. “It’s going to be fine girls, I promise.”

We eat our dinner and chat about college and Taylor’s studies, we chat about how well Dylan is doing in football and how his team won the last game. It’s an exciting time for him, there is talk that he could be scouted for NFL if he keeps up his game. Levy is super proud of him. You can see it by the way he puffs out his chest when he talks about his son.

Taylor helps me with the dishes whilst Levy sits on the sofa looking at his mobile. Concern is etched on his face. He did offer to help us but holy bells – he cooked so he doesn’t need to do the dishes as well.

I glance over my shoulder and watch as he places the mobile down on the coffee table and uses his big hands to scrub over his face, then he runs a hand behind his neck under his hair. Something is up and I know he is keeping something from me. A chill runs through my body, that kind of chill like when someone has walked over your grave.

“Taylor, can you finish up for me please? I want to go and talk with Levy.”

“Sure, no problems but you owe me one,” she grins her goofy cute as bows grin. I give her a hug; she shirks me off. “Stop with that already, I’m a grown up.”

She is growing up that’s for sure. I just don’t want her to become an adult too soon.

“Hey,” I say as I take a seat next to Levy and put an arm around his shoulder. He glances at me and gives me a wane smile. “Are you okay? You look like you’ve got the weight of the world on those shoulders of yours. A problem shared, is a problem halved,” I tell him.

“I can’t talk about it right now, trust me I just can’t.”

“Are you sure? You know it won’t scare me whatever it is that is stressing you out.”

He takes my hand in his big hands, they feel calloused. “I want to tell you, baby I really do but I’m too scared.” I gulp, scared of what?

What isn’t he telling me. “Please tell me, Levy. I’m your partner, we’re in life together now. Aren’t we?”

“What? Of course, we’re in it together but somethings shouldn’t be shared”

“The fuck they should. This is supposed to be an honest, open and up front relationship, Levy. If there is something going on with you, I want to know about it.”

He furrows his brows. “I don’t know what will happen if I tell you, Harper. It could be the end of us.” His voice is consumed with angst, fear sits in is gorgeous eyes.

Ice runs through my blood. What the fuck has he got to tell me?