Page 108 of The Rogue
My head snaps to him.
“I was sitting on the stairs just above you during your call.”
“How much did you hear?”
“Not much. I heard his name and that you’re going to be meeting him somewhere.”
“It’s not what you think.”
“Doesn’t matter what I think. What do you plan on telling my son? My grandson? Or are you going to leave a note like the one you left me just before the summer?”
Silence falls between us after I don’t give him an answer.
Until I tell him the only thing I’ve been wanting to scream out all day. “Aiden, I’m in love with your son.” My voice cracks. “And your grandson. I just…”
He swipes a tissue out of a box in the center console and hands it to me. “You in some kind of trouble?”
I nod. “But I’m taking care of it. I’ll be back.”
“Oh I think we all know that by now. Here’s the thing, Tess—”
“This is different. I want to come back for good. If…they’ll have me.”
“That’s going to be a pretty hard sell if you walk out now.”
“Aiden…” I stop myself. If I say anymore, he’ll warn Levi and they’llbothbe in trouble.
He sighs like he’s caught between a rock and a hard place. Letting me go should not be a tough decision. Yet he acts like it is.
“Please don’t say anything to him. Don’t stop me. This…my situation is bigger than any of us and I will not bring them into it, Aiden. Please don’t make me.”
He stares ahead, swallowing hard. Then finally nods. “Okay.”
Twenty minutes later, my phone dings with a cross street I don’t recognize. Frank tells me this is where they agreed to pick me up. And if I’m not there by ten o’clock sharp, they’re coming to the house.
I dig out my bag and start tossing my things into it. I’ll only be able to fit the items I came with. Nothing more.
Except one thing. I cross to the nightstand and grab Willy. My night light dolphin. I’ll need him.
“Going somewhere?”
My heart falls to the pit of my stomach. Levi stands at the threshold of my doorless bedroom, hands in pockets, eyes sharp, jaw tight.
“I’ll be back.”
He perks a brow and steps in. It’s slow, uncommitted.
“I just need a few days.”
“Few days? Why so sudden? Get called for jury duty?”
“Not exactly,” I mutter, stuffing the dolphin into the little space I have left.
His voice is soft and almost desperate. “Stay, Tess. Tell me what’s going on with you. You've got to let me in, baby.” More slow steps, but I avoid looking at him.
I shake my head. “It’s nothing. You’re being dramatic. It’s a quick visit back to my town. I’ll be back.”
My nerves are on overload right now and I’m afraid I’m running out of time. I’d say anything to get him to let me go.