Page 24 of Every Single Broken Piece
Levi even has a Wikipedia page and hundreds of articles about his books. He was named as one of the hundred most influential people by a popular magazine.
Holy crap, the man is much more famous than he lets on.
He uses a logo for his brand, and I can’t find any photos of him online. There’s also no personal information about him.
Wanting to see what Levi’s book was about, I switch on the TV and purchase the movie.
I pull my blanket over me and lie down, snuggling into my pillow.
Not even ten minutes into the movie, I’m so engrossed with what’s happening that a bomb could drop beside me and I wouldn’t notice.
Chapter 7
Levi
After spending time with Kelcie, it’s become more difficult to keep my distance.
It’s been four days, and every time I catch a glimpse of her, I have to suppress the urge to go over and check on her.
I hold the car’s back door open for Lick to jump up onto the seat before I shut it. When I climb in behind the steering wheel, I glance at the house beside mine, wondering whether Kelcie is home from her morning visit to the cemetery.
Probably not.
I start the engine, and as I drive to the vet for Lick’s yearly checkup, my thoughts return to the other night. I can’t remember when I last talked so much. I figured I needed to open up so Kelcie would feel comfortable with me.
Then she had a panic attack, and when she slammed into my chest, I was stunned out of my mind. I was overcome with an intense need to hold and comfort her.
Touching her neck and arm was ... Jesus, it was downright incredible. Feeling her pressed against my chest made a protective emotion flood my heart.
The entire episode was mind boggling, to say the least. I’ve never experienced anything like it before.
During the drive to the vet, I find myself searching the sidewalks for Kelcie, and by the time I park the car, I’m low-key annoyed with myself.
I should pack up and go back to Grand Rapids. I’m looking for trouble, staying here.
After getting out of the car, I keep a tight hold of Lick’s leash and enter the building. Luckily, there aren’t any other animals, and the appointment goes smoothly. I buy her a few treats, and after leaving the veterinary clinic, I pause on the sidewalk to let her eat one of them as a reward for being so well behaved.
I glance up and down Main Street, and once Lick is done wolfing down her treat, we walk to the general store. I grab a basket and get the few items I need, and as I go to pay, there are two women ahead of me at the counter.
“I hear Kelcie is still hiding in that house,” the brunette with a ponytail says.
The second I hear Kelcie’s name, I shamelessly eavesdrop.
The elderly woman who’s loading her groceries onto the counter replies, “It’s such a shame that the Woodruffs’ old house is just standing empty. They don’t even take care of the garden. The sheriff’s department has to send someone out to mow the lawn.” She makes atsking sound. “Libbie told me Jordan wants to sell, but Kelcie is being stubborn.”
“You know it’s bad when the sheriff’s department has to get involved,” the cashier gasps. “It was a terrible thing that happened to her family, but it’s been a year, and sitting around wallowing in grief all day long isn’t doing anyone any favors.” She gives her two cents. “Jeez, get over it and move on already.”
Anger pours into my chest, and I clench my jaw to keep my mouth shut.
The brunette glances over her shoulder, and when she sees me and a wide smile spreads over her face, I groan internally.
“Aren’t you the guy who moved into town two months ago?” She thinks hard. “Levi ... something.”
“Levi Graye,” the elderly woman informs her friend, all three women now openly looking me up and down with way too much interest.
I’m immediately uncomfortable and contemplate leaving the basket and getting my ass out of the store, when the brunette reaches out and places her hand on my arm.
Disgust creeps over my skin until it feels as if something’s crawling beneath the surface.
