Page 44 of Every Single Broken Piece
I spend the icy morning talking to my family, and by the time I climb to my feet, I know there’s only one thing for me to do.
If I don’t tell Levi how I feel, I might miss out on my only chance at happiness.
And, God, have I been happy the past few weeks.
I press a kiss to the tips of my gloved fingers and blow it to my family before I leave.
When I near the street we used to live on, I turn up it and walk down to the cul-de-sac. As I reach the path that leads to my family home, I glance at the front yard and notice how neat it is.
Shoot. The sheriff’s department probably sent someone out to clean it again. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I dial the department’s number.
Once Libby’s done rattling off the usual greeting, I say, “Hi, it’s Kelcie. I notice someone cleaned the yard again at my parents’ house. Will you please send the invoice to me instead of Jordan?”
“Oh, it wasn’t us, dear. The neighbors told us Levi Graye has been taking care of the place, so we’ve stopped sending someone out.”
Levi has been taking care of the upkeep?
“Ahh . . . thanks.”
I end the call and stare at the yard. Why didn’t he tell me?
I hurry down the street, eager to get home so I can talk to Levi. By the time I reach our houses, I’m out of breath from all the exercise. I make a beeline for Levi’s back door, knocking and even trying the handle, but it doesn’t open.
Dang, he’s probably sleeping.
When I turn away and start walking toward my place, I hear Levi call, “Kelcie.”
My head snaps to where he’s coming from the direction of the trees. Lick breaks out into a run to get to me and jumps up, her front paws settling against my abdomen.
“Hey, girl. You’re always so excited to see me.” I scratch behind her ear. Looking up, I take in the sweatpants and hoodie Levi’s wearing. “Did you go for a walk?”
He shakes his head. “I run along the trail to the creek every morning. Lick needs the exercise.”
That’s quite the distance. No wonder the man has abs for days.
He uses his sleeve to wipe the sweat from his forehead. “Were you looking for me?”
“Oh, right. I passed by my parents’ place and noticed the yard was neat. The sheriff’s department told me you’ve been taking care of the upkeep.”
Levi instantly looks uncomfortable and glances down at Lick. “I’m sorry if I overstepped.”
“No!” I dart forward and grip the front of his hoodie. “You didn’t have to.” My eyebrows pull together, and my heart expands to twice its size with love for this man. “But it means so much to me. Thank you.”
His expression relaxes. “I just want to make things easier for you.”
“You do.” I lift myself onto my tiptoes and press a very quick kiss to his mouth, which has my heartbeat setting off at a crazy pace. Pulling away, I walk to my back door. “Anyway, I’ll let you get some sleep. See you later.”
I don’t dare look at his face as I go inside, afraid I’ll see that he disapproves of the kiss.
So much for telling him how you feel about him. One thank-you kiss, and you run for the hills.
I shut the door behind me and lean my forehead against the wood. A few seconds later, I carefully peek out of the window, and not seeing Levi, I sit down right on the spot while a nervous chuckle bursts over my lips.
Well, I kinda did try. Now the ball’s in his court.
The doorbell rings, and I climb to my feet. When I peek through the peephole and see Colby, my shoulders slump.
Unlocking the door, I open it and say, “Hi.”
