Page 86 of Every Single Broken Piece
I wish I could hug him right now.
“Your turn,” Levi reminds me.
“I was at the end of my rope when I met an incredible man.” My throat strains, and the tears start to drip onto my pillow. “He understood me in ways no one else could. It felt like he healed me, and I fell head over heels in love with him.” A sob escapes me before I’m able to continue, “But then I found out he deceived me, and I don’t know how to get past it.”
When Levi speaks again, his tone sounds forlorn. “I’m so sorry I kept the truth from you. Do you think you’ll ever be able to forgive me?”
“Forgiving you for keeping it from me that Wesley’s your half brother isn’t the hard part.”
“Then what is?”
I shake my head and fight hard to keep the tears from overwhelming me. “I need more time to figure out if I can be with someone who stalked me before inserting himself into my life, while knowing one of his family members killed my mother right in front of me. That’s the part I’m struggling with.”
“I understand,” he murmurs. “Take all the time you need, Kelcie, but while you’re deciding what to do, please remember every good moment we shared the past few months.”
I nod, pressing my lips together to keep a sob back. It takes a few minutes before I’m able to say, “I have to go.”
“I love you more than anything, Kelcie,” he says, sadness creeping into his voice.
I love you too.
“Bye, Levi,” I whimper before I quickly end the call.
As I begin to cry my heart out, I sob, “I miss you so much.”
Chapter 23
Kelcie
I’ve resorted to making a pros and cons list, and as I stare at what I’ve written under each column, I scrunch my nose because this isn’t working.
With every passing day since I last saw Levi, it feels as if a fist is closing tighter and tighter around my heart. When everything is said and done, I still love him, and I don’t know what that makes me. A lovestruck fool?
It’s been almost two weeks since I called him, and things haven’t gotten any better. I miss him so much, and even though I know what he did was wrong, I just can’t stop thinking about the time we spent together and the huge difference he’s made in my life.
I’m a mess, and realizing I’m not going to come to any kind of decision by hiding at Jordan’s house, I let out a sigh. I have to return to Verona. Maybe when I see Levi again, I’ll be able to find some clarity.
Leaving the bedroom, I find Jordan and Brady in the living room where they’re playing with building blocks. Natalie is taking a long, relaxing bath before dinner.
“Hi,” I say while I sit down on one of the couches.
“Hey.” Jordan glances at me before turning his attention back to his son.
“I think it’s time for me to go home.”
My brother’s head snaps up, surprise flashing over his face. “Are you sure?”
I nod, then explain, “I need to talk face-to-face with Levi. Hiding here isn’t going to solve the problem.”
“I can take you back tomorrow.”
I shake my head. “I’ll take the bus.”
Instantly, Jordan frowns. “The bus is easily a five-to-six-hour drive with all the stops, instead of just two and a half! Let me take you.”
I stand up, and moving closer to him, I give his shoulder a squeeze. “I want to take the bus.”
“When are you leaving?” Jordan asks.
