I should have said thank you, but I was afraid if I opened my mouth, I’d start crying and never be able to stop. So, I lifted a hand as I passed in a feeble attempt to thank Ruby for everything she’d done for me. Her eyes softened around the edges like she understood and offered a gentle smile.
“Let me get the door.” Levi stepped ahead of me and held it open as I passed by, trying not to touch him.
Stepping out onto the sidewalk in front of the Merc, I drew in a breath of cold, crisp mountain air. My lungs burned and the back of my throat prickled as I fought back the growing threat of tears. This wasn’t where I thought I’d be at this point in my life. No job. Nowhere to live. No idea what to do next.
“I’m parked over here.” Levi waited for me to catch up before starting down the street. “Are you hungry?”
I shook my head, trying to find the words to explain how I’d ended up in such an uncomfortable situation. Honestly, I had no idea. It’s not like I set out with the goal of tying my fate to an abusive, controlling asshole. Somewhere along the line I’d lost sight of myself and what really mattered. The burning shame in my chest hurt a hundred times more than the bruise on my cheek.
“Need anything before we head back to my place?”
“No.” My voice came out in a whisper. His place was a last resort, and I hated having to ask him for help. Hated having to rely on anyone, but especially Kyle’s brother. For a split second, I wondered if Levi and his brother had more in common than just a last name. My breath stalled at the thought I might have traded one miserable situation for another.
I was being ridiculous. Even though we hadn’t interacted much, Levi had never shown me anything but kindness. And Ruby had watched him grow up in Mustang Mountain. She said she’d always known Kyle had a mean streak, but Levi was as soft-hearted as they came.
“We’re right here.” He stopped next to the passenger-side door of a big silver truck. “I can put your bag in the back if you want.”
“Sure.” I reached for the handle, but Levi pulled it open first. My hand shook as I stepped on the running board and hoisted myself into the cab.
Levi waited until I’d buckled my seatbelt, then closed the door and walked around to the other side. I tried to steady my pulse. Ruby trusted him, and she seemed like a good judge of character. Every time I’d been around him, he’d always appeared to be steady and in control. And it wasn’t like I had a ton of options, at least not until I got my feet back under me.
As he started the truck, the radio turned on. Patty Loveless’s “You Don’t Even Know Who I Am” played through the speakers. Levi reached out to turn it down, but I put my hand on his arm to stop him. I hadn’t heard that song in forever, not since I used to sit at the table and do my homework while my mama danced around the kitchen and made dinner. My heart ached at all the loss I’d experienced in my life, especially losing my mom.
She wouldn’t have liked Kyle. Would have been able to see right through the mask he wore. A shiver rolled through me. I’d seen through the public persona, I’d just chosen to ignore the warning signals. He’d been the first man to really pay me any attention since I’d lost her. It had felt so good, I’d silenced the apprehension in my gut.
“You okay, Brooklyn?” Levi let his arm fall and shifted to face me. “I’m not going to lie, I’m a little out of my comfort zone here.”
“I will be.” Nodding, I tried to infuse my tone with a confidence I didn’t feel. “I just need a day or two to figure some things out. I’m sorry you’re getting stuck with me. If I had anywhere else to go, I swear I would.”
“It’s not a problem.” He studied me, his brows knit together, like he wanted to ask something else.
I bit down on my lip and forced myself to hold his gaze. Kyle might have ripped the rug out from under me, knocked the wind out of my sails, and landed me at ground zero, but I wasn’t giving up.
“What?” I finally asked.
Levi shook his head. “Now’s not the time, but when you’re ready, I want to know what happened with my brother and if he really is the piece of shit I’m starting to think he is.”
I offered a tiny nod of agreement. I’d never been a fan of airing my dirty laundry, but if sharing a little bit of my experience was the price I needed to pay for a safe place to land for a couple of days, so be it.
We didn’t talk the rest of the way to his place. I stared out the window, wondering how I’d let myself sink so low. By the time Levi stopped in front of a rustic-looking cabin with a wraparound front porch, I’d decided I was done wallowing. Kyle had been a mistake—one that had cost me way too much—and it was time to find that strength way deep down inside that my mom had always told me I possessed.
“It’s not much, but I hope you’ll make yourself at home.” Levi got out and grabbed my bag from the back while I stared at the cabin through the front windshield.
By the time I went to open my door, he’d arrived first and held out his hand to help me down.
“Thank you.” I dropped his hand as soon as my foot touched the ground. Even at my weakest, I vowed I’d never let myself relyon another man. As soon as I could, I’d find a job and save up enough to get out of Mustang Mountain for good.
A huge gray and white dog raced out from behind the garage and headed straight toward us. I’d been around dogs, but never one so big. I braced myself for impact since he didn’t look like he was going to slow down.
“Gus, cut it out.” Levi stepped in front of me, and the dog stopped next to his side. “I hope you’re okay with a dog?”
The huge animal wagged his tail, making his whole body shake. I cautiously held out my hand for him to sniff, hoping he wouldn’t take off a finger. “He’s so big. Is he friendly?”
“Yeah. He’s just excited since I never have anyone over.” Levi held tight to Gus’s collar while the dog sniffed every part of me he could reach.
Movement at the corner of the house caught my eye. I glanced up. If I thought Gus was big, then the dog eyeing me from fifty yards away was a monster. Levi followed my line of sight.
“That’s just Hades. He looks fierce, but he’s pretty tame. Come here, boy.” Levi patted his thigh, and the animal trotted over.
