He lets out a loud sigh, leaning back against the counter. “Yeah, I guess. I’m just trying to figure out how to act around you after the fair.”
“I’m glad you opened up to me, Levi. We needed that.” My voice is so raw, I almost don’t recognise it.
Levi places the bottle on the counter before standing straight, shuffling a little closer so that I have to tilt my head back to look up at him.
A rumble rolls through his chest before he speaks, breaking the tense silence. “Scar.” My name comes out rough and gravelly and, fuck, if it doesn’t make a shiver run down my spine. “Just… Thank you. For today, I mean. For listening. I didn’t know how much I needed that.”
I pull my bottom lip between my teeth. His gaze drifts down to watch before floating back up, his pupils dilating.
“You don’t need to thank me.” I let out a shaky breath, realising that he just called me Scar, making me melt slightly.
I feel my heartbeat start to pick up in my chest. This is dangerous. I need to get out of here.
I swallow, moving away from him slowly. “I should–” I clear my throat, “I should go.” I whisper, gesturing toward the stairs as I speak before I rush off, making my way up the stairs.
My heart is hammering in my chest as I move down the hallway, heading into my room before closing the door and leaning my back against it.
There was a shift tonight – a big one. And I honestly can’t tell if I’m supposed to run from him or towards him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
LEVI
My eyes open slowly, my head feeling heavy from… honestly, I don’t know what from. My mind snaps, bringing me back to last night. The fair, the games, the Ferris wheel. The confessions.
I wipe a hand down my face. Fuck. I said way too much. I couldn’t stop myself. It just kept spilling out of me. Something in me willed me to let this girl see all of me. I can’t remember the last time – if ever – that I let someone in like that. To see that much of me.
I feel so bare. Vulnerable. It’s a feeling that I’m not used to.
And she just listened. I didn’t sense one ounce of judgement coming from her which was refreshing.
Last night could have gone so wrong, but instead it brought us to a… truce of some sort. It’s brought us closer.
That thought alone is as intriguing as it is terrifying.
I shift to sit up, wincing when my shoulder protests. I roll it over gently to try to loosen it. Fuck, I must’ve slept badly on it – just my luck.
The dull throb serves as a reminder of all I have to lose if I fuck things up with Scarlett.
I grab a shirt out of my drawer, tugging it on carefully before padding into the hallway.
The second that I open my door, I pause. Because Scarlett just so happens to be coming out of her room at the same time.
She looks up, stopping in her tracks as well, pulling that plump lip between her teeth. Fuck, I wish she would stop doing that.
I break the silence. “Morning.” I say, my voice still gruff from sleep.
She pulls at the hem of her light grey sweater, seeming antsy. Like she’s just as uncomfortable with the vulnerability as I am.
“Good morning.” She whispers, a small smile gracing her lips.
“How’d you sleep?” I ask as we move out into the hallway to go downstairs.
“Just fine, Carter. Yourself?” She says mid-yawn, still waking up as we get to the kitchen.
I shrug. “Not bad.”
She nods before gesturing to my shoulder. “And how’s the arm?”
