“Where were you? I was a second away from calling Sheriff Williams! Christ, Kelcie!”
“I was at Levi’s place. Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you worry.”
“Carry your phone with you. Dammit.” I listen as he takes deep breaths. “My fucking heart.”
“I’m sorry, Jordan,” I apologize again.
“What were you doing at Levi’s house?”
I sit down on the couch and rub my palm over my face. “We were having dinner. I’ve been spending time with him.”
“Oh?” I can hear a hundred questions in the single word.
Not wanting to worry Jordan more than I already have, I explain, “I’m doing better. It feels as if I’m making progress when I’m around Levi.” I let out a sigh. “It’s hard to explain, but he understands me.”
There’s a pause in conversation before Jordan says, “I’m happy to hear that, Kelcie.” Hearing the relief in his voice makes my body relax. “I’m glad you’ve found someone who can help you.”
“He’s really nice.” I glance at the open door where the cold wind is blowing into the house, and getting up, I go to shut it. I hesitate before I admit, “I like him a lot.”
“Oh wow. Really?”
“Yeah.” This is a conversation I would’ve had with Mom or Sage. But Jordan is all I have left, and I need to talk to someone about my emotions. “The attraction is next level, and he is so patient and understanding with me. He even handles my panic attacks like a pro.”
Jordan begins to talk, but his voice breaks, and I listen as he takes deep breaths before he’s able to say, “You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear that, Kelcie.”
The emotion brimming in his voice makes my throat strain and my chin quiver. “I’m sorry for everything the past year,” I whisper. “I know it’s been hard on you.”
“It’s okay. I’m just so relieved you’re doing better.”
“How are Natalie and Brady?”
“They’re good. Brady’s favorite word is ‘but.’ Every time I tell him to do something, it’s but this and but that.”
I let out a chuckle. “He’s so cute.”
“Are you going to spend Thanksgiving with us?” he asks.
My teeth tug at my bottom lip as I think Levi will be alone if I go to Jordan. “Is it okay if I skip this year?”
“Do you want to spend it with Levi?” my brother asks, a teasing tone to his voice I haven’t heard in a really long time.
“Yeah,” I grumble playfully.
“In that case, I’ll drive through at the end of the month to check on you.”
“You don’t have to check on me,” I argue.
“Fine, but I’m still coming through to visit. I miss you.”
The corner of my mouth lifts. “Okay.”
We say our goodbyes and hang up. Setting my phone down on the armrest, I get up and go to the bathroom. I spend a few minutes brushing my teeth and gargling with mouthwash. Just as I pat the hand towel over my face, I hear a knock.
When I step out of the bathroom, there’s another knock at the back door, and I go to open it.
Without saying anything, Levi holds his hand out to me, and while I place my palm in his, I pull the door shut behind me.
He keeps quiet as we walk back to his house, and when we enter his kitchen, I notice two bowls of soup with slices of bread on the table.
