Well Played by Vi Keeland
CHAPTER 22
Presley
I couldn’t tell you how many times I’d read over Levi’s text, trying to decipher the true meaning.
He was busy? That was the biggest crock of shit. And Levi had never been one to shy away from talking, so I couldn’t understand why he’d blown me off. This had me feeling a bit panicked. I didn’t care how busy he claimed to be; you can always make time for things that matter.
I’d dropped Alex off at a friend’s house, so I was alone, aside from the fact that Fern was somewhere in the house.
Deciding to paint an accent wall in one of the bedrooms, I ruminated as I kept going over the same spots unnecessarily—my mind just wasn’t in it today.
At one point, Tanner appeared at the doorway, dressed to the nines. I knew about his job interview but hadn’t spoken to him before he left this morning.
I put down my brush. “Hey.”
“Hi.”
“How did your interview go?”
“It went well.” He smiled. “They’re going to let me know by the end of the week. I think they have to interview a couple more people.”
I hadn’t known what to think when Tanner announced he was going for that coaching job. While I certainly wanted him to live closer to his son, it had felt hard to breathe with him around lately.
“That’s great,” I said, finding it difficult to form a smile.
He cocked his head. “You don’t sound that enthused.”
“Things are just getting down to the wire with these renovations,” I lied. “I’m feeling the pressure.”
“So, you’re good with the prospect of me staying in Beaufort, then?”
“I’m always good with what’s best for Alex. He deserves to have his father in his life.”
“Fingers crossed this works out. I have a good feeling.” He paused. “I have nothing going on the rest of the afternoon. Let me help you paint.”
“No, that’s really not necessary.”
“I insist. Gonna go get out of these clothes real quick.” He took off down the hall.
Shit.
Tanner returned a few minutes later, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. His muscles were noticeably larger than I remembered.
He spent the rest of the afternoon painting alongside me. After we finished, I ended up showing him some of the old photos I’d found in the house, and that led to reminiscing about the old days.
At one point, Fern peeked her head in on her way down the hallway and flashed a snide grin. She was enjoying this soap opera a little too much.
Tanner followed me to the kitchen and lifted a bottle of wine off the rack.
“How about we take this out back to celebrate a job well done? It’s just about five o’clock anyway.”
Before answering, I checked my phone for the umpteenth time. Once again, nothing from Levi.
What the hell? I could definitely use a little wine to numb this anxiety.
I shrugged. “Sure. I could go for some wine.”
Tanner grabbed the bottle of red along with two glasses from the cabinet. We sat out on the porch, and I watched as he poured one for each of us.
As he handed me a glass, he said, “I’m wondering if now would be a good time to have that talk I’ve been wanting to have with you.”
I should’ve known there was an ulterior motive. I took a long sip. “I’m not going anywhere, so it’s just as good a time as any.”
“Good.” He set his glass down and wiped his palms on his pants. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous.”
His eyes reflected a rare vulnerability that I only remembered seeing in the early days of our relationship, before the injury changed him.
I stayed quiet as he started talking.
“I don’t expect you to give me your trust any time soon, Presley. I know I have to earn that back and then some. But I want to work toward that.”
“You only have to worry about earning Alex’s trust back,” I said.
“And I plan to. But I’m not only here to reconnect with Alex.” His eyes seared into mine. “My hope is that we can repair what we lost.”
Sweat beaded on my forehead. “Tanner—”
“Please hear me out.” He took a long gulp of wine. “I know I’ve messed up more than once. And you don’t owe me another chance. But I am trying very hard to change and be the kind of man you’ve always deserved. As I told my brother this morning, I’m getting older now, and my priorities are clearer than ever.”
My heart dropped to my stomach. “You spoke to Levi about this?”
“Yeah. We talked for a bit before my interview this morning. He said he’s going through some stuff, too.”
Feeling woozy, I blinked. “What stuff?”
“He wouldn’t elaborate, but it sounded like a life crisis—similar to mine. You know, he and I aren’t all that different. We’re both getting older and wiser and realizing the lives we’re living may not be what we want long term.” He exhaled. “I talked to him about my desire to get my family back.”
I stayed silent, barely remembering to breathe.
“I don’t want to be that single guy anymore, Presley. I want a family. And not just any family—my family. You and Alex. You’re the only family I have, and the only one I will ever want.”
My head felt like it was spinning. While I’d known Tanner was trying to get back in my good graces and had been somewhat flirtatious, I hadn’t truly believed he wanted us to get back together.
He had no clue just how complicated things were.
“I don’t know what to say,” I managed.
“Are you seeing someone?” he asked.
I skirted his question. “Tanner, I don’t see the two of us ever getting back together.”
“Why are you shutting the door on the possibility?”
“I’ve grown. I’m a different woman than I used to be. I know more about myself and what I want. Not to mention, we just didn’t work.”
“We did work before I fucked everything up. Please try to remember that. There was a time when you loved me. And I’ve never stopped loving you.”
My only response to that was to down the rest of my wine. I could have lied and told him I didn’t want a relationship with anyone. But that wasn’t the truth. Telling him the actual truth—that I was only interested in a relationship with the other Miller—wasn’t an option. And knowing Tanner had spoken to Levi about me this morning explained Levi’s disappearing act. That made me even more scared of what might have been running through Levi’s head today.
“You know what?” Tanner said after a moment. “I can be patient. This conversation was more about me stating my intent. I don’t expect you to take me back right now or even respond to any of this. But I want to let you know how serious I am. I’m here for Alex and you, Presley. I don’t plan to see anyone else, even if you’re telling me you won’t give me a chance. I’m choosing to hold out hope, and I want to save myself for you.”
That’s insane. “You’re setting yourself up for disappointment, Tanner.”
I did wonder what my reaction to this would have been if Levi and I hadn’t happened. Even though Tanner had given me many reasons not to trust him, I did feel like he was being genuine right now. Was it possible he had changed and was as determined to get me back as he claimed? Maybe. Might I have caved and been open to giving him another chance if things were different? I couldn’t rule out that possibility. But the reality was, I had changed. I couldn’t erase what I’d learned about my wants and needs over the past couple of months with Levi, who’d made me feel things I’d never experienced. It was that fire I longed for. Even if things were about to end with Levi and me, because of him, I would always know what that level of passion felt like. And I knew I deserved that, which was certainly more than what Tanner had to offer.
“Like I said…” He took my glass and poured me more wine. “I don’t expect you to be open to this yet. I’m just letting you know I’m not going anywhere this time.”
I shook my head. “Please continue to focus on Alex and not me. I’m not interested in anything more than improving our relationship as co-parents. That’s definitely something I’d be open to working on.”
“We’ll start there.” He winked. “But I’m still gonna hold out hope.”
The tension remained thick as we stayed on the porch and made small talk after Tanner’s revelation.
He then told me to stay and relax while he went to pick up Alex at his friend’s house and suggested the three of us eat supper together. But instead, I asked if he’d be willing to handle dinner with his son while I ran some errands. He agreed, and after he left to get Alex, I grabbed my keys.
Once I got into my car, I pulled up Levi’s name on my phone.
Presley: Tell me where you are. I’m coming to you.
