Well Played by Vi Keeland
CHAPTER 29
Levi
Coach Williams had asked me to come to his house immediately after camp.
He was quiet as he let me in the front door. I followed him to the kitchen, suspecting he wanted to ream me out for my less-than-stellar performance on the field today.
His wife was arranging a massive bouquet of flowers when we walked in. Kristen was a sweetheart and always treated me like family. I gave her a kiss on the cheek and saw Coach give her a look before she suddenly made herself scarce. I was about to get my ass handed to me, and he wanted to do it in private.
Sure enough, after he passed me a beer, he took a seat and laid it on me. “What’s going on with you?”
I pulled out a chair and sat down. “I’m sorry. I know.”
“You missed an open receiver downfield. It’s not the first time that’s happened lately either. You’d better get your head out of your ass before the season starts.”
I’d learned the hard way over the years that anytime I tried to hide something from him, he always figured it out eventually. Seeing as though he’d become like a father to me, I felt comfortable admitting the truth. He deserved that, especially when my actions would be affecting his bottom line.
“Some stuff went down back home, and I haven’t been able to shake it.”
He lifted his brow. “What stuff? Is this about the property?”
“I wish.”
“If it ain’t that, there’s only one other thing I can think of that could be fucking you up so bad.” He took a sip. “What’s her name?”
I exhaled. “Presley.”
“Isn’t that the woman you were fighting about the house with?”
“Yes,” I bit out.
His head tilted as he began to figure it out. “Your brother’s…”
“Yes,” I answered under my breath.
“Aw, shit.” He shook his head and took a long gulp of beer.
Over the next several minutes, I told him everything and ended with Tanner showing up. “I know what you’re gonna say, Coach—”
He held out his hand. “Not so fast. You think I’m gonna tell you to forget about it and get your shit together, but I know it’s not as easy as it sounds when a woman is fucking with your head.”
I pulled on my hair. “What’s the solution, then?”
“Well, it certainly isn’t continuing to mess around with your brother’s woman…” He chuckled.
“Ex woman,” I clarified.
“Either way, it’s fucked up, and you need to move on from it. But what this proves is that you’re needing companionship. Maybe you’ve outgrown the bachelor life. There comes a time when every man needs a good lady to come home to. Probably the only thing that will get your mind off a woman you can’t have is to find a better one and claim her for yourself.”
My first thought was: there isn’t a better one. I knew it. Presley was the best. This wasn’t about needing a replacement for her. While I appreciated his advice, I knew I wouldn’t take it. I had no interest in starting a relationship that would feel forced with anyone else. What had happened between Presley and me felt natural. It was organic. She felt like home to me, and that couldn’t be replicated. I’d rather be alone than try.
“I appreciate your advice. But that’s not something I’m interested in right now.”
“Okay, then on to Plan B.” He slammed his beer on the table.
“What’s that?”
“I take you out back and whip your ass into shape. Because we can’t have this shit continuing into the season!”
I bent my head back in frustration and rubbed my eyes. “I promise I’ll work it out, okay? I won’t let you down.”
***
Although it had felt good to unload on Coach, I was still in a pissy mood when I returned to my house that night. My place seemed cold and empty compared to being back home with Presley. I hadn’t realized just how bad it was until I got back here. I had expensive things, but it wasn’t a house that made a home. It was the people in it, and here in Colorado, my home life was nonexistent.
Talking about Presley today had messed with my head. I’d been trying to forget, but the more effort I put into that, the more it seemed to screw with my game. Actually speaking about the situation aloud made me feel even worse about how I’d left things with her.
I’d had multiple opportunities to drown my sorrows in other women, but I had no desire to go there. It would be disloyal to Presley, and more surprisingly, I had no desire for sex with anyone else. I wasn’t ready to move on, even if I’d tried to encourage Presley to do just that. Instead, I’d close my eyes at night and imagine her smell, her taste, lying next to her, holding her. Then I’d get sick to my stomach imagining Tanner doing the same.
It didn’t matter that I was a grown-ass man. When you’re feeling this low, there’s only one person who has a chance at making it better.
Taking out my phone, I scrolled down to her name.
After a few rings, she picked up.
“Levi?”
“Hey, Ma. What’s been going on?”
“It’s so good to hear your voice.”
“You too.”
“You sound tired.”
Another way of saying I sounded like shit. “Yeah, it’s been hectic at practice. How are things at home?”
“Well, I’ve currently got your nephew here.”
“Yeah?” I smiled. “Put him on.”
“Okay. Hang on.”
My mother called Alex to the phone, and I could hear him running toward it.
“Uncle Levi!”
The sound of his voice went straight to my heart.
“Hey, buddy. What’s going on?”
“Nothing much. Hanging out with Grandma. I miss you.”
“I miss you, too.” I shut my eyes. “Believe me.”
“Did you know I was here at Grandma’s? Is that why you called?”
“No. I didn’t know, actually. But it’s a nice surprise. How’s school?”
“It’s okay. My friends still ask about you. They say hello.”
“Well, tell them I said hey too.”
“I wish you were here. We could play Trouble.”
“I would much rather be there playing Trouble with you right now than here.”
“Grandma always lets me win. It’s no fun. I bet you would try to beat me.”
“You’re probably right.” I braced myself. “Where’s your mom tonight?”
“She’s out on a date with Dad.”
His words were a swift kick to the gut. My heart raced.
I hadn’t realized I’d fallen silent until he said, “Are you there?”
“Yup.” I swallowed. “Did your mom say she was going on a date with your dad?”
“Dad told me.”
While it brought me some relief to know Tanner was the one who’d referred to it as a date, this still sucked. Whether it was officially a date or not, they were out together, which meant they were bonding.
Fuck. This was supposedly what I’d expected to happen, what needed to happen, but I’d never get used to the idea.
We talked for a few more minutes until Alex put my mother back on the phone.
She’d apparently read my mind.
Mom lowered her voice. “I don’t know if they’re officially on a date, Levi. From what Tanner tells me, he’s still trying to earn her trust.”
My heart pounded. “How is she?”
“Presley seems good—good but busy. The Palm Inn is up and running, fully booked for two months.”
I smiled. “Wow. That’s great.”
She paused. “You did the right thing, son. I’m proud of you.”
If only it felt right. Instead, my insides felt like they were twisting in knots.
After we hung up, I was desperate for a distraction. Despite knowing I’d pay for it tomorrow, I needed something to numb this feeling. I reached for a bottle of Jack Daniel’s and crashed.
