Fighting for Us Read online

Emerson: Looking forward to it.

  Tucking my phone back into my pocket, I hear Lily rushing back into the room and can’t help but laugh when I see how she’s dressed. Blonde hair everywhere, she has on a pink tutu with a long-sleeved shirt with a unicorn on it. Her ensemble is completed by a pair of rainbow sandals. Lily runs over and stands right in front of me, looking incredibly proud.

  “How do I look, Daddy? Did I do good?”

  “You look stunning, baby. You did fabulous. Nana is going to be so excited to see your pretty outfit. You ready to go?”

  “Yes, Daddy!”

  She gets her backpack from the couch, and after grabbing my travel coffee, I hold the door open for her and lead her to my truck. The entire drive, she chatters on about her new Barbies and how she’s going to show Nana the new dresses they have. I can’t keep a smile off my face at my little girl’s excitement, coupled with the idea of talking to Emerson again tonight.

  Yeah, life is real fucking good right now.

  CHAPTER 4

  Emerson

  I’VE SPENT THE LAST three days doing nothing but thinking about Levi. It’s almost like I’m entirely obsessed with the man. We talk every day, and every night we sit on the phone for hours. We made plans to go out on Saturday with Lily and I can’t wait to see him. I feel like a teenager, talking to a boy on the phone every night and getting all giddy when he calls me sweetheart. I seriously need to rein it in. It’s ridiculous.

  I got off shift early, and now I’m trying to decide what to do with my day. Checking the time on my phone, I see it’s only one thirty. I should go home and finish packing up my apartment, considering I’m moving on Monday and I’ve hardly started. As I make it to my car, an idea forms in my head, my lips tipping into a smile. It’s totally crazy, but I decide to just go with it.

  Ten minutes later, I pull up to the drive-through of the local Starbucks and order two hot coffees, one black and one loaded with cream and sugar. Putting them both into my cup holders, I take off for downtown, not entirely sure where it’s located. I see it on the left-hand side a few minutes later, nestled between a tiny coffee shop and a bakery.

  Well, this was a stupid idea. He has coffee right next door.

  Oh well, I’m already here.

  I pull in behind a large Ford and park, then grab the coffees and climb out of my car. Setting them on the roof, I brush my hair off my face and smooth my scrubs down. I look a mess, but I don’t care. I take a deep breath and head inside Marveled Misfits Ink, both drinks in hand. It’s very brightly lit, with a small coffee table and chairs all around it. There are black binders stacked on the table, and the walls are covered in intricate artwork and photographed tattoos.

  I can see a small hallway off to one side, and music plays over the speakers, some sort of rock with a heavy bass line. I make my way to the small desk where a young girl with long brown hair is sitting.

  “Hi, can I help you?” she asks, looking up from whatever she was typing.

  “Yeah, is Levi around?”

  “Did you have an appointment?”

  I suddenly feel nervous and am rethinking this surprise. “Uh, no I don’t. He’s a friend, and I was just hoping to say hi for a moment.”

  “One sec.” Standing from her chair, she walks down the hallway, and I’m left alone to my own thoughts. I’m getting ready to turn around and leave when she comes back out. “He’s just cleaning up, so you can go back.” She points behind her to the hallway.

  Heading down the short hallway, my nerves have completely gotten the better of me, and when I get to the room he’s in, I have to take a deep breath. After counting to ten, I come around the doorway and find Levi with his back to me, pulling off a pair of latex gloves. Tossing them in the trash, he scrubs a hand through his hair before turning around.

  “Hi,” I say quietly, unable to keep the grin off my face. Levi’s expression quickly goes from shock to happiness, that damn dimple standing out next to his beaming smile.

  “Hey, you,” he greets, coming over to place a gentle kiss to my cheek. I have to compose myself, so I hold up the coffees.

  “I come bearing coffee, although I have no idea how you take it.”

  “Black, thank you.”

  I hand him his cup and he takes a sip. I watch him over the brim of my own cup, knowing my cheeks are bright red.

  “I can’t believe you’re here. What brings you by?” he asks, gesturing to the two chairs in the room. I take a seat across from him and cross my legs.

  “I just got off,” I stammer.

  “Oh really?” Levi’s lip quirks up and my eyes pop open when I realize what I just said.

  “Work. I just got off work, not ‘got off’ got off. Oh my God, I’m gonna stop talking now.” Shaking my head, I force myself not to run from shame. “I got off work early, and I was thinking about you and wanted to see the shop.”

  “Thinking about me, huh?”

  Yep. My face is beet red.

  I can’t answer him without stuttering, so I take a sip of my coffee instead and play coy. Levi scoots his chair forward until our legs are touching and places his coffee next to him on the floor. I almost drop my cup when he rests his hand just above my knees.

  “Emmy,” he whispers, voice deep and husky.

  “Yeah?”

  “Why did you come here today?”

  His blue eyes bore into mine and I chew on my bottom lip, unable to look away.

  “I wanted to see you.”

  “Why?”

  Be brave, Reese. Be bold. Just tell him.

  “Because I like you, and I didn’t want to wait till Saturday to see you.”

  Levi smiles and leans forward until our faces are only inches apart.

  “Good. And for the record? I fucking like you too.”

  And then his lips are on mine in the gentlest, most soul-searing kiss I’ve ever had. His rough hands move up to cup my cheeks and I forget about anything but his firm yet soft lips, his tongue running along my bottom lip. With a quiet moan, I open to him and his tongue is sweeping against mine, making me light-headed and dizzy. After several seconds, he pulls back and I open my eyes to look at him.

  “Damn, sweetheart. I should’ve known you’d be fucking addictive.” And his mouth is on me again, this time attaching to my neck. He wraps his arms around my waist and without warning I’m lifted onto his lap. I rest an arm around his neck and lean forward to kiss him, needing to feel his mouth with mine.

  Levi groans and pulls me tighter to him. When his erection presses against me, I drop my coffee, the splashing sound jolting us apart.

  “Fuck,” he mutters, sliding me off him to jump up and grab a towel. My cheeks heat and I sit in my own chair. My cheeks are burning and I’m embarrassed knowing that I basically just mauled him in his office.

  Levi looks at me while he’s cleaning up, smirk on his face.

  “Sorry,” I mutter, casting my eyes away from him.

  He doesn’t respond, and I’m contemplating my next move when he kneels in front of me, hands on my legs.

  “For what?”

  “For acting like a little slut.”

  Levi throws his head back and laughs, forcing me to let out a little giggle.

  “Jesus, Emmy. You’re the furthest thing from slutty. And for the record, I enjoyed that. More than enjoyed it. You’re lucky I don’t have you up against the wall right now.”

  My cheeks heat once more, but this time it’s not from embarrassment.

  “You like that idea, don’t you?” Levi reaches up to brush a strand of hair from my face, kissing the side of my neck as he does. Nodding, I bite my lip, but when he moves to kiss me again, I lean out of his reach. “What?”

  “We haven’t even been on a date. I hardly know you. We need to slow down.”

  Levi nods and then stands, holding a hand out to me. I take it and stand up next to him.

  “You aren’t angry with me?” I ask.

  “No, why would I be? You aren’t wrong, but for
the record, we will be doing that again. Like, every time I see you. Prepare yourself, Emmy. Now, would you like a tour?”

  Nodding eagerly, I take the hand he holds out to me, giving it a squeeze. Levi takes me around the rooms out back, showing me the equipment and such. I have no tattoos, and even Levi doesn’t seem to be that inked up, but I have a new appreciation for what he does. This isn’t just a job for him—it’s his life. He’s an artist, and a damn good one, if I do say so myself.

  When he leads me back out to the waiting room, the girl who was there earlier is on the phone at the desk. When she hears us come out, she ends the call and comes over.

  “Levi, your two o’clock just rescheduled for next week.”

  “Thanks, Syd.” I watch him lean over to kiss her on the forehead, and I’m immediately jealous. I should have known.

  Syd waltzes back over to her desk and Levi walks us over to the front doors, holding them open for me. Once we’re outside, I move to brush past him but he catches my wrist and turns me around, pulling my body into him.

  “Sydney’s my little sister, before you go running away.”

  “I wasn’t running away,” I retort, but Levi raises an eyebrow.

  “Em...”

  Em, huh? I like that.

  “Okay, fine. I hardly know you and I just got jealous over something silly. I feel absolutely ridiculous.”

  “Don’t be. I like it.”

  “You like me being ridiculous?” I laugh, walking to my car and leaning my back against it.

  “No, I like that you like me so much you got jealous over my sister. Listen, I know we only just met a couple weeks ago, and we’ve been talking less than that, but I really like you, Emmy. You’re kind, and sweet, and you make me laugh. Since I broke it off with my ex and gained custody of Lily, I haven’t dated. Nothing. She’s my only priority.”

  I can’t help my eyes widening briefly. This is the first Levi has spoken of Lily’s mom.

  “I didn’t know.”

  “It’s not something I really talk about, and it’s much more complicated than it sounds. One day I’d like to tell you, but today isn’t that day. Meeting you has helped me realize what I’ve been missing.”

  Levi steps forward and places his hands on the hood of my car, caging me in. Looking up into his blue eyes, I smile and his face lowers to mine.

  “You gonna take off?” he asks quietly.

  “Yeah, I have some packing to get done. I told you I’m moving Monday.”

  He presses his lips to my forehead and doesn’t pull away, lingering against my skin.

  “Let me know if I can help, okay?”

  “I will, Levi. Can I FaceTime you tonight? I’d love to say hi to Lily.”

  “We’d like that.”

  Leaning down, he takes my lips in a gentle kiss, and I can’t help smiling against him.

  “I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Yeah, you will. Drive safe, baby.” Levi softly kisses the corner of my mouth. With a wink, he backs away and heads inside his shop, leaving me alone with a dopey grin on my face. Going around the hood, I climb into my car and touch my lips with my fingers.

  Did he just call me baby? And why do I like that so much?

  Shrugging, I put the car into Drive and take off for my apartment, ready to get down to business. I hate packing, so if I’m smart I’ll get everything done as fast as I can. I brought a ton of boxes home from the hospital yesterday, so hopefully they’re enough.

  Soon enough, I’m pulling into my apartment complex. As I shut the car off, my phone dings with a message.

  Levi: Hope you made it safely. If you need help moving, let me know.

  Emerson: I’m here. My dad is helping me, but we could use an extra vehicle.

  Levi: I have a truck. It holds stuff. Let me help.

  Emerson: Geez, fine. If you must. Already meeting my dad, this must be serious.

  Levi: Don’t worry about it, I’m a big boy. I can handle your dad.

  Emerson: I’m his only child, and I’m a girl. You sure?

  Levi: On second thought, what kind of beer does he like?

  Emerson: I’m joking, Levi. Calm your tits.

  Levi: I don’t have them. But I’m down for calming yours.

  Emerson: Oh God, shut it. I gotta go.

  Levi: ;)

  Face beet red, I rush into my place and shut the door behind me.

  Levi Jackson is trouble. And I like it.

  CHAPTER 5

  Levi

  “SHUT THE HELL UP, Syd. I did not.”

  My sister’s laughing at me, and I have to bite back a grin.

  “You did too. You should have seen it, Cade. It was so funny.”

  Sydney and I are sitting at the coffee table in the shop with Caden. He has an appointment in an hour, but he brought a pizza with him so we’re all eating a late lunch. Sydney is currently telling him that I had puppy eyes for Emmy and dropped my balls when I walked her out to her car. She’s not wrong, but I won’t admit that.

  “Lay off Levi, Syd. He’s a grown man, and he can date or fuck whoever he wants.”

  “Thanks, man. I think.” I smack my little brother on the head, and he chuckles before stuffing half a slice of pizza into his mouth. “And trust me, since Lily became my responsibility alone, there has been no fucking or dating. So maybe, I dunno, you could just be happy for me?”

  I raise an eyebrow at my sister, and she gives me a small smile. “I am happy for you, Levi. I just don’t want you to get too attached and then she bows down. How do you know she’s ready not only for you but for Lily?”

  “Trust me, my daughter isn’t an issue for her. Emerson adores Lily. She was the nurse in the hospital the night I brought Lily in. She was so good with her, and so kind and patient with me. She’s amazing, Syd. She really is.”

  Sydney leans forward and touches my forearm, squeezing tight before letting go.

  “Then I’m happy for you. You and Lily deserve that. Lily deserves a mom and a dad.”

  “I know she does. I want that too.”

  The phone ringing from the front desk interrupts us, and Sydney stops to give me a kiss on the cheek before she hurries over to answer it. Caden trains his eyes on me, a smirk on his face.

  “What?” I ask, closing the empty pizza box and standing so I can throw it away.

  “Nothing, bro. Just happy for you and that little princess of mine.”

  “Don’t get too excited. We don’t even have our first date till this weekend.”

  “Yeah, but you never even got this excited when you first started seeing Dana. The only time we see you this happy is when you’re talking about Lily.”

  “True, Cade, but still.”

  “Just let me know when my best man duties kick in,” he jokes, and I laugh at him.

  “Yeah, don’t take the time off quite yet, man.”

  “Oh, I won’t. I’m just waiting to see how long it takes before you’re both ruined. Because I sense it’s coming quick, if this is how you talk about her already.”

  I have nothing in response, because I know it’s true. Emerson has completely rocked my world, but I wouldn’t change a thing about it.

  Caden takes the empty box and trash out of my hands. Clapping him on the back, I grab my ball cap from the couch and pull it on, waving as I head out of the shop. I send my mom a quick text to let her know I’m on my way to get Lily and jump in the truck.

  “Daddy, can I wear the princess pajamas tonight?” Lily has a towel wrapped around her and her hair up in another one. She just had her nightly bath, and now we’re looking for the perfect nightgown for my little lady.

  “Sure, baby girl. Here you go.” Grabbing it from the dresser, I hand it to her and she pulls it on as I get a hair brush and elastic.

  “Come here, Lily.” Plopping down onto her bed, I settle her between my legs and run the brush through her wet hair. In a few minutes, her long hair is in a braid and she’s scurrying downstairs.

  Emerson texted me
a few minutes ago to ask if she could call soon. I was grateful, as I’d figured she would’ve called earlier and was starting to worry that she changed her mind.

  Coming down the stairs behind Lily, I step into the living room as my phone starts ringing with an incoming FaceTime call. “Lily, come say hi to Miss Emmy!”

  Running over, she jumps onto the couch and I sit next to her, holding up my phone to accept the call. In a matter of seconds, Emerson fills the screen, and I can’t help the large grin that comes onto my face. She’s so beautiful. But something is wrong. She looks exhausted, and her eyes are slightly puffy and red.

  “Miss Emmy! I been waiting for you to call me!” Lily shrieks.

  Emmy laughs loudly. “Hey, sweetie pie. How are you doing?”

  “I’m clean from bath time! And we had hot dogs for dinner.”

  “Sounds good, I’m so jealous. I love hot dogs!”

  Lily talks to Emmy for only a few minutes before she asks to go play with Barbies before bed, so she says good night and runs upstairs. Settling back into the couch, I train my eyes on Emmy’s beautiful blue ones and smile at her.

  “She’s so sweet, Levi. I hope you know how lucky you are.” Her voice is quiet and shaky, and I can tell something is wrong, but I don’t want to push her.

  “I am. She can definitely be a handful, but that girl is my entire world.”

  Emerson nods and I watch as she tries to hide the tear she wipes away.

  “Em, what’s going on? I can tell you’re upset. You don’t need to hide from me.”

  She bites down on her bottom lip and nods, her chin trembling.

  “Levi...”

  “What is it, baby? Are you okay?”

  Emmy’s head drops and she lets out a quiet sob, her free hand covering her face. I watch her fall apart for only a few moments, my heart hurting for whatever happened. She composes herself a moment later and starts wiping all the tears from her face.

  “What happened, Em?”

  “Sorry. My coworker Andie called me about an hour ago. One of our patients died earlier today. She was an older lady, but she’d been in many, many times over the last year for episodes related to her Alzheimer’s. She wandered from her home, had accidents, and her son would bring her in to get checked out. She was the sweetest lady ever.”