Yes, Sweetheart

Chapter 11

Waking up in the morning and expecting to see Josh: not my finest moment.

Seeing Levi instead? Literally almost made me jump out of bed.

At least he thought it was funny.

I was still curled onto my side in the fetal position, although I awoke facing him. He hadn't moved during the night, so while he was still on his side, he was facing towards me.

Waking up and seeing two bright blue eyes watching me was unlike what I was used to.

It was unfortunate, and honestly, now that I reflect on it, terrible. Every time I slept with Josh, he would either be gone by the time I woke up and in another room, or he would be holding me tightly, waiting until I awoke to beg for more.

Actually seeing someone else when they had been in the same bed as me was a new scenario.

"Aria, your face! Are you alright, though?"

Levi, checking on me. He had laughed when I startled, but still had enough sense of mind to make sure I didn't panic.

"Yeah, I'm alright."

I threw the blanket off of me, sitting up to rub at my eyes. Looking at Levi, I noticed he was simply watching me, without moving.

"Can I help you?" I raised an eyebrow.

He sincerely grinned.

"Thank you. For last night. I, uh." He scratched the back of his neck again, but his face looked a bit pink.

"I'll admit it was comforting to have another person nearby, for once."

Raising both eyebrows, I paused.

"Doesn't Josh usually stay with you if he finds you?"

He hesitated.

"Well, he'll talk to me until I calm down, but then he usually leaves after that. I think he just doesn't get the significance of the problem. All that typically means is that I spend the next hour stewing in my thoughts until I can fall asleep again."

Something within me snapped at that. Probably my heart.

"But that's not ok!"

Levi appeared startled by my outburst.

"He's not allowed to do that to you! That's half-assing the job! You didn't ask for much. He should be able to do that for you, he's your brother."

He looked star struck. A grin fought its way onto his face.

"I didn't know you felt strongly about this. Besides," a contemplative look replaced the grin, "Don't you still love him?"

I paused. He had a point, except that I didn't think I could love him, with everything he's put me - no, both of us through. I had disillusioned myself that he was a better person than what he's shown to me lately.

"I think I'll never stop loving him, partially. Even after everything he's done this past week, I can't find it in myself to not care for him."

He chuckled.

"Where would I be as his brother if I didn't feel the same?"

"But," I knew it to be true, deep down, "I don't think I could ever love him romantically, not anymore."

Levi nodded, stating only, "I'm pretty sure that's fair."

He crawled out of his side of the bed, facing the wall, and stretched. Though he did have a t-shirt and sweatpants on, I could see a small strip of skin of his back when he lifted his arms. I shook my head.