Chapter Five
REVENGE EXES: Kelly Carter's I imagine that the pressure of my body against Levi's isn't just a thrill, but a familiar one; I imagine half a lifetime of this steadiness between us, of this inherent trust.
I lose my sense of self long enough that I unconsciously lean my forehead into the back of Levi's head, pressing against the gentle curls, staring down at the tanned slope of his neck. I can feel the precise moment he all but stops breathing. I come back to myself and jerk my head away so fast he stumbles on the top step, grabbing the railing to keep us upright just in time.
"June."
I'm already drowning in mortification, but the concern in his voice immediately topples a wave of guilt right over it.
"Sorry," I stammer. "I was just—"
Royally screwing us both over, apparently. Because in all the fuss, neither of us noticed the scruffy photographer lurking by the trash can until his camera is shoved in our face again.
Levi's grip tightens so fiercely on me that I can practically feel the press of each of his fingers against my thighs. For an absurd moment, I think he's going to make a break for it. Start running for the condo with me on his back like we're in a badly directed action movie.
But there is quite literally nowhere to run. There's a crowd at Tea Tide on our right, and a cluster of people with camera phones to the left, and someone unhelpfully yelling the words "I think that's them!" straight ahead.
The phone cameras start rolling, and just like that, the Revenge Exes take the world by storm.