Levi gritted his teeth in despair as he watched the speedometer’s needle remain stuck at sixty miles an hour. “So today’s the day you conveniently decide not to have a lead foot. Cool.”
“Do you want me to just turn around and go back home so you can do this yourself?”
“No, I want you to hurry up so I can make things right,” Levi growled. “Like you said I was supposed to. Remember?”
Jasper pressed his foot on the gas pedal, then abruptly slammed on the brakes and pulled over to the side of the road. Gravel kicked out from under the tires as his truck lurched onto the shoulder.
Levi dug his fingers into the armrests. “What’s going on? Why did you pull over?”
Jasper stopped the truck, shifted into Park, then killed the engine and turned to face Levi with a fierce intensity in his expression. A muscle twitched in his jaw as he stared straight ahead.
“Dude, have you heard anything I’ve said in the last three minutes?”
“I’ve heard enough. Do you want me to keep driving or take you back home?” Jasper asked calmly.
Levi shook his head in disbelief. “This is so stupid.”
“You’re right. Just give me a simple answer. Should I continue on? Yes or no.”
Levi crossed his arms over his chest. “Yes.”
“If you’d like to fight the whole way there, I’m game,” Jasper said. “Or we could strategize what you’ll say when you get there.”
“Assuming I can even find her.”
“Let’s stay positive, my man. Are we good? Can we ride in this truck without punching each other?”
Levi nodded.
“Excellent.” Jasper turned his blinker on, checked over his shoulder and then merged onto the highway.
They rode in silence until Levi wrestled his pride into submission and spoke first. “I’m sorry I lashed out. Thank you for driving. I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”
“It’s okay. I can take it.” Jasper gave him the side eye. “Are you okay, man? You haven’t been yourself lately.”
Levi blew out a breath and raked his hand through his hair. “I’m sorry that I’ve been such a lousy brother lately. You and Miranda got engaged, and I haven’t exactly been...thrilled.”
“Apology accepted.” Jasper flashed him a knowing grin. “To be fair, I’ve been known to not look before I leap. In lots of situations. This time, though, you don’t need to worry. I’m in for the long haul. Miranda’s the one.”
“Glad to hear it,” Levi said.
“So, now that we’ve cleared the air, when we catch up to Savannah, what are you going to say?”
“That I love her? That I need her to stay?”
Jasper rubbed his hand along his stubbly jawline. “What else?”
Levi tipped his head back against the seat. An icy ball of regret lodged in his gut.
“She already felt uneasy about coming back to Opportunity. Her confidence had really tanked.”
“Well, now you know why,” Jasper said. “I’d feel lousy, too, if I’d been blamed for something that serious that wasn’t my fault.”
“Candace didn’t help by piling on.” Levi glanced at his twin again. “What’s her deal, anyway? Why does she stick her nose in everyone’s business?”
“Oh, you know Candace.” Jasper shrugged. “She’s only happiest when she’s causing trouble.”
“But why is she so good at it?” Levi curled his hands into fists in his lap, getting wound up all over again.
“She preys on people’s weaknesses.”
“I’m sorry. What?”
Jasper hesitated, drumming his thumb on the steering wheel. “Candace has a knack for figuring out what makes people tick. She uses good old-fashioned sibling rivalry to pit us against each other. Just like she recognizes Savvy’s lack of confidence and pokes at her until she gets a reaction.”
“You’re my twin brother, Jasper. We look out for each other. I’d never throw you under the bus like she did to Savvy.”
“You’re not wrong,” Jasper said. “But Candace can be very convincing. Somehow, she schemes until she’s able to point out other people’s shortcomings while concealing her own.”
Levi huffed out an exasperated breath. “That’s so twisted.”
Jasper chuckled. “Easy, there. Don’t get too indignant now. We’ve covered this already. That’s why we’re in this truck, barreling down the highway at a responsible rate of speed.”
“Thank you for being the more reasonable, levelheaded twin.” Levi reached over and clapped Jasper on the shoulder.
Jasper’s mouth twitched. “You know it. Only the most responsible grand gestures for my twin and the love of his life.”
Levi’s pulse sped up. “Do you think she’s the love of my life?”
