Conceited Concierge: A Hero Club Novel by Renea Porter (little readers txt) 📕

Aubrey lowered her sunglasses. “Look at that bikini body, woman.” She raised her eyebrows up and down.

“I didn’t have a swimsuit when Levi and I came down last time, so he helped picked this one out. All the others made me look fat.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You look great.”

“Look at you and your little bump.” I pointed.

“All I want to do is sleep. And my feet are already getting swollen when I walk a long distance.”

“Hopefully Chance rubs those feet.”

Aubrey smiled. “He does. He spoils me.”

“Good. Well, I’m going to take a dip in the water to cool off.”

I walked down and slowly sunk under to wet my whole body. Pushing myself upward, I slicked my hair back and was making my way toward Aubrey and the guys. It looked like she and Levi were having a heated discussion. Was Levi being truthful when I questioned him about his phone calls? Once I got closer, I heard Aubrey say, “If you don’t tell her soon, I will. She deserves to know.” They grew quiet once I approached.

“What are you guys talking about?”

Aubrey and Levi both said, “Nothing.”

I slipped my sunglasses on and decided to leave it at that. For now. But eventually, I will get to the bottom of whatever was going on. Pushing the thought out of my mind for now, I decided to enjoy the day with my friends. Their kids made sandcastles and frolicked in the water, under their parents’ supervision, of course. Their family was picture perfect.

Aubrey came back over to put some SPF lotion on the kids before they got back to their sandcastle.

“Please tell me you and Chance’s relationship isn’t as perfect as it seems?”

Aubrey laughed. “Rylee, it is far from perfect. But I gotta say he is the best man for me. We have our differences, and we have our similarities. It’s an equal balance. But we do have our moments.”

“I bet those heated moments lead to that.” I smirked pointing to her belly.

She rubbed her stomach. “I can’t deny that.”

“I have this idea in my head that I want what you and Chance have, the kids and all.”

Aubrey leaned up on her elbows. “Kids and all, huh?”

“Yeah. I realized that watching all of you over the July fourth holiday. Levi said the same as well.”

“I think you and Levi could have what we have. I hope you do. I’m rooting for you guys.”

“I feel like there is a but…”

“Oh no. I do hope you guys work out. I want you, too. It would be cool to have another couple around to do things with.” She leaned her head back so the sun cascaded over her face.

I chewed my bottom lip.

“Hot dog or a burger?” Levi asked.

“I’ll take a hot dog with mustard,” I replied.

“Same for me,” Aubrey chimed in.

Levi brought our hotdogs over. He hung out with Chance by the grill. And they even took turns when Chance watched over the kids and chased them around. I couldn’t help but smile whenever Levi and I looked at each other after watching Chance or Aubrey with the kids. It was like we were silently saying that was gonna be us someday.

It seemed like the day was flying by as the sun started to set. I was helping Aubrey bring the food inside, and Levi stepped into the room.

“We should probably get ready to go,” he suggested.

“Okay.” I smiled genuinely at Aubrey and thanked her and Chance for the day.

“You’re welcome here anytime. You never need an invitation. Especially since I’ll be in baby mode soon.”

“I appreciate that.”

Everyone hugged each other, and even their kids came over to hug us.

Levi and I loaded our things in my car, and he took initiative to drive us back to Temecula.

“It melted my heart when the kids called me Aunt Rylee.” I was almost in tears I was so touched.

Levi reached over for my hand and kissed my fingers. “They love you.”

“I love them, too. They really are good kids.”

“They are. Bet they are gonna be hellions when they get older. They are half Bateman.”

I laughed. “Oh shit.”

Levi chuckled. He didn’t let go of my hand and I was feeling deliriously happy. We were in Temecula when an idea came to me. “Fuck it. Let’s do it.”

Levi looked confused. “Do what?”

“Let’s get married. Las Vegas is a short drive. And we can even spend a night and be back tomorrow evening…”

Levi interrupted me. “I can’t.”

“What do you mean you can’t?”

He sighed. “I didn’t want to say anything until I knew it was final…”

“Until what was final?”

Now I was the one who was confused. Levi pulled into the parking spot of the hotel, and my heart was beating so fast. Gripping the steering wheel with both hands, he blurted, “I’m still married. I thought the divorce went through. It was something stupid I did when I was nineteen.”

I thought my heart would beat out of my chest.

“I’ve been working with my lawyer to get it finalized.”

“Wow. So, you lied to me.”

“I didn’t lie.”

“Do you hear yourself? You lied by omission. How could you when I told you everything about me?” My heart broke.

“Okay. Fine. I really thought it was final. Then years passed and I forgot about it. And then I met you and I have never felt like this with anyone else. Rylee, please forgive me.”

Tears streamed down my cheeks. It was too late. Levi betrayed me. He betrayed my trust. He crushed my heart into a million pieces. I stormed out of my own car and snatched my car keys from him and hauled ass into the hotel.

“Rylee.”

“Don’t, Levi. I don’t want to hear another word out of your