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Chapter 5 Confronting Demons

Word Count: 1076 | Released on: 29/09/2024

gers turn white. Peeking through the small window in the classroom door, he saw his dad take another long swig from the almost empty bottle of rye he carried. Ro

chin and onto his clothes as he lurched down the hall, banging his shoulders int

bdued tone. He was trapped. He was trying to make himself as small as possible when Officer Gonzales, the school resource officer, caught up to his dad. Levi peeked around the door jamb cautiously when she heard Off

icer nearly falling again. Levi cringed at the slur. "My son's in school h

o the floor. The crash echoed around the empty hallway and Levi jumped. While Officer Gonzales frog marched him to the front doors, he continued to cuss and holler about his rights. Le

at his classmates, but Dani caught his eye. She tried to give him a little smile of support b

grown up together and the sheriff still gave his dad special treatment. Anyone else would be sitting in a cell. It made Levi so angry to know that nothing would happen to his dad despite the horrible things he did. This time the police had either brought him home or let his mom go pick him up. He

a word, she quickly opened the coat closet door and motioned him in

ttle body even smaller, cramming himself behind boxes and coats in the hall closet. He heard the sound of a leather belt quickl

ther's sweet voice. "Oh good, Roger, you're home!" he saw his mother's sandaled feet going to meet his father's muddy boots throu

g on the fences and you got such a late start," she said pleasantly, in commiseration, as she led his father to his chair in the living roo

ing. How she knew he was in for one even when he hadn't done anything wrong, he didn't know, but she always tried to save him from his father's outburs

s drifting off to sleep on top of a coat he had pulled down to rest his head on, when the closet door

sed out drunk, Levi knew. "Go on and get on your ho

He didn't see the tears that sh

Chapter End

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Ava Vaughn Romance

“Years ago, Levi Cooper broke Dani Davis's heart to protect her from secrets he couldn't share. Now, they're both back in their small hometown of Gladewater, Texas-Levi to take care of the struggling family farm, and Dani to nurse her beloved aunt through an illness. The last thing she expected was to come face to face with the man who once shattered her world. But Levi has changed. Grown. And the fiery chemistry between them never really faded. As old feelings rekindle, Dani has to decide if she can forgive the past and trust Levi with her heart again, especially when those same buried secrets start to resurface. Meanwhile, café owner Maggie Wade is everyone's rock-except when it comes to her own heart. After a painful incident from her past, she's given up on romance, until Dr. Zane Savage, a sexy, big-city neurologist, comes to town and turns her world upside down. Zane's smoldering gaze and undeniable charm make it impossible for Maggie to keep her distance, but just when their connection starts to heat up, trouble from Zane's past threatens everything. Will Maggie take a chance on love again, or will old wounds keep her heart locked away? Then there's JT, Maggie's brother, who can't forgive himself for a mistake that nearly cost his sister her life. Guilt has kept him from dating, convinced he'll only cause more harm. But Sofia Benevides, the café's stunning manager, has been silently in love with JT for years. When family pressures mount, JT and Sofia come up with a plan-a fake relationship to keep their loved ones off their backs. But pretending quickly turns real, and JT must face his demons if he's ever going to let love in. In a town where everyone knows everyone, hearts are on the line, and love isn't always easy. Can these three couples overcome their pasts, trust in each other, and find the courage to fight for the love they deserve? Welcome to Gladewater, where second chances are just the beginning.”