Chapter 17
Bass vibratesmy seat as electronic music spills from the speakers in Levi’s car. The summer sun warms my skin as the salty wind whips through my hair. Tall evergreens line one side of the road as businesses teem with residents and tourists on the other.
Beautiful as the day is, I struggle to enjoy it. Toying with a loose thread on my shorts as we weave through town toward his house, I recall Levi’s words from earlier.
After breakfast with my parents, Levi said he didn’t want to wait to tell his family about himself and us. On the next breath, he asked me to come with him.
Proud as I am of him for taking this step—officially coming out—I am nervous as hell. His father doesn’t hate me, but he isn’t fond of me either.
Deep down, I know it isn’t my fault Mr. West feels the way he does. I’ve not done anything untoward or egregious to Levi or anyone else in their family. I think he dislikes me because Levi and I have always been close. Add in the fact that I am gay and his son is spending most of his free time with me; Mr. West is far from happy.
Long before Levi and I were friends, his father set impossible expectations. Mr. West wants both of his sons in politics with stunning women at their sides. He wants some antiquated version of a picture-perfect family that everyone in Stone Bay looks up to and idolizes. He wants his children to live fictitious lives and perpetuate these false ideologies for future generations.
Levi refuses to be molded into a replica of his father. His aspirations lie outside of politics and people-pleasing. He has no desire to sit on a proverbial throne and let townsfolk worship him. And he doesn’t want a woman on his arm.
All Levi wants is to live his life according to his own rules, to be loved and to love someone in return.
Some might say that’s not asking for much. But for Levi, asking this of his father is monumental.
The car slows as we pass the fire department. Less than a mile later, he flips the blinker on and turns onto Founders Way. My knee bounces when the sign for West Terrace comes into view.
Levi downshifts then rests his hand on my thigh as the roof of the main house peeks through the trees.
“Let me do the talking, okay?”
I flip my hand over and lace my fingers with his. “No problem.”
He chuckles. “We’ll go inside and I’ll ask my parents and grandparents to join us in the sitting room. If Parker’s home, I’ll invite him too.”
His thumb lazily strokes the length of mine.
“Once everyone is present, I’ll let them know things with Abi didn’t work out because we both have feelings for other people.”
He guides the car around the last of the trees.
“And then I’ll tell them about us.”
“You have it all worked out, don’t you?”
His sunglasses-covered gaze warms my profile. I turn to take in the sight of him and melt when his lips turn up at the corners.
Fuck, I love it when he smiles.
“Not everything, but enough to let them know the truth about me and us.”
Earlier, I would have thought it’d be impossible to love Levi more. But he continues to prove otherwise.
“What the hell?”
At his bewilderment, I glance toward the house and see an unfamiliar car parked in the driveway. “Who is that?”
Levi whips around the vehicle and parks in front of it. He cuts the engine, rests his head against the seat, and sighs as he pinches the bridge of his nose.
“Calhoun,” he says after a moment.
My eyes widen as I peer over my shoulder at the vehicle. “As in Abigail or her parents?”
“It’s not Abi’s car.” He brings my hand to his lips. “But I assume whoever’s here… they’re talking about her and me and the breakup.” He audibly exhales. “Fuck.”
“Maybe we should wait.”
“No.” He releases my hand to cup my cheek. “I don’t care why they’re here.” Levi leans into me and presses a tender kiss to my lips. “I’m telling them.” He drops his forehead to mine and steals my breath with his penetrating gaze. “You and me”—his thumb strokes my cheek—“that’s all I care about.”
Silence drags on for timeless minutes. If we could stay in our bliss bubble forever, I’d die happy.
Unfortunately, our bliss bubble will have to wait.
Levi inches back and exits the car. When he meets me on the passenger side, he takes my hand, gives it a gentle, reassuring squeeze, then leads us to the door.
Each step forward thrills and terrifies me in equal measure. The fantasy I’ve harbored for years has become a reality. I only hope his family accepts this newly revealed side of him with open arms.
Pushing open the front door, Levi leads us into the grand foyer. I take in the entrance of the main West house with fresh eyes. The last time I walked through these doors was in high school. Not much has changed since then, yet it feels much different. Less of a home and more of a display.
Light chatter meets my ears a moment before Levi’s mom enters the room and greets us with a bright smile.
“There you are, darling. I started to worry.” She lifts her hands to clasp his shoulders before pulling him into a tight hug. “Such wonderful news,” she mutters, then takes a step back. Her eyes meet mine briefly. “What a good friend you are, Oliver. Here to support Levi.”
My brows knit together in confusion. What is she talking about?
I glance at Levi and see he is equally perplexed by her comment.
Before either of us can ask what she means, she spins on her heel and returns to whatever room she came from. With hesitant steps, we cross the foyer and enter the sitting room.
On a couch with their backs to us, the Calhouns sit poised as they chat with Levi’s father opposite them. A boisterous energy floats through the room. Something about it sets my teeth on edge.
“Here he is,” Mrs. West announces as we enter the space. “Our handsome Levi.”
Levi’s mom has always been nice—at least in the presence of others—but her excitement seems a bit much considering the circumstances. Breakups aren’t joyous occasions, especially in this household.
Abigail peers over her shoulder with a brilliant smile on her face. It falters when she sees me, but not for long.
“Mom, what’s going on?”
Levi releases my hand, leaves me at the entrance of the room and goes to stand where he can look everyone in the eye.
“Quit playing coy, son,” Mr. West says with a forced chuckle. “Abigail has already shared the wonderful news.”
A knot forms in my gut as I wait for someone to elaborate. Minute-long seconds tick by without an answer as the pang in my stomach twists and morphs into a gnarly beast.
“What news?” Levi demands with a growl, his fingers balled into fists at his sides.
“Mind your tone,” Mr. West says more politely than he would without select guests.
Mrs. West sidles up to her husband and pats his thigh. “He’s probably just nervous, Jefferson. Ease up.” As she says the last two words, she squeezes his leg.
“Will someone tell me what the hell is going on?” Levi’s voice booms throughout the room.
Time stands still for a split second as all eyes dart in his direction. Then everything moves in slow motion as Abigail rises from her seat, walks over to where Levi stands and loops her arm with his.
Dazzling smile on her face, Abigail lifts her left hand and wiggles her fingers, a behemoth diamond sparkling in the light. “I know you told me to wait, but I just couldn’t.” She giggles and clutches his arm harder. “I had to share the news of our engagement.”
My heart falls to the floor as my body turns to ice.
What. The. Fuck?
It isn’t true. And it’s not a part of their fake relationship either. Levi would have told me immediately. He would have warned me about something this monumental.
Yet my mind refuses to grasp reality. It only believes the lie.
I stumble back and hit the wall. A shiver rolls up my spine as the room blurs and narrows.
But it’s Levi’s thunderous words that snap me back to the present.
“What the actual fuck, Abi?” He rips his arm from hers and steps back. “We are not fucking engaged.” He scoffs. “Hell, we’re not even a couple. We never were.”
Levi moves closer to me as everyone’s eyes widen.
“It was fake from the goddamn start.” He jabs his chest. “My idea to get you all off our backs.” His eyes narrow on her. “Because we’re both in love with someone else. People our families wouldn’t approve of.”
A nervous laugh falls from Abigail’s lips as she inches closer to her parents. “There’s no one else, Daddy.” She shakes her head vehemently. “I swear.”
“Wow, Abi.” Levi gives her a disbelieving look. “Are you that scared of your parents knowing about Desmond?” His gaze shifts to Mr. and Mrs. Calhoun. “He’s a great guy. Laid-back, thoughtful and madly in love with your daughter.” He tilts his head and narrows his eyes. “Did you break up with him to do all this?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she lies with too much ease.
“Either way, I put an end to this whole fake relationship bullshit two weeks ago.” He slices the air with his hands.
“No, we’re enga?—”
“Shut the fuck up, Abi,” Levi yells.
“My apologies, Ray, Angel,” Mrs. West says at the same time Mr. West barks out, “Levi, a word in the other room.”
Meanwhile, I try to blend into the wall and escape this new form of hell.
“No!” Levi shouts. “I came here for one reason.”
My pulse whooshes in my ears. My hands tremble at my sides. Anxiety swells beneath my diaphragm.
This is it.
Watery eyes meet mine and hold them for one, two, three breaths. The corners of his mouth tip up in the softest smile. Then he breaks the connection to face his family, lifts a hand and points in my direction.
“I am in love with Ollie.”
A gasp echoes throughout the room and I have no clue who it came from. Nor do I care.
Levi West just told a roomful of people he is in love with me.
He erases the distance between us, takes my hand in his and locks onto my teary gaze. “I’ve been in love with him for years.” With an infinitesimal nod, he mouths I love you before turning back to his parents. “I’m tired of hiding who I am to please you.” He laces our fingers. “This is the real me; take it or leave it.”
Stunned in silence, his parents and the Calhouns stare at us. When no one speaks up, Levi tightens his hold on my hand and starts for the front door.
As we exit the house, everyone stirs back to life and voices boom in the background. I can’t make out what they are saying, but their volume and tone speak for themselves.
Anger. Lots and lots of anger.
Rushing to his car, we get in and he cranks the engine. Less than a minute later, he parks outside the pool house. Out of the car, Levi waits for me at the front and takes my hand when I step up to his side.
“What are we doing?” I ask as we enter his home on the West property.
Levi spins around and walks backward, his luminous eyes never straying from mine. When we reach the door leading to his bedroom, he stops and swallows.
“Can I stay with you?”
A surge of adrenaline spikes my bloodstream as my heart rattles my rib cage.
Levi is in love with me—he is mine—and just asked to stay at my place.
The backs of my eyes sting as emotion swells in my throat and saliva floods my mouth. Telling him yes dancing on the tip of my tongue, but I’m too overwhelmed to articulate the actual word.
Lips tucked and rolling between my teeth, I slowly nod my acquiescence.
The corners of his mouth tip up in the most addictive smile. He steps into me, frames my face with his hands and kisses me with unfathomable hunger. I melt into his touch, the kiss, his taste. Get lost in his warmth, the way his tongue caresses mine, his moans as his fingers slip into my hair.
All too soon, he breaks the kiss and drops his forehead to mine. Our heavy breaths mingle as we come down from the temporary high.
Will it always feel like this with him? Powerful. Soul-consuming. An endless need for more.
God, I hope so.
His thumbs stroke my cheeks as he drops a chaste kiss to my lips. “I love you, Oliver.” He nods almost imperceptibly. “So fucking much.”
Tears well in my eyes as I inhale a shaky breath. I clutch his wrists and meet his spellbinding blue eyes. “I love you, Levi.” I grip his wrists harder. “Moje srce.” My heart.
June 29th
Today made me dizzy. The highs, the craziness, the confessions. L told me he’s in love with me. He announced this monumental truth in front of his parents and the Calhouns. I think I left my body for a moment when he said the words. I doubt he wanted to tell me like that, but after the shit A tried to pull, he needed everyone to hear him.
A has obviously gone insane. I mean, who does what she did? Who spends a shit ton of money on an engagement ring for themselves to pretend they’re getting married to someone they’re not even with? Yeah, they agreed to fake date to shut their parents up. None of it was real, though. L put an end to the charade weeks ago, but it’s obvious she didn’t hear a word he said. Her problem not ours.
Either way, I’m glad that shit’s fucking over and we can move on.
L moved in with me today. Well, kind of. He packed up most of his closet, work stuff and anything of importance, shoved it in every nook of his car, and brought it to my place. While he packed, I talked to Mama. She and Papa were cool about it since I pay rent. I just wanted them to know before we showed up with duffel bags and L’s car spent more time at our house.
I’ve dreamed about this moment for years. It’s hard to believe that he’s here, that he’s mine, that we’re together and in love. But I’ll happily count my lucky stars because L is worth every single one of them.