Chapter 17
Levi
With a cart full of everything the dog might need, and some things for the cat too, we head out to the car and pack everything in the trunk.
“You hungry?”
“Yeah.” I nod, pushing my glasses up my nose. “I could eat.”
“Well then, I must feed you,” he laughs, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.
I smile and lean into his hold as we walk down the strip mall to the little cafe at the end.
We ordered some food and had a quick bite to eat. Then hit up the ice cream place next.
“We should head back. Peanut might need the bathroom.”
“I forgot dogs don’t use kitty litter like cats.” He sighs. “Okay. Let’s get going.”
We’re walking down the sidewalk towards Austin’s car when someone calls out his name.
Stopping, we look around to see where it’s coming from. “You have got to be fucking kidding me.” Austin curses.
“What?” My brow furrows, wondering what's wrong.
“Austin!” A female calls his name, this time closer. “Oh my god, Austin Cade!”
“Why do you hate me?” Austin closes his eyes and groans.
“I don’t hate you.” I frown.
“Not you.” he looks at me with panic. “God.”
I don’t get a chance to ask what is going on when the girl pretty much throws herself at Austin. “It’s been so long! I’ve missed you.”
My brows jump as I stare at the two of them. Who the hell is this chick, and why the hell is she all over my man?
“You look so good.” The blond girl steps back, staring up at Austin like he hung the moon. My stomach twists. Is this one of his ex-hookups before he realized he was gay? He mentioned he had fooled around with girls in the past.
“Hi, Rebecca.” Austin gives her a forced smile. “Didn’t know you were back on the island.”
“Just home to visit at the lake house.” She laughs. “Having a girls' trip.”
“What about school?” Austin asks.
“Oh, we take most of our classes online.” She waves him off. “So, how have you been? Daddy talks about you and your dad all the time.”
Daddy? Really?
“That’s weird.” Austin frowns. “Why would your dad be talking about me?”
“Well, Daddy and your father got together a few weeks ago. Your father was talking to him about how you’re going to be joining his company when you graduate. That's so exciting. We should totally start meeting up after we’re done with school. It’s been so long.” She gushes with stars in her eyes.
My eyes snap over to Austin because I had no idea he was planning on being a part of his dad’s company. He hates his father.
“Not sure why he would be telling anyone that. Because it’s not true. I’m not going to work for him after I graduate.”
“What?” she frowns.
“And as for us meeting up, I mean this with no disrespect, but why would we do that? We’re not friends. We hardly know one another. I’ve only seen you a handful of times growing up.”
“We were kids.” She waves him off. “That’s how it works for us.”
“For us?” Austin asks. “What does that even mean?”
“You know. We go away for school, live our lives, then meet up later in life. It’s what our fathers did with our moms. Now it’s our turn.”
I’m so lost, my eyes ping-ponging back and forth between them.
“Our turn for what?” Austin asks, confused.
“To be together, silly,” she laughs. “Our parents always knew it was going to happen.”
Austin bursts out laughing, and Rebecca scowls.
“What’s so funny?!”
“I’m sorry.” He gets a hold of himself. “I’m so sorry for laughing. But you do realize how ridiculous that is, right?”
“Why?” she glares at him. “Why would the idea of being married to me be ridiculous?"
“Married?” I whisper, eyes widening in shock.
“Because I’m gay,” Austin says as if he’s reminding her.
“No, you're not,” she scoffs.
“Yes. I am. I’m gay. Very gay. Everyone knows I’m gay.
So does my father. So for him to be talking about me getting married to any woman is his own delusion that he can’t accept his son for who he is.
I’m sorry you were brought into this, but whatever my father is saying about me is a lie.
I cut ties with him years ago. I have nothing to do with that man or his company. ”
That's not entirely true. He does have access to his father’s money.
“And like I said, I’m gay. This man here.” He holds up our joined hands. “The one you’ve so rudely ignored this whole time is my boyfriend.”
“Your boyfriend.” She finally looks at me, and I have the urge to slink back at the nasty look she sends my way. “You would rather be with him than me?”
“Ah, yes,” Austin says.
“Why?!” she stomps her foot like a spoiled brat.
I actually look around to see if there are some hidden cameras because I feel like I’m being pranked right now. This is so bizarre.
“For one, he has a dick.” Austin snorts. “I really like dicks. And you don’t have one. I’m sorry, but how much more do I need to be clear that I’m gay?”
Her face starts to turn red, and I don’t know if I should feel sorry for her or laugh.
I don’t laugh, that would be rude. But she’s also being rude, too.
“You know what? Fuck you, Austin Cade! You never deserved me anyways. I can do way better than you.” She turns on her heel and storms away.
“What the hell was that?” I ask once she’s out of sight. I look back at Austin, and his face looks pissed. “Hey, are you okay?”
“No,” he says, voice low. “I’m not okay.”
My heart sinks. “Do you wanna talk about it?” I ask, softening my voice.
He shakes his head. “Not right now.”
“Okay.” I really want to know the details, but I’m not going to push him. I want him to trust that he can open up to me, like I did with him. “Let’s go home. I’ll drive.”
He nods, and I take the hand that’s still in mine and kiss the back of it. He gives me a small smile, and I take the win.
The car ride home is filled with tension. When we pull into our parking spot, I turn the car off and turn to him. “Are you okay?” I ask again.
He turns his head to look at me. “I’m just so fucking done with that man.
” He sounds defeated, and my heart hurts for him.
“He knows I’m gay. Even though he hates me for it.
Yet, here he is still acting like I’m the son he wishes I was.
Planning my future without my permission.
Telling people I’m straight, trying to set me up on some weird fucked up arranged marriage situation,” he sighs heavily.
“Whatever. It doesn’t matter.” He gets out of the car and goes to the trunk to grab the stuff we bought.
I’m quick to follow. “It does matter,” I tell him, grabbing the rest of the stuff and closing the trunk before following him inside. “Your feelings matter. What your dad is doing to you is fucked up.”
“It’s what he’s always done,” Austin says, getting into the elevator.
I follow him and press the number for our floor.
“He’s never cared about me or what I want.
About my feelings. Nothing. I’m his only child.
His only son. And I didn’t end up how he wanted me to, so he acts like I did.
It’s fucked up. It’s sad, really.” He shakes his head. The elevator stops and the door opens.
We get out, heading to our apartment door. Once we’re in, Austin closes the door and puts everything on the table.
The mood is heavy and somber as I go grab Peanut and take him outside to use the bathroom. While I’m gone, Austin sets up some things for the dog, like a bed, food, and a water bowl.
For a small moment, Austin seems like he might be okay. He smiles while Peanut gets comfortable on his new bed and laughs when Snicklefritz sits on the coffee table and just watches him from afar.
“I think they will become best friends,” Austin says, before turning to me.
“Me too.” I smile.
Austin stares at me for a moment, and I can feel the mood shift again.
“It’s why I spent so much time at your place growing up.
” He says, as if continuing the conversation from before.
“My dad, I mean. With how he was. It’s why I was at your place so much.
There, I could be me, you know? I could be myself and not feel judged.
I could laugh loudly and not feel like I’m being too much.
I could eat what I wanted and not get fat comments or be called a slob.
I could play the game I loved with my best friend and not come home to being told it’s some stupid game and I need to spend my time on something better.
” he shakes his head and continues to crumble.
“He might have been too stupid to see the amazing man you were, and the one you’ve become, but trust me, we aren’t.
My parents aren’t. They love you like you're one of their own. You are perfect, Austin, even the parts you believe aren't. Because it’s what makes you you. Every fault and flaw. If you didn’t have them, you wouldn’t be your true self.
And I can say, I think you're pretty fucking amazing.”
Austin’s gaze flicks between mine, emotion brimming in his deep blue eyes.
He steps towards me, chest heaving. His large hands cup my face. “I need you.” He whispers, this pleading look in his eyes. “I need you so fucking bad right now, Levi. Please.”
My heart starts to thunder in my chest, my stomach twisting with nerves. Swallowing hard, I nod. “You have me, Austin. You're not alone.”
“Fuck.” He croaks, then his lips are crashing down onto mine.
I moan as he works his lips against mine, the kiss growing more desperate and hungry.
It’s like everything inside me comes alive. My cock thickens, pressing against my jeans. Austin grabs my ass and rolls his hips, pressing his erection against mine. My eyes roll back from the pressure, and my hips jerk forward, searching for more.
“Levi.” Austin pants against my lips.
“Yes?” I breathe, blinking up at him. His eyes are wild as he stares down at me.
“Can I...” he swallows hard. “Can we?”
A smile slips onto my lips. “Come with me.” I grab his hand and tug him towards his bedroom.
When we get into the room, I bring him to the bed and gently push him to sit down on the edge of the bed.
Austin watches me with nervous but eager eyes.