Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
LEVI
Igot four hours of sleep last night after what happened in the living room.
When I woke up this morning and walked into the kitchen, I expected things to be different.
I was nervous as fuck. After all, the kiss was intense, hot, and passionate, and I also teased her and myself like a motherfucker.
And it was after I had told her about an extremely intimate and vulnerable part of my life.
Something my friends have learned about in passing, but never the real details of.
I’m not sure why I did it. Stevie’s easy to talk to, and that’s exactly why shit like last night can’t happen again.
The thoughts I had, the things I wanted to do, they would’ve had her running out of this apartment in a heartbeat.
Which is why I said we’d regret the kiss.
All my nerves disappear when I step into the kitchen and find Stevie in a great mood. Not only is she humming along to “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder, but she also made us an amazing breakfast: omelets, turkey bacon, and Irish buttered toast.
A couple of minutes later, we’re eating at the breakfast nook in the kitchen and laughing about how her dad and moms met. Everything’s back to normal, as if nothing happened.
“Let me get this straight.” I take a bite of the rye toast. “Your moms wanted a baby, and your dad volunteered to be the sperm donor because he wanted to help your moms out and be a father. But he also wanted nothing in his life to change, even with a kid on the way?”
Stevie shrugs, and it’s clear that my words hit a nerve.
I put a hand over hers. “I’m sorry, that came out wrong. I’m trying to understand.”
She looks down and swallows harshly, taking her hand away. She gives me a tight smile.
“Not everyone understands. I barely did.” Stevie picks at her food.
“Growing up, he was Uncle Marco, and I didn’t know he was my biological dad.
His schedule was hectic, and he’d give me presents whenever he visited.
When I went to his place, a town over, he gave me junk food and told me to keep it a secret.
” The smile she gives me now shows all her teeth, and I’m happy she accepted my apology.
“When did you find out?” I ask.
She furrows her brow like she usually does when trying to remember something.
“I think I was about five. They didn’t wait long. I had already started asking questions, and they didn’t want to lie.”
I nod and finish the rest of my breakfast.
She goes on. “I got excited when they told me it was Marco, and after that, we connected differently. Although his schedule was still hectic with work, traveling, and dating, he never missed out on the important things.”
Stevie pauses as if contemplating whether to tell me what she’s thinking.
She looks me straight in the eye, and says, “He moved to Spain with his partner when I turned thirteen.” She shrugs.
“I didn’t handle it all that well, until they told me I could visit every summer.
Young Stevie was a lot bolder, and I demanded to spend at least a month there during the summer.
” We both chuckle, and I can’t help thinking that she was pretty fucking bold last night.
“Starting that year, I went to Spain every summer for at least a month. That was until last year when everything happened.” She looks away and clears her throat.
“Can I tell you more about that another time? We should start getting ready.”
Stevie stands and starts clearing the plates, looking defeated by the memories of her diagnosis. My hands flex with the need to touch her, and I stand.
“You cooked, that means I’m the one to clean, got it?” I raise a brow, daring her to deny me.
Her eyes, which I hadn’t noticed were starting to water, clear. I wouldn’t have said that in the way I did if I knew she was crying. Then Stevie puts the plates in the sink, and I’m about to protest until she turns around, lifts onto her tiptoes, kisses my cheek softly, and whispers, “Thank you.”
She doesn’t linger. Instead, she saunters out of the kitchen and straight into the bathroom, leaving me stunned at her heartfelt action. My body doesn’t seem to understand that it was a friendly thank-you because now, I’m hard.
“Fuck me.” I lean my forehead on one of the cabinets. “Friends, my ass.”
Today is going to be a long. Fucking. Day.
An hour and a half later, we’re in the mall looking for the gang. Stevie was once again unsure of what to wear. This time, I told her to choose her favorite outfit since Kami and Em need to see what they think needs changing.
Not surprisingly, her favorite outfit consists of baggy flared jeans, brown boots, and a brown-and-green cardigan.
I like her seventies-themed clothing, but the things she owns don’t seem to match her personality.
More than looks, it’s the confidence, strength, and slight sassiness in her that’s hidden within her wardrobe.
We’re both looking around when we spot the top of Cam’s head over the end of the escalators. The guy is taller than any of us at six-foot-five.
When she spots him, Stevie smiles excitedly. A grin spreads across my face. Knowing she lost all of her friends here and that she was able to get along with everyone in my odd group brings me satisfaction.
“Stevie!” Em jumps and gives her a hug, and Kami follows suit.
The guys and I exchange claps. Noticing their bored expressions, I look at what the girls hold and now understand why.
They’re both holding bags from a bookstore that’s a floor above us.
Cameron isn’t a reader, but Kami is into mystery and horror novels.
Meanwhile, Em says she’s into fiction, which of course means extremely horny romance books that probably include monsters.
No judgment here. Joan is the same way. It’s how I got introduced to the world of smut and got the craving for what I do now. They might not be study guides when it comes to sex, but it sure was fucking fun to read.
Sending a smirk Em’s way, I ask, “Have fun shopping?”
She narrows her eyes while crossing her arms. “As a matter of fact, we did.”
I smile and discreetly bump Jake’s arm. “Let me see what you got.”
Emma’s face blanches. Always open to talking about everything except sex.
Kami intervenes and saves her best friend. “Today is Stevie’s day. Let’s put all of our focus on her.”
Stevie looks like a deer caught in the headlights. Poor Bambi. “Um…” She trails off.
Throwing Kami a dirty look, I lay a hand on Stevie’s shoulder.
“Remember how I said we were checking two things off your list?”
She nods.
“Kami and Em here are going to be your personal shoppers for the new look you’ve been wanting.”
My friends curtsey and I roll my eyes.
Stevie is finally processing what I’m saying, but I tell her the two final pieces before she can open her mouth.
“Em booked you an appointment with her hairdresser and nail girl.”
“She works in one of the salons in the mall, which might sound tacky, but I swear she’s the best,” Em adds.
Stevie’s mouth is hanging wide open.
I clear my throat. “As I was saying, the appointment is in two and a half hours, so you three can do whatever it is you need to, while we three—” I nod toward Cam and Jake.
“—were instructed to stay in the huge arcade. Kami—” I send her a sarcastic smile.
“—made us reservations for the restaurant right next to the arcade. That way, we won’t be able to see you until the end of the day, once everything is done. ”
My roommate’s mouth is still wide open. She taps my shoulder, signaling for me to bend down. She then fists my shirt collar and whispers loudly, “I can’t afford this, Levi. You should’ve consulted with me first.” Her voice is as stern as I’ve ever heard, and I recoil.
She really didn’t think I’d thought about a budget plan?
“Stevie, Em, and Kami helped me come up with a list of stores and whatever hair shit that’ll fit into a certain budget. That way, you can choose what works for you.”
Her features soften slightly in surprise. “Oh?”
Em takes a step forward. “If I may interrupt.” She pulls out a black Amex card, and my eyes feel like they’re about to burst out of my head because I know exactly who that belongs to.
“Jake lost a bet and the winner received the other’s credit card for a shopping spree.
” She gives Jake a giddy smile while he flips her off.
“Luckily, he has this beautiful thing. Therefore, everything’s on him today. ”
Stevie shakes her head. “I couldn’t. I only met you guys a few weeks ago.”
“I know it feels weird,” Kami explains. “I probably wouldn’t accept the offer either, but Emma will wear you down. It’s better not to fight it.”
I lean toward Jake. “What was the bet?”
He grinds his jaw. “I’d rather not say—”
“Who could get more numbers walking around for twenty minutes in the mall,” Cam answers quietly.
“How many did they get?” I ask quickly.
“Em got fifteen…” Cam pauses for a second, clearly attempting not to laugh. “Jake got four. Em said he couldn’t tell the girls his full name since it gives him an edge.”
Jake gives him a dirty look, and I burst out laughing, with Cam doing the same.
Em and Kami giggle while Stevie looks between all of us like we’re insane.
“What’s so funny?” she finally asks.
Em taps her arm. “Come on, sweetie, we’ll tell you on the way.”
Kami blows a kiss to Cam and intertwines her arm with Stevie’s left one, with Em on Stevie’s right. Stevie looks over her shoulder as they walk away, smiles softly, and mouths, Thank you.
I return the smile and gesture to the guys. “Shall we?”
Jake intertwines his arms with mine and Cam’s. “We shall.”
The three of us skip to the massive arcade.