Chapter 52
Levi sat in the recliner and held Myra close. He needed to be close to his dad. He’d tried to play since Jon left for Houston, but his fingers froze when pressed against the fretboard. There was a knock at the door. He didn’t move, instead he managed his first chord of the day.
“It’s open!”
Jeff entered and cocked his head to the side. Levi could feel eyes watching him and looked up.
“I’m struggling today.”
“I can hear that, bud. That’s a damn fine guitar. I’ve not seen it before.”
Levi smiled. “Yeah, she doesn’t come out much. She’s sentimental.”
“She’s got a helluva tone too, but I don’t think you asked me to come over to show off.”
“Of course not. I especially wouldn’t pull that shit when I can’t even seem to play.” He sighed. “Have you talked to Jon recently?”
A slight grin crept across Jeff’s face as he took a seat on the couch. “Yeah, why.”
“He went to Houston today to visit that Robbie guy from the other night.”
“Levi, are you jealous?”
“No, but I can’t shake this feeling that something’s going on. Has he said anything to you?”
“Why are you asking me?”
“Well, you’re the only one that hasn’t known me that long. I figure he’d trust you more than James or Gus if he wanted to get something off his chest.”
Jeff shook his head and burst out laughing. “First off, he hasn’t. Even if he had, I don’t think I would be one to break that trust.”
Levi eyed him suspiciously. “You’re sure?”
“I’m sure. He hasn’t said shit to me that didn’t involve how wonderful you are. Honestly, it’s kinda sickening how mushy y’all can be sometimes.”
“Then what are he and Robbie up to? I know it’s more than just catching up. ”
Jeff leaned back. “What are you trying to say? You think he’s cheating on you with a straight dude?”
Levi sighed. “Nah. I don’t think he’d do that.”
Jeff smirked at him and shook his head. “Man, I think you are too deep in your own head right now. That’s why you can’t play, and that’s why you are so worried about what he’s up to. Trust me, you don’t have anything to worry about. He ain’t gonna step out on you.”
“I know.”
“Then why the fuck are you so worried?”
Levi dropped his head. “I don’t know.”
“Look, I don’t know you that well. Everything I know about your past has filtered through James. Since details aren’t his thing, I’ll assume it’s mostly wrong, but it sounds like you have some unfinished business back home.”
Levi looked at him, unsure of how to respond.
Jeff continued, “If you do, you ain’t never going to be free of this baggage. You’ll never be happy and you’ll always be looking over your shoulder. You need to deal with this shit and get it over with.”
Levi cocked his head to the side. “Where the fuck did that come from?”
Jeff shrugged. “My mama’s a shrink, and my grandma reads tarot and shit like that. I guess I’ve picked up some of their habits.”
“Wait, what? So was that based on what James told you?”
“Kinda. That, and some cold reading. Don’t know if grandma’s really a psychic like she claims, but there are things you can pick up on by watching people’s behavior, and you are as easy to read as they come. Do you want to talk about it?”
“Oh hell no, and I ain’t going back there either. Last time I was there, I almost died.”
Jeff opened his mouth as if to speak, but he didn’t. After a few moments, he smiled. “I could get grandma to come to the bar tonight and bring her cards. Beyond that, all I know is what I would tell my straight friends.”
“No, I don’t think I want to meet your grandmother tonight. I don’t think I believe in psychics, but better safe than sorry.” He took a deep breath. “But I have to ask. What would you tell your straight friends?”
“Basically, if you love him this much and are this worried about it, put a ring on it.”
Levi jerked his head to the side. “Propose?”
“Why not? You two obviously love each other, so why not?”
Levi considered Jeff’s words. He hadn’t thought about proposing. Hell, before he met Jon, he hadn’t considered ever falling in love. He’d kept everyone at arm’s length. He wasn’t afraid of commitment. Then what was he afraid of? “I don’t know…”
“Look. I won’t tell you what to do. All I can tell you is what I’d do if I was in your shoes, and with the shit his family has pulled, that y’all need that protection. You are damn lucky when he was in the hospital. The docs could’ve ignored what he said and called his sister. What would’ve happened then? What would’ve happened if it had been you and not him?”
Levi shuddered at the thought of being shut out that night. He knew he would’ve done something stupid. Before he could respond, Jeff’s phone rang. He excused himself to the porch, leaving Levi with his thoughts. Levi pulled his own phone out and scrolled through his contacts, hoping he hadn’t deleted her number.
Jeff popped his head through the door. “Hey, my mom needs my help with something. We good?”
Levi smiled. “Yeah man. Go help your mom. Thanks for coming by.”
“I might swing by the bar if I can get away. That dude playing tonight is awesome, and I’m hoping to get some pointers. If it’s not too crazy, we might get to chat some more.”
“See you later, then.”
Jeff closed the door behind him. Levi stood and placed the guitar on its stand. He looked at his phone again. It would be so easy to make the call. He knew Jeff was right. He found the number again and stared at the screen.