Chapter 36 Levi
THIRTY-SIX
LEVI
AT IT AGAIN
I cleverly fought every arch of that damn roof and made it to my window without breaking my neck; would not recommend.
I’d left my sliding window opened a crack and locked the door just like I had as a teen when I went to her. I’d made a lot of bad decisions back then, but she was the one right turn I’d taken.
I took a hot shower with the only thing wrapping around my brain was my shower last night. I chalked up a “W” in the closure column; she’d extended it. It wasn’t just me feeling all this shit I didn’t know what to do with. Edit; I knew exactly what to do with it; get Allie back.
I turned the corner to see Lexi sporting jeans and a black sweater with a cheeta print Christmas tree sitting at the table with Royce.
Oh shit, ran through me as we were alone. All four eyes shot to me with a look of hate with a dusting of disgust.
“Morning.”
Lexi let out a huff. “Not anymore.”
I hopped behind the stove figuring they couldn’t totally hate me if they realized my cooking was kind of the bomb. Right? When I lived with Aunt Nora, she had an addiction—the cooking channel. And through it all I ended up with some sick culinary skills.
I pulled a pan from under the stove. “Eggs Benedict with bacon?”
Royce lifted a brow in inquiry. Maybe a point in the don’t kill Levi column?
“We’d all eat anyway. Just pretend I’m not the chef.”
Lexi rolled her eyes and grabbed her phone just as Kristina strolled in.
She quickly read the room and walked to the stove. “Levi, are you the chef this morning?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I grabbed the eggs as she sat at the table. “Morning.” She patted Lexi’s hand. “I slept like a baby for the first time in weeks.”
Lexi winked. “That’s what The Wienerlicious and drinks can accomplish.”
Kristina pointed to me. “We are in for a treat this morning. Levi gives off the vibe of being a great cook.” She looked over her shoulder. “Levi, what do you do for a career?”
I grabbed a spatula. “Construction.”
She scooted her chair so she could see me. “So you build houses or what?”
“I’ve built houses and commercial projects. Worked on job sites all over the place. I’ve moved around a lot.”
Lexi’s eyebrows drew together. “So, you’re a drifter? Going from place to place wherever you can get a gig?”
Evan walked in. “Morning everyone.” He sat at the table.
“Am I a drifter?” I tossed bacon into a pan. “Maybe, I guess in the big picture of things I am.”
Lexi shook her head and spoke quietly. “I called that a long time ago.”
Evan sat back in his chair. “Levi? A drifter?”
Kristina nodded. “Well, it’s nice to go from place to place. A big career isn’t important if you’re happy, uh, seeing lots of places. Everybody should live their dream.”
Lexi nudged Royce with her elbow. “Yeah, seeing places is cool. As long as you have enough to get a hot meal it’s all good.”
Evan leaned forward. “Levi?”
Royce took a drink from his coffee cup. “Yeah.”
He looked at me and laughed. “A drifter? Is that what you call a guy who started a construction company in Kansas City, then expanded to Brazil? Contracts in place for the next two years? The guy never sleeps.”
An unexpected satisfaction hit me as Lexi’s smile fell.
“Construction company?” Her tone dripped doubt.
Evan nodded. “Oh yeah.”
Lexi crossed her arms over her chest clearly not happy I wasn’t a thug. “Huh.”
Royce shifted in his chair. “Glad he pulled it together before ending up in prison somewhere. That would’ve been my bet.”
“People grow up.” Evan scooted his chair in. “He figured it out.”
Did you just see that? Had a plan happened on its own to help me maybe shift the needle when it comes to Lexi and Royce? Thanks, cuz.
As I flipped bacon Rachel entered and took seat at the table.
My eyes kept going to the door awaiting the most beautiful woman in the world to enter with those baby blues, perfect ass, and amazing breasts. The one that had twisted me so tight I didn’t know how to deal.