Chapter 50
FIFTY
ALLIE
ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?
Emily met us at the reception venue, and we got all the food into the high-tech kitchen, and had a group hug.
She wore jeans, pink sweater, and her long brown hair was in a bun on the top of her head.
We opted to not share any details about the possibility of her wedding desserts rubbing elbows with, well, elbows.
Once the food was all taken care of, Emily leaned against the counter and looked up.
“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Levi.”
He cracked a smile and pointed at Lexi. “Don’t believe a word she says about me.”
Lexi grabbed Rachel’s hand. “Levi, you are dry humping my last freaking nerve today. We’ll meet you in the van, Emily.”
They exited as Emily and I walked arm in arm with Levi beside us.
“So you’re the grown-up Levi.”
“Yes,” he whispered. “But being grown up is a little weird. I’m just unsupervised all the time. Seems unsafe.”
She laughed and leaned in. “I know I’m supposed to hate you, but I’m just not feeling it.”
“Shall we go to lunch?”
She wrinkled her nose. “I can’t eat. I’m just a bundle of nerves.”
Levi leaned in and laughed. “Having second thoughts?”
Crickets.
His brows popped up. “I was just joking.”
She let out a sigh. “I’m good. I think. Just a little nervous.”
I pulled her in for a hug. “This will be the best day of your life.”
* * *
We pulled in front of the house and every time I almost forget how beautiful it was.
I knew it would always be the bittersweet memory of the Christmas wedding and Levi.
The closure of so many open wounds, yet in the scars they'd be little cuts that would never entirely heal, a new scar within the old.
I knew with every fiber of my being he would haunt my thoughts for all of time.
My stomach kurplunked when the front door opened and Royce and Clint walked outside. Their faces told me they'd realized Levi had gone with us and had a few hours to simmer in it.
I hopped out of the van first and gave them a wave.
“Hey guys, how was golf?” I flashed my best smile at Clint to try to give Levi some time to leave. But of course he didn't. I looked back to see that “fuck you” grin he was famous for. Come on, Levi!
“Did ya get lots of birdies? Was the course with you?” I giggled. “Get it?”
Clint gave me a pissy grin as his gaze slid back to Levi.
Evan walked out with concern written across his forehead. “Hey girls. And Levi.” He slapped Royce on the back as he passed and walked to Levi. “Did you get the caterer thing all worked out?”
Kristina pulled her gloves off and threw her arms in the air.
“You would never believe it! The Super Saver Serial killer had Emily's wedding food in his freezer in his apartment and then the cops came and said we couldn't have it back! And then Levi and Allie crawled up the fire escape, got in the door, saved the wedding food, and got out just before the cops busted all of us!”
It was that awkward moment when I was trying not to look as Clint stared a hole in me. Just when I thought things couldn't get any more tense, my brother walked out of the house.
My brother walked out of the house!
Will, brown hair, same blue eyes as me, and two years older, was there. Mind you, he didn't know Emily or the groom, but he was there. In Colorado. In the Vrbo. Standing between Clint and Royce, both his friends forever, looking as if he was ready to kill someone.
Someone = Levi, the most hated man in Colorado.
Levi was thoroughly amused as he approached my brother. “Will, it’s been a long time.”
“Not long enough, Dawson.”
Will’s eyes narrowed at me. “What the hell happened? You have stitches?”
“I had an ice debacle when I first arrived.”
“Debacle?”
“I went over a little cliff and the car rolled.”
He stepped closer and took my face in his hands. “Allie, you’re okay?”
I stepped away. “I’m fine. Really.”
Levi asked. “You here for the wedding, Will?”
My brother took a step toward Levi. “I’m here to make sure you know your place.”
Great, the words that would only spur Levi on. “My place?”
My brother looking at me brought fire to my cheeks, and I quickly looked away as Levi walked through them and to the door. “You aren’t telling me anything this time, Will.”
I walked over and grabbed my brother by the hand. “Let’s chat.”
Lexi waved her arm in the air. “Emily and Travis are coming over in an hour for a bonfire. I’ll get things ready in the kitchen if anyone wants to help.” She nudged Rachel. “Of course, wine will be there.”
Royce nodded. “I like the sound of that. I’m feeling mentally overworked and a little under intoxicated at the moment.”
Kristina pointed at me. “You better join us, Allison. Wine is the only way to deal after this afternoon. Much cheaper than therapy.”
I pulled my brother by the hand into the empty living room and to the sofa next to the fire. The room glowed and was cozily perfect if it weren’t for me about to rip my only sibling’s head off.
“Sit.”
He rolled his eyes and plopped down. It was then Clint entered the room and stood next to me.
“Uh, can I talk to Will for a minute?”
“Sure.”
He sat in the leather chair next to the coffee table clearly not picking up what I was lying down.
“I’d like to have a word with him alone, please.”
Clint’s expression brimmed with irritation. “Allie, this is ridiculous. Levi has completely crossed the line. Lexi told me he was hiding in the fucking van. Who does that?”
“He saved the wedding reception food.”
Will let out a huff. “That’s a bunch of crap and you know it. He has motives, and I’m going to make certain this shit stops now.”
Clint leaned up in his chair, “Allie—”
“Clint, I think I stated that I want to speak with Will alone.”
“Can’t you see—”
“I see two people in my life who seem to not be aware that I’m a grown ass woman. I don’t need or want anyone bossing me around anymore.” I pointed to the door. “Clint, out.”
“This is bullshit.”
He stormed up the stairs as I turned my attention back to Will. “I’m a smart person in every area of my life. Will you stop thinking I can’t make a decision without you?”
“When it comes to Levi—”
“It’s none of your business.”
He stood. “Clint is great and he’s crazy about you.”
“Again, none of your business.” I started pacing. “Since I’ve been here Royce called Clint who came here, and then Clint called you. I need this to stop. Just because you and Clint are talking doesn’t mean I have to be with him. You don’t make my decisions. Maybe I don’t want to be with anyone.”
“Allie, I just worry about you.”
“Stop. I’m smart and don’t need you jumping on a plane when you think I might screw something up.”
“Back then—”
“Back then you made all the decisions for me. I had no say in my life, and I hated it.”
He stood and pulled me in for a hug. “I’m sorry. I did some things in the wrong way after the accident. I just, we all wanted to protect you.”
I pushed away. “Don’t do that.”
He threw his hands in the air. “Truce. I want a do over.” He gave me his stupid googly eyes and a grin. “I’m sorry. Can you stop being mad at me? Mad Allie makes me sad and not glad.”
“Shut up.” I tried to hide my smile. “You can’t stay unless you are civil to everybody I this house. Nobody knew Levi was the cousin of Evan. Can you do that? Not be a douchebag?”
“So you want me to be my normal self? The awesome one?”
“How’s being a full-time asshole working out for you? You need therapy.”
He laughed. “I went to a therapist, but I don’t think she was supposed to say “wow” so many times in our first session so I quit. Maybe I need a shady therapist who’s experienced some shit and could really help me deal with all these dickheads walking the earth.”
“Yeah, sometimes there are just too many people and not enough voodoo dolls.”
He threw his arm over my shoulder as we headed toward the kitchen. “Voodoo, now there’s something I’d like to try.”