CHAPTER TWELVE
LEVI
The morning light drags me out of what little sleep I managed. The past few nights have been rough, my mind spinning with the unpredictable shitstorm my life has turned into.
Standing in my kitchen, dressed in grey sweatpants and a black compression shirt, I drink my coffee.
Black, of course. I’m going to need all the strength I can get before this trip today.
Letting out a loud sigh to myself, I run a hand through my hair.
I decide I had better text Scarlett to see where she’s at.
I dial her number into my phone, I press the text icon.
Me
Hey, are you ready to set off for the Lake?
Princess
Levi?
Me
Obviously. Who else would it be?
Princess
With this attitude, the lake house
is going to be so much fun!
Me
Just answer my question, Quinn.
Princess
Feisty. Are you ready for me to pick you up?
Me
Of course. Sooner we get there,
sooner this nightmare can be over.
Princess
God, you’re dramatic. I’ll be there in twenty.
Thirty minutes later and I get the text that Scarlett’s waiting outside my apartment.
Finally, she’s here.
Of course she wouldn’t be on time – not after I was late to my first couple of sessions with her.
After double checking I have everything I need, I pick up my duffle, throwing it onto my good shoulder before heading down to Scarlett.
I don’t even know what car she drives.
I look down to my phone to send her a text, when I hear my name being called.
“Levi!” I turn toward the sound to see Scarlett standing out on the footpath, waving frantically, trying to get my attention.
“Jesus fucking Christ.” I mutter as I start walking toward the car.
I slowly wave back, trying my best to pull my hood up with my bad arm to try and avoid being noticed. I do not need this moment haunting me.
Please, for the love of God. Just. Stop. Waving.
I make my way to the… Toyota Corolla. I have to drive with her in this tiny car for five fucking hours?
“You couldn’t have tried being on time, Scarlett?” I grit out when I get to her, still trying to stay inconspicuous.
She tilts her head at me. “You don’t respect my time; I won’t respect yours.”
She’s got to be fucking kidding me.
“It’s not necessarily your time that I don’t respect. It’s your occupation.”
Her jaw drops open, letting out a small gasp. I wish I didn’t find that so hot.
“How can you not respect my occupation when it’s what’s going to get you good in time for the season again?”
“Trust me, Princess. Pilates is not what’s going to get me good in time for the season.”
Her eyes narrow. Wordlessly, Scarlett pops the trunk before opening it for me and nods her head toward me to put my bag in.
One glance, and I take note that she has almost filled the entire trunk with her own bags. There’s hardly any room for my own.
“My God, Scarlett. Are you moving to the lake house permanently or something?” Because seriously.
We’re there for a few weeks. Why does she need so much stuff?
“And why is this car so fucking small?” I mutter under my breath, though, probably not quiet enough since judging by her expression, she definitely heard me.
“You’ve obviously never met a girl, Carter. I need options,” She scoffs, flicking her hair over her shoulder as she hops back into her car, leaving me behind to figure out the situation with the bags.
I tilt my head back, looking up to the blue sky, not a cloud in sight.
That just serves to piss me off even more.
It’d be more fitting to be overcast and gloomy, to reaffirm my feelings surrounding this scenario.
I just need to get this recovery done, then I never have to see her ever again. I can do this.
“This is going to be a long couple of months." I mutter to myself, before stuffing my bag into the trunk.
…
SCARLETT
I’m sitting in my little Toyota. To be fair, when I moved here, this car was all that I could afford, though I love it regardless. Fuck Levi and his unwanted opinions.
I glance back to see Levi shoving his bag into the boot. I smirk to myself, watching as he slams it closed before making his way to the passenger side and sliding into his seat.
His gaze slides down my body before working its way back up toward my eyes, almost studying me. I’m wearing a matching grey sweater and sweatpants. Nothing special. Once he meets my eyes, I give him a big grin, just wanting to get on his nerves.
He inhales sharply, turning toward the windscreen, folding his arms across his chest.
So moody.
Pulling out my phone, I tap the screen a couple of times before music starts to pour through the speakers. In my peripheral vision, I notice his head snap toward me. I’m playing ‘Life is a Highway’ by Rascal Flatts. I don’t care what anyone says, this song is so good.
He scoffs before speaking. “Absolutely not, Scarlett."
I turn to look at him, tilting my head innocently. “What do you mean?”
“You’re not playing this shit. Turn it off.” He narrows his eyes.
“Hmmm… How about I’m driving so you can’t tell me shit.”
His head rears back. I decide to not let him get a word in. “Let’s get going then, shall we?”
I pull away from the curb, setting out on this five-hour journey.
Wish me luck.