Chapter 2
Chapter Two
STEVIE
My moms say their final goodbyes before leaving Levi and me alone in awkward silence. I’m still standing by the front door, glass of lemonade in hand, tapping it nervously.
“Do you need help unpacking, or do you want to order some food?” Levi asks softly, catching my attention.
I move my gaze upward and see his starkly handsome face. His dark blue eyes, soft smile, strong jawline, dark hair, and muscular body make him look like a young Clark Kent.
I’m sure that if it weren’t for the fact that I found my ex-boyfriend screwing our friend three weeks ago, and that I’m going to be living with the guy, and that he is gay according to what my moms read, I’d be interested in him.
Unfortunately, all the previous statements are true, and although he seems like a kind person I’ll get to know eventually, I just want to make my bed and go straight to sleep.
“I think I’m going to head to bed.” I point toward my open door.
His body relaxes, seeming relieved by my answer. “Yeah, of course, totally understand.”
We stand there quietly. The only sounds that fill the room are his shuffling feet and my index finger tapping on the glass.
Okay, enough.
I walk to my door, and right before we both shut ourselves inside our rooms, I try to lighten the mood. “Good night, roomie.”
His eyes widen a little in surprise, and he chuckles. “Night, roomie.”
“Edge of Seventeen” by Stevie Nicks plays through my massive headphones while I mix the batter and throw some blueberries in.
The unfamiliar kitchen is smaller than the one in Andrew’s apartment, but it still has some decent counter space.
The apartment itself is relatively small yet clean and somewhat homey.
Hopefully, Levi won’t mind me putting some of my decor around the living room.
The chorus hits, and I take a second to move my body.
I probably look a little crazy since I can’t dance for shit.
Turning to the stove, I pour some of the batter into what I hope are perfect circles onto the preheated pan.
I woke up at seven, having gotten my much-needed eight hours of sleep, and then unpacked my room and kitchenware.
I also went to the local small grocery store a block away.
You can tell that only guys used to live here because of the lack of kitchen essentials and food in the fridge.
Thankfully, my moms and I went shopping for everything last weekend when Mom finally got her Christmas bonus.
Unfortunately, I can’t work this semester. My moms officially prohibited me from doing so because classes and extracurriculars are already stressful enough, and taking on a job on top of that could lead to health issues. So, my dad and moms give me a monthly budget, and it’s up to me to manage it.
I made enough batter for both Levi and me. Since his bedroom door is closed, I don’t know whether he is home. But something needs to be done to break the ice. Why not let it be breakfast?
I’m trying to be as quiet as possible while I sing and awkwardly swivel my hips, my old nightgown riding up until it’s right under my butt.
Usually, I’d be more careful around strangers.
Still, since Levi is only interested in men and might not even be here, I felt comfortable enough to wear my usual pajamas in the open space.
Once I finish tossing ten pancakes, I put them onto a large platter and add butter to five of them. I turn to the counter and find Levi with disheveled hair and pink cheeks.
“Shit.” I jump slightly at the sight. It’s obvious he just woke up, and even now he’s still as handsome as he was when he was put together yesterday.
My headphones work a little too well since I hadn’t heard his loud door opening or his footsteps. Quickly, I set the pancakes down on the counter and wrap my headphones around my neck.
“Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you up,” I say rapidly.
Levi continues to stare at me, his bicep flexing as he runs a hand through his hair.
He smiles while doing so, and I’m slightly confused about why he hasn’t said anything.
Maybe he isn’t much of a talker. I was hoping he’d be more outgoing.
I’ve been looking for new friends, ones who are willing to push me out of my comfort zone.
From what I’ve seen, it doesn’t seem like my new roommate will be that person.
“I made breakfast. I hope that’s okay.” He doesn’t shift his gaze past my eyes, and his face remains slightly flushed.
He shakes his head as if waking himself up. “That’s fine.”
Phew. “Do you like blueberry pancakes?” I pause for a second.
“Wait, damn, I’m not even sure what you’re allergic to.
If you don’t like them or are allergic to anything in them, or, crap, maybe you’re vegan.
I didn’t see any lactose products in the fridge.
Wait, are you lactose intolerant? Never mind, that’s a rude and private question—”
“Stevie,” he says, tapping my forearm. “I like blueberries, I’m not vegan, nor am I lactose intolerant. My fridge is empty because I normally eat on campus.”
What was that? It was like I was talking to Andrew all over again. I squeeze my eyes shut. “I’m sorry. I tend to ramble sometimes.”
He laughs and shrugs. “My friend does the same thing, except it’s extremely annoying with her.” Levi smiles, and I can tell he loves whoever this friend is.
“I’ll fix you a plate then.” Taking a deep breath, I walk toward the cabinets and grab a plate, no longer facing him.
While there, I see a picture I hadn’t noticed before on the kitchen corner where a corkboard hangs.
It’s Levi next to a girl with bright red hair and blue eyes a shade lighter than his.
They look young. Levi is in a tux, and she is in a dress, as if they’re at a family wedding.
The photo reminds me of the times I spent with my cousins abroad.
“Is this your sister?” I ask while rummaging through the cabinet.
“No, not my sister.” He yawns.
I set the plate down and grab the spatula. “Your cousin or maybe that friend you were just telling me about?”
Levi clears his throat, and I keep my eyes on the pancakes, trying to continue the small talk.
“No, that’s one of my many prom pictures with my ex-girlfriend.”
I snap my head in his direction.
Girlfriend?! What does he mean by girlfriend?
“As in, you had a romantic relationship with her?” My eyes widen when he hesitates and looks at me from top to bottom.
He bites his bottom lip. “Yes.”
No frickin’ way. He’s not gay! “You mean to tell me you’re not gay?
!” I yell in horror at myself for assuming his sexuality and for wearing something this revealing in front of a stranger.
Okay, maybe not revealing per se, but for me it’s pretty damn close—and why am I debating with myself when I should be running to change?
“I am not gay, I’m bi.” Levi seems to find this amusing instead of insulting. He looks at my nightgown again and has a hand over his mouth, trying to contain his laughter.
“Holy crap.” Running to my room and almost tripping on the damn rug, I rush to change into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. This is my first day’s impression. And I wanted a fresh, clean break.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Once I’m decent and my heart rate has slowed down, I straighten and walk to the kitchen, where Levi has his back to me. However, now he’s shaking. When I get to the island and look at him, he’s no longer holding back his laugh.
My face heats up at the second most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to me, and, of course, it’s in front of my new roommate, whom I’ve known for only twelve hours.
“I am so sorry, Levi. I shouldn’t have assumed that, especially as a person with two gay moms and a gay dad. I’ve been surrounded by the queer community my entire life and yet—”
He bursts out laughing and then keels over. “Please stop, you’re killing me here.”
His laugh catches me off guard. It’s a manly, deep laugh that seems to come straight from his chest.
I raise my brows at his reaction. At least he’s having fun.
While trying to contain my laughter, I throw some pancakes onto the plates I’d grabbed for us before changing and aggressively put butter on the five without it.
“I’m not even going to ask you if you like butter if you don’t stop laughing at me,” I say, pretending to be annoyed, but it’s killed when a snort slips out at the end of the sentence.
My hand drops the butter knife with a loud thunk, and I cover my mouth, horrified at yet another embarrassing thing I usually only do in front of the people closest to me.
Levi howls, but he gives me a sympathetic look while doing it. Eventually, I give in, letting my shoulders slump over and laughing briefly, not daring to glance Levi’s way. He’s gotten to know more of my quirks in seven minutes than most people do in a week.
Finally, once he’s relaxed, I give him the plate with five perfectly round pancakes and slide the syrup his way.
He smiles at the plate and then looks up at me. A nostalgic, almost sad look flashes through his eyes before it quickly disappears.
“Thank you, Stevie.”
I bob my head, ignoring his look, not wanting to make him feel obligated to tell me anything. He’s been gracious by not asking me about what Mom told him last night, and I’m thankful for that.
Taking my seat across from him, I douse the pancakes in syrup while Levi only pours a drizzle. I have a sweet tooth, which isn’t ideal for my condition, but this morning has been good, and I deserve to treat myself.
Before I do, Levi takes a bite of the pancakes, and I wait to see what he thinks. His eyes close, and he hits the counter with his left hand, startling me.
“I hope that means you like them?” I voice unsurely, not knowing what his reaction means.
He opens his blue eyes and swallows before saying, “I fucking love them.”
His voice is deep, almost aggressive, and kind of intimidating. It vanishes in a moment when his usual smile appears, and he takes another bite.
“If you ever meet my grandma, don’t tell her I told you this, but they’re better than hers. Where did you learn how to make them?”
An involuntary smirk forms across my face.
“Your secret is safe with me.” I take another mouthful before answering.
“My dad’s a cook. He took some classes at the culinary school near here.
Then he got bored and quit, but he taught me everything about sweet treats, like cakes, breakfast pastries, even churros, since his dad is from Spain.
Then Ma, that’s Evelyn, by the way, I call Lucy Mom—”
He waves his fork at me. “I noticed that yesterday.”
I’m glad he was paying attention; most people don’t. “Well, Ma taught me everything when it came to actual meals, so there was a good balance.”
Now that we’re having a conversation, I realize that Levi is easy to talk to.
“That’s great. Maybe you can teach me a couple of things. I’m a terrible cook,” he says, stuffing the last of his pancakes away.
I nod absentmindedly, agreeing. I can’t help but notice how he looks at my plate as if he isn’t full.
The man is muscular and probably hits the gym six times a week to look like Superman.
And although I’m not willing to share my pancakes, I fortunately have some leftover batter I was saving for tomorrow morning.
I check my phone for the time. There’s still an hour and a half until my next class.
Taking my final bite, I look at his plate. “Levi, would you like some more pancakes?”
He shrugs shyly before smiling and nodding like a child on Christmas morning.
Another snort escapes me, making me rush to the stove while Levi laughs again.
Making breakfast was a good call. Something tells me that Levi and I are going to get along fine, which will make it much easier to tell him what I struggle with daily.