Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
STEVIE
Hearts, flowers, and chocolates, oh my! I can’t help but think while walking out of the local deli.
I tried to ignore that today was Valentine’s Day, the first Valentine’s Day in years in which I’m single.
I didn’t think it’d bother me this much, but after experiencing what I did with Andrew, I can’t help but feel bitter.
It also doesn’t help that I have no plans except to eat a box of chocolates and watch He’s Just Not That into You.
I have officially become a walking cliché.
What Jenn said the other day was true, I need to make more friends who will appreciate me and put in the effort like she has.
Maybe not as much as her because no one will ever compare to Jenny, but good people who like me for me.
Levi and his friends are great, but I’m worried that if I have an argument with Levi, they’ll stop talking to me.
They don’t seem like the kind of people to do so. Then again, neither did Andrew’s.
Walking back into the apartment after getting said chocolates, I spot Levi perched in the small breakfast nook with what seems to be Thai food he must’ve gotten from the new place in town.
He smiles, and his dark blue eyes focus on me.
His biceps flex as he finishes putting the last food container onto the table.
How does someone who looks like him not have a date today?
I mean, seriously, the man is a little too perfect in the looks department.
I could work out every day for hours and never look as good as him.
When I showed Jenn a picture of him, her mouth and eyes hung open for thirty seconds.
Then again, she also drooled over Brad. Not to say Brad isn’t good-looking in his own way.
He was kind when we met, but cocky. With light brown hair, brown eyes, some tattoos, and a nice smile, Brad looks like the spitting image of the bad boy next door.
He can play the guitar and piano, has written multiple songs, and is willing to meet with me twice a week to cowrite and compose a song.
He didn’t ask me out, but he complimented me tastefully.
He was also very patient when it came to my stage fright.
We finished a few lyrics and will continue working on them this coming week.
He’s a pretty cool guy, but Levi’s the kind of man you read about in romance novels.
Dark hair, blue eyes, a brooding musician…
“Hey, I got us some Thai food.” Levi holds up a container, and it breaks me out of my crazed, hormonal thoughts. Maybe I should get a book to fill the lack of romance and sex in my life. I’ll text Jenny about that later, she’s obsessed with romance novels.
Smiling at the easiness that has spilled over the apartment again in the past few days, I set my things down and join him.
“You didn’t have to get me anything,” I say while checking the different dishes.
Although we’ve been living together for a couple of weeks now, Levi doesn’t know much about my taste in food. I’m not picky at all, really, unless it’s Brussels sprouts, they taste like shit.
Levi stuffs a fork of beef pad see ew into his mouth. “I wanted to feed you since you fed me the other night.” He waves his hand over the multiple containers around us. “I’m not sure which dish was your favorite, so I got a couple.”
“This is quite the spread—” I cut myself off when I see the yellow curry and quickly snatch it up as if he’s about to take it from me.
He chuckles. “Vegetable yellow curry. Got it.”
“The only thing that would make this better is spring rolls.” The moment the words leave me, a box of them and some plum sauces are set next to my plate.
I must let out a loud squeak since Levi jumps, then chuckles.
Ignoring his amusement, I grab one of the paper plates and serve myself.
“Thanks, Levi. This is perfect for a night in.” I stuff a spoonful of the curry into my mouth and sigh at the taste.
Levi smiles slightly and clears his throat, finishing his meal. “Who said we’re staying in?”
My head shoots up. “We?” Oh God, I’m praying that he’s not taking me out on a pity date.
His eyes narrow on mine before smirking. “Em, Jake, you, and me. Cam and Kami are celebrating alone.” He pauses dramatically. “We’re going to King’s Wolf at eight, so be ready.”
I stop chewing. “What for?”
Levi tilts his head and points to my plate. “Finish your food and get ready. It’s a surprise.”
Two hours later, I’m dressed in the same jeans and shoes as last time, except tonight, I’m wearing a looser-fitting dark pink shirt to match the Valentine’s Day theme. My hair’s braided, and I put on some mascara, the tiniest bit of eyeshadow, and lip gloss.
Feeling decent enough, I exit my room to meet with Levi. He’s sat on the couch in dark jeans, a white T-shirt, and a gray jacket, looking every bit the musician he is.
He gives me a once-over before nodding approvingly.
We walk out the door to go to King’s Wolf. A few minutes later, we step foot inside the bar, and Em and Jake are already holding a table for us. Then I realize something odd: there’s no loud dance music, and it isn’t dark like it usually is on the weekends.
“Levi, what’s going on?”
And that’s when I see it: the screen, the microphones, the mini stage. My stomach drops.
It’s karaoke.
“We’re getting some practice in for your audition,” he says proudly as we walk over to Em and Jake.
I halt mid-step, shaking my head, all my confidence for the night flying straight out the door.
My stage fright can’t handle singing in front of what seems to be well over seventy people. As if my feet have a mind of their own, they take one step toward the exit before Levi wraps his hand around my waist and tucks me in close, making me gasp.
“Look at me,” he demands.
Breathing heavily, I can’t find myself looking anywhere except the door. Finally, his fingers grasp my chin, leaving me no choice but to look at him.
His face is serious, yet calm. His eyes pleading as if to listen to what he’s about to say, and my breath hitches the tiniest bit when I feel his thumb grazing my cheek.
“You need to get this audition. I might not be working with you on the song, but I promise you here and now that you can count on me for the other eight things on that list.”
It takes a second for my mind to catch up to what he’s saying, especially with the thumb that gently stroked my lower cheek. “You haven’t even read it yet.”
His lips turn up. “I might’ve peeked at it when you left it on the coffee table yesterday.
” I lift an eyebrow, annoyed at his nosiness.
“And I know that the first thing you wrote there was to sing in public.” Levi tilts his head to the small stage.
“Now’s your chance, Bambi. So, what’s it gonna be? ”
Our faces are mere inches apart, our eyes not straying from the other’s. My senses start sharpening, and I realize that his hand is no longer on my chin. Then I notice that I have a hand on his chest. Levi seems completely unfazed by my touch. Meanwhile, I’m perplexed.
I quickly remove my hand and beg my heart rate to slow down. “Okay, I’ll stay, for now, but we’re not done talking about the list,” I mutter quickly. If he saw the whole thing, it means he saw the last thing on the list. I cringe internally.
“Good enough for me.”
We head to the table, and I try to ignore whatever it was that just happened.
“Hey, you’re here!” Em jumps up to hug me. Her five-foot frame tugging on my five-foot-seven one.
“Hey, thanks for inviting me.” I hug Jake before sitting next to Em.
Jake waves a hand in the air. “You’re welcome any time, Stevie.”
Nodding, I look at our surroundings with my heart still racing, but now for an entirely different reason.
While we were lucky to snag a table with a good view of whoever comes up to sing, the place is packed, so packed that every corner is filled with groups of people standing and watching intensely.
The person onstage is singing a terrible rendition of some country song, but they don’t seem to care about the way they’re singing at all.
Instead, they’re laughing with the crowd while pointing to their friends.
Em starts whooping and making comments that make me snort, while Levi and Jake have their own conversation.
The tension slowly leaves my body as I focus on having some fun.
I’ve never done anything like this before, not with any of my previous friends. It’s nice.
“I’m surprised you guys don’t have dates for tonight,” I voice honestly.
Em shrugs. “I got some offers, but nobody I was interested in.”
“And I,” Jake interrupts, “don’t do dates on Valentine’s Day. Unless it’s serious, I won’t ask a girl out on a holiday.”
I nod, respecting his decision…until he opens his mouth again.
“Why, Stevie? You available?”
Rolling my eyes, I give him a side-glance, checking to see whether he’s serious. Jake’s hot…
“Roommate is off-limits, Jacob,” Levi chides, seeming annoyed.
Both my brows rise so high, I feel them touch the top of my head. “Wow, didn’t know I was off-limits to your friends, Hotshot.”
Jake puts his hands up in surrender, then smiles. “Hotshot?” He turns to his friend. “I like her.”
My cheeks heat slightly at the nickname slip in front of his friends. Meanwhile, Levi and Jake are staring at each other, as if having some silent conversation.
Em taps my shoulder and rolls her eyes. “Men.”
“Yeah, men,” I repeat, ignoring the boys.
“Jake, we’re next!” Em chirps beside me, pointing at the screen. Swiveling my head to see what’s on the TV, I see their names in bright purple letters at the bottom.
“You guys are going to make everyone else look like shit.” Levi shakes his head.
My eyes shift back and forth between everyone. “Do you guys sing regularly?”
My roommate snorts. “Emma has a gorgeous voice. Jake fucking sucks, though—”
“Dude, I can carry a decent tune—”
“But they’re going to look hot as hell together onstage, is what I was going to say,” Levi finishes.