Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
STEVIE
“So, this is the famous Stephanie Winters.” Cam’s cousin Ethan takes my hand and spins me around. Levi only shakes his head and rolls his eyes. Ethan smiles. “Gorgeous and way out of Levi’s league.”
“Agreed,” Kami and Levi say at the same time.
“Boy, are you guys making me question my life choices.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, feeling way too exposed.
Cam pulls his cousin’s bun. “Ignore him, he can be a sarcastic dick.”
Ethan shoves him away and wraps an arm around Kami. “Only around white straight men, aka you, brother.”
Kamila rolls her lips inward and shrugs, not defending Cam.
All three of them have known each other for years, since the couple was sixteen, to be exact.
And even though Ethan’s tattoo shop is in the complete opposite direction of Levi’s house, he insisted on me getting it done here.
I have to say, I’m happy I agreed. His shop is clean, with a vintage look, and Ethan took us in for a late appointment, leaving the place empty.
“Okay, we’ll get out of your guys’ way.” Kamila hugs her boyfriend’s cousin and turns to me and Levi. “We’ll see you at Cam’s house after you’re done.”
We both nod. Cameron was kind enough to let us stay at his parents’ house for the night.
I have to admit, I’ve never had friends or met parents who were so quick to invite me into their homes.
They were very kind, and his mother was hilarious.
Kamila and I are closer than Cameron and I are by a mile, but he and Levi seem to have become real friends throughout the semester, so it doesn’t come as too much of a surprise that he’d invite us over.
The past couple of days have been eventful, to say the least. I auditioned for a musical, became Levi’s girlfriend, agreed to spend all of spring break with him, and am staying at his friend’s parents’ house after getting my first tattoo.
Present Stevie and January Stevie are impressively different. Yet, I wouldn’t change a damn thing. I feel healthier, happier, and am surrounded by amazing people. I have also explored more of myself than I ever have before. Now, if I could only convince Levi to get a tattoo with me.
Kamila comes to hug me goodbye as well. She squeezes me tight and whispers, “You should know, I’ve never seen him this happy.
” My heart swells at her words. The two of them met years ago, and he has had plenty of relationships since then.
I never doubted Levi when he told me about his feelings, but hearing it from someone else only further confirms them.
“He makes me happy too, Kami.”
She lets go and looks at Levi, who is in conversation with the other men. “Let’s go, Cam. Also, Levi, stop being such a wimp and get a freaking tattoo. We all know you have a dick piercing. This has to hurt less than that.”
There’s silence and then a fit of laughter from all of us except Levi.
“This is not the same, assholes,” he argues.
“Dude, the piercing is worse. I’ve done them myself, I’d know.
” Ethan pats his shoulder, and I think of how Kamila mentioned they all know he has a dick piercing.
She could have told Ethan, like she most likely did to Cam, but knowing her, she wouldn’t tell his cousin that kind of information.
To my knowledge, Ethan and Levi met for the first time on New Year’s Eve. Unless…
I smile knowing what Ethan and I are going to talk about on the chair.
Ten minutes later, he has designed the perfect tattoo and is placing the outline on my forearm. Levi is sitting in the chair beside mine, a couple of feet away as I instructed him to. He can’t see it until it’s done.
“Has your medicine kicked in yet?” Ethan peels the paper with the sketch off my skin, leaving behind a blue-shaped outline.
“Yes, I’m all set.”
Ethan nods and gets the ink and gun ready.
He knows about my epilepsy since I had no choice but to tell him, in case of an emergency.
He also needed to know that I’d be slightly drowsy since tattoos can be a possible trigger for people with epilepsy.
I didn’t want to risk it, so I took half of my pill, only leaving me the slightest bit sleepy.
That changes quickly when the needle touches my skin.
It’s bearable, but the feeling is new and odd.
“You all right?” Levi attempts to stand, concern lining his face.
I stop him with my free hand. “I’m perfectly fine. Sit that booty down.” He rolls his eyes and does as I say.
“You have him well trained,” Ethan jokes.
I shrug slightly, still ignoring the pain. “I learned the hard way that if one doesn’t do it early on, they tend to misbehave often.”
Cameron’s cousin laughs, agreeing with me, meanwhile Levi gives me an annoyed yet heated look.
It holds a lot of promises about what he’s going to do to me this week.
Maybe some sort of punishment. Memories of him inside of me last night in all kinds of positions make me shiver.
Which reminds me of what I was going to talk about with Ethan while he does my tattoo.
“So, Ethan.” I tap my fingers on my leg.
“Yes?” he singsongs.
“Your boyfriend’s name is Chris, right?”
He nods. “Yup.”
Levi stares at Ethan’s hand as if monitoring it for any sign of a mistake. I really shouldn’t do this while the man has a needle on me, but he’s a professional. I’m sure he’s been through worse.
“Cam mentioned you guys were doing well earlier.” That catches Levi’s attention. He looks at me curiously.
Ethan remains focused, not minding the personal statement. “Yeah, we’ve been steady for a while now.”
“That’s great.” I pause. “So, what’s your favorite style of tattooing?”
“Definitely realism.”
“Color?”
“Black and red.”
“Piercing?”
“Ear. Cleanest and easiest.”
“Kind of jewelry?”
“Always gold or silver 925.”
“How many piercings do you have?”
“Four.”
“Where?”
“Ears and a nipple.”
“Levi’s kind of Prince Albert?”
“Regular.”
Levi’s eyes widen and the tattoo gun shuts off.
Holy crap, it worked, and I was right.
Ethan clears his throat. “Yeah, I only know that because Kamila mentioned it after we met.” His words are anything but convincing.
Levi looks at him, then back at me. Both of their faces are beet red, and I can’t help the laugh that spills out of me. “You’re a terrible liar.”
Cameron’s cousin’s lips twitch as he gives Levi a side-eye and chuckles silently. “Your girlfriend’s intuitive, I’ll give her that.”
I’m clutching my stomach with my good arm as I double over, the tattoo only missing one last thing.
“Oh God, I’m so sorry.” Levi’s face hasn’t moved.
In fact, it’s gone pale. Shit, I didn’t mean to make him feel bad.
“It’s okay, Hotshot. I was only messing with you guys because of what Kami said earlier. ”
Levi rubs a hand through his hair. “I need a minute.”
He storms toward the back, and I close my eyes, regretting my words. This isn’t something I would typically do. I didn’t think things through. Well, old Stevie has made an appearance once again.
Ethan pats my leg. “Give him a minute, this won’t take long.
” He turns the needle back on. This time, I feel numb as he finishes, passing the soap and a paper towel over the new ink.
He puts a patch of some kind to protect it for the next couple of days.
The tattoo is gorgeous, but the feeling of getting the last thing on my list accomplished isn’t the same without Levi.
“He probably went to the bathroom.” Ethan interrupts my thoughts and points to where it is. “Go.”
Nodding, I follow Levi’s footsteps in a slight jog.
At the end of the hall, there’s a blue door labeled “Bathroom” that appears to be gender neutral.
I knock and there’s no response. I try to twist the knob, and it opens.
The lights are dim, much like those in fancy restaurants or spas. It’s as clean as one, too.
“Levi?”
Once I’m halfway in, I see him standing behind the door, his head down. My heart sinks.
“Levi, talk to me, please.”
He shakes his head. “I’m so sorry for not telling you.” His blue eyes meet mine, and guilt hits me like a freight train. “I swear, I didn’t come here to see him. Ethan’s a friend, that’s it. He’s also the best artist I know, and I wanted the best for you.”
I wrap my arms around him and shake my head aggressively. God, I’m a bitch. “There’s no need to be sorry. I’m the one who should be. I should’ve asked you when we were alone. I didn’t think it through.”
Levi gently pushes my shoulders away and wipes a tear that seems to have fallen down my cheek. “You aren’t mad at me?” he asks quietly but sounds surprised.
I look at him, confused. “Of course not.”
“And you still want to be with me?” His jaw is tight and throat dry, as if the question caused him physical pain.
Instead of answering his question with words, I take action. I press my body against his and kiss him until he opens his mouth, letting me in with a soft moan. His dick hardens against me, and I rub a hand over his jeans.
Levi moans again. “Fuck, baby.”
“What did you do with him?” I want him to know that I’m not worried about his past with men. In fact, it turns me on even if it makes me the slightest bit jealous.
His eyes flicker with suspicion and surprise. “Bambi, why do you want to know?”
“Tell me and you’ll find out.” Usually, Levi’s the one in charge; this time, I need to be.
I need him to see that I won’t ever feel insecure or think differently about him because he likes men and has a past with them.
“I won’t run away, Levi.” I rub him again and he throws his head back. “Tell me.”
He swallows audibly. “This past New Year’s we went to a party.”
“Mhm.” I kiss his neck, waiting to hear more.