Chapter 39
Belonging
Levi
It’s been a week since I started working on David’s cars, and honestly, it feels good.
It is nice to do something for someone else using the knowledge I obtained and the skills I perfected.
Yes, it's just working on cars, but it still requires understanding and expertise, nonetheless. Before work, I head over to David’s as instructed.
He is standing on the porch with a steaming coffee cup, in a suit, looking sharp for whatever his day is about to bring.
“Morning, you wanted to see me?” He nods and hands me a small envelope.
“Of course, who doesn’t want to get paid right away on a Friday?” I mean, the thought is nice, all the same.
“Actually, Anna is providing sessions for Scarlett. I was wondering if every Friday you could give the money to her, and anything extra I can work that off too, anything you need.” He sits on the swing and shakes his head no. No? Is he for real?
“Son, take the money. You earned it; you showed up every day, even when you didn’t have weights, and you worked. You put your time in; this money is yours.” He tries to hand me the envelope again. I feel like an ass if I deny the money again, but I also have to pay Anna.
“With all due respect, sir, I appreciate the lesson you are teaching me. But either you're going to give Anna the money every Friday, or I will. Either way, the money is going for Scarlett.” He sits back in the swing and looks at me.
“Alright, son. I’ll give her the money every Friday, and each Monday, I will provide you with a receipt so you can see how much you were paid and how much is going to Anna.
As for making up the difference, don’t worry about it.
What you make will be enough.” He nods and stands up.
“You are a good kid, Levi.” Leaving me with the first compliment I’ve ever received, he walked inside.
When I walk to my car, Scarlett’s already waiting, ready to hit the road and get to school. Sliding in, she locks her phone and turns to me. “Everything okay?”
Starting the car, I backed up out of the driveway and headed towards school. “Yeah, just paid Anna. How’s that going by the way?” Her smile stretches wide
“So good. I think we might be alright, eventually, you know. Like this pain, we feel it won't be forever.” My sister should never know this pain, no one should.
“I think you're right. So, I was thinking of asking Maddie out on a date. How would you feel if I tried to lock her down? She’s different, Letty.”
She places her hand on my shoulder and scrunches her nose. “She’d be so fucking lucky, how cute you’re in loooveee.” I scrunch my nose back at her and shake my head.
Arriving at school, Maddie is at her locker. She is beautiful. Her hair is pulled up in a clip, and the jeans she has on, damn. Perfectly formed to her legs, up her ass, hugging her hips just like I want to. I want to wrap my arms around her waist and pull her into me, but I know I can’t.
I watch Maddie walk to her class, sending her off with a goodbye grin and subtle wink. She turns quickly and shakes her head while laughing as she walks into the classroom.
Turning to leave, Jessica and Ashley stand directly behind me. Well, this is fucking awkward. “Hey.” I give a slight wave and hurry to class.
With Scarlett ditching us during lunch, Maddie has been joining, turning my boy Spencer into a third wheel, although he doesn't seem to care.
We have all been cheering on Scarlett while she strengthens herself and grows in the best ways.
Maddie is not only there for Scarlett but has been my lifeline, my saving grace.
The end-of-day bell rings, and Maddie is waiting for me by the car.
I walk over to her, scanning our surroundings to make sure no one sees.
“Got plans tonight?” She shakes her head, taking back the breath I just stole.
“I’m taking you on a date, be ready by six.
Dress comfy, now get out of here before we get caught.
” Sending her on her way with a quick ass slap, she jumps in her car and pulls away.
Before I pull out of the parking lot, I text Scarlett.
I am passing the floor clean of its oil finish. Scarlett comes walking in a sweaty mess and is downright smelly. “Wow, you stink.” I plug my nose and wave my hand in front of my face.
“It’s called victory sweat, asswipe. I’m here to help. What's with the SOS?”
“I have a date. First date. She’s your best friend, where do I take her, what do I do?” Scarlett rolls her eyes.
“No, sir, you wanted to take her on a date. Tell me what you're thinking, and I’ll tell you if you will have a girlfriend by the end of the night. Other than that, this is on you, Romeo.” I can’t help but roll my eyes.
“Okay, dinner’s at the pasta place in the town over.
Then I drive her to the beach? I could set out blankets, get some desserts, and we could watch the stars come out.
Then, when I drop her off at home, I can ask her to be my girlfriend.
” Her mouth drops open, and she stands stunned. “Is it terrible?”
“Levi, shut your face! You're a romantic?
Who knew! You are a real gentleman when you aren't thinking with your dick.” I laugh at that because she is right.
“But, we are not going for some store-bought shit desserts. Nope, my bestie deserves home fricken made. You get dressed and dress nicely. I am going to run next door and ask Anna for help! Come there before you leave!” Before I can say anything, Scarlett is flying down the stairs on her way to make some goodies.
I take a shower and decide to wear dark-wash jeans with a black button-down shirt and my Hey Dudes. I put on my gold watch, my dad’s dog tags, then fixed my hair and dabbed on some cologne. I was ready.
Walking into the Collins’ home, it smelled amazing. “Levi! Honey! You look so very nice! I’m so happy you decided to settle down and find someone sweet and deserving of your love.” Anna squeezed me and then led me to the kitchen.
Standing in the kitchen were David, Scarlett, and Spencer, all hovering around the island covered in goodies.
“Okay, sweetie, so these cookies here, Scarlett and I made on Tuesday, are chocolate chips. These are sugar cookies. I baked them yesterday, and Scarlett and I just whipped up a double chocolate brownie cookie. Maddie’s top choice of dessert.
” A lump in my throat forms. Is this what it feels like to be genuinely cared for?
I’ve spent my whole life taking care of everyone else, and as I stand here surrounded by everyone I love, taking care of me, it dawns on me that they love me too.
David hands me a cute lunch tote and smiles. “Son, we'd better fill it and fill it fast, because if you don’t, my sweet Anna will, and you will need a suitcase, not a tote.” I swallow down the knot that so badly wants to unravel. Son. I like it when he calls me that.
I clear my throat. “Thank you, wow. This is incredible, I don’t know what to say.” Spencer jumps up, grabs three cookies, and puts them in the tote.
“Come on, man, your family.” I smile bigger than I ever have, grabbing cookies and placing them with Spencer’s.
Anna gives me two small paper plates and forks, along with a brownie cookie, in a bento box.
I now have enough dessert to give her diabetes, potentially, but I couldn't be happier.
I walk around the island, giving Anna a big hug.
“Thank you so much.” She hugs me back tightly and points to Scarlett.
“It was all her honey, she came over here with a plan, we just helped her make it happen. I hope you have the best time, honey.” She kisses my cheek before letting go and walking over to David.
He looks my way and smiles. “You look good, bud, you’ll do great.
Pointers, one, pull out her chair, and get the doors.
Two, don’t be on your phone.” I feel my eyes drift to Scarlett, who is smiling widely, and then I glance at Spencer, who nods, understanding my hesitation.
Then he mouths, I got her. “Three, have fun, you deserve it.” David walks over and pats my shoulder.
Spencer chirps in, “If the date goes well, wrap it, or may your pull-out game be strong because, as mom says, we are babies who don’t need any babies.” Scarlett’s face drops, and she dies laughing. Then David chuckles, and Anna turns to me, walking quickly to the drawer.
“Here, honey. I need to treat both my boys the same. Spencer gets condoms instead of cookies here. Tonight, I’ll let you have both.”
David slaps his palm over his face. “Ann, sweetheart, don’t you think that’s odd for Levi to think about why Spencer needs condoms…” Anna looks at the three of us and shrugs.
“My apologies if that was uncalled for, but let’s not forget you two just swapped best friends.” She shrugs again and chuckles.
Spencer chokes on his water. “Levi, you'd best get going before Mom eats one too many cookies and starts talking about what we are swapping.” Scarlett's face turns bright red.
We all stand around the island laughing until finally I decide it is time to go pick her up. “Thank you, guys, for everything. This is incredible. You have made me feel like part of the family for so long, and this was, this was incredible.
“You are part of this family. Now, get out there and knock her socks off!” Anna yells and hollers again, just as I reach for the doorknob. “Figuratively!”
Walking out of their house, I realize I just felt more love in thirty minutes than I have in my entire life.
Driving up to Maddie’s house, she answers before I can knock.
She's wearing a flowy, floral dress with a cardigan over the top, her hair curled in waves down her back.
She smiles at me shyly before stepping out of the house.
“Wow, you look absolutely stunning.” I kiss her cheek, take her hand, and begin walking her towards my car.
Opening her door, she slides in before I round the car, catch my breath, and hop in.