Page 11

Scarlett

I’d just finished my article on the last two Dominators away games and sat back in my chair, grabbing my mug of hot coffee.

I took a sip while I read over my article.

I placed my mug back on the table, just as my stomach let out a loud, displeased growl.

I had been so busy today that I’d had nothing to eat since breakfast. I’d planned to make something to eat when I’d got home, but that had slipped my mind when I thought about my upcoming date with Levi on Saturday night.

This week had flown by, making the night of our date come much faster than I was prepared for.

I got up from my chair and began searching through the fridge as my stomach let out another growl. I’d meant to stop on my way home and get some groceries but wanted to get my article done for tomorrow’s deadline.

I huffed, grabbed a slice of bread from the bag, and then opened the cupboard to grab the peanut butter, only to find that the jar was empty.

I leaned up against the counter and ripped a piece off the slice of bread, shoving it into my mouth, debating what to order for dinner.

I finished the slice and was about to grab another when someone knocked on the door.

I wasn’t expecting anyone.

I pulled the door open, and there stood a delivery man holding a bag of food. My mouth watered at the smell of what I was certain was Penang.

“For you, Miss,” he said, holding the bag out for me to take.

“I’m sorry, but I think you have the wrong unit,” I said, going to close the door before I tore the bag from his hands.

He placed his hand on the door, holding it open, and glanced down at the receipt and shook his head. “Nope, Unit 1310,” he said, pointing to the number outside my unit.

“Oh well, someone must have written the unit down wrong, because I ordered nothing,” I said, shrugging my shoulders, once again moving to shut the door.

“Miss, I’m sorry, but I have an order here for you, from Bangkok Thai. One order of fresh vegetable rolls, one order of chicken Penang, and one order of medium chicken pad Thai, no shrimp because of an allergy.”

I frowned. That would have been exactly what I’d ordered, and there were only two people who would have known my exact order, Scottie and Levi.

“Okay, well, what do I owe you?” I said, feeling confused but desperate now as the scent of the food hit me, causing my stomach to grumble and cramp.

“No charge. The bill has been taken care of,” he said, smiling as he held the bag out for me to take.

Confused as hell, I took the bag and was about to shut the door when I stepped back out into the hall to see the delivery driver waiting for the elevator.

“Excuse me, but do you know who placed the order?” I questioned.

“I’m sorry, I don’t. I just drive and deliver. If you want to know who ordered it, just call the restaurant and ask,” he said, smiling.

I nodded. “Thank you.”

I shut and locked the door and carried the bag into the kitchen, the smell of food making me feel nauseous as my stomach ached in anticipation of being filled.

I reached into the bag and dove straight for the spring rolls, taking a bite, while I pulled the other two containers from the bag.

While separating the containers, I found a folded piece of paper between them and opened it.

Hope this wasn’t too much. Thought I’d surprise you after a long week. Enjoy. Levi.

Of course, it was Levi. Scottie would have ordered it but left me with the bill. I knew my brother too well, I thought as I crumpled the note and continued loading food onto my plate.

Once I’d eaten, I showered, watched a little TV, and then crawled into my bed.

I’d just gotten comfortable and grabbed my phone, opening the message thread between Levi and me.

I tapped the edge of my phone, debating what to send.

Did I want to keep this lighthearted, or did I want to be serious?

Did I want to thank him or give him shit?

I had no idea why he would have done this.

Regardless, I had no clue how to start the conversation.

I glanced at the clock. He probably wasn’t even back in his hotel room yet. It was only a little past ten.

I began typing a message, then paused and deleted it. On the second try, I typed out a simple thank you for dinner, then deleted it, then retyped it and hit send, and then placed my phone down on the bed, picking up the book I was reading.

I’d just gotten into the chapter when my phone vibrated. Reaching for it, I saw Levi had responded.

Levi: Glad you enjoyed.

I smiled as I read his words, then stopped myself.

Scarlett: I did, thank you, I was starving.

Levi: Glad it did the job then.

Scarlett: It did, but I’m confused. How did you remember what my exact order was from pretty much any Thai restaurant?

Levi: I remember lots of things. Plus, I used to send that order to you when you were studying for your exams every year when you were in school. It was the only thing you’d eat. Hard to forget something you did many times a year for five straight years.

I softly smiled as I stared at his words on my screen. He was right. He had always ordered that for me, especially when I was in the middle of writing a paper or studying for an exam. It was my comfort food and basically the only thing I could eat when stressed.

Scarlett: I remember. Though, I’ll admit, it scares me you remember.

Levi: Why?

Scarlett: Most people can barely get their own orders right, and it has been years since you ordered food for me.

Levi: It hasn’t been that long.

Scarlett: Been long enough.

Levi: Do you still remember what I like to eat on pizza?

Scarlett: How could I forget pineapple and anchovies, enough to make someone gag…

Levi: …and it’s been how long since we shared a pizza?

I see what you are doing here, Levi.

Levi: uh huh, no comeback, exactly what I thought.

Scarlett: I’m confused. A few days ago you acted like you hated me, and in the past week you somehow agreed to get me to go out with you on a date, and you’ve ordered me dinner. Why are you doing all this? Did Scottie put you up to it?

I waited while the three dots bounced around, then stopped. I stared at the screen, wondering why he’d stopped typing. Then, figuring he must be with the guys in the locker room. I was just about to shut my phone off when his name popped up.

Levi: I wanted to, and no one put me up to anything. I told you; I wanted to make it up to you for being an ass.

Scarlett: I see. So, you say you remember things. What else do you remember that I might have forgotten?

Once again, I watched those three little dots bounce around, waiting for a response, then they stopped and started again, then stopped and started one last time.

Levi: Would you like to talk on the phone?

Suddenly, I felt hot and sweaty as I stared at his question.

I swallowed hard, my hands shaking. We hadn’t talked on the phone since I’d been away at school.

I didn’t know why I felt so nervous. I talked on the phone all the time at work.

This was no different. I could just pretend I was interviewing him, something I did often.

Levi: Well? Time’s ticking….

Scarlett: Aren’t you with the team?

Levi: Is that no?

What was wrong with me? My skin was clammy; my heart was racing. This was ridiculous, I thought to myself as I took a deep breath. Was I still hung up on him?

I opened my browser and pulled up his sports profile and looked at some pictures of him that were attached. After looking at a dozen photos of him, I minimized the screen and moved back to our conversation.

Scarlett: No, I just figured you’d still be with them. The game barely ended an hour and a half ago.

I’d just sent that message and my phone rang, causing me to jump. I looked at the screen and saw his name there as my ringtone played. The same ringtone I’d saved on my phone specifically for him. I swallowed hard. I could hear my heart racing in my ears as I answered the call.

My voice shook as I answered. “Hello.”

“Expecting someone else, or hoping for someone else?” His deep voice poured over the phone, followed by a chuckle.

“No. I’m just surprised you called me instead of messaging me back through messenger first. How did you know my number was the same?” I asked, settling under the covers.

“Lucky guess? I’m glad you enjoyed dinner.”

“I did, thank you. It was a pleasant surprise.”

“Well, I figured since I was ordering for Mia and her nanny that I’d order you a little something as well.”

“Ah, I see?” I asked, giggling.

“To be honest, I was hoping to prove that you aren’t making a mistake by going out with me on Saturday night. I know you were hesitant, and probably would have declined, had I not of walked out the door on you,” he said, his voice lowering.

I stared at the ceiling and closed my eyes, letting out the breath I was holding.

How I’d forgotten what this man could be like.

That deep, sexy voice I used to love listening to after a long day.

Most nights when I first moved away from home, it was the only thing that brought me comfort.

It had also brought me to orgasm time and time again, listening to him talk dirty to me over the phone.

I could still remember the first time we’d had phone sex, how turned on I got listening to him.

I kicked the covers off me, trying to cool myself off. I’d never realized how many things I’d just shoved to the back of my mind after I’d ended things with him. I guess it was easier than remembering the things he’d done for me and with me over the years.

“You were never a mistake, Levi,” I whispered, closing my eyes, knowing he’d probably already heard the vulnerability in my voice.

“I wasn’t?”

“No, you weren’t. I was the one who made the….”

I stopped speaking. There was no way I could divulge this to him, and I shouldn’t.

“You were the one who what?” he questioned, then went silent, waiting for me to respond.

“Levi, you know, I think I’m going to say good night. It’s late and we both have work in the morning,” I said, suddenly feeling a way more vulnerable than I ever intended to get with him on this call.

“See you Saturday then.”

“See you then.”

“Night, Scarlett.”

“Night, Levi.”