Page 14

Shaking off any lingering embarrassment at being caught staring, I take a few purposeful steps in Levi’s direction. Stopping short of the couch.

“Why did you want to meet here?”

Levi pats the space next to him, but I shake my head. I’ve learned that being too close to him doesn’t always bode well for my common sense. A knowing smile tugs at his full lips.

“Just wanted somewhere less crowded,” he says.

“So you can have your way with me without prying eyes?” My eyes widen in horror the second the words leave my mouth.

Images of exactly how he could have his way with me flash through my mind. All of them wildly inappropriate.

Levi stares at me with an intensity that threatens to burn a hole through me. Either it’s my imagination or the remnants of alcohol still floating through my system, but I swear he’s imagining the same thing.

He abruptly stands, tossing the controller haphazardly onto the couch. I watch it bounce once, then twice, before settling into place. I force my gaze back up to him, swallowing down the desire those images stirred.

When he moves toward me, it’s like watching a predator stalk its prey. His eyes turn a shade darker. His movements slow and deliberate.

Levi licks his lips, and I shamelessly follow the movement. It’s hot. He’s hot. And if my panties weren’t wet before, they are now.

“I-I didn’t mean it like that,” I stammer, hating how breathy my voice sounds. “More like in a weird serial killer kind of way. Because of what I said in the parking lot. You know, about thinking you were a serial killer.”

Foot, meet mouth.

Levi’s lips tip up just enough to let the sharp points of his canine teeth poke through. It’s so predatory and makes me feel like a clumsy gazelle in a lion’s den.

But then, he blinks, and the moment passes. The color in his eyes fades back to their regular amber. The thick cloud of desire dissipates, and the sun comes out again.

“Relax, Teddy Bear. I only want to talk, " he says, but it does nothing to calm my racing heart.

Levi grabs a throw blanket from the back of the couch and walks to a large window. I watch in silence as he unlatches the lock and slides it open.

“Ladies first.” He gestures to the open window before stepping back slightly.

I take my time walking over—still reeling from whatever just happened. There’s barely any space between us, and when my side brushes up against his front as I squeeze past, it takes everything in me to ignore how good it feels.

Peeking out, I see a terrace-like structure just beyond the window. It’s not large by any means but would comfortably fit two people.

“Is it safe?”

“Yes, I’d never put you in harm’s way.”

He sounds surprisingly serious, and for whatever reason, I believe him. His fingers gently nudge my bare back, and goosebumps litter my skin. My body’s reaction to his touch is enough for me to swing one leg over the windowsill and quickly step out.

Walking to the short railing, I peer down and take in the backyard, illuminated by string lights.

A large pool dominates the space. Despite the cool evening, I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before someone jumps.

Speakers are placed all around, but we’re up high enough that the sound barely carries.

Turning around, I join Levi on the blanket he laid out and lean back on my hands, mirroring his pose. I leave a respectable distance between us, but Levi shifts slightly, his pinky brushing against mine.

I don’t pull away. It feels nice. And it’s exhausting to keep pretending I don’t like his touch.

“How’d you find this hideout?” I ask, keeping my gaze forward.

“The caution tape intrigued me.” His voice is all tease, and I snort.

Of course, it did.

“Obviously, you don’t understand that tape is meant to keep people from snooping,” I say, thinking back to how he went through my box the first day we met.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see him throw his head back with a laugh.

That sound.

It’s like a shot of dopamine, and if this is the Levi I always get to see, I’d have an even harder time convincing myself to stay away.

“I’ll remember that for next time,” he says, though at least he has the decency to sound somewhat sheepish about what happened.

“Are you going to tell me why we’re up here and not down there with the rest of the party?”

“Do you want to be down there with everyone else?”

No.

Can’t say that, so I shrug and let out a noncommittal hum.

Levi clears his throat, and I turn my head, giving him my full attention. His eyes drop to my lips before he shakes his head, his gaze flicking back to mine.

“I wanted to apologize,” he says, and my brows go skyward. “Unless this is strike three, and you walk away again?”

“Tempting,” I tease, my body relaxing more with every passing second.

He smiles, and I smile back. An honest, genuine smile. The kind that, if you hold it long enough, makes your cheeks ache. And it’s all for him. For once, I embrace the thought instead of pushing it away.

“I love it when you do that.”

“What? Smile?” Despite the flutter kicking up astorm in my belly at hearing those words, I laugh.

“That too,” he grins, leaning in closer. “But I meant when you look at me like I’m the best thing you’ve ever seen.”

My mouth opens and then closes. I don’t know what I expected him to say, but it wasn’t that. Now I’m at a loss for words, gaping at him like a fish.

I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. What can I even say to that? Nothing I think of feels like a good enough response.

Eventually, I settle on a lame “Oh.”

His only acknowledgment is a soft smile before his gaze shifts forward again, but I keep mine on him. He’s just too easy to look at.

“That day in my apartment I shouldn’t have acted the way I did. Shutting the door, making you carry the box by yourself,” he says, casting a guilty look in my direction. “It was uncalled for, and I hope you’ll forgive me.”

“I...it’s ok. You’re forgiven.” It’s surprisingly easy to say those words, and the relief on his face is palpable.

“Now, about Finn.” I nudge him playfully with my shoulder, trying to lighten the mood.

He shakes his head. “Hell, no, I’m not apologizing for that one. Sorry, Teddy Bear, but I stand my ground.”

“Fine, fine, whatever you say, Whiskey Eyes.”

The second I realize what I just called him, my mouth clamps shut.

He cocks his head, brows knitting together. “Whiskey Eyes?”

Deciding not to backpedal and make things even more awkward, I go with it. “Your eyes—they, uhm, remind me of the color of whisky.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“I mean, whiskey is an acquired taste.” I pull a face, making him chuckle.

“Damn, okay, I deserved that one.” His smile doesn’t waver, and I’m glad he knows I’m just messing with him.

“But,” I admit quietly, “the taste eventually grows on you.”

His eyes soften, and he opens his mouth just as a shriek pierces the air, followed by splashing water.

“You’re so dead, Nathan!” A girl screams, and more splashing follows.

“Sounds like Nathan’s in trouble,” Levi chuckles.

“Speaking of trouble, I, uh, should get back to my friends in case they’re worried.” I don’t want to leave, but that’s precisely why I should.

Who knows what else I’ll admit to the longer we stay here? And I don’t exactly feel great about leaving my friends to hang out with a guy.

I stand, and Levi does the same, grabbing the blanket on his way up.

On our way back to the crowded first floor, it dawns on me that I never asked him how he got my number. I can’t deny I’m at least a little curious.

“How did you get my number?” I shout over the noise.

“Yesterday, in the courtyard, I plugged my number into your phone and texted myself.” He winks and, with that, walks in the opposite direction.

Biting back a smile, I shake my head. Of course he’d do something like that.

I spend a good fifteen minutes searching for Macy and Elsie. I don’t find them anywhere inside the house, and to make matters worse, I catch Sadie’s eye at one point while she’s talking to Finn. She shoots me a dirty look, which I ignore before her attention drifts back to him.

Huh. I must’ve missed the part where I offended her.

Thankfully, when I look outside, I spot Macy and Elsie huddled near an outdoor heater.

“There you are. We weren’t sure if we should send out a search party,” Macy teases with a grin.

“Sorry, time slipped away, and we talked for longer than I thought.”

“Who? And if it’s a guy, is he hot?” Elsie wags her brows.

“Yeah.” I flush, thinking of Levi. “Very hot.”

It feels nice to admit that out loud. Attraction doesn’t have to mean anything more. Still, something feels different after our conversation, in a good way. Maybe now we can be friends, or at least friendly neighbors.

Elsie pokes me playfully on the shoulder. “You better tell us about it. But first, we were thinking of playing a round of beer pong. You game?”

“Sounds fun. Let’s do it.”

Three beer-pong tables are lined up further back in the yard, and we make a beeline for the only empty one.

We’re mid-conversation when Macy abruptly stops. Elsie and I slow our steps, turning to look at her. Her carefree expression is gone. She’s glaring at someone. And if looks could kill…

When I follow her gaze, I see it’s locked on Levi’s friend.

The one with the tattoos and green eyes.

Mack, if I remember correctly. A girl hovers by his side as he talks animatedly to two guys who must be twins based on their similar appearances.

Levi isn’t among them, and I can’t help but wonder who he’s with.

Not that it should matter. But I can’t pretend it doesn’t.

Oblivious to our stares, the girl inches closer to Mack and whispers something in his ear that makes him smile down at her and wink.

Macy mutters something incoherent under her breath. I’m about to ask her if she wants to leave, but she beats me to it.

“You know what? How about those Jell-O shots?”

“Are you sure? You said you didn’t want to…” Elsie trails off, throwing me a helpless look. I shrug, just as lost.

“Positive. Come on, it’ll be fun. We’re at a party.” Macy’s smile is strained, and her excitement seems forced as if she’s trying hard not to cry or throw something.

Without waiting for a response, she spins on her heel and heads back the way we came.

“Oh-kay, that was weird,” Elsie says as we watch her go.

“Yeah,” I nod. “Let’s go before we lose her.”

Macy leads us back to the same spot where we started the night and slides three green, jiggly shots toward us.

The smooth, semi-solid liquid glides down my throat far easier than the tequila shots we took earlier. So much easier that I don’t hesitate to have another. And then another.

“Macy Greer, you’re a bad influence,” Elsie giggles.

“Hey now, I’m just trying to make this a fun night for Bear.” Macy retorts, grinning.

The shine is back in her eyes, and whatever upset her outside is forgotten.

“Don’t you dare pin any future hangovers on me. This is all you, Macy,” I laugh as the alcohol warms me up.

“Promise. But you’re having fun, right?”

“Yes. Thanks for letting me tag along,” I say, a sudden wave of unexpected happiness washing over me.

One of my biggest fears when transferring was not having a friend group to call my own. We might still be getting to know each other, but these girls have made the transition less scary. And I couldn’t be more grateful to have found them.

“Bear, we’re happy you’re here,” Elise says sincerely over a hiccup.

“Okay, okay, let’s not get all emotional,” Macy interjects. “How about we forget beer pong and go dance instead?”

“Yes! I’m in! Ohh, maybe we can find some hot guys to dance with,” Elsie exclaims, shaking her butt.

I laugh with them, but only one face flashes through my mind at the mention of the opposite sex.

A face I find myself hoping I’ll see again before the night is over.