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“I was hoping to catch you out here.”

Levi looked up to see Jeff walking towards him. He smiled, took a drag from his cigarette.

“What’s up? Needed a break?”

“Yeah, seems busier than normal tonight.” His head dropped.

Levi watched. as he opened his mouth and closed it again.

“Something wrong?”

“Yes. No.” He closed his eyes. “Can we talk about James?”

“What about him?”

“Like, what’s his deal? He is always here, and if he’s not helping you, he’s always as close to the stage as he can get… and at the end of the night, he’s always so eager to help. Does he like want to learn to play or something?”

Levi examined Jeff’s face, looking for signs of deeper meaning.

“Levi? Did I say something wrong?”

Levi smiled. He shook his head and burst into laughter.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Jeff. you really don’t know?”

“Know what?”

Levi took a deep breath. This was not a conversation he wanted tonight. Too much could go wrong. Damnit. Why was James like this? He would have to have a talk with him about backing off.

“Listen, I don’t want there to be any trouble or anything. If he’s bothering you, I can tell him to leave you alone.”

Jeff looked at him. His head cocked to the side.

“Why would I want you to do that?”

“Well, it sounded like he was bothering you.”

“Not at all.”

“Then what are you asking?”

Jeff sighed. “You’ve known him a long time, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you know if he likes guys? I’m kinda getting that vibe from him, but I’m not sure.”

Levi looked at him. Suspicion was beginning to set in. “I see. Well, that sounds like a question you should ask him. What does it matter? You obviously don’t have a problem with me and Jon.”

“Well.. um… I think he’s kinda cute. And he’s just so nice. But I like having him hanging around, and if he’s just being friendly, I don’t want to hit on him and screw up what we have.”

Levi felt his eyes grow wide.

“You think he’s cute and nice?”

Jeff looked down and shrugged.

“Yeah. But like I said, I don’t want to scare him off. I’d rather be his friend and he keep hanging around than to put distance between us by flirting.”

Levi looked at him. He shook his head and exhaled quickly.

“Shit. Man, I’m sorry. He’s probably acting weird because of me. Let me talk to him. I swear I won’t tell him about this. Damn. I’ll figure something out.”

Jeff looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

“Long story. Don’t worry. He and I go way back.”

Jeff smiled at him. “Thanks… I think.”

“It’ll be fine. But if things go south, you let me know. He knows not to cross me and you are too important to the bar.”

“I am?”

“Yep, you’ve got some real sleeper talent going on. You just need a muse or more practice.” Thunder rippled through the night.

Jeff looked at the starless sky.

“We might need to head..”

A torrent of rain interrupted him, pelting him. They ran back into the bar.

“Shit. Head to the back and dry off as best you can with some bar towels. And make it quick. You need to get back onstage.”

Jeff chuckled. “Yes, sir.”

Levi headed to the bar. He wasn’t going to be cradling a guitar. He saw no need to worry about drying off.

“James. Is everything ok?”

“Just peachy.” He looked to the stage. “Where’s Jeff?”

“He was getting some fresh air while I was on the phone outside. Damn rain started, and he got soaked worse than I did. I sent him to the back to dry off before he gets back up there.”

“That’s nice of you.” His eyes grew wide. “Wait! was he wearing a white shirt?”

Levi shook his head. “What the fuck?”

“I can’t believe I missed this opportunity. I bet he was gorgeous. Wet shirt clinging to his muscled chest…” His voice trailed off. His eyes went blank.

Levi rolled his eyes. “Shit, you are a horny bastard. Look. Maybe I was wrong before. Maybe I was just punishing you. I dunno. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if you talked to him. Watching you follow him around like a lost puppy for the last few weeks has been nauseating.”

James’s eyes grew wide. His head snapped in Levi’s direction. Levi met his gaze.

“You’re serious?”

“Yeah. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen?” He stifled a laugh.

He watched as James’s face dropped. Fear was setting in.

“Shit, what if he’s straight? What if he thinks I’m just some creepy stalker fan?”

Levi shook his head. He sighed.

“After all this, you panic?”

“Levi. You know better than almost anyone else that I’m trying to rebuild my life and be a decent person. But a lot of people know about my past, what a dog I was. No. What a piece of shit I was to everyone who ever let me in. I’ve been struggling because apparently more people than I thought know about my reputation, and let’s just say your opinion is shared by many around town.”

Levi looked down. Shit. How did Gus always deal with other people’s drama?

“Listen. Just be yourself. Keep doing what you’re doing. If the time is right, you’ll know it. I just wanted you to know that I won’t hold it against you if you go after him. Part of it was my own baggage, but you held to it. I’m just saying you’ve made huge strides in getting my respect.” He smiled. “I forgave you a long time ago, but I couldn’t let go of the grudge. I felt used. But with everything that’s happened, just know that’s gone.” He forced his face into a scowl. “Just know that if you don’t keep on the straight and narrow that I won’t fill your ass with lead. Then I’ll hand you over to Gus.”

Levi could feel eyes on him. He saw Jeff watching from beside the stage. He placed two bottles of beer on the bar.

“Looks like Jeff’s about to go back on. One of these is for you. The other’s for him. You mind taking it to him?”

“Of course not!” James grabbed the bottles and turned toward the stage. The moment his back was turned, Levi flashed a big smile to Jeff and gave him a thumbs up. Jeff’s expression remained stoic. Levi smiled.

He watched the two of them. Watched how they flirted back and forth. Neither knowing that the other is flirting. He smiled at how adorable they could be together.

“Is this how Gus felt when he saw us together?”

A group from one of the tables came over to settle their tab. It was starting to get late. He watched as they peeked outside and prepared to dash through the rain to their waiting cab. The door opened. They rushed out. A police officer stepped into the bar. Levi watched as he looked around, spotted Levi behind the bar, and headed over.

“Can I help you, officer?” Cops never came to the Dragon in uniform. Something felt wrong.

“I’m looking for Levi Ward.”

Levi felt the knot in his stomach tighten. This couldn’t be good. James had spotted them and headed toward them.

“That’s me. How can I help you?”

The cop looked at him. Levi wasn’t as good at reading people as Gus was, but something seemed off. He was too stoic. James had reached them by the time he started speaking.

“I’ve been trying to get a hold of you. There was an accident earlier. A young man…”

Levi felt his world spin. There was a ringing sound echoing in his head. The officer was still talking, but he couldn’t hear a word. James rushed around the bar, hugging him.

“Levi!”

The ringing grew softer.

“I’m sorry, officer. I didn’t catch all of that.”

He heard the officer asking if he was alright.

James sighed. “I think he’s in shock. Levi. Jon was in an accident. You need to go with this officer. Don’t worry about the bar. I’ll take care of it.”

He looked at James, their eyes locked. The fog lifted. He felt his adrenaline pumping.

“Where is he?” He struggled against James’s embrace.

“Officer, I don’t know what your protocol is, but I think for his safety, and the safety of everyone else out there, you’d better drive him.”

“I can do that.”

He felt James release him. He wanted to punch him.

“Go with the officer. I’m sure Jon will be fine. I’ve got everything here.”

He ran from behind the bar. Jon needed him.

A hand grabbed him.

“Levi, hold on a damn minute.” James’s voice held an air of authority that he’d never heard before. “You need to breathe. He’s at the hospital already. I’m sure they’re taking good care of him. You’re going to need your phone. I’ll bring a charger by later. Text me if you think of anything else you need.” He smiled. Levi felt the urge to punch him subside. “Now go.”

He followed the officer to the cruiser outside. As he climbed in, all he could think about was Jon. He felt helpless.