Page 2 of Fallen Stars

Smile still firmly in place, Levi twists in my direction and cocks a brow. “Nothing that’ll burn it down.” With a shrug, he averts his gaze back to the screen. “Just deactivating security cameras and alarms in town hall.”

Eyes wide and jaw slack, I stare at his profile in pure awe.

A true mastermind, Levi’s ingenuity is unmatched. Not many are aware of his level of talent. Not many comprehend the machine that is his mind. He has the ability to dismantle the most secure computer systems created with a few lines of code.

Hell, I don’t completely understand it. Not that I need to.

I see the real Levi. The complex guy with an endless labyrinth for a mind. The guy always in his head, deciphering what he sees into bits and pieces rather than taking it in as one whole object.

“On a mission to piss off your dad?” I chuckle.

It’s no secret that the West family—one of the Stone Bay founding families referred to as the Seven—has taken on a mayoral role more years than not in Stone Bay. Oftentimes, they rotate through which West will hold the seat. Not that the residents don’t get a say or vote. They do. But it’s rare to have anyone run against the West family for the position.

As of now, Jefferson Thornhill-West is in the running for town mayor. Not that he has much competition.

No surprise to anyone, Mr. West is on a mission to shape Levi into someone he’s not. All in the hopes that Levi will one day step into the role as mayor, keeping the West name high in the town ranks.

Politics and superiority aren’t priorities for Levi, though.

If anything, Levi wants to tear the world apart and put it back together better than it was.

“Pshh.” Levi shakes his head. “Is there anything I do thatdoesn’tpiss him off?”

I’ve known Levi long enough to know his question is rhetorical. So I wait for him to continue.

Levi scoffs. “Did I tell you what he said the other night?”

I jog through my memories over the past week and come up blank. “No. What’d he say?”

Closing the lid on his laptop, he sets it aside and reaches for a game controller. “‘You’re a dead weight bringing this family down. That changes after graduation,’” he says in a mocking tone. He holds his hand high and flips his middle finger up at the bedroom door. “Fucking asshole. As if he’s God or some shit.”

Living under the roof and thumb of generations of town founders is something I will never fully grasp. His frustrations, I get. His anger at his family for trying to mold him into someone he’s not, I comprehend. But bearing the burden of an invisible crown, carrying the weight of generations’ egos on your shoulders, is far beyond my reach.

All I can do is be here for my friend. In whatever way he needs.

Even if it isn’t in the way I want or need.

Levi resumes playing the game and I pick up my guitar and play the song from the beginning. Humming to myself, I recite the lyrics in my head.

You’re a brand on my heart, a tattoo on my soul.

You hoard all the game pieces, tight fists of control.

The darkest of shadows, please let me be your light.

I’ll take the long road, forever on your right.

“That new?”

I startle in my seat as my eyes shoot to Levi. “What?”

Eyes focused on the screen as he plays the game, he tips his head in my direction. “The song. Is it new?”

Shit.Did I sing it out loud?

“Kind of…” I say with zero confidence.

I study his face for any indication I did more than hum the lyrics. Had Levi heard the lines of the song, I’d be answering a different set of questions. An endless inquisition over who the song is about.

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