Page 24 of Better than Revenge

“I remember. We met briefly when I, um, came to visit Levi.”

And she just won Tony over to her side. He preens like a damned peacock when she tells him she remembers him.

“I’m gonna lock up. Tony…don’t touch her.”

I make it snappy and rush back before Tony has a chance to send her running. He leans towards me when I get close.

“I like her. I can see why you’re alright with being whipped man.”

Of course, he has to say it in the loudest stage whisper a person can do without just speaking normally. He might as well be shouting. Tamsin tries to hide her smile as I help her into her helmet, pick her up, and sit her on the back of my bike.

“Bye, Tamsin. See you soon.”

I growl and he scurries off. Even my damned friends are wrapped around her little finger.

Chapter Nineteen

Tamsin

It’s Sunday and I don’t expect to see the man who has haunted my dreams again until at least the middle of the week. I’m trying not to be down about that. I tell myself that space is good, time to myself is what I need, and that I don’t really miss him as much as I do.

All of it is horse shit but damn it, I’m trying to be normal and not cling to him. Guys don’t like a clinger. Right?

It’s not like he’s dropped off the map. We talk on the phone. We make plans for the next weekend. He’s not ghosted me. So why is he the only thing I can think of?

My phone rings and I find my heart beating faster as I pick it up…and find out it’s my bestie and not my faux-boyfriend-who-is-kind-of-my-real…something now.

“Hey Sophie, what’s up?”

“Oh my God! Where is Levi?” That’s an odd question. One that makes me kind of worried.

“I…don’t know. Why?”

“Someone from school called me to tell me Levi and Zane got into it in a parking lot. Rumor has it, it was over you, girl.”

“What?!” I almost shout the word. “Is…is he alright?”

“I assume the ‘he’ you are talking about is Levi and not the douche.”

“Of course, I want to know if Levi is alright! I don’t give a shit about Zane.”

“Well, word is…”

A knock at my door has me interrupting her. “Wait a sec, Sophie. Someone is at my door.”

“I can bet I know who it is.” When I look through the peephole I see Levi. “I’m gonna have to call you back.”

I yank my door open before I’m even finished hanging up on Sophie. Levi looks up and I spot his lip which has been split and one of his eyes is starting to turn black.

“Oh my God! Are you alright? What happened?”

I yank him inside and shut and lock the door behind him.

“Are you okay?”

He wraps his arms around me and brings me in close so I can hear the beating of his heart, “I am now.”

“You’re bleeding!”

---