Page 46 of Power Play

“Well, that was amazing,” Levi says, leaning back in his chair and patting his stomach. Right where his professional athlete-level abs sit. I know because I saw them two nights ago. When he was naked on top of me. And underneath me.

Oh, Jesus.

I feel the anxiety crawling up from my stomach to my chest and neck.

“I’m glad it was as good as you remember,” Dad says, leaning back in his chair, too. “It was fun having all you kids here again.”

“Better than I remember,” Levi says. “And yeah. That was great. Forgot how much of an honorary Calway you all always made me feel.”

“You are an honorary Calway,” Dad says, and I feel my stomach turn.

If this crashes and burns, it’s gonna be so awkward.

Levi smiles, as cool and calm as ever.

“Well, on that note, sir,” he says, and my dad shoots him a look.

“‘Sir?’” he chuckles. Levi smiles and nods.

“This feels like it needs a ‘sir,’” he says, and my dad’s expression grows a little bewildered. “But…I would really like to date your daughter. And I wanted to run it by you because I love you and your family.”

My father looks from him to me, his eyebrows knit together. I bite my bottom lip, my heart pounding so hard I think I might be having a heart attack.

“Thisdaughter?” he finally asks, pointing a finger at me. Levi nods, his expression serious now as he scoots his leg closer to mine. He places a hand on my shaking leg to steady it under the table.

“Yes, sir,” he says. My dad leans back in his seat again, folding his hands in his lap.

“This what you want?” he asks me. And I nod. I love my family, and I love how well they know me. But sometimes, I can’t escape it.

Since I had Harper, my anxiety has been a thousand times worse. Demi helped me find a therapist that I see once a week, and I keep a journal and attempt to meditate when I find a free minute. They think it stemmed from being a teen mom, worrying about money, insurance, medical bills, a baby.

And some of it is from that.

Some of it is from something else. But it’s easier if they focus on all the other things.

“Yes,” I tell him. “It is.”

“Well,” my dad says, smiling and shrugging, “thank you for telling me. I appreciate it. But Lo here is an adult. And a mom. And has a full, busy life. So if she’s decided to let you in, then I know she’s thought it through.”

My eyes widen.

That’s it?

“I presume my other children know?” he asks. Levi nods. “Well, then, I presume you’ve been sufficiently threatened?”

Levi laughs and nods.

“I have, mostly by Demi.”

My dad and I laugh.

“Just as I would expect,” Dad says. “Well, Levi, I’ve always counted on you to be another set of eyes on her. Another one who looks out for her. That will be no different now.”

Levi squeezes my leg.

“Yes, sir,” he says. With that, Dad stands up, shakes Levi’s hand, and bends down to kiss the top of my head.

“Night, all,” he says, going into the house.

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