Page 62 of Levi

“It’s no problem. I found her having a bit of a heated talk with some staff, but thankfully she recognized me, and I knew where you guys were sitting tonight so I figured I’d make sure she got back. She wasn’t far, just down a section.”

“Will you stay for a bit?” Nurse Holly asks as she walks over to the two of us. “She keeps looking over at you and the only thing she keeps saying is that she was so thankful that you came and got her because she didn’t know where she was. Right now, with Levi down there working, I think she feels more comfortable with you here…”

“Of course,” I tell them with a smile. “Let me just text my friend and let her know I’ll see her after the game.”

Grabbing my phone, I shoot Stella a text back and shove my phone back in my bag and head over to take the seat next to Nana, who immediately takes my hand in hers.

We sit there watching the game together, the Firebirds only picking up momentum after intermission, going into the last bit of the third period up by one. Nana notices every time she sees Levi’s number, cheering loudly and clapping excitedly every time he makes a play, and it’s the sweetest things ever.

I always knew how much Levi adored his nana, but it’s so wonderful seeing just how much she reciprocates that adoration.

I love knowing he has her in this world, another person who cares for him unconditionally.

Ten minutes before the game ends, transport arrives, and since the Cyclones are now up four to two, the ladies all felt comfortable leaving to avoid the crowds. I walked out with Nana, who held my hand like I was her best friend, and I loved every moment of it. She smiled and gave me a hug and told me to give Levi a hug as well, but I could tell that she was struggling in the moment, confusion slowly washing over her.

It’s a weird thing to notice, something as simple as they start talking slower, or looking around a little more, or at least that’s the way I noticed it in my grandparents when I was a kid…but I’m also seeing it now with Nana and I hate it.

I hate knowing Levi is going to have a rough road ahead of him. I only hope he lets me help him as much as I can.

“Hey,” I say with a smile, walking up to Stella as she types away on her phone right outside the front doors.

“Hey, lady! Ready to go grab another drink?” she says, her usual bubbly tone in place as she loops her arm in mine and starts heading down the street towards the bar the guys told us to meet them at. At least she doesn’t seem too mad at me for ditching her. Not that I expected her to be, and I wasn’t all that worried in the moment because my biggest concern was making sure that Levi’s nana was taken care of and wasn’t scared. When I first saw her yelling at the security guard, I didn’t hear someone trying to be mean—I heard someone who was just confused and afraid, and I immediately went in search of her.

I’m going to thank my lucky stars every single night that she remembered me and that I brought her peace instead of the other way around, because you never know in these instances. But once I got her calmed down, she demanded we stay to watch Levi, even though I could tell she was tired and still a bit confused. I figured I’d just watch the game with them and make sure she got in their transport without getting upset again, that way I’d know she was safe. Nurse Holly thanked me immensely and said the only other person who can calm her down like that is Levi, so she was very thankful I found her when I did.

“I’m so sorry about tonight. I totally didn’t mean to just leave you like that!” I tell her as we head down the street, past tons of other fans all either heading back to their cars or out for the night like us.

“Girl, do not apologize! You were taking care of family—it’s what we do,” she says, bumping her hip against mine, and I smile for the first time since I put Nana on her transport, Nurse Holly promising me she’d text me the moment they all got settled.

“Well thanks; I just didn’t want to leave her because she was so confused.”

“I get it, and it’s hard, but you did the right thing. Are you going to tell Levi about it, or will the nursing home?” Stella asks as we walk in the front door of The Penalty Box and immediately find a big booth towards the back. This bar is one of my favorites; it’s the local hockey bar and one the best places to get a cold beer and dance your heart away for a night, all while surrounded by hockey games on TVs, fans and players alike all coming here for a good time. It’s heaven to me, and it feels like home. It’s just missing one thing.

Him.

“So…” Stella says with a grin. “What’s actually going on with you and lover boy? Or am I supposed to pretend that the little heart-hand gesture when he saw you wearing his jersey was all just for show to piss your uncle off? Because I’ll tell you something, I could tell from there, his gear on and everything, that man is in love. I mean hell, I could’ve told you that the first night I met you. I guess I just had other priorities that night,” she says, her cheeks pinkening ever so slightly, probably remembering what damn near happened between her and Levi.

I hold no resentment. In fact, I’m damn sure I drove Levi to that point because he’s never usually one to fuck around like that, but I had been pushing him a bit at that point, teasing him more while I flirted with others.

Guess it sort of got to him that night…which I loved to see, so in no way am I upset.

But how do I answer this question when I don’t even know myself.

“I guess I don’t really know what that was. I mean, I think things have sort of shifted for us, but I also can’t be sure they’re not one sided because I really haven’t had a chance to talk to him. I mean…Levi could get any woman he wants. Why would I think he would want to be tied down with a girl like me?” I tell her all this with a shrug, still remembering the slight pang of jealousy I got when I saw him and Ally talking…although I might’ve been more jealous seeing that she was willing to talk to him when it feels like she only wants to be mean to me.

Either way, it felt like the tiniest of my walls started to go back up with him, like I’m already waiting for the other shoe to drop even though I secretly hope it never does.

“How do you feel about him?” Stella asks with a grin that tells me she already knows the answer.

“Do I have to say it?” I reply, hoping she’ll just take the assumption and run.

“Yup. I know it, but I love to know I’m right,” she says, taking the water that’s dropped off at our table.

I think I’ve hidden the true depth of my feelings for Levi for far too long and it’s exhausting. I’m tired of hiding it from myself, even more tired of hiding it fromhim. “Look, I’m pretty sure I fell for that guy hard the very first time he smiled at me, and then we became friends, and I knew I loved him. That sort of thing never really goes away, but I was able to shove it down in a box and pretend it never existed. Except apparently his dick is the key, and that opened right up and smacked me in the face with intense feelings that are sometimes too much to deal with. Because of the what ifs, because there’s still the very possible outcome that I’m not the one he wants, and right now, until I know, I’m just going to enjoy whatever the hell it is we have going on.” And maybe tonight, I’ll ask him.

CHAPTER24

LEVI

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