Page 65 of Levi

I smile, unable to help it even with the intensity of this evening.

“I’m not exactly sure, but I’m absolutely going to find out,” I tell her. “In fact, I’m going to go see her now.” Standing up, I give Holly one more hug. Thanks for taking care of her. I’ll connect with you tomorrow.”

“Deal. Now go get that girl.”

* * *

The whole drive home,the only thing I could think about was what I was going to say to her. How I could convince her that maybe this could be real. That maybe, just maybe, we could be really good for each other because I think she’s perfect for me.

But when I pull down my street and start down my driveway, it’s not her car I see at the end of it. Nope, this is a maroon sedan that I know all too well and is probably the last car I want to see right now.

It’s Ally’s.

Fuck my life.

It's as if this evening wasn't bad enough. Now I have another fucking curveball thrown my way. Pulling all the way up my driveway, I throw my truck in park and hop out, seeing Ally rocking on my porch swing.

“I'd say it's nice to see you, but I was taught that it's bad to lie. So what the fuck are you doing here because it sure as shit isn’t to sit here and gossip like old friends,” I bite out, unable to pretend I'm not fucking irritated to see her here, although I'd be lying if I said it didn't bother me to see her wince at my words, something I'm not sure I've ever really noticed her do.

“I'm actually not even here to see you. I was hoping to see Quinn. I need to talk to her.”

“What do you mean?”

“Let's just say my uncle is pretty pissed at me, which I'm sure you know, and well, he made me see the situation in a much different light, so I am here to apologize,” Ally says, her eyes down on her shoes as she pushes off the porch again.

“For what?” I push.

I mean…why should I make this easy on her?

“For everything?” Ally shrugs, looking up at me, and her normally light blue eyes are gray, filled with sadness, and for once I don't want to yell at her.

“I know I'm a bitch, and I know I've made your life and Quinn’s hell. I guess—I mean, I know—I’ve always been jealous of Quinn. But it was her confidence I've been jealous of. Her confidence to know what she wanted to do with her life and chase it. Her confidence to talk to the boy she just met and want to ask him out on a date. Her confidence that every friend of mine envied and every guy I liked wanted. It hurt, and I've been so jealous for so long, and I'm tired,” Ally says, tears streaming down her cheeks as she stares at me and cries.

For the first time, I see our situation for what it was. Two people who were broken, hurt, and used each other as a bandage, except it only made everything worse.

“I get it, Ally. It sucks. But at the end of the day, that shit’s old news. It could be behind us if everyone would let it be.” I shrug, taking the seat next to her, looking down the driveway for any signs of Quinn.

I'm excited to see her.

“You would be willing to do that? Move on? Clean slate?”

“Absolutely. I don't want to speak for your sister, but I'd bet a lot on the fact that she feels the same,” I tell Ally, and it almost seems like she wants to smile. “You just need to talk to her, okay?”

Ally looks at me sweetly. “We were never right for each other; we both know this…but you and Quinn. You've always been a perfect match. Don't lose her. She deserves someone like you, someone who sees her. Someone who fights for her because her family failed her, and I have you to thank for pointing that out. Well, you and my uncle, who's pretty fucking pissed at me and embarrassed about the way he treated you,” Ally says with half smile. “Sorry about that.”

“All good,” I tell her as I stand up, wanting to grab a quick shower. “It's getting late though. Why don't you give Quinn a call in the morning and catch up? I think she and Stella must've been dancing the night away and lost track of time.”

Ally stands up and smiles.

“Thanks, Levi. Sorry I've been such a bitch these last few years. None of y’all deserved that.”

“No, we didn't. But if you cut that shit out, I'm sure we can call it even.” I smirk, giving her a hug right as headlights blind me as someone turns around in my driveway. “Fuck that was bright,” I say with a laugh.

Ally laughs and says good night, and then she's on her way back home. Pulling out my phone, I look to see that I have a message from Quinn saying she was getting an Uber and heading here.

But that was thirty minutes ago?

I decide to call her, but it goes straight to voicemail.

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