Levi cleared his throat, looking at me instead of Axe. “There is no game. I just wanted to catch up with Mac.”
“Bullshit,” Axe hissed. “Do you really think I’m stupid enough to believe that you showed up in Atlanta just to catch up with Kenzi?”
“I really don’t give a shit what you think,” Levi replied, his eyes darting away from mine to Axe’s.
Axe would be across the table, laying into Levi, if I didn’t do something fast. Placing my hand on Axe’s arm, I turned my head toward him. “How about we order? Anyone up for an appetizer first?”
I picked up the menu, hoping Axe and Levi would follow suit. As I looked over the choices, I was glad that the Java Bean had more food choices than the pastries they always advertised. Sandwiches, burgers, and wraps were on the menu. There was even a selection of sides to complement every order. Flipping the menu over to the back, I studied the list of appetizers.
I looked up from the menu and found Axe and Levi still staring at each other. It was like they were having a silent conversation and what they were saying to each other wasn’t good. Shards of ice were flying between them, and it was only a matter of time before Axe was bent over the table, taking Levi out.
“So,” I began. “What do you guys think about fried beans as an appetizer?”
Even though I was nervous as hell, I felt like I was the only one who had it together. The way both of them were acting, I wasn’t sure how much longer I could fake being calm.
“Whatever you want to order is fine with me, babe,” Axe replied between his teeth, his eyes still on Levi.
“Same here. Fried beans sounds just peachy,” Levi seethed, giving Axe the evil eye.
“Okay, you two. This has to stop. Can we please just have a decent meal without both of you ready to explode?” I was getting pissed at the way they were acting.
Axe broke eye contact with Levi first and looked down at his menu. I had a funny feeling this meeting was a bad idea. Hopefully, there wouldn’t be any fists flying by the time we were done.
~13~
Axe
I couldn’t have been more relieved that the meeting with Levi ended without so much as a single punch thrown. My impression of him was confirmed. He was an asshole. His arrogance was proof.
I thought this meeting with him was over until I heard his voice ring behind me. “Riley, can I talk to you for a second?”
Once Kenzi was inside the truck, I closed the door and walked toward Levi. Standing a few feet from where I was parked, I looked at Levi, unsure of what his game was. “What the hell do you want, McBride?”
“We need to talk about Van Wilkerson and the job you are supposed to do for him next week,” he replied, stuffing his hands in the front pockets of his jeans.
I was dumbfounded. His comment caught me off guard, and I wondered how he knew about the job I had to do for Wilkerson next week. I should have looked through the file Wilkerson gave me instead of shoving it in my glovebox. “How the hell would you know about the job?”
“Let’s just say Van wanted me to make sure you carried through with it. It would be a shame if Kenzi found out who you were and that you blew up her mom’s bookstore.”
“What the fuck are you talking about, asshole? I have no intention of blowing up Margot Horton’s bookstore.”
Levi started laughing while circling me, his hands flying every which way. “Oh my god. You haven’t looked at the file Van gave you. You are so fucked.” Levi walked away, shaking his head with amusement as he headed toward his vehicle. “Read the file.”
“Screw you, asshole,” I said before turning and walking toward my truck.
“What the hell was that about?” Kenzi asked as I got behind the wheel and started the engine.
“Just Levi being an asshole.” There was no way I could tell her the truth. Levi was right. I was totally fucked. If Kenzi ever found out the truth, she would hate me forever.
When we pulled up to the apartment, I remained in my truck and watched Kenzi get out. Before she closed the door, she looked at me with confusion. “Aren’t you coming in?”
“No, I need to take care of something first.”
“I know you, Axe Riley,” she began. “Something happened between you and Levi at the coffee shop. Please tell me you aren’t leaving to find him.”
“You worry too much. I’ll be back before you know it.”
“How about you don’t pursue him and come inside.” Kenzi walked away from the truck with a sexy swing of her hips.