I silently agree to allow him to drive me, and get in the car.
He waits until I’m safely buckled in before turning the ignition back on. “Thank you,” he whispers as he shifts into drive, peeling away from what could have been a really bad situation for me. My own stubbornness baffles me.
After what seems like hours, Levi breaks the silence, his tone annoyed.
“From now on, I drive you home. And if for some reason I can’t, you take a goddamn cab. Then give me the receipt; I’m paying for the rides, that way your stubborn ass can’t argue.
Fuck!
” The way he raises his voice causes me to jump a bit. He reaches over, putting his hand on my leg, as if to get my attention.
Like you don’t already have it, Anger Man
.
“I hate thinking—
knowing
—that you’ve been taking public transportation this late at night this whole time.”
“Not every time. Brooke’s been dropping me off some nights, so relax, it’s not an issue. I can take the bus once in a while, lots of people do. I like the bus, anyway.” Even though, in this instance, I’m grateful for the ride, the last thing I need is a lecture. It’s hard enough just having to feel grateful; maybe that’s why I was fighting him so hard on this.
“Jesus, Braun, why didn’t you tell me you needed a fucking ride?” he asks, gripping the steering wheel to the point where his knuckles turn white. God, he’s not even hearing me right now. Talk about a one-track mind. Newsflash buddy, I am not your responsibility.
Hell, Brooke was right. Levi
is
pissed right off.
I don’t mean to be a bitch. After all, he’s just doing what any decent guy would do, right? But I have no clue how to deal with Levi’s condescending tone or his angry words, because in all honesty they are only serving to piss me off. I’m not some helpless damsel in distress here, I mean I could have taken a cab in the first place; if anything, I’m just cheap. Let’s be real, I can think of a million better things to buy with the cab fare money, primarily things for Emmerson. Taking a cab is just dumb, especially when the bus is a fraction of the cost. Finally, I square my shoulders, re-adjust my bag at my feet before turning my body to meet him straight on, to let him have the piece of my mind that I can’t seem to bite back any longer.
“Are you friggin’ kidding me right now? Who do you think you are, Levi? Because last time I checked, I’m a grown woman who can take care of herself just fine, thank you very much. I can take the bus home if I want. I am not your responsibility, your friend, or even your concern for that matter, and I certainly don’t need a Rottweiler biting at my ankles. So just calm down, boy,” I say indignantly, following it up with a harrumph as I cross my arms back over my chest again for full effect. I turn my head to peer out the window, rather than allowing myself to see his reaction to my outburst.
“And besides, I’m—” I glance over to add one more bit but he cuts me off.
“You ready to shut up and listen to me explain now, Scrappy?” he asks steadily, a low chuckle resonating from his throat. And I can’t stop a giddy sensation coming from deep within at his use of the nickname he’s given me.
Oh, heck no.
“Um, no. Are
you
ready to shut up?” I ask, interrupting him. “Because I’m not done talking yet, I have lots more to say. I just need a minute to think is all,” I retort, feeling even bitchier, if that’s possible, chancing a look his way.
Without missing a beat, Levi’s patience seems to snap. He grunts, his voice escalating with frustration. “Will you just shut up already and let me talk now, damnit? God, Braun let me talk to you,” he shouts, but apparently somehow amused now with our volleying back and forth. His eyes are twinkling and there’s a small smile etched on his face. I can tell he’s trying not to laugh.
Like a petulant child, I can’t let it go. “Why don’t you make me shut up?”
Oh, my God, I’m as bad as Emmerson! Please seat, swallow me now!
Suddenly he slams on the brakes, and throws the transmission into park. He jerks his body to face toward me, as much as he can in the space between the console and me. He’s giving me the sexiest smug-assed grin I have ever seen. He’s so fucking hot right now that my knees are weak and I’m thankful I’m sitting.
“Oh, believe me, I could totally shut you up, but I might make you moan a little first.”
Holy shit. Yes! Shut me up.
I squirm in my seat and know Levi’s aware of the impact his words have on me. Thankfully, he doesn’t call me out.
“I’m sorry, Braun, honestly, but you’re just so fucking sweet and so bloody beautiful that I kind of lost it when I saw you standing there, with those fucking dicks checking you out in that sexy as fuck uniform; the same uniform I’ve come to have second thoughts about over the last month. I just…I just needed to know you were safe. Okay?” he pleads, and I reluctantly agree to his terms with a stiff nod.
“Fine,” I say. “We’ll figure something out. Now, are you going to sit in the middle of the street all night gloating over your victory, or are you actually going to drive me home?”
Levi
F
uck, this maddening
woman is going to be a royal pain in my ass. I mean, who the hell turns down a ride at two in the morning? I swear to all that is holy and good, when I spotted her standing at the bus stop all alone, a bunch of guys walking toward the stop and the two already gawking at her from the shelter, it took everything in me not to crash my car into the shelter and take out those douchebags, before scooping her up and getting the fuck outta there. What a pain in the ass.
But fuck me sideways if she isn’t the sexiest thing when she’s all feisty and going off on me about how she’s an independent woman, or some shit, like she is right now.
Yeah, yeah, baby, you keep talking and thinking you’re making headway with your little rant here. You. Are. Not.
As soon as the words leave her mouth, I hastily look into the rearview mirror for cars before slamming on the brakes. Holy shit, if she isn’t the cutest sight right now, nose all scrunched up, arms folded across her ample chest like some spoiled brat. I try to stifle my laugh. “Why don’t you make me shut up?” she says, and I can’t help my response because truth be told, I’d like nothing more than to shut her up with my lips on hers, but from what I can tell, it’s too soon for her.
Over the past few weeks, while working together and on our “date” at the diner, I’ve gotten glimpses of a pain that hides behind her well-erected walls, walls I’m more and more inclined to tear the fuck down.
“Fine. We’ll figure something out. Now are you going to sit in the middle of the street all night gloating over your victory, or are you actually going to drive me home?” she says with that fucking attitude of hers, and it takes every ounce of my self-control not to haul her fine ass over the console and kiss that sass right out of her. Fuck, this girl makes me so goddamn hard and crazy. My cock has been twitching and jumping all night long. It seems it’s on Braunwyn duty, seeking her out like a heat-seeking missile whenever she’s around.
Fuck, I need to get laid.
“Yeah, Scrappy, I’m gonna take you home. No gloating, I promise.” I raise my hands in mock surrender.
“Are you laughing at me, Levi? I swear I will hurt you,” she says, as she leans over and punches me in the shoulder. I stop her second attempt by grasping hold of her little fist until her eyes meet mine.
I can’t stop what happens next. I run my hand along the side of her cheek while we continue to lock eyes. Fuck, I need this girl’s lips on mine, but instead I let the words fall out of me of their own volition. “You, don’t want to hurt me, Scrappy.” I glide the back of my fingers down to her chin, lifting it just that bit more to ensure she sees only me. “I just need you safe, baby. Please, no more fights about it. Just let me do this little thing for you. For me.”
“Levi.” She says my name and it’s so fucking right, I think she understood the deeper meaning behind my words, but there is no way in hell am I going there tonight. “All right. No more discussion. If it means that much to you, I will get rides when I can. I will take a taxi the others times. But—” she starts shaking her finger at me “—I will pay for them. I am not a charity case and do not need you to pay my cab fare. Got it? Deal.” She extends her hand to shake on it.
I meet her hand with mine and rather than shake it, I kiss the top of it. “Deal. Thank you for the compromise, Ms. Daniels. It’s been a pleasure to argue this with you.” I kiss her hand again, adding a cheeky smile before releasing it, and driving away.
Pulling up in front of her house, I can’t get over how fucking close we live. How have we not seen each other before? Regardless, this is something I plan on changing; I just have to figure out how.
Shutting off the ignition, I jump out and meet Braunwyn at the passenger door.
“What are you doing?”
“Opening your door and walking you to the porch. Easy there, Scrappy, it’s what a gentleman does, milady.” I gesture for her to walk, and she laughs out loud at my silliness and I’ll be dammed if I’m not relieved.
Just before we reach her porch, I turn her to look at me. “Friends, Braunwyn? I know you said we’re not friends back there, but I want us to be. I like you. You drive me crazy, but I definitely like you. You make me laugh. And this way, I can have company at the diner and Sal won’t worry about me,” I wink, pulling out all the stops.
She nods her head before giving me one of those gut-wrenchingly beautiful smiles she seems to save for when she’s truly happy.
“Yeah, I can do that. Friends. I like you too, Levi. You do, after all, seem to know the good places to eat so far,” she says, before shocking me with a sweet kiss on the cheek. How I didn’t see her coming is beyond me, but it’s a good thing I didn’t because it wouldn’t have been my cheek her kiss landed on. I’m just about to work my nerve up to test to see if she maybe wants more when the door flies open.
“Oh, Braun! You’re home, honey. I was just coming to stand on the porch to watch you walk from the stop,” the woman sighs. “I don’t like this, you walking two blocks at night from the bus stop. And alone at this hour.”
Two fucking blocks. Alone at this hour. What the actual fuck?
The woman looks over, finally seeing me. “Oh, hello there, young man. Sorry about that, I just worry about my girl. I didn’t even see you. Not sure how I missed you. My, my, you sure are a looker, aren’t you?” She whistles while taking me in, and I chuckle at the woman who I assume is “
Grams”
.
“Grams!” Braunwyn sternly calls, placing her hand over her forehead as if she’s embarrassed, which only makes me laugh harder.
“Grams, this is Levi, my boss. He actually decided the same thing tonight. You will be happy to know that I will no longer be taking the bus. It’s been decided for me.” Braunwyn shares, her tone mocking, but I revel in the sound of her voice as she explains what happened tonight.
“Well, I just became a big fan, Levi. You, my dear boy, are welcome here anytime. I don’t say that lightly, so don’t go messin’ that up.”
With that, we all say goodnight. As I walk back down the path to my car I feel a bit lighter, and more hopeful.
Yeah, she likes me and we both know it. And her Grams likes me too.
Levi
W
alking into Pub
Fiction bright and early on Sunday morning, I immediately regret my decision to work today. What the fuck was I thinking?
Shit.
I rub my hands along my temples. My head is pounding and I’m in a right pissy mood, regretting more and more my decision to let loose on a bottle of Jack last night. I need to learn that I’m not as young and spry as I used to be.
Agreeing to meet up with Finn and the guys after I left work last night was not the best idea. My one drink rule quickly went out the window when Finn shared the news that he’d gotten the loan approval, and that he would finally be opening his dream restaurant in just a few short months. I mean, how could I not celebrate with him? I’d have been a total dick to not join the festivities.
Over the years I’ve missed out on a ton of events and occasions because of work. I need to put in more of an effort to be there for my friends and family. Luckily, they remind me of that fact, and often. I need to get it through my head that Pub Fiction will survive without me here twenty-four-seven.
Luke knew what was going on and so kicked my ass out of here at eleven-thirty so I could meet up with the boys. I do need to look at giving him more responsibilities; he’s proving to be a real asset to my team. Maybe I could move him into a manager position? Which, of course, would allow me to take a night or two off with confidence.
Heading toward the bar, the gravelly voice of the late Layne Staley of Alice in Chains greets me, and I know Luke is here already.
“Morning, sunshine. Aren’t you looking like a big ball of fun,” he says, as he sets down what I assume is the checklist for the licensing audit we’re having next week, along with the box containing all our vendor permits, receipts and other paperwork we’ll need.
“Yeah, remind me why I decided to listen to your dumb ass last night and go out, knowing full well I had shit to do here today. Fuck, I’m feeling it. Pass me a beer. I think I’m in major fucking need of a hair of the dog to shake this shit off.”
Instead of a beer, Luke hands me a bottle of Advil and a glass of some crazy green-looking shit.
“What the fuck is this, dude? Like hell am I drinking one of your voodoo workout hippyshit concoctions.” I place it back in front of him on the bar, shaking my head. “I don’t care how good you say it’ll make me feel.”
“Just drink it, pussy boy. It’s the hair of the dog, modern Lukey-style. Trust me, it will make you feel a hella better, hella fast,” he assures me, sliding it closer. “Take it, the box, and the checklist to your office. By the time you’ve read the list, the powers of my ‘voodoo’ will have you back to your asshole self in no time,” he laughs while handing me the box, along with the drink on top. “It has kale in it.”