Chapter 15
Levi
When I finally leavethe closet, I have the lyrics of the song completely etched into every corner of my brain, but I know the real work begins tomorrow...which is good because I’m once again starving.At the top of the stairs, I check all corners before riding the handrail down to the bottom.I would have thrived here as a kid.The thought stops me.Nah, kids belong in the dirt of a wide-open field.At least that’s what this kid needs.“I wanna look at the horizon and not see a building standing tall.”The lyric inserts itself into the debate.Maybe Jan was onto something, and I mean, Tate is nothing short of a creative genius.Not that I would dare say that to her face.
I make large strides through the foyer towards the kitchen, every step echoing.Empty.Second time today, but this time I’m not as happy.I pull open the door to the fridge, feeling everything but inspired to cook, but there’s a beer.This is dinner, I guess.I pull it out and head towards the drawer I saw a bottle opener in.Once the cap’s off, I tip my head back and let the first crisp sip burn as the liquid funnels down my throat.Ahh.
When my head levels back, my eyes catch something through the window.People.People everywhere.Definitely more than the twenty-five contestants left.They have all three bonfires going and...I squint to see better through the dusk.“A keg?”I let myself outside and the roar of chatter pushes me back.I scan the sea of people, fighting through the waves of unidentifiable faces till I come to the furthest patio set where Tate, Clay, and Gabriella are all sitting.It’s the same place we all sat the first night here.
“Ayeee, Levi, haven’t seen you all day, my man.What’s going on?”Clay stands to greet me, giving me his signature one clap on the back.“I see you found my beers,” he says, smiling down at the bottle before taking his seat again.
“Where have you been?”Gabriella asks with narrowed eyes, the wheels in her head turning.
“Actually,” my smile cracks as I sit down, “your closet.”
“My closet?!”Her once cool demeanor is replaced with alarmed concern.“What were you doing in my closet?”
“Our,” Tate corrects, holding up a finger.
Gabriella makes something like a low growl under her breath.“Our.What were you doing in our closet.”
“I said he could use it to practice his set.Every other room in the house seems to echo.Well, every room that I’ve been in,” Tate says, responding for me.
“Did you not pay attention at all during the home tour I gave you?”Gabriella asks, redirecting her focus to me.
I think back to the first day.Tate on the driveway.Her butter-yellow outfit and sour gummy worms.The way I defaulted to teasing her.And then Gabriella.Wearing some kind of black masking tape tube dress that didn’t cover much.
“I was distracted.”
She huffs a frustrated breath.“Well, Levi, if you were listening, you would have heard the part where I told you the guest house has a private studio.Soundproof and everything.”She makes a gesture like ta-da, shaking her hands by her head.
“No way!You didn’t tell me that.”
“I did too.Right after the second swimming pool.”
I shake my head like a dog who just got out of a bath.“That would have been way better than practicing inside that uterus you guys call a bedroom.”
Clay starts aspirating he’s laughing so hard, and Tate has her hands pressed into her face.
“What?Don’t tell me you guys haven’t thought the same thing.That’s exactly how I envision it looking.”
“How often do you envision a uterus, Levi?”Gabriella asks, nearly purring.
“Yeah, I’m not touching that topic with you.”
She makes a mock sad face before downing whatever was left in her red solo cup.
“Who are all these people?”
Clay leans forward, elbows on knees.“Someone invited some friends from LA, who then invited more friends, and on, and on, and on.Now, here we are.A house party on a Sunday.Lord, help us.”
I glance around, not at all interested in engaging.“Who wants to go check out this studio?”
“Me!”Tate responds first, and the rest follow.
“Lead the way, Miss Gabriella.”
***
