Chapter 27
Levi
“Reckless, irresponsible.”With every insult she tucks one of her fingers into her palm.“Just plain dumb,” she spews, eyes narrowed, mouth tight.The microwave clock behind her tells me it’s a quarter to nine.I press both of my hands into my face, pushing upward until my brow rests in my palms and I’m staring at the floor.I don’t feel bad and I’m not sorry.
Everything has turned around for me in the last twenty-four hours.I told Tate that I liked her, and she said it back.We watched my favorite movie, explored a new place, and even took on my fear of heights.Tate being a virgin is definitely a surprise, but I meant it when I said it was cool.The possessive part of me likes the idea that there is a reality where Tate is and has always been mine.In the very, very distant future, of course.I pick my head up to see Jan pacing the small walkway between the appliances and the island.I look over at Tate.She has her knees up to her chest, arms wrapped around her bare legs.Butter-yellow straps cling to her shoulder, and all of a sudden, I have a new favorite color.A couple days ago I was sure it was cherry red, but nah, the yellow is making me feel anything but mellow.She mouths something and I squint.
What?I mouth back.
She smiles before repeating the shapes with her mouth again, this time slower.NACHOS.
I smile, remembering she hasn’t eaten all day.I get up and walk over to the stove where the cookie sheet of chips lays.Jan’s eyes track me with every step.I grab a plate and dish a heap onto it before striding back to the bar where Tate’s sitting.When Jan sees what I’m doing, her lip curls.She’s going to say something.I prepare to take it, but then I hear the door open and shut.I look at Tate, who is wide-eyed and has a mouth full of nachos.What other television exec is here?My stomach bottoms out when a certain platinum blonde appears from under the arched hall.
“Kim?What are you doing here?”
“Good to see you too, Levi.Mom, you didn’t tell them yet?”
Mom?Mom.I look from Jan to Kim then back to Jan.My chest starts to constrict, and the air gets thin.Somehow Tate senses it.She’s off the chair, holding me in a side hug with the wrapped arm running big circles over the length of my back.I focus on where her body is touching mine and feel myself start to calm.
“Kimberly, if you would have come on time then we could already be done.”
“Kimberly?”Her name rolls off my tongue a little more venomous than I wanted it to.“So, you just, what...came here to trick me?Pretended to be my friend while feeding your mom information?”
“Oh, stop being a baby, Levi.This is Hollywood, no one has friends.Kim is a hired actor who also happens to be my daughter.”
“Oh, so you used me?”I clap back.
“I used you?”Kim interjects, pushing her face in front of mine.“Rethink that, cowboy.”
Ugh, no.The nickname makes me sick now.
“Jan.”The vibration of Tate talking hits my skin.“Why the need for Kim?No offense, Kim, but aren’t the viewers interested in the show for our ability to sing?America’s best against America’s best?
Jan motions for Kim to take the barstool parallel to us and my dream of making it to the jacuzzi tonight gets smaller and smaller.It’s probably for the best because I have a lot of feelings rolling through my body like tidal waves that I can’t name or know how to deal with.Tate releases me to take her seat as Jan and Kim get settled.
“So,” Jan begins, “we’re not here to harass you.”
“You’re not?”slips out and is rewarded by three narrow glares.
