I hear footsteps coming down the hallway. “Hey, Levi. I thought I heard someone coming in.” Cassidy says.
“I was just saying to Crystal here, I hope it’s not too late."
Cassidy walks over to the pot where Crystal is cooking something, and he kisses her quickly on the cheek. “Our hours are all over the place with junior here. Some days we’re up until midnight, while others were in bed by eight o’clock.”
Crystal sets a plate in front of me. I have no idea what it is, but it smells amazing, so I eat up.
“Were you just in the neighborhood, or did you have something on your mind?” Cassidy asks.
I clear my throat. “I’m sure you’ve all heard the news."
Crystal lets out a deep breath. "Is there anything we can do?”
“Maybe you can help me understand something. Does your brain do all kinds of weird and crazy things when you’re pregnant?”
Crystal and Cassidy exchange a look. Crystal nods. “Well, sure, yeah. I mean, your body goes through all sorts of different things. But why don’t you give me an example?”
I tip my chair back slightly and clasp my fingers behind my head. “She doesn’t want to talk about the baby. She keeps changing the subject. She wants to go to the doctor first before we discuss anything.”
Cassidy frowns. “This wasn’t expected. The lady is caught off guard, I’m guessing."
“Your baby was unexpected, too, wasn’t it?"
Unconsciously, Crystal places a hand on her belly. “True, but some women don’t take it as well. She’s probably scared, Levi. And as far as her blurting it out to the entire restaurant, sheprobably didn’t mean to, and she’s probably embarrassed. It could be a pain point for her. I don’t know if that helps or not."
“She seemed pretty aloof when her friends came to visit earlier. Maybe it’s just that she’s crazy in my company."
“Her girlfriends are important to her. Just like mine are important to me, too. Your girlfriends are what get you through the tough times. I think if you give her some space, Levi, she’ll come around."
Cassidy leans back in his chair and rests his boots on the chair on the other side. “How’s school going? I understand that you met her at school."
“School is great. I set up a drafting table at the ranch, and I’m working on designing my dream house. It looks more like a Lego house at the moment, but it’ll come. Billy’s been saying that he wants to build a bunk house. He wants me to help him design it when he’s ready."
Crystal smiles. “Well, gosh, Levi. Your face just lit up like a Christmas tree.”
I can’t help but return the smile.
“That’s a beautiful picture you put up in your room there, my friend. Where did you get that?”
I can feel my cheeks heat. Just mentioning Lennie makes my heart skip a beat. “From that studio downtown. Didn’t Billy tell you?"
That’s a true testament to how trustworthy Billy is.
Cassidy shakes his head. “He just said it belongs to you when I asked. I figured Piper had picked it up for the resort of something. I had no idea it was yours until Billy said so. You got it from that studio next to the antique store? The one where Buddy runs the place, right?"
"Yes. Have you been inside?"
"To the antique store, a couple of times, but I never bought anything." Cassidy explains. "The photography studio I've nevergone into though. Word in town is that it's something else. I suppose it must be if y'all bought something from there."
"It is something else. Nash thinks I'm nuts for buying the picture."
Cassidy changes legs, crossing the opposite leg over. "Well, he's just looking out for you is all. That's what big brothers do."
Crystal changes the subject. "Your daddy off to rehab yet?"
I shrug. "No idea. Don't care, neither. Far as I'm concerned, he can drop dead. I've got no interest in seeing him, so long as he doesn't try to kill anyone else."
Cassidy and Crystal exchange another look.
