He nods. “Like I said before, I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
Nodding back, I accept his apology. It’s not that I won’t get over it. I’ve never had explosive fights with Jake, Kamila, or Emma. Jake has the most secrets out of everyone in the group and usually respects everyone’s privacy, so this was a rare occurrence for him, and I decide to trust him when he tells me it won’t happen again. Because trusting his word is all I can do for now.
“Are we good?” He sticks his hand out.
Rolling my eyes, I take the offered hand and bring him into a half hug while clapping his back.
“We’re good.”
Chuckling, we separate.
“Seriously, though, how hot is she?”
This time, I shove him and laugh. “Fuck off.”
My hand reaches the doorknob quickly, wanting to get back to the girls and food, when Jake stops me.
“Levi, there is something I think you should know.” His tone is serious and concerned. My shoulders stiffen instantly. “Stevie’s?—”
“No.” I shake my head. This is not his or my business.
He looks at me, baffled. “Levi, it’s important.”
Nodding, I grab his shoulder. “Whatever it is that’s going on, her mom told me that Stevie wants to tell me herself, and I’m respecting her decision.”
He smiles. “Of course you are.” Jake opens the door for both of us. “Let’s go eat and bother the fuck out of Emma, shall we?”
“Oh, let’s, please.”
We’re almost at the table when I elbow him. “Kami too? She’s been harder to bother lately, considering her being in love and all, but I think we can achieve it between the two of us.” I wink at him.
“Fuck yes.”
Chapter Four
LEVI
“See you guys this weekend.” I wave at the group while they hop into Jake’s BMW, making their way to the campus dorms. Jake’s car is another reminder of our separation in society when it comes to status and money. I’ve never been jealous of Jake’s or Em’s families’ money; they’re both great friends and don’t bother flaunting it. I do wish that Jake had a more stable home life and that Em’s grandparents were kinder, like her, but no, they have to be stuck-up fuckers.
If anything, their lifestyle reminds me of how lucky I am to have two strong women like my mom and grandma raising me. And yes, I do say it in the present tense. I might be twenty and pay my rent, but I still feel like a kid most of the time.
Walking back to my car, I pick up my guitar cases and amp and start down the five blocks between me and home. The apartment is in a perfect location, close to the bars, restaurants, and shops in the small town. It’s on the second floor, right on top of a small clothing store owned by a pissy man I try to keep my distance from.
Making my way up the stairs, I look for my keys in my jacket pocket. There’s some light peering from the bottom of the door,meaning the living room light is on. It also sounds like someone is using my TV. Checking my watch, I see that it’s only nine thirty p.m., yet Stevie’s been in her room the past two nights around this time. Maybe she’s getting more comfortable using the things around the apartment, such as the small flat screen.
As soon as I step inside my living room, I see Stevie leaning over the coffee table with three open bottles of pills. I freeze, and so does she, mid-sip, as though she wasn’t expecting me home yet.
What. The. Fuck.
Silence falls over the room, the only sound coming from the TV that’s currently playing what seems to beGilmore Girls, which happens to be my mom’s favorite show.
The theme song plays, not matching the tension in the room whatsoever, and Stevie’s throat bobs, finally swallowing whatever she had in her mouth. Slowly, her cheeks flush, and she places the cup of water on the coffee table, looking away from me. I slowly close the door, hanging my coat on the rack.
Three bottles of pills.
That’s way more than I expected, not that I knew what to expect. And that, combined with Jake’s warning, makes me even more worried about what’s wrong with the sweet girl behind me.
It isn’t safe for us to continue living this way. Even though her health is her business, I also want to do whatever I can to help if anything happens.
