Jenny grins broadly and catches us up on all the gossip about people I’ve never met before. Stevie’s all smiles, all night. She ends up sleeping in her bedroom with Jenny, since her dad is visiting in the morning once he arrives.
I look at the empty spot next to me and hear the girls’ laughter from down the hall. Even though I hate spending the night without her, that sound is worth it.
Chapter Thirty-Five
STEVIE
Taking my final bow onstage for the semester, I grin widely, seeing all of my friends and family in the front row. My dad sticks a bouquet of flowers out and brings it to the edge of the stage, while my costar’s girlfriend does the same for her.
I blow him a kiss, beyond excited that he managed to get here safely and see me onstage for the first time. The applause continues around us, and I attempt not to look at Levi. If I do, I’ll either burst into tears or the rest of the room will disappear as it always does whenever we share an intimate moment.
Right now, I want to feel this. The excitement of the crowd flows through me, and I feel proud of myself for everything I’ve managed to do this semester. I’m going to miss the feeling of being onstage, but I’ll be back on it in the fall, and maybe it’ll be as the lead. I told Levi to dream bigger, yet I haven’t done that myself. Now, I see it. I’m allowing myself to see it.
I finally chance a look at him and just as I expected, the crowd fades. He smiles and I return it. He mouths the wordsI love youand I do the same. He’s the only man in my life to keep every single one of his promises, and I’ve never trustedanyone more. He’s exceeded any expectations I’ve ever had with any man…and I need to slow down. We just hit our three-month anniversary, and I’m well aware that after three months, the honeymoon phase lessens. Only our relationship has never felt like a honeymoon phase. He’s seen me at my worst—well, almost worst—and I at his.
Giving one final bow, the cast and I walk to the side stage and go to the dressing rooms. After half an hour, I’m dressed in dark flared-out jeans, thick-heeled boots, and a green flowery V-neck short-sleeved shirt. I’ve gotten more comfortable in my own skin, and I like showing off my tattoo. I finally got used to these thick-heeled boots, too.
My hair bounces around my face as it has grown well past my chin and is halfway down to my shoulders. The natural tight waves remain, and I plan to get more highlights soon. My makeup skills have gotten better over the past few weeks since I’ve had to do my own for the show. I’ve found that earth-colored eyeshadows, along with some gold shimmer, complement my eyes the best.
Saying goodbye to the cast in the dressing room, I head to the front where everyone is waiting. My dad is the first one to congratulate me.
“You did amazing, honey. Bravo.” He kisses both of my cheeks.
“Thanks, Dad.”
Jenn is right next to him, looking teary-eyed. “S, your voice and your acting, my God. I’m so proud of you.” She hugs me and squeals in my ear. I’m sure she and Em were a handful for the rest of these guys.
Before I’m able to say hi to anyone else, my dad yells, “Dinner’s on me!” We all look at him, stunned, including my moms.
I tug on his sleeve, and the smile that matches mine flashes me. “Dad, I know you’re doing well at work, but there are nine of us here, and three of them are boys who are over six feet tall and work out like crazy.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “Yeah, I didn’t think about that.” My shoulders relax. That bill could’ve been hundreds of dollars?—
“Pizza’s on me,” he shouts. Ma rubs her eyebrows, and Mom shakes her head. Dadleans down. “Better?”
When I give him a look, he shrugs and tells “the handsome tall man” to lead us to the best pizza place in town. Cameron happily leads the way, and Levi finds me, kissing my forehead and putting an arm around me as Jenny and I talk on the way to Moonlit’s.
She’s only in town for one more night, and as much as I love my family, my dad is staying for a week. I want to go out with my friends tonight and celebrate everything one last time before finals.
We’re at the pizza place in the middle of a conversation when a wave of exhaustion hits me. I try to suppress a yawn, but it makes its way out. I cover my mouth, attempting to hide it, and luckily succeed. Truthfully, I’m more tired than I’ve let on. I know I’ve been pushing my body too much, and it’s reached its limit. Thankfully, my brain had mercy on me throughout the show. I never messed up any lines, and I didn’t have any seizure activity, meaning it was never necessary for me to take my emergency medication. All in all, things went well.
“You okay, Bambi?” Levi rubs my shoulder from where his arm rests on the back of my chair.
Nodding, I tell him the whole truth. “I’m exhausted, but happy, and before you ask, yes, I still want to go out.”
Levi raises a brow and takes the last bite of his slice. He sits up and looks at me, picking up his root beer. He’s barely drunk since we started dating. I never told him to stop, and I’ve calledhim out on it, but he says he was never much of a drinker except when he goes out with everyone. Even then, it’s only a couple of drinks.
“Tomorrow, you’re sleeping in,” he states, as if his word is final.
Narrowing my gaze, I creep in closer, too tired to deny what we both know I need. “Yes, sir.”
His eyes heat, and I smirk, giving him a quick peck.
“Stephanie?”
Giving Levi a slight eye roll, I turn. “Yes?”
“When we’re done here, why don’t you and your friends go have some fun?” Ma grabs her glass of water and tips it back slightly.
