With an eye roll, Lacey gets up and says, “Looks like King Levi has spoken, so we might as well join him outside.” Clearly, my read on those two is off. I was ready to bet some serious cash that they had something going on, but I guess I was wrong. I should probably tell them that there’s a pull-out couch in the basement.
“Lace?” JJ asks. “What was that about?” Putting the question we were all thinking out into the world.
“Nothing you need to worry about, J,” she says, but we all hear the dejection in her voice.
“All right then, let’s go to the beach!” Hannah says, clearly feeling the waves of disappointment falling off of Lacey. Grabbing my and Ellie’s hand and dragging us to the front door, she shoves bags in our hands, letting JJ have a minute with his sister.
“Thank you,” I tell Hannah, pulling her in and kissing the top of their head.
“For what?” she asks, confusion marking her face.
“For giving JJ a minute with his sister. I know if Sadie ever said that nothing was wrong, or that I shouldn’t worry about it,I’d want a few minutes with her. Every big brother knows we need to worry when we’re told not to worry.”
And just like that, I fall in love with her a little more. No sense in pretending that I’m not already in love with her. I was halfway there when we went horseback riding.
My compliment makes her blush. “You seem to always be thinking of others, Han,” I say, opening the back passenger door to let her in the car before putting her bag in the back, since it seems Levi called shotgun. Not three minutes later, JJ exits the house with an arm thrown around a smiling Lacey.
Hopping into the driver’s seat, I nudge Levi with the back of my hand, sending him a “you good” look, to which he just shakes his head and looks forward.
The entire day is awkward. At breakfast, everyone has to play musical chairs because Lacey makes it clear she doesn’t want to sit next to or in front of Levi. At the beach, one of us always needed to be with them, afraid of what hell would break loose if we were to leave them alone for thirty seconds.
Every time, Levi gets too close or tries to help or talk to Lacey, she makes some kind of snide comment that I can’t hear but clearly upsets Levi since he just looks skywards and shakes his head before leaving her alone. I’ve tried asking Hannah what the problem is with those two, but she says Levi won’t spill because it’s between him and Lacey. When she asked Lacey, she said, “I’m not the one with the problem, Levi is, so ask him.” Which I can respect. I wouldn’t want someone in Hannah and I’s business, but at the same time, they’re ruining what is supposed to be my first beach getaway with Hannah. She’s supposed to be having fun crossing stuff off her Bucket List, but instead, she’s playing babysitter between Levi and Lacey. Hopefully, the baseball game is interesting enough to keep their attention instead of letting knives fly at each other’s expense.
Chapter 28
What a day!I think to myself, sinking into the stadium seat between Ian and Ellie. What was supposed to be a fun, relaxing day, turned into a real shit show because of Lacey and Levi. As much as Lacey has quickly become my best friend, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Levi so dejected and hurt—like a kicked puppy. Everytime he gets close to Lacey, she shrugs him off. Yet, everytime I ask him what’s wrong, he shrugs me off, telling me not to worry about it—that it’s between him and Lacey. And I would agree with him, if they both wouldn’t put me in the middle of it.
Hannah, tell Lacey this . . .
Hannah, make sure I’m not sitting next to Levi . . .
I love them both, but you’d swear we were back in high school.
“You okay there, Han?” Ian whispers in my ear, throwing an arm around my shoulder, making me relax into his side.
“Yeah, just trying to forget about Levi and Lacey. Those two need to figure out what they’re doing. Whether it’s to be together, be friends, or take a break, but they can’t keep actinglike this. I love them both, but they are stressing me out,” I whisper back, getting it all out in the open.
“Well it was supposed to be a surprise,” he says, wrapping a piece of hair that snuck out of my ponytail behind my ear. “But tomorrow JJ is taking Ellie out on a date, I’m taking you out on a date, and I believe Levi has something planned for Lacey as well. They’re gonna have time alone to figure themselves out.”
“Is that so?” I ask coyly. “Where are you taking me?”
“Now that is a surprise! I’m not telling,” he says, pulling the end of my ponytail, making me laugh and finally relax so I can enjoy crossing another item off my list. I’m impressed with the progress I’ve made so far this summer. I think Levi might be right—I’ll be able to cross off almost everything before my birthday. So far, I’ve gotten a tattoo, started doing yoga, learned how to line dance, went on a hike, went horseback riding, had a picnic, started writing a book, am currently on a beach vacay, and waiting for an MLB game to start. And I’ve done all that while putting my heart back together, making friends, and learning to love myself. I’d say it’s been a successful summer so far.
“And why do you suddenly have such a wistful look?” Ian asks.
“Just thinking about everything I’ve been able to accomplish so far this summer.”
“Your Bucket List?” he questions, but before I can tell him that it’s more than that, Levi stands up and says he needs another beer. Considering we just sat down with our drinks, I’m thinking this thing with Lacey is bothering him more than he’s letting on. As I go to stand, to tell Levi I’ll come with him, he says, “Anyone else want anything?” And without pause continues, “No? Okay, good. I’ll be back.” Clearly he doesn’t want any company.
“Just let him go, Pretty Girl,” Ian says. “He’s a big boy and he can figure this out on his own.”
“I know, but he helped me out, I want to be there for him like he was for me. This is clearly bothering him. He’s a little brother to me. It’s hard seeing him like this without being able to help him,” I say, feeling the tears well up in my eyes.
“I know. I’d hate being in the same position with Sadie. But like I said, he’s a big boy and he knows you’re there for him if or when he decides to do something about the situation. The best thing you can do for him right now, is let him be and enjoy your time here. Enjoy the game, enjoy Florida, it would make him feel horrible if he thought for a moment that you were crying because of him or if he thought he was ruining your trip.”
He’s right. I know it made everything worse thinking I was making Levi’s life difficult by bringing my moody-mopey self into his life. He’ll talk to me when and if he wants to. No point in pushing until he’s ready, but he looks so heart broken. I’ve never seen him look so hurt and down.
Taking a deep breath and giving myself a little mental shake, I say, “You’re right. He’ll talk to me or one of his brothers when he’s ready. I might as well enjoy my time in Florida.”
