I turn, raising an eyebrow at him.
He sighs. “Fine. We were at a bar, and I missed you, so I suggested we pop in.”
“I missed you too.” I murmur, turning back to the food before calling out to the others. “Come get your food.
After grabbing our food, we all settle down to eat, the girls taking the couch, and the guys taking the floor.
“So,” I pause to take a small sip of my wine. “Are you guys excited to get back on the ice? It’s only a couple of weeks away.”
Grins grow on Hudson and Bennett’s faces. Levi’s grinning as well, though it’s slightly hesitant.
“Super keen to get back out there. I’ve missed it.” Bennett says excitedly, taking another bite of his pizza.
Hudson speaks next. “I’m so ready for the next season. I think we could win it this time around.”
I glance at Levi, his smile still as hesitant as before. “Yeah. I’m excited.”
His voice is quiet, his eyes downcast as he picks at his food.
Bennett throws an arm over his shoulders, pulling him in softly. “He’s going to be excited, because we’ve got his back.”
Hudson nods in agreement. “Yeah, man. Nobody will even come close to checking you.”
“You’ve got this, Levi. I promise you that you’re ready.” I smile with encouragement, and Levi returns it.
I watch him for the rest of the night. The quietness, as though he’s afraid of taking up too much space. And I wonder if he’s always been like that. Whether it's a normal occurrence in a group setting, or if it was a reaction to the conversation of the season starting up again.
I’ve never known that side of him, I know the man who isn’t afraid to speak up and hold his ground, and I want to find a way to bring him out more often.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
LEVI
Music is thumping, the lighting dim in this underground bar. I’m squeezed into a booth between Scarlett and Hudson, sitting across from Bennett, Evan, and Gigi. Reid’s gone off to get a round of drinks.
I squeeze Scarlett’s thigh and she instinctively leans into me.
Reid returns with the drinks, and I lift Scarlett onto my lap to make room for him to slide in beside us. Steele smirks at me, taking a drink of his beer.
She reaches over the table to Gigi, taking her hand. “Are you going to the gala?” She shouts across the noise.
Gigi nods, a soft smile on her face. “Yeah,” her eyes flick to Steele before returning to Scar. “I am. Are you?”
My brows furrow before I’m distracted by Scarlett looking back at me with a wide grin. “Yeah, I’m going. I’m so excited. It’s my first event like this!”
Her eyes catch the dim bar lights, sparkling brilliantly, and I realise instantly that I’m completely lost to her.
I watch her chatting with Gigi until Moore suddenly slaps his hands on the table, drawing our attention. “Shots?” he calls out.
The group murmurs their agreements, and the guys go to the bar, leaving Scarlett, Steele, Gigi, and me in the booth. The girls are talking about the dresses they’re wearing to the gala when Steele catches my eye.
“How are things?” He gestures towards Scarlett before having another drink.
I rub my hand over my face to attempt to smother my smile. “They’re perfect, man.” I look at Scarlett, with a bright smile on her face. “Couldn’t be better.”
“I couldn’t be happier for you, Levi. You deserve it.”
I go to thank him when the guys get back with the shots and Scarlett straightens up again, doing a little happy dance in my lap. I grasp her hips as a signal for her to stop and we each take a shot off the tray.
