By the time they leave, I’m full of wine and pie and something that feels dangerously like belonging.
Ruffy walks me to the back door, where I stand looking at the fence. Dean’s roof is visible over the tree line. Somewhere over there, Levi is probably writing.
Maybe about me.
Maybe not.
“We’ll see what happens tomorrow,” I tell Ruffy.
He thumps his tail once, which I choose to interpret as agreement.
I fall asleep on the couch with my dog at my feet and something terrifying blooming in my chest.
I try not to think about it too hard.
TEN
LEVI
My phone has thirty-two unread messages.
Forty-three are from my manager, Diane, whose texts have progressed from professional concern to thinly veiled threats over the past week. The other four are from my publicist, Mark, who communicates exclusively in bullet points and anxiety.
I ignore all of them and open my favorite social media platform instead.
This is a mistake. I know it’s a mistake. I make it anyway.
@levicoleupdates: Day 12 of Levi Cole missing from public life. Current theories: 1) rehab (unlikely, he’s boring) 2) secret album recording (please) 3) witness protection (fun but improbable) 4) spiritual awakening in Bali (most popular theory)
@musicnewsdaily: Sources close to Levi Cole say the singer-songwriter has “stepped away to focus on personal growth.” Translation: nobody knows where he is.
@levicoletruth: I saw him at a juice cleanse retreat in Sedona last week. He was doing hot yoga and crying. Very healing energy.
I was not in Sedona. I have never done hot yoga. I don’t even like juice.
@entertainmenttonight: Levi Cole Disappearance: What We Know. The rock star hasn’t been seen publicly in nearly two weeks, sparking concern among fans and industry insiders alike.
I scroll further, morbidly curious.
@spiritualwarrior2024: Levi Cole is clearly on an ayahuasca journey in Peru. You can see it in his last Instagram post. The eyes know.
My last Instagram post was a picture of my coffee mug. The eyes know nothing.
@musicfan99: My cousin’s boyfriend’s sister works at a hotel in Iceland and she SWEARS she saw Levi Cole in the lobby looking “contemplative and possibly Nordic.”
I have never been to Iceland. I don’t even own a coat warm enough for Iceland.
@tmloversforever: unpopular opinion but maybe he just wants privacy?? not everything is a conspiracy???
@levicolestan47: That’s exactly what someone in witness protection would say
@celebritywatcher: BREAKING: Source claims Levi Cole has purchased land in Montana to start an alpaca farm. Developing...
I do not want an alpaca farm. I don’t even know what alpacas eat.
@crazycatlady: He’s either finding love or starting a very intense book club.
Okay, that one’s actually closer to the truth than any of them realize.
