Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82543 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82543 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
CHAPTER TWENTY
peyton
It absolutely sucks what Levi’s family is doing to him. There aren’t enough swear words for how much I hate them.
When Levi didn’t turn up at the airport to fly back to Chicago, his dad called the dean and told her that Levi will not be completing the year. Like that would somehow make him say, “Oh, he’s taken away my chance to study art, so I may as well go home now.” Instead, he spent hours on the phone with administration about the mix-up. Luckily, he got to them in time before they were able to refund the second semester’s tuition, and his spot in the art program is safe. For now.
I can’t work out the logic behind his dad doing that other than to make Levi’s life a living hell. But there’s one thing that Mr. Vanderbilt doesn’t understand: grown-up Levi isn’t the same resigned kid I met on his rooftop four years ago. He’s not going to give in just because obstacles are in his way.
That being said, it’s only been a week of him trying to work and go to classes, and we were expecting an adjustment period, but he already looks exhausted. He’s picking up any shift Jerry will give him, which turns out is a lot. Jerry has a lot of students on the payroll because employees are easy to come by—there’s always someone on campus who needs extra money—but the reason he needs so many is because working around classes and social schedules is hard. A lot of the students refuse to work weekends, so for someone who’s eager to work, Jerry’s going to put Levi on the roster as much as he can. It also helps he makes amazing coffee and needed little training.
But I’ve barely seen him all week, and the times I have, he’s had bags under his eyes and has been utterly wrecked. We’ve managed a couple of orgasms between us where he’s passed out immediately afterward, and I wish I could do something for him.
I’ve blown off class and come to Bean Necessities today so I can see his beautiful face. Which … is not so beautiful at the moment. His hair is back to his shaggy hairstyle I loved in high school, but it looks like he hasn’t had the chance to brush it. He makes coffee after coffee on autopilot, and I don’t think he’s even noticed me yet.
The line is long, and he’s busy, but this is the only chance I’ve gotten to get away. I’m stuck in my own world of torment while the team trains for the possibility of making the playoff. We’re all on edge, and the guys have been pissy with me, which is understandable, and it sucks not knowing how to fix it other than hope we’re selected to play. On the other hand, if we are heading for the playoff, I need to be at the top of my game. Which means increased training, practices, and weight sessions. More time where Levi and I won’t have a chance to hang out.
I realize if we are going to have any kind of future like I want, this is what life is going to be like. I’ll be focused on football; he’ll have school and his art. We won’t even be in the same city soon.
So I need to suck it up and take what I can get with Levi. If it’s only one or two nights a week, then that’s all I’ll have.
I finally get to the long line and put my order in with the server at the counter.
“Name?” she asks, and I’m so tempted to fuck with him again, but it’s probably too busy in here for that, and it won’t be cute but actually annoying. Levi looks like he’s not in the mood.
“Peyton,” I say, and that finally gets his attention.
Levi smiles, but his eyes don’t change. They’re still tired-looking. Maybe stressed. And I get it, I really do. This is a huge change for him, and it can’t be easy.
I go take a seat by the window that’s being vacated so I don’t lose it, and instead of calling my name out, Levi walks the coffee over to me.
As he hands me the drink, he slides into the seat opposite me.
“Uh, is this allowed?”
“I’m taking my break. It’s been nonstop since I got here to open at five.”
“You look tired.” I sip my coffee and love that he doesn’t skimp on the caramel for me.
“You make me feel so wanted,” he deadpans. “We might need to put brakes on this relationship. You’re smothering me with too much affection.”
I laugh. “I’m worried about you. I thought that maybe it was an adjustment period or because you’re working so much now, you’re more exhausted, but …” I almost don’t want to ask. “Is it something else? Is it me? Am I demanding too much of your spare time? Not that you really have had any, and neither have I, so—”