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)
It would also suck to make Levi change schools again. Getting credits transferred from Franklin wasn’t as easy as it sounds because Alhambra U in Phoenix doesn’t offer the same degree. It all worked out in the end. It was just a pain.
I could see us here long term.
Levi’s back is to me, but I can picture the look of concentration on his face as he uses his tools to put final touches on the piece he’s been working on for the last week. Sometimes, I know what he’s creating because it’s obvious, but when he does an abstract piece like the one he’s working on now and he asks me my opinion, I freeze up and feel like how my dads must’ve felt when Brady and I were kids and asked them if they liked our drawings. If I say yes, and then he asks what I think it is, I’ve learned a holy mess of blobbetry is the wrong answer.
“I know you’re standing there, by the way,” he says, not taking his eyes off his work.
He’s only in his boxer briefs, and I love watching his back muscles tense as he makes changes to whatever he’s doing.
“Are you complaining?”
“No. I’m wondering why you’re standing there and not over here begging for round two.” He finally looks over at me, his shaggy chestnut hair falling in his eyes. Even though he hates how annoying his hair is when it’s long, he says it’s still a reminder that he broke free of the Vanderbilt image. When he takes in my suit, his face falls. “What time is it?”
“I have enough time to make a protein shake to go.”
“Oh.”
“How long have you been at it?”
He purses his lips. “Well, I woke you at seven. Sexy times. Got up …”
“Have you eaten? It’s past ten.”
“Umm, no.”
Typical Levi. Ever since he walked away from his old life and he has this debt hanging over his head from Pop, he’s invested more than ever in his future in art. He’s so motivated that he sometimes forgets to feed himself.
“Are you going to remember to get your ass to the WAP box for my game this afternoon?”
“Even if I get distracted, those wet-ass pussies won’t let me forget. I’m their favorite accessory. The gay BFF.”
“Do they know you call them wet-ass pussies?”
“Of course. I have a rule not to bitch about any of them behind their backs. I’m mean to their faces instead, and they still love me.”
“I think it’s because they’re under the impression you’re being funny and not serious.”
“Sarcasm is the best. Am I an asshole, or am I hilarious? It could go either way.” He jokes about it, but I happen to know he has found a really great group of friends with the WAPs. The ones who know football help him fake the things he’s still learning, and the ones who don’t know football drink with him. I’m grateful because I was worried he wasn’t going to fit in here and want to go back to California.
“Seeing as you haven’t eaten, I’ll make you a shake too, but then I have to get going.”
“No kale for me this time,” he calls out.
I’m with him on that one. Kale is gross, but I cover the flavor with berries and fruit. Feeling in a generous mood, after I’ve made mine, I rinse out the blender and make Levi’s with milk and ice cream instead of water and flax seed like I did mine. I’m a thoughtful partner like that.
When I take it in to him, his face lights up, and I lean over to give him a quick kiss.
He lets out a whine when I pull back, but I can’t give him more.
“I have to go,” I say. “And last time I found you in here to say goodbye, you got clay all over my suit, then I had to change, and I was almost late. Not a good look for a rookie.”
“Fine.” He huffs. “Thanks for breakfast.” He takes the glass and drinks it all in nearly one go.
“Make sure you remember to have lunch too.” I kiss the top of his head and then go to leave, but I spare him one more glance before I make my exit. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” He smiles, and it makes my chest warm in the way it always has when he’s looked at me like that.
I can’t imagine my life without him, and I definitely wouldn’t have been able to have such a good rookie season if he’d stayed in Cali. All I can picture is living in this house alone, getting the occasional visit, constantly thinking about him.
Levi Vanderbilt might have been a distraction from football that I really didn’t need, but when life handed me my soul mate at an inopportune time, I had no choice but to embrace it.