The Fall Up (The Fall Up, #1)(50)

I barked a laugh. “Please don’t do that. She’d either die of a heart attack or end up in jail for refusing to let him leave.”

She giggled then sighed, “I wish I were with you right now.”

“Me too,” I breathed. God, did I wish that too. But harping on it wouldn’t help her. So I changed the subject. “Well, at least you got your phone back. Did you get my beer picture earlier?”

“I did. It’s my home screen now. It’s also the reason I missed dinner because I was busy in the shower.”

I practically choked on my tongue. She giggled as I coughed.

“Reallllly?” I drawled.

“Really,” she whispered on a moan. “It wasn’t as good as one of our showers. My hands were too soft, but they’ll have to do for the next few weeks.”

My cock swelled in my jeans at the idea of Levee’s fingers playing between her legs while images of my body danced through her head. It guaranteed I’d probably miss dinner in lieu of a long shower tonight too. It also guaranteed that sit-ups and a new gym membership would be happening tomorrow.

“You have to stop,” I growled. “Or keep going in a lot more detail. Your call.”

She softly giggled. “Can I ask you something?”

I adjusted my cock and, much to my dismay, assumed she was stopping. “Anything.”

“Why do you sometimes pick up your cigarette butts and sometimes you leave them on the ground?”

My stomach dropped, and I shifted to my side on the bed, staring into the blank space where Levee had spent only one night, though it would forever be her side.

“Anne,” I answered shortly. I was going to need to elaborate, but it would take a second to speak around the lump in my throat.

“Oh,” she breathed. “I’m sorry.”

I swallowed hard. “After one of her episodes, she and my mom had a falling out, so Anne moved in with me.”

“Sam, you really don’t have to answer. I didn’t know.”

“No. It’s okay. I don’t mind. So…anyway…Anne moved in with me, and it was really nice, actually. I enjoyed having her around, and it gave my mom a much-needed break after having spent her life caring for people. It made me feel good that I was helping, and it gave me peace of mind that Anne was safe. Anyway, she hated that I smoked. So, one day, while we were at a thrift store, picking up a few pieces for the shop, she found one of those old skeletons that they use in health class. I should have known by the gleam in her eye that it wasn’t going to be good for me, but I bought it anyway.”

I shook my head and smiled at the memory. “When we got home, she took it to my shop and covered the chest cavity in mesh then dumped the contents of my ashtray inside it. She was so f*cking proud of herself. She even went so far as to name that damn thing Herman.” I chuckled, but Levee was so quiet that I had to pull the phone away from my ear to make sure I hadn’t lost the call. “You still there?”

“Yeah. I’m here.”

I heard her moving around. “Did you just get in bed?”

“Yeah, but like the shower, it’s a poor excuse for yours.” She sighed. “Keep going I want to hear the rest of this. I mean…if you still want to tell me.”

“Levee, I’ll tell you anything you want to know as long as it means you’re with me to keep asking.”

“I’ll have my attorney send over the copyright release on that one too.”

“When should I expect my royalties to hit the bank?” I teased.

“I pay in sexual favors.”

I could almost envision the mischievous twinkle in her whiskey-colored eyes. God, I wanted to see her smile.

Suddenly, I got an idea. “Why are we talking on the phone?”

“Uhh…do you need to go?”

“No! That’s not what I mean. Hang on.” I pulled my phone away from my ear and pressed the button for FaceTime. It went unanswered. I put it back to my ear. “Are you gonna pick up?”

“Have you lost your mind!” she shrieked. “You can’t spring a video chat on a girl! I look like shit.”

“Answer the damn call, Levee.”

“No! I’m serious. I didn’t do my hair when I got out of the shower. I look like an ungroomed poodle. Plus, I can’t even find half of my makeup. There is no way I’m giving you that visual of me while I’m gone for the next month.”

“Levee, I’ve seen you crying with makeup running down your face, asleep and drooling in a car, and with sex mats covering your head. I still wanted to f*ck you senseless. I don’t care what the hell you look like right now. Answer the damn phone!”

“Nerp. Not happening. I’ll fix myself up tomorrow.”

“You’re ridiculous,” I bit out in frustration.

“Trust me, this isn’t exactly easy on me. I can’t even remember what you look like. I vaguely remember you being somewhat attractive, but I’m not completely sure. I don’t even have a picture of you.”

“And you’re not going to get one, either,” I lied. I was going to blow up her phone with pictures of me until she sent me one of her. Sure, I could have found a million images of Levee on the Internet, but I really just wanted one of my Designer Shoes.