The Game (That Girl, #2)(29)

I bolt straight up. I tip forward, nearly knocking myself from the picnic table. Levi grabs me by the waist and firmly holds me to him.

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, Jazzy. Can we talk?”

“Yes.”

I straighten up and sit on my own. His scent is amazing, and I want to smell him, but force myself to sit up.

“I’m sorry.”

I don’t wait for him to start the conversation. “I truly am sorry, Levi. I never should’ve pried the way I did.”

“Jazzy, shut up.”

His words stun and confuse me. Why do I have to shut up, when I’m trying to apologize?

“I’m trying to apologize to…”

“Jazzy, if I didn’t have a couple cracked ribs and a half-healed neck surgery, I’d kick your ass right now. You never apologize after something like that.” Levi grabs my hand. “I was a dick and way out of line. In all reality, you shouldn’t even forgive me. But please listen and know I’m disgusted by my behavior, and if I could, I’d take it back.

“Did you say cracked ribs?”

“Out of all of that, you only got cracked ribs?”

“What happened to them?”

“Jazzy.”

“I heard the rest, but what happened to your ribs?”

“Lincoln beat the shit out of me.”

Completely embarrassed, I turn away from Levi. “This is all my fault. I’m so sorry.”

“Quit f*cking saying you’re sorry. It’s not your fault.”

“I need to leave. I’ve just caused trouble and way too much unnecessary drama.”

“Look at me, Jazzy. Now.”

I don’t move, and in seconds he turns me to face him. His giant hands grab my face. “You’re not leaving me.”

“I have to. I’ve only caused grief.”

“Jazzy, stop. You aren’t leaving, and I’m not going to be a dick.”

I don’t know how to respond.

Levi drags his hands through his dark hair. “Let me take that back. I’ll never be a dick to you again. I’ve built my reputation on being a dick. The dick card only applies to you, meaning you’re exempt from all my dickish behavior and tendencies.”

“Levi…” I pause, chuckling. “I don’t know. I really think I need to go.”

“Why? Just tell me why. Because I was dick and you reacted? Why?”

“I don’t fit in. I don’t fit in anywhere. The day I lost my dad is the day I lost my slot. I have no other family, and I’m twenty-two with no career. Fuck, I don’t even own a thing.”

“Stay with me, Jazzy.”

It comes out as a whisper, but I hear each word.

“I don’t know if I can.”

“It may sound selfish, but I need someone right now. Lincoln doesn’t trust me, and Lynlee doesn’t understand.”

“Give me until morning.”

I hear a rustling, then notice Levi pulling a package from his pocket. With a raised eyebrow, I ask, “What the hell is that?”

“Truce.” He hands me a pack of cinnamon bears.

“Spicy little f*ckers.” I grin.

“Bastards. Spicy little bastards.”

“If I’m here in the morning, I’ll stay, but know if I’m gone, it’s because I had to.”

“I hope you stay, Jazzy. There’s lots more fishing to do.”

“There’s one problem, Levi.”

I truly believe the ass went to a finishing school where their sole purpose was to teach men how to melt women’s panties, because he slides his damn Dallas ball cap backward and grins. “What’s that?”

“I still have the power to fall in love.”

Levi doesn’t try to reply, he simply grabs for a cinnamon bear and pops it in his mouth. I find myself laying my head on his shoulder and grabbing for another bear.

“Spicy little bastards.”

“Yep, spicy little bastards,” I repeat after him.

***

We end up ordering in pizza and watching movies the rest of the night at Jewels’ place. Jenni leaves for a hot date before we turn on the flick, and if I thought her red jeans were tight, they have nothing on her leather skinny pants. Her crotchola will be killing her by the end of the night.

Tiny eats a whole pizza himself, while Levi and Lincoln rat him out. I guess the guys stopped at some burger joint. Well, this wasn’t any regular old burger place; it was the diner where Lynlee and Lincoln first met. Levi promised he’d take me for a bacon cheeseburger, because he says they’re the best in the state.

It really didn’t bother me they went for burgers, but a pretty severe shit storm hit when Lynlee and Jewels found out. Clearly, this diner held a special meaning for everyone in the room, except Levi and myself.

“I just liked the burgers.” Levi sits back watching the fight play out.

Lincoln is taking his tongue lashing like a champ, and I know this isn’t her typical behavior. I guarantee stress from the day has her all sorts of wound up, and then having Lincoln home unexpectedly also has to be weighing on her.

“Hey, can we start the movie?” I ask, trying to buffer the tension.

Levi gets up from his spot and wanders over to the television, cranking the volume up and starting the movie. He didn’t wait for an answer, which was probably smart. I’m pretty sure the four of them could’ve duked it out a bit longer.