Levi made his way around the table, saying hello to everyone he hadn’t greeted yet, while my son dutifully stayed by his side. When he got to his brother, Tanner didn’t even bother to get up. He knocked back half the glass of vodka the waitress had delivered two minutes ago and held his hand up.
“You still know how to make a grand entrance, I see,” Tanner grumbled. “Being late means extra attention, all of it on you.”
Levi’s lips flattened to a grim line. “I came as soon as practice was over.” He looked over at me and nodded. “Presley.”
I forced a smile. “Hi, Levi.”
Alex grabbed Levi’s hand and started to tug. “Uncle Levi, come sit next to me.”
Levi’s eyes flashed to mine before returning to Alex. “There aren’t any seats open, buddy. I’m going to sit down at the end near Grandma.”
“I got it!” My son took off, darting down to the end of the table. He grabbed a chair that was almost the same size as he was and carried it back to where we were seated. Setting it down, he looked pretty pleased with himself. “Now there’s a chair. Mom can move over a little and so can I. There’s plenty of room.”
There really wasn’t. But Alex was on a mission, and before I could say anything to discourage him, he was already moving his chair down and asking the woman next to him on the other side if she could make room.
“Mom, can you move down a little?”
“Ummm… Yes, sure.”
When my eyes caught Levi’s, I could see he was as hesitant as I felt. But he glanced around the table and found everyone looking at him. Rather than make a scene, he smiled. “Thanks, buddy.”
Levi was a large man, so even though my son had managed to squeeze in a chair, his shoulders and legs barely fit when he sat down—which meant our bodies were practically touching. His muscular leg was less than an inch from mine. I could feel the heat emanating from it, and it seemed to travel up my own leg and warm everything below the waist. I had the strongest urge to shift my thigh to rest against his. Because I knew this was the closest I’d be getting to Levi all weekend, and I longed for his touch—even a leg pressed against leg, as sad and desperate as that was.
Instead, I took a deep breath, looked up, and smiled. Surviving dinner sitting all together was going to be a challenge.
Even though other people, including my son, monopolized most of the conversation, there were points when Alex roped me into joining, telling Levi stories about the different guests who had stayed at the inn. The entire time, I had to act like my heart wasn’t racing, and that I wasn’t utterly and completely consumed by the man sitting next to me. A few times our eyes met, and so many unspoken words passed between us—all under the watchful eye of Tanner, who was now draining his fourth or fifth cocktail. I’d lost track.
Tanner looked around with his empty glass in hand. “Where the hell is the waitress?”
“She’s busy bringing out desserts,” Levi said. He picked up the full water glass in front of him and set it down in front of his brother. “If you’re thirsty, how about some water?”
Tanner scowled. “I’ll leave the agua for the professional athletes in training.” He slid the glass back across to Levi, sloshing it onto the table along the way. Then he looked around again. With the waitress still nowhere in sight, Tanner pushed his chair back. “Looks like I have to go get my own. Anyone want anything?”
Levi and I shook our heads, not that Tanner waited for our responses. He was already heading for the door, presumably to the bar in the main restaurant. He definitely didn’t need another drink, but I was relieved to have a minute without him watching me like a hawk.
Levi leaned in and whispered, “Has he been drinking like this a lot lately?”
I shook my head. “Not at all.”
Levi’s eyes roamed my face. It looked like he wanted to say something more, but then he nodded and turned away.
A few minutes later, the door to the private dining room opened again, and Tanner strolled back in. Only now, he was no longer alone. A tall, shapely redhead wearing a dress that was definitely a size too small for her walked next to him.
I held my breath as he approached the table with a full drink and a vicious smile.
“This is Arielle.” He pointed to her and then took a big slug from his glass. “Like from the Disney movie, Aladdin.”
I mumbled under my breath. “Or The Little Mermaid.”
“Hey, big bro, Arielle here is a Broncos aficionado.” He pointed to the woman again. “Go ahead. Tell him his passer rate last year.”
The woman flashed a glossy smile. “Sixty-seven point seven percent. Highest in the NFL.”
“And how many yards did he throw for?”
“Four-thousand, seven-hundred and seventy.”
“How about the year before?”
“Four-thousand, three-hundred and twelve.”
Tanner tilted his glass to his brother. “You’re welcome.” Then he announced to the table as a whole. “Can everyone please move down to make room for Arielle?”
I wanted to tell him to cut it out, but if I challenged him, I was afraid he would make an even bigger scene. A few people looked over at Tanner with concern on their faces, yet they shifted their seats. Tanner strolled down to the end of the table and grabbed an empty chair, then returned to make it fit next to his seat.
If this was an attempt to make me jealous, he’d failed to realize it wouldn’t work. Jealousy only rears its ugly head when something you want is threatened.
He held his hand out for Arielle to sit and flashed a wicked smile at me. “Presley, honey, why don’t you come sit next to me so Levi can sit with his new friend?”
Levi looked over at me and then at his brother. His teeth were clenched as he spoke. “That’s not necessary, Tanner.”
“Sure it is. And Presley doesn’t mind at all, right, babe?”
Through my peripheral vision, I saw practically the entire table watching the scene. So I quietly got up and walked around to the other side, hoping to diffuse the situation. Arielle squealed a thank you and ran around to take my seat next to Levi.
Tanner proceeded to finish his newest drink and snaked his arm around the back of my chair. Levi said nothing, but kept staring daggers at his brother. I began to worry things might come to a head. I did my best to remain calm, but when I noticed Arielle’s hand slip into Levi’s lap, I’d had enough. I tossed my napkin on the table without touching my dessert.
“It’s getting late. I’m going to take Alex back to the hotel.”
“What? The night is barely getting started,” Tanner said.
“Actually, I think this night has gone on long enough.” I stood.
Tanner tried to stand, but he stumbled back into his seat. “I’ll go with you.”
I placed my hand firmly on his shoulder. “Please don’t. Maybe Arielle can find a friend for you.”
I looked at my son. “Come on, Alex.”
Then I caught Levi’s eye. “Goodnight, Levi. Enjoy your evening.”
***
An hour later, I was back in my hotel room and still hadn’t calmed down. My heart pounded, and I found it difficult to hear with the sound of the blood whooshing through my ears. That was probably why my son had to tell me someone was at the door of our hotel room.