I nod. “Could you keep an eye on him? Just to make sure he’s doing well.”
“Of course.” He glances over at Levi, then stands up, taking the bottle with him just as the doorbell rings. “Pizza’s here.”
Then he takes off, halting where Levi’s sitting to say something before disappearing down the hallway. From across the room, Gage catches my eye. He smiles and waves, then leans to whisper something into the ear of the black-haired dude on his lap. After muttering something to Levi, Gage stands up and walks over.
“Hey, man,” Gage says, extending his hand in my direction.
“Hey.” I smile, reaching to shake it. “How’s it going?”
He sits on one of the plastic chairs across from me, causing it to creak under his weight. Damn, he’s a big dude. “Good. Just dreading midterms.”
We shoot the shit for a few minutes. Gage and I haven’t really chatted a lot in the past, but I like him. Grace seems to like him too, so I trust her judgment.
He eyes me, then asks, “So, you dropped in to check on Grace, huh?”
“Yeah. She sounded a bit anxious about midterms the last time we talked. Thought I’d surprise her.”
“I approve.” He flashes me a wide grin. “You love my sis, right?”
I grin back. I can’t help it. “I do.”
“She’s really crazy about you,” he says, leaning back and folding his hands behind his head.
“I’m crazy about her,” I admit.
“I know.” He smirks, then he eyes me up and down. “You’re really hot in this super cute way. You two are gonna make some cute babies someday.”
My eyes bug out, and my face heats up. Other than Grace, no one has ever told me that. And never a dude. Do guys notice these things too?
Gage laughs, breaking into my thoughts.
I laugh, shaking my head. “Thanks?”
“You’re welcome. Just make me a proud uncle, and we’ll be good.”
I chuckle. Sinking back in the seat, I replay Gage’s words in my head. Oh, yeah. I might be jumping ahead of myself, but now that he’s put that image in my head, let’s just say making cute babies with Grace is definitely on my bucket list now.
Ivan returns to the living room carrying several pizza boxes. After setting them on the table, he leaves to grab paper plates. MJ arrives half an hour later, and my best friend pitches a metaphorical tent at her side.
The rest of the evening goes well. At some point, Levi leaves the room and awkwardly heads upstairs, halting to lean on his crutch when he gets winded. He’s already using one crutch? Finley has been trying to get me to do the same, unsuccessfully. Bearing more weight on my right leg has proven to be difficult and extremely frustrating for me. She says everyone recovers at their own pace. I wish my brain and my leg were on the same page, though.
Dragging my fingers through my hair, I pause the game Ivan and I are playing. He shoots me a look. “What the hell, man? I was about to kick your ass.”
I laugh. “You wish.” I drop the controller on the table in front of me. My focus is shit right now because Grace’s words keep replaying in my head. What if she’s right about Levi? I mean, I know it’s probably nothing, but I won’t stop worrying until I talk to him. “Mind if we take a break? I need to stretch my legs for a sec.”
“Sure.” His eyes move to MJ, then he stands and holds out his hand to her. “Wanna go someplace quiet?” She shoots him a pointed look, and he adds quickly, “To talk, I mean.”
Instead of taking the offered hand, she stands and jerks her head. “Lead the way.”
Ivan sighs, then leads the way toward the stairs. Beside me, MJ sighs softly, her eyes on his ass, and she mutters, “Damn.”
I snicker under my breath. She shoots me a glare before following my best friend. I have a feeling they’ll do more than talking.
Bracing my hands on the seat, I push my body up, then grab my crutches. I head for the stairs, bypassing Mesh and Gage playing at the foosball table in the corner.
By the time I get to the hallway, I want to die. Holy shit. Climbing stairs with a bumped-up leg is no joke. I stand there, catching my breath, and wonder which room is Levi’s. There’s a Do Not Disturb sign hanging on the door to my right. Probably Ivan’s. The muted voices coming from behind it confirm it.
Then I hear it; music coming from the room next to Ivan’s. Raising my hand, I knock twice. The door flies open a few moments later, and Levi’s eyebrows jump up in surprise.
“Hey. Hope I’m not interrupting,” I say.
“Nah. What’s up?”
“Just wanted to check on you. Can we talk?”
The silence stretches as he eyes me, probably wondering what my angle is. Then he hops aside, hands gripping the door for support. “Sure. Come on in.”
Okay. That wasn’t so bad. I walk in and hover just inside the room, taking in my surroundings. An overflowing laundry basket next to the dresser, dumbbells with different weights lying on the floor in the corner on my right, a soccer ball, two prescription bottles on the nightstand—
Levi clears his throat, and my gaze snaps back to him. “Want to sit down?”
“I’m good.”
He shrugs, then grabs the crutch propped on the wall and limps over to the computer on the desk.
“Looks like you’re making great progress with physical therapy.”
He sits down on the desk chair and faces me. “Not going as fast as I’d like, though. I was hoping to get back to playing soccer in a month or two.”
“Isn’t that a little too soon?”
He huffs a sigh. “I hate sitting around and doing nothing.”
“Give it time.” My gaze flickers to the prescription bottles. “How’s the pain? Has it gotten better?”
“It’s not too bad.” Then his eyes narrow at me. “Why?”
“No reason. Just asking,” I rush to say to soothe his ruffled feathers.
His shoulders seem to relax. “What about you?”
“Pain’s not too bad now.”
When Levi turns his attention to the laptop, I study him closely. Nah, this dude looks normal. Either that, or he’s really good at pretending he’s okay.
I shift on my feet, then say, “I’ll head back downstairs.”
He looks at me. “Did Grace put you up to this?”
“What?” He gives me a look, and I realize I can’t lie. I clear my throat, and say, “She’s worried about you.”
His expression softens just a fraction before he schools it again when he notices I’m watching him. “As I told you before, I’m fine.”
“Okay.” Do I believe him? I’m not so sure. But I’m not about to stand here and argue with him. Ivan will keep an eye on him. “See you later, man.”
He nods once, and I head out the door.
After setting up Netflix, Grace taps the play button, then climbs on the bed. “How did it go?” she asks, scooting up to lie next to me.
“Not bad. Gage told me I’m hot.” I wink at her.
She chuckles. “He’s right. Too bad you’re already taken.” She reaches for my hand and tugs it forward to rest it on her waist. “Did you ask Ivan?”