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16
Oakley
Shit, this can’t be happening, I think as I follow Levi into the living room. Deep down I know I pushed him into this corner by avoiding him the past several days. I shove the guilt away and feel a wave of nausea washing over me. I swallow down the bile, knowing now is not the time to excuse myself.
Whatever is about to happen is going to be bad, and I need to be here for it. For Levi and most of all for my parents.
“Levi, this is an early surprise. Oakley, why don’t you get him some coffee?” My dad says with an easy smile gesturing for Levi to take a seat.
I take a step back, grateful for the momentary reprieve, knowing Levi won't start without me, but he turns around, and his eyes peg me to the spot. "That won't be necessary, Oakley. I just had some."
"Levi, is something wrong with Vayda? You seem upset?" my mother asks, standing up and folding her hands in front of her, concern lacing her eyes. I have to stop the urge to roll mine if only my mother knew it was her daughter she should be worried about.
I haven't even entirely made peace with the fact that I'm pregnant yet and now Levi is throwing this curveball. I glance up at the ceiling and hope someone would just give me a fucking break to get my bearings straight.
Another wave of nausea rushes through me, and I can actually feel myself go pale. Levi gives me a concerned look before he moves around the sofa and takes a seat. His eyes meet mine. I know he wants me to sit down next to him.
I can’t…
I need to put some distance between my parents and me. When they find out about Levi and me, they'll probably hate me. And him. If they find out I'm knocked up, they'll probably want to kill us. I want to live my last few moments in peace.
I wonder if I shouldn't try and get Levi's attention. Maybe if I told him I'm pregnant, he'd pause this for now. I widen my eyes at him and move my head an inch, indicating we should talk in private.
He shakes his head and turns to my parents. “What I’m about to say neither of you are going to like, and I understand this might change our friendship. I just want you both to know that I hope one day we’ll be able to be friends again.”
“What the hell, Levi,” my dad laughs nervously. “You’re scaring us.”
My mother nods and clutches her throat. Buckle up mom, I think, it is that bad.
Levi takes a deep breath and briefly glances at me before he starts. "About six months ago, I met a woman. Both of you know how hesitant I've been to date since Rebecca and I split up. At first, I thought it was just a physical attraction, but during the months since then I've realized I've fallen head over heels in love."
“Levi, that’s wonderful. We’re so happy for you. You deserve every happiness,” my dad says with a beaming smile.
“Hold on there, John. You might not feel that way after you hear the next part.” Levi sighs, and I know how hard this must be for him. I want to walk over to him and put my arms around him and tell him everything is going to be okay.
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"Sarah, what the fuck is he talking about? Are you having an affair?" my dad snaps at my mom in a split second. Fuck! Talk about taking a turn for the worst.
"What?" she screeches. "If you ever insult me that way again I'll hang you out to dry," my mother snaps without hesitating before she turns back to Levi.
“It’s not Sarah, John. Sarah’s always been devoted to you. It’s… I’m in love with your daughter.”
I actually feel the oxygen being sucked out of the room by his declaration. I’ve heard the words a few times before but saying them out loud in my living room to my parents makes my heart skip a beat. My father rises and suddenly seems much larger than usual. He flicks me a glance with narrowed eyes before he turns back to Levi.
Well, this isn’t going too bad, I think. Shit, dad lifts his arm and in a split second his fist crunches against Levi’s jaw sending him sprawled onto the couch. I know Levi can take down my dad in a fight, but he won’t fight back. I think deep down he was expecting this.
"John, I'll give you that one, but before you try another you better let me finish or I punch back," Levi growls in a low voice. He rubs his jaw. "What happened between Oakley and me wasn't planned…"
“Stop, I don’t want to hear another fucking word,” my father shouts.
My mother grabs onto my dad's arm as tears slip from her eyes. "John, let's at least hear him out."
My father sighs and sinks onto the chair. Suddenly he looks almost ten years older. A pain shoots through my chest, knowing I did this to him.
"It wasn't planned. It just happened. We both agreed it was a mistake, but we couldn't seem to ignore our feelings. We've been secretly dating for six months, I know what a violation of our friendship and your trust this is, but I really do love her. I don't want to hide our relationship any longer. I'd like your blessing to continue seeing her, and if you don't agree, I'm still going to see her. I've never felt this way about a woman in my life, not even Rebecca and that's saying something." My dad opens his mouth, and Levi holds up his hand in a stop sign. "Let me finish. After the divorce and Rebecca's infidelity, I didn't think I had it in me to love again, but Oakley proved to me that I could. She's an amazing woman, and you should be proud of the wonderful woman you've raised. I can promise you I will take good care of her."
I feel my heart expand, love blooms in my chest knowing that I feel the same way. I agree, even if my parents won’t give us their blessing, I want to be with Levi.
