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From Levi Bailey.
A chalky taste fills my mouth just thinking about Owen’s bull-headed grouch of a brother.
“Why is Levi calling you?”
“I don’t know. You don’t know?” I look at Owen as if he’s accused me of some horrendous crime. “Butt dial?”
Owen shrugs, reaches for my phone, and swipes right to open the call.
“Hey,” I whisper. I would have happily ignored that.
“Owen,” Levi says through this four-inch screen.
“Hey, Levi. Did you call Annie on purpose?” He glances at me, a smile on his lips. Somehow, Owen adores his grouchy older brother.
“I did. But you aren’t her.”
Owen smirks. “Nope.”
I slide over the couch cushion, until I’m flush next to my friend and barge into the camera view. “Why are you calling me,Levi Bailey?”
Levi’s name is my favorite curse word. I drop a weight on my toe—dang it, Levi!I burn the lasagna I spent an hour assembling—Levi!
“Because we need to chat, Archer.”
“I have never needed to chat with you.” I clench my jaw and remind myself to be a little nicer—for Owen’s sake.
Levi gives a grimacing smile. “And I’ve always appreciated that. But if you guys are really going to do this, I have something to say.”
Since when is anything I do any of Levi Bailey’s business? “Do what?” I have completely moved in on Owen’s space now. He is half seen in this call and I am in full view.
Levi’s brows raise in annoyance, and his eyes dart from me to Owen.
And then—Meredith is next to him. “What Levi is trying to say is that if you guys have decided to date, he’d like to clear the air with Annie. And be friends.” The little blonde beams—like this is a sweet and easy task.
Levi’s head tilts so that he’s looking at Meredith. “That’s not exactly right.” Even as he’s disagreeing, his eyes soften upon her. Huh. Who knew Levi could be so whipped?
“Then what is it, Levi?”
“Owen, don’t hate me, but she needs to know.”
I scoff—so easily annoyed with Levi. “Owen and I do not keep secrets from one another.”
The call goes quiet.
Owen’s quiet. I’m quiet. Levi and Meredith are quiet. Because that isn’t true, now is it? Owen has kept a very big secret from me for a very long time, and we all know it.
Maybe I am missing something else.
I clear my throat. “Okay—witheverything elseOwen and I are transparent.” I peer at him for confirmation, and he nods in agreement.Whew. “Moving on.”
“Fine,” Levi barks. “Then neither of you have anything to worry about.” He tips his chin up, his eyes on his brother. “Owen, tell Annie what you think of the Dallas Cowboys.”
“Owen loves the Cowboys. I bought him that jersey back in high school, and he still wears it when they play.” I’m staring at Levi, but he isn’t looking at me. He’s looking at Owen.
And Owen isn’t talking.
“Owen?” I say, flashing back to that purple shirt episode. For the first time I doubt my confidence on the topic.
