Focus (The Crescent Chronicles, #2) (13 page)

He grabbed the bag of food from the
back, and we went inside. I hadn’t been over since the night we
went to the paranormal bar.

“
Is that enough food?” I
watched as Levi took out a few containers and placed them on the
kitchen table.

“
How much were you planning
to eat, hon?”

“
You know what I mean.
There are four of us.”

“
No, just two.”

“
Wait, Jared and Owen
aren’t here?”

Levi smiled. “No, it turns out they
both had plans tonight.”

I threw my bag down on an empty chair.
“Convenient. Very convenient.”

“
It is, isn’t it?” He took
two plates down from a cabinet, and pulled out two sets of
disposable chopsticks from the paper bag.

“
Whatever. Let’s eat.” I
sat down and opened the containers.
“Chicken and Broccoli? Veggie Lo Mein?”

“
Is there a problem?” He
leaned back against the counter.

“
How did you know what I
like?”

“
Wait, you like
these?”

“
Yes, they’re my
favorites.”

“
It looks like we just like
the same things.”

“
Vegetable Lo Mein? You
expect me to believe that?”

“
Your roommate may or may
not have helped out.”
He took a
seat.

“
Hailey? Hailey told
you?”

“
I didn’t realize you guys
were doing a weekly takeout and movie night without me.”

“
Yes you did. You
definitely did.” Levi had asked to join us on more than one
occasion.

He shrugged. “I don’t remember getting
the invitation.”

“
Because you’re not
invited. It’s girls only.”

“
I’m not complaining. I
wish all of your girls’ nights involved you at home with your
friends in pajamas.” He scooped some food on his plate. “On the
other hand, I’d rather you didn’t insist on going out to bars
without me.”

“
Do you realize how insane
you are?”

“
Why? Because I’d rather
you not be out in a short skirt with guys throwing themselves at
you?” He casually grabbed an egg roll like we were talking about
nothing of consequence.

“
You can’t tell me what to
do.”

“
Did I try to? I only told
you my preference.”

“
All right, let’s
eat.”

“
I already am.” He bit into
the egg roll.

I made myself a plate. “When did you
ask Hailey?”

“
About your favorite
dishes?”

“
Yes.”

“
This morning.”

“
How’d you know it would
come up?” I opened the paper packaging on my chopsticks.

“
I didn’t think it would be
tonight, but I knew you’d come asking for help eventually with a
paper due so soon.”

“
Owen.”

“
Yes. Can we stop worrying
about how I know, and enjoy our dinner?”

“
Sure.”

“
Good. I’d suggest we find
a movie, but that’s not why you’re here.”

“
Don’t remind me.” I took a
bite.

After finishing our meal and cleaning
up, Levi sat down with me at the table. “Let me see what you have
so far.” I pushed my notebook over to him. “Is there any reason why
you handwrite your papers?”

“
Just the first draft, and
just French. I type the rest.”

“
Where’s your
laptop?”

“
In my room. It’s too
clunky to carry around.”

He leaned on his elbow. “You need a
light weight one.”

“
No, I don’t. I just need
help.”

“
Fine, let’s see if I can
read this chicken scratch.”

I was about to defend my perfectly neat
handwriting when I noticed the playful expression on his face. He
was trying to be funny.

“
One of these days I’m
going to figure out when you’re joking.”

“
Maybe in the next ten
years.”

He looked down at my paper, and I felt
uncomfortable watching him read it. I knew there were tons of
mistakes.

I tapped my foot nervously, hoping he
wouldn’t give me too hard of a time.

He laughed. “You met a boy and ate
him?”

“
I did not write
that!”

“
Yes, actually you did. I’m
guessing you meant to say you met and went out to eat.”

“
Of course. Arrh.” I put my
head in my hands. “Why is it that I can handle every subject but
foreign languages? It’s like I’m cursed.”

“
Come on, it’s really not
that bad. The rest of it looks pretty good. You just need to be
careful with your verbs.”

“
You make that sound
easy.”

“
Okay, why don’t we finish
up this paper, and then just do some verb exercises.”

“
Verb exercises? Have you
tutored in French before?”

He nodded. “I helped out a little in
high school. It was the only way I was allowed to take
French.”

“
You were fluent before
high school?”

“
Yeah. My dad insisted on
it. It’s just a family thing. Our kids will have to learn it
too.”

I’d never heard Levi talk about us
having kids. Obviously I knew he had to think about it, because
unless he had an heir his line died, but it sounded so strange
hearing it from him.

“
Okay, let’s get this over
with.” I pulled up my legs and sat with them crossed on the
chair.

Levi leaned over me, pointing out all
of my mistakes, and showing me how to fix them. “When’s this due,
anyway?”

“
Monday.”

“
Okay, so you can just type
it up later.”

“
Thanks for the help. I
really appreciate it.”

“
You know I don’t mind.”
Once again, Levi sounded serious. As much as I wanted him to stop
messing around sometimes, it was harder to push reality aside when
he was this way.

Levi was making me go through the
various verb forms of “to be” when my phone rang. “Mind if we take
a break? It’s Anne.”

“
Go ahead.”

I picked up. “Hey, Anne.”

“
Hey. You’re still at
Levi’s right?”

“
I’m guessing Hailey told
you?”

“
Yeah, I’m not interrupting
anything am I?” she said suggestively.

“
Yeah, you’re interrupting
some hot French studying.”

“
Hey, you know Levi would
be happy to tutor you in other things.”

“
Don’t start.”

The look Levi gave me made me think he
might have heard her. I hoped not. Either way, he got up and
refilled his glass with water.

“
Okay, okay. I’m calling
because a bunch of us are going to Rock ‘n’ Bowl .”

“
Rock ‘n’ Bowl?”

“
Yeah, there’s a Cajun band
playing that Brandon was raving about the other day.”

“
Brandon? You’ve been
talking to him more?”

“
Yeah, he’s in my psych
class, remember?”

“
Oh yeah.”

“
Are you in?”

“
I don’t know. I have an
econ test in the morning.”

“
Don’t you know that stuff
ridiculously well? And if you don’t, why are studying
French?”

“
I do know it. I just don’t
want to stay out too late.” My responsible side kicked
in.

“
Then come for an hour or
so. We can leave early.”

I considered it. Music and bowling
sounded a lot better than studying. “Maybe. I’ll let you
know.”

“
Okay, bye.”

Levi was back in his seat when I hung
up. “Rock ‘n’ Bowl, huh?”

“
Have you been there? Is it
cool?”

“
Yes, I’ve been there. And
it’s definitely an experience.”

“
An experience?”

“
Yeah, want to go and find
out?” He flipped my pen around in his hand.

“
Sure, for a little bit.
Could you drive me home kind of early though?” If Levi was going,
it would make things easier. We’d gone out as a group a lot, but
this was actually the first time since the summer that we’d be
arriving somewhere just the two of us.

“
Of course. I wouldn’t want
you too tired for your econ test.” He smiled. I knew he was making
fun of me, but I refused to let him get a rise out of
me.

“
Thanks, I appreciate
it.”

“
And, as always, the offer
to come back here is on the table.”

I shook my head. “You just had to add
that in, huh?”

“
Come on, you can’t blame
me.”

“
All right, I’ll let Anne
know.”

***

Rock ‘n’ Bowl wasn’t at all what I
expected. Surprisingly, I didn’t mind how closely Levi stuck to my
side as we walked inside. He easily moved us through the crowds of
people who were drinking beer while listening to the loud music. We
found my friends on a lane.

“
Here you go.” Hailey
tossed me a pair of socks.

“
Thanks.” I caught the
rolled up socks. “Wait, you really think I’m going to put on
bowling shoes?”

“
Of course. I’ve got your
size eight and a half’s right here.” She gestured to a pair of red
and blue bowling shoes.

“
Did you get mine too?”
Levi held out his hand.

“
No. Get your
own.”

“
Fine. I’ll be back in a
second.” He walked off, and I expected it to take a while
considering how crowded it was.

“
How was your French
tutoring?” Anne grinned.

“
Thrilling.”

She laughed. “Well, he’s a lot hotter
than any tutor I’ve ever seen.”

“
Thanks, Anne. I appreciate
that.” Of course, he chose that moment to return. Evidently, his
charm worked at bowling alleys too. I doubted Levi actually knew
what it was like to wait in line.

“
Is Jared meeting you
here?” Tiffany asked Levi.

“
Why? You want to see
him?”

I pushed Levi.

“
What? I’m sure Jared would
love to hear that.”

Tiffany blushed. “No. I just wondered
since Jared and Owen are usually with you.”

“
But you didn’t ask about
Owen.”

“
Shut up, Levi.”

“
What?”

I glared at him.

“
Fine. Sorry
Tiffany.”

She looked away. “I was just surprised,
that’s all.”

“
We know. Levi’s just being
his usual self.” Hailey’s expression mirrored my own.

“
Hey, sorry we’re late.”
Nick shot me a smile as he walked over with Brandon.

“
It’s fine. Allie and Levi
just got here.” Anne smiled at both of them, but it was obvious she
was really paying attention to Brandon. I hadn’t realized Nick was
coming. This could get awkward.

“
Oh, you guys came
together?” Nick asked. I didn’t know why he was playing dumb. He
was well aware that Levi and I were dating.

“
Of course we did.” Levi
pulled me tighter against his side.

“
Allie doesn’t have to go
everywhere with you. You don’t own her,” he mumbled.

What the hell was Nick doing? Levi took
a step towards Nick, pushing me slightly behind him. “No, I don’t
own her, but I am going to marry her.”

“
Are you guys done with
your pissing contest?” Anne broke the tension. “We came here to
bowl.”

I shrugged off Levi’s arm long enough
to change shoes. “All right, let’s do this.”

Tiffany started us off, then took a
seat next to me. “All right, that wasn’t too
embarrassing.”

I retied the shoelace that had already
come undone. “You hit seven pins. I’ve never hit seven
pins.”

“
Seriously?”

“
Okay, I have. With
bumpers.”

Tiffany laughed.

I suddenly noticed something. “This
might be a dumb question, but where’s the computer? How do we
record our scores?”

Levi bowled a strike and came to sit
down next to me. “It’s called a pencil and paper, Al. Aren’t you
the one who likes it old school?”

“
You really record it like
that?”

“
Yes.” He smiled. “I told
you this would be an experience.”

I was definitely the worst bowler
there. Anne was incredible. No wonder she wanted to come. She even
came close to holding her own against Levi and Hailey—almost. I’m
pretty sure Pteron’s are good at everything. Neither of them even
looked down the lane when they threw their balls. Even Nick,
Tiffany, and Brandon left me in the dust. I drowned my humiliation
in a couple of beers and eventually was able to laugh at
myself.