The Walls of Levi Page 3

  After the luncheon, I make my way back home. Apparently, I have a date tonight, and I need to talk to dad about it. Sadly, my date hasn’t even contacted me. I guess I’m just supposed to show up.

  Once I get inside, I immediately kick my heels off. While I love shoes, I love to take them off too. I hate what they do to my feet.

  Beauty really is pain sometimes.

  I lay down on my couch for a quick nap before daddy dearest calls about this date that I don’t want.

  Chapter 5

  Levi

  I wake up Saturday morning to the smell of coffee, and I smile.

  What’s the point of frowning? I feel good. I’m in the light.

  For the record, being in the light means I’m not depressed. Being in the dark is what I call depression. There are many stages that I go through. I’ve learned through the years how to cope, but it’s never easy. It takes work. It takes hard work. It takes heart and a lot of determination. It’s a learning curve. When I feel like I am in the clear, that’s when I know that I better be watching out.

  Depression is a sneaky piece of… crap.

  I’m not depressed this morning. I’m good. I’ve got coffee in the kitchen. I won some money last night from the race. I’m not thinking about the text that I got from that jackass before I went to bed. I have work to do, and I got a lot of good sleep last night. Today is going to be a good day. Plus, I leave tomorrow to go see my family for a few days.

  Throwing the blankets off me, I reach down for my pajama pants, pulling them on, I snatch my cell up from the night stand, and I see a text from Micah. I light up immediately. This woman can read my mind. I’m sure of it.

  Micah: When are you coming home? I miss you.

  I smile. I miss her too.

  I miss Z. I miss Chance and Kelly. I miss all the kids. I miss Macy. I’m not sure if she’s going to be there when I’m there. She has a huge murder trial coming up, and I know she has been buried with that.

  I make my way to the kitchen and pull the only coffee mug I own out of the drain. What’s the point of having more than one or two of everything when I’m the only one that is living here? I have no intention of changing that anytime soon either.

  I shoot a text off to Mi. I know that she is going to want to talk so I add a few words to let her know that I will catch up with her and give her more details later.

  Me: Leaving out in the morning to head that way. I’ve got to get to the office to get things squared away. I’ll call later on. Love ya.

  I immediately get a text back. She’s a ninja with that cell phone. I don’t know how she does it.

  Mi: You better not forget to call me. You know I can kick your butt. Love you too.

  I laugh out loud. She isn’t playing either.

  I chug my coffee down and rinse the mug out. After taking a quick shower, I throw on a pair of jeans and a team racing shirt.

  I get through my morning routine and make my way out to my car, my love.

  I just bought a 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. It is my baby. I’ve been eyeballing this car since Dodge dropped the hint they were coming out with it. I have watched countless hours of videos online about it. I couldn’t get enough. Before I saw it in person, I knew I had to have one.

  When it was finally revealed, I lost my shit. I was like a kid on Christmas morning. I did hold myself back and waited a couple months before buying one, though.

  I had to make sure everything was going to check out with it. A buddy of mine at the dealership knew what I was looking for; we talked for days and days about everything to do with it. Once I finally sat in one, it was all over.

  It’s everything I was hoping it was going to be and more. I picked an orange one. The official color is Go Mango. Go big or go home is my moto. Why not stand out?

  I pull up to the office and park in my usual spot. After killing it, I grab my cell and slide out.

  Ron is waiting on me inside the office.

  “What you need me to do today? I have the contracts on your desk that you asked for. Why, again, am I feeling like a secretary? And why in the hell am I in here on a Saturday?”

  I punch him in the shoulder as I make my way to my office. Sitting in my leather chair feels like pure Heaven, I roll up to my desk.

  I look up at Ron standing in the door. “You feel like a secretary because you’re special old man.”

  He laughs. “Good think I like you, boy.” He turns and walks back to his office.

  We have a small office space in the middle of town. After learning there are sponsors that like the office atmosphere over talking in the shop, we found this place. I never wanted any of them to come to my house anyway. I do whatever anyone needs, to keep me on the track. Well, almost whatever they need. There are some things I don’t do. At the end of the day, my name is on all of this. I have a brand that I want to keep, and I make sure to do that, at all cost. I want to know that I can lay my head down at night and be at peace. It’s been a goal of mine since the shitty beginning I was given.

  I look over the contracts that Ron left for me and leave notes for him. He will take care of everything while I’m gone home.

  I always have a say in all the deals. He made sure to give that to me from day one. He always said, “you are the one on the bike, boy. You’re the one who’s life is in the balance. You are the one that holds all the cards, from every angle. Be involved.” So, I was and I am.

  “Ron-o, everything on these contracts are ok by me.” I get up and make my way to his office. He’s hanging up the phone when I take a seat on the opposite side of his desk.

  “Everything’s ok, you said?”

  “Yeah. Everything seemed like it was on the up and up. When you meet with them, patch me in on video and I’ll trust you on the vibes.”

  “Like always,” he replies. This is how we do it. I try not to meet with the sponsors in person at first. They all seem to want to kiss my ass and over give when I’m around. I don’t like that. Just be real. Ron picks up the vibes and we consider those in our decisions.

  We talk through a few more business things before switching gears.

  “So, has Micah text you yet?” Ron says, giving a chuckle while leaning back in his chair.

  “You know it. First thing this morning. I told her I’d call her later. If I don’t, she’ll kick my ass as soon as I pull up. She’ll probably do it with a kid on each hip, too.”

  Ron gives a big, deep chuckle. He knows exactly what I’m talking about.

  After going over a few more things that he and Dale will need to take care of next week, I leave it to him.

  Pulling back up to the house has me excited. I feel good. I’m ready to see my people.

  I unlock the door and pull my phone out. I’ve got a lady to call.

  After a couple rings, a raspy voice answers. “Hello?”

  “Mi?” She doesn’t quite sound like herself.

  “Yeah, it’s me. Hold on a sec.” I hear some banging around, and I make my way inside, slipping my shoes off and pulling things out of my pockets.

  “Vi?” Micah says after a few more seconds. She’s the ONLY person that can call me that.

  Vi is a girl’s name. She won me over by saying… “It goes with Mi. Mi and Vi.” Who can say no to that? I sure as hell can’t. This girl.

  “Yeah. I’m here. You ok? You sound weird.”

  “The twins didn’t sleep last night. They weren’t feeling very well. I was all good this morning, but they haven’t napped either, so now I’m losing my mind.” I scratch the back of my neck. She’s spinning out of control, and I’m too many hours away.

  “Where is Zant?”

  “He’s out of town at the South shop.” She goes on about what the twins have been doing all day and I start throwing clothes in my duffle bag.

  When she takes a breath, I hurry to get words in. “Micah, hold tight. I’ll be there as soon as I can. I’m leaving right now. In the next two hours, try to stay as calm as possible.”


  “No Levi. Don’t come today. You know we are trying to surprise Nova, and if you come early, it will ruin the whole thing.”

  My clothes throwing slows down.

  “Yea. You’re right. I have a whole big thing planned. I really don’t want to ruin it. On a serious note, call Kel if you need back up before I can get there to help you. They should be coming in pretty soon.”

  “Levi, I appreciate it. Really. I’ll call Kelly if I need to. Or mom.”

  “Ok. Here’s the plan.” I throw my packed bag on the floor of my bedroom. “I’m going to plan on leaving earlier in the morning and get there sooner than planned. Is that ok?”

  “Yes,” she says. “I didn’t mean to make you panic. You know I got this. These two rug rats can’t drive me nuts.”

  I chuckle at her. She’s right. She’s one of the strongest women I know. We talk for a few more minutes and end the call.

  I unpack and repack my bag with the things that I really need. While on the phone with her, I panicked and started throwing random things in my bag. I pull out a bike magazine and throw it on the nightstand. How would the latest issue of Motocross help Micah?

  Chapter 6

  Kathleen

  I wake up from my nap to the ringing of my phone. Again, I know it’s dad. Isn’t it sad that he’s the only person that calls me?

  I need a life.

  “Hey dad.”

  “Kathleen, Wilson will pick up at seven pm. I expect to you be dressed nice and ready to go.”

  “Gee, Dad. It’s nice to talk to you. My day went great. Did yours?”

  “Don’t be a smarty pants, Katie. This is important.”

  I sit up on the couch. I’m awake now and getting really angry.

  “Important? For whom, dad? You? Wilson? I guarantee you it isn’t for me. I don’t even like this guy. I agreed to go out with him for you. You do realize that I’m twenty-nine and I can get my own dates, right? And before you make a smart comment about that… no, I don’t have a date. No, I’m not seeing anyone. But I don’t need your help to find the one either, dad.”

  It’s silent on his end. I pull the phone away from my ear to make sure he didn’t hang up on me. After a few more seconds, he speaks. “You’re right Katie, and I’m sorry. You are twenty-nine and you’re not even close to being married. It worries me. That’s all.”

  “Dad, there is nothing wrong with being unmarried. We are in the twentieth century. Times have changed. Women, namely me, can support themselves. We are capable of doing things without a man around. We are capable of breathing and feeding ourselves. Women are not completely inept.”

  Again, after a minute or two of silence, he speaks again. “Yea. I know.” He sounds defeated a little and that surprises me, as well as making me feel guilty.

  “I’m sorry. I think you’re trying to help. I hope that’s all you’re doing, but it isn’t helping dad. You’ve got to let me live my own life.” He knows he does; he just doesn’t know how.

  “You’re right. But will you still go on the date tonight? I know you don’t want to, but I need you to. I don’t really want to tell you why.”

  I take a deep breath. I figured he was using me the whole time, but now that I have confirmation, it hurts. However, I love my dad. I’ll do this for him, but this is the last time.

  “I’ll go. This is the last time, though. I can’t keep doing this.”

  “Ok. I hear you, and I will remember it. I think Wilson is ok for what it’s worth.” It’s not worth anything. The guy is a square. He tells me again what the plans are, and I reaffirm to him that I will be ready.

  ~

  Wilson knocks on my door at seven pm sharp. It annoys me that he is precise. It shouldn’t, because all girls want a man that takes life seriously and doesn’t make you wait. This guy, though. He is way too serious and stiff for me.

  I open the door with my fake smile plastered across my perfectly made up face.

  “Hello Katie. You look beautiful.”

  “Thank you. Are we ready to go?”

  “After you,” he says, with his arm outstretched.

  Wilson isn’t bad looking. He would be a great catch for someone. He’s tall, perfectly tanned, and well groomed. Tall, dark, and handsome would work for him. There is just something about him that doesn’t call out to me. I believe in chemistry.

  Wilson and I do not have any. If anything, he gives me the creeps.

  He opens the door to his expensive car and waits for me to get situated before shutting it. I watch him as he walks around to the driver side. He has a type of arrogance that screams douche. I roll my eyes as he gets in and quickly put the smile back on my face. I just need to get through tonight and I won’t have to see him again.

  We pull up to one of the most expensive Italian restaurants in Martinsville. I’ve only been here one time. It was with my dad and a client of his. It isn’t my favorite place because I am much simpler than this. This is his doing, though. Apparently, he thinks he is impressing me by being able to afford this place.

  He’s not.

  The maître d’ leads us to a table on the right side of the restaurant. Outside the wall of windows is a fountain and a garden lit up with lights. They have several arbors set up with white lights strung up over them. It is quite beautiful and romantic.

  Somewhere you would love to be, if you were really enjoying your date.

  I’m not.

  After being seated and placing our wine order, Wilson tries to engage in conversation.

  “So, Katie, how have you been lately?”

  “I’ve been good. Working. That’s about it.”

  “That’s good. Your dad said you were doing well at his firm.”

  Of course, he and my dad have talked about my job there at his firm. I’m the part time secretary and the part time office assistant. Judy has been with my father for as long as I have been alive. She was my mother’s best friend and basically helped my dad and me stay afloat after my mom passed. I seriously think my dad wants me to take her place when she is ready to go into retirement.

  Dad just doesn’t realize that Judy isn’t going anywhere until he does.

  “I am. I help where ever he and Judy need me.”

  Our wine arrives, so we pause our conversation and test it. After taking a sip and liking it, I take another.

  “Are you going to do anything else with your life?”

  I choke on my wine.

  “Excuse me?”

  He places his napkin on the table and says, “I’m sorry. That didn’t come out the way I intended for it to.”

  His facial expression says he said exactly what he intended to.

  “Listen Wilson. I appreciate this date. I understand that you are doing this for my dad. I don’t know why, and I don’t really care. What I do care about is my life. It’s none of your concern what I do with it. Your question came across exactly how you intended it to, and I don’t appreciate it.”

  I gather my purse and stand.

  “You’re leaving? Don’t be such a bitch, Katie.”

  That’s it. I don’t even say anything, I turn and walk out of the restaurant.

  As I get outside, I step to the side and pull my phone from my purse. The only person I have to call is my dad.

  After several rings, which is odd for him, he answers. “Hello? Katie?”

  “Hey dad. Can you send a car to the restaurant? I’m done with this date.”

  “Katie, is everything ok? Why are you doing this?”

  “Dad. I’m telling you to send the car. I’m not riding anywhere with Wilson. The date is over. I’ll tell you about it when I see you.” My tone of voice must tell him how serious I am.

  “Ok. Give the driver ten minutes and he will be there.”

  I look around. The streets are busy, but there is still an eerie feeling at this time of night when no one is around that I know.

  “Tell him to hurry, dad. I love you.” I hang up and take a seat on the bench that is situated up agains
t the wall of the restaurant.

  I see Wilson come outside. He is on his phone, and he looks angry. He must be talking to my dad. I can’t tell from here what he is saying. I don’t move. I don’t want him to notice me. His car is parked on the opposite side of the building, so he doesn’t need to walk this way. However, he steps closer to where I’m sitting. Still on the phone, his back is to me, but I can hear him now.

  “I don’t know where she went. Did you see her leave?” There’s a pause. Who could he be talking to? We came here alone.

  I thought.

  “Well find her. I have a lot of money tied up in this.”

  Do what? My dad didn’t say anything about money. What is Wilson talking about? I look around to see if anyone looks like they are looking for me. I look back at Wilson and he is walking fast towards the other side of the building. He must be going to his car.

  I get up and walk towards the restaurant door. I will wait inside. That may be safer at this point.

  Before I can get there, arms come around me from behind, and I am picked up off the ground. I’m in so much shock, I can’t scream at first. Once I see that I am being taken towards the street, I finally find my voice. I let a scream out that would break crystal.

  My attacker momentarily loses his grip, but not fully. Not enough for me to get away from him. Once he turns me toward the street, I see that he is carrying me towards a dark sedan that has its door open.

  I scream again.

  Chapter 7

  Levi

  I have no idea why I am on this side of town. I went to a diner near my place to grab a burger.

  I don’t particularly like to cook. I can. I just don’t like to. The girls spoiled me when I was younger.

  I never had to fix anything. Micah would fix my salad for me. Macy would fix my baked potatoes. Kelly would fix my drink.

  I never had to worry about anything except eating. Whenever we are all together now, each girl still does the same things. I don’t complain.

  It only sets it in place that I can’t fix my own stuff, so I eat out a lot.

  After I left the diner, I decided to drive. Not that I’m not going to get enough of it tomorrow, but I just really like to hear the sound of my car. I also like to see people’s heads turn to look at her when I’m driving past. It’s a power trip. I love my car. I want other people to envy the fact that I have it.