“What?”
“He asked you about your major?” Marley looks at me, knowing that I wasn’t paying attention to him.
“Oh, I am pre-law.”
“Pre-law?” Levi questions. “That means you’re smart and beautiful.” He cocks an eyebrow at me.
“What is your major, Levi?” I put my hand up to my mouth and gasp. “I bet it’s hockey.” I sound like I made some huge discovery and Marley laughs at me.
“No, Miss Smarty Pants, hockey is not my major. I’m a chemistry major,” he says matter-of-factly.
“Really?” I’m actually shocked. Levi doesn’t seem like the type to be in a lab coat.
“Are you shocked that I might have room in my brain for something other than hockey stats?” he says curtly.
“Actually, yes,” I answer honestly.
“Well, you’re wrong Miss Smarty Pants. I’m much smarter than you think.” He looks down at his food and begins to eat again. If I didn’t know better, I would’ve thought I hurt his feelings.
The rest of our meal is filled with small talk. I like Jere and I think Marley and he make a cute couple. After the waitress brings the check, I pay for Levi’s meal. Now, I’m good and ready to head back to my apartment.
“Marley, are you ready to go?” Marley picked me up tonight because she is going to stay at my place tonight.
“Um, you can take my car with you. I’m going to Jere’s tonight.”
“Hey, Marley, keep your car with you. I’ll take Presley home.” Levi is too quick and generous with his offer.
“No, I can find my own way home. Thank you anyway.” I know that I will have to call Trevor, and he will flip out with me at his rivals’ campus.
“I’m not taking ‘no’ for an answer. I’ll take you home. See ya later, Jere. Nice to meet you Marley.” He stands up and looks down at me. This can’t be good, but I really don’t have a choice.
“Ugh, fine.” I stand up too. “Bye, Marley, and it was nice to meet you, Jere.” Marley has a small smirk on her face and makes the motion to call her later. I bet she’s thinking something is going to happen between Levi and me, but that is so far from the truth.
Levi holds the door for me as we walk out of the diner and down the street. I notice that Levi’s SUV is closer to the diner than the party. He opens the door for me and the first thing I notice is the fresh, clean scent. It smells just like Levi, and I like it more than I should. Levi gets into the car and pulls onto the road toward James Wayne University.
“So, which dorm are you in?” He breaks the silence with his question.
“I don’t live in the dorms. I live at the Bridge Apartments. Do you know where those are?” I should have him take me to Trevor’s, so he wouldn’t know where I live, but I know that Trevor would have a fit if he knew I was with Levi.
“Yeah, I know where those are. You live there with your roommates?” I know that he is questioning my living arrangement for a reason like most guys do. I figure I’ll be honest with him.
“I don’t have any roommates. I live alone.”
“It must be nice to have a place of your own. I live with a couple of other teammates.”
“That is what my brother does too.” When I first came to college, I thought about having a roommate, but I prefer to have my own space. The ride is mostly silent, and I notice that he is different when he’s not around others. He is easy to talk to, and I don’t feel uncomfortable with the silence. I keep glancing at him to see just how good looking he really is. He’s breathtaking, if you like that, which I do. I quickly shake the thoughts from my head. I can’t like this guy. He was mean to my brother in high school, and he’s his biggest rival.
There isn’t much traffic so it’s a quick ride to my apartment. We’re pulling into my parking lot, and I’m ready to jump out and run away from his blue eyes.
“Well, thanks for the ride.”
“I will walk you up.”
“No,” I say abruptly.
Levi laughs. “I’m just going to make sure you’re okay.” I can’t argue with his sweet statement. It’s been a long time since someone, besides Trevor, has cared about my safety. Plus, I can tell there is no point in arguing. I nod my head as we head towards my building.
“This is a nice building. These are all new, right?” Levi asks as we climb the stairs.