“Speaking of running,” he remarks, completely ignoring the sharing jab. “Your dad told my mom that you’ve gotten a couple of scholarship offers for softball.”
I groan. “Sometimes I hate how much our parents talk. And before you ask if I’m going, I already told you. College is a hard pass for me. I’m over school.”
“Which is why you’ll be stripping in a year.” His mouth tilts up in amusement, but he doesn’t bother to argue the subject anymore. We both know I’m as stubborn as the female population comes, and I won’t budge.
After picking up Mandy from the subway, we head to the Lincoln Square Loews Cinema and grab our tickets. All the good movies are sold out, so we’re stuck with some bank heist comedy. It doesn’t matter; I’ve got a giant tub of popcorn tucked on my lap and am officially a happy camper. Especially when Levi leans closer to grab a handful, munching happily on the extra buttered popcorn like a champ.
Did he notice the way our hands brushed against each other? Probably not.
Sitting back in his seat, Levi tosses his arm around his date.
There goes my moment of bliss, I grumble to myself. Gritting my teeth, I bring another kernel to my mouth while attempting to block out my best friend making a move on a skank in a jean miniskirt and heels.
I hate high heels.
Munching on a buttery piece that tastes more like sawdust than popcorn, I stare at the screen in front of me. Unfortunately, I only see a bunch of blurred colors smearing across the wall as my attention is elsewhere. Levi shifts next to me, and my eyes dart over to him before a thick wave of regret makes me drop the buttery kernel in my hand.
Seems I’ve lost my appetite.
Less than a foot away from me, Mandy’s tongue is practically being swallowed whole by the biggest manwhore I’ve ever met. It’s like a train wreck, and I can’t help but take another quick glance to my left. Yup. His hand is on her boob. Her gigantic watermelon boobs that put my lemons to shame.
I think I just threw up in my mouth.
I’m used to this kind of behavior. I hate it. But it isn’t exactly out of the ordinary, even though it pisses me off. Squeezing my eyes shut, I count to ten. Then I set the container of popcorn on the floor under my seat with the intention of hiding away in the bathroom. Unfortunately, my escape is thwarted when the make-out session is stalled with a hand to Levi’s chest.
“What is it?” I hear him whisper.
A bright light from a cell phone catches my attention before it’s swallowed by the darkness in the theater.
“Shit. It’s….” She clears her throat. “I need to take this. I’ll be back in a few.”
Shuffling out of the aisle, Mandy escapes down the tunnel and into the lobby, which leaves me alone. With Levi. After his mouth was on someone else less than a minute ago.
Yet, my entire body is still tingling from his presence beside me.
I seriously gotta let this crush go.
Even though there’s a movie dancing on the screen in front of us, it doesn’t stop the awkward tension from hanging over us like a heavy fog. I keep my attention straight ahead when a soft squeak a few rows back distracts me.
Turning around, my jaw drops until I’m sure I look like a gaping fish as I witness a couple getting hot and heavy in the back row. They’re completely oblivious to the world around them, caught up in their own little world. I feel like I’m intruding on their little…moment and scrunch low in my seat, my cheeks heating with embarrassment.
“You okay?” Levi murmurs beside me.
With the skills of Mr. Miyagi, my hand darts out and fists the neckline of his T-shirt before dragging him toward me.
“Will you be quiet?” I hiss.
“I am being quiet! Who are you hiding from?”
“I’m not hiding from anyone.”
His hand lands on my knee and squeezes, making me squirm.
“Liar,” he whispers. “You look like a cherry tomato, and you’re slouched in your seat like you’re on Ameri
ca’s Most Wanted.”
With a huff, I mumble, “Fine! There’s a couple in the back who are making your little tryst from a minute ago look like child’s play.”