The Summer Before

Chapter Seventeen

Tessa

Levi was driving me crazy. Since our confrontation, it was like a switch flipped inside of him. He wasn't being an outright asshole like he was that night. Instead, it was as if he decided to be on his best behavior- at least, in front of Jason.

Every chance he got, though, he'd still shoot me snarky looks, proving he wasn't actually interested in burying the hatchet- even for my brother's sake.

When J asked us about joining in for dance lessons, I thought for sure Levi would run for the hills. I jumped at the opportunity to offer my support, thinking Levi would pass and I'd be able to find someone- anyone- else to fill the final spot for J and Char's class. I figured it would give me some much-needed space from the prick.

To my immense surprise, Levi told Jason he was more than happy to step in and fill the final spot on the roster. The second the words left his mouth, I thought I'd died and gone to hell.

Levi volunteering to participate in dance lessons was the last thing I thought I'd witness when it came to this wedding. I thought for sure when I offered to step in, he'd deuce as soon as possible, finding any excuse not to join.

If I didn't doubt his motives initially, I definitely did the second he sent me that challenging look from across the table. This was a game to him. He wanted to make himself look good in front of my brother- make it look like he was stepping up to the plate as the best man should. He wasn't joining us on Friday to help out his best friend when he needed him. This wasn't a decision made out of the goodness of his heart.

I saw right through his façade. He wanted to earn brownie points with Jason. Levi wanted to give himself another ego boost. He didn't actually care that J and Char needed their friend to step up and help them out. It was all about numero uno. With him, it always is. Levi Daniels only cares about one person- himself.

That was the biggest lesson I learned last summer. Levi will say and do all the right things, make you feel comfortable, then swoop in and take what he wants. Then, when he's done with you, he'll race off to his next conquest, not caring at all what damage he's left in his wake. Nothing else matters to him as long as his ego gets stroked.

Jackass!

I'll be damned if I let him pull that crap with J and Char for their big day! No, Levi will not ruin this for them. If he plans to use this as an excuse to puff out his chest and coin himself the big hero, he's going to pay. Maybe he'll think twice about doing it again once I'm done with him.

I'm coming for you, Levi.

~

The rest of Wednesday and Thursday passed in a blur. I spent the majority of my time with Char, Colin, Leah, and Micah, doing last-minute things for the wedding and hanging out like old times. It was nice to feel that sense of normalcy.

I felt like I was going crazy when I was trapped in any close quarters with Levi. The tension between us was still palpable. We bumped into one another a few times at Jason's house. Each incident was filled with heated energy and harsh glares from both of us. We'd barely spoken since Wednesday morning after Jason left for work.

Levi was also gathering his things to head out the door when I caught his arm. I asked- in not so subtle terms- what the hell kind of game he was playing. He feigned ignorance and accused me of being paranoid, but the smarmy look he wore as he spoke gave him away.

He was well aware of what he was doing, and he wanted me to know too. Levi was trying to bait me, to get under my skin and make me crazy. And the worst part- it was working. The bastard was getting exactly what he wanted, and I was allowing it to happen.

Again.

Before he left, I gave him a delicate warning, telling him if he did anything to ruin or disrupt J and Charlotte's big day or any events leading up to it, I'd make him pay.

The fucker laughed- actually laughed- in my face and walked away, saying I should seek professional help.

What a dick!

At least I got a break from him Thursday. I didn't see him before he left for work, and I was out late with Leah and Charlotte. By the time Friday rolled around, I had all but forgotten about my last horrid run-in with Levi. I wasn't sure I was ready to see him so soon after our previous encounter. With our ever-growing tension, I'm sure our next meeting is bound to be explosive.