Leviticus: Return back home

Ch.26: Coworkers and salted peanuts

《LEVI'S POV》

Jay came over that Saturday to finish their essay, finally. Although Levi was very ready to be done with the assignment, he also knew this might be the last time in a long time he would be allowed to welcome Jay into his house.

They were seated at the tiny kitchen table again, discussing what exactly defined stealing, when Leah came in and sat down with them.

She let out a big sigh. "Hey, Jay."
"Hello, Leah." Jay smirked at her.
Those two had always gotten along, Levi realized. Thankfully there was at least one person in this family who approved of his boyfriend.

"What are you guys doing?" She grabbed a tangerine from the bowl of fruit placed on the table and started pealing it.

"The essay?" Levi looked at her confused. "I literally told you we were going to work on that this morning."

Leah propped her legs up against the table and shrugged. "Sometimes Levi, you talk and I just pretend I'm listening until you stop talking. You should be used to that by now."

She put a piece of the fruit she carelessly peeled in her mouth.

Levi stared at her, baffled by what she just told him. "You act like I talk to you nonstop."

"Oh, Leah, I just miss him so much. With his perfect hair and cutest smile. I can't take life without him." Leah mercilessly mocked her brother.

Jay chuckled and when Levi looked at him, he could tell he was enjoying this.

"Mom's right there." He leaned over the table to hiss to his sister.
Leah rolled her eyes, unimpressed. "Trust me, mom knows how obsessed you are with him. Right, mom?"

She looked around to face her mother, who was now frowning at the three of them.
"You are walking on very thin ice right now, young lady." She warned Levi's sister.
"Oh come on, mom. You know I'm right."

Levi sighed, wishing his sister would just shut up and go away. Sometimes she really didn't know when to shut up. "Please leave. We have to finish this essay before dinner."

"Why doesn't Jay just stay over for dinner?" Leah said, as if it was really that easy.
"Oh, yes. Why doesn't he?" Levi wondered out loud, finally getting the chance to mock her right back.

But Leah pulled her annoying little sister stunt, turning around to unnecessarily add their mom to the conversation once more.
"Mom, I'm sure he can stay over for dinner, right? You would never deny a guest."

Their mom hesitated. Levi could've joined in and shut his sister's question down, but he was honestly way too curious about what she was going to say.
She took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes, sure. You can stay for dinner Jay, if you'd like."

Jay didn't even get a chance to respond, Leah jumped up from her chair before he could. "That's settled then, Jay's staying over for dinner."

With that, she left the kitchen. An awkward silence settled, but finally Levi's mom walked over and sat down in the spot Leah had been sitting, the tangerine peels still on the table in front of her.

"Jay, you're always welcome here, still. I know it might not feel like that, but I don't want you to think your staying over is upsetting us."
Levi scoffed, although he knew his mom meant well. "It's definitely going to upset dad."

"Well, dad isn't the only person that lives in this house." With that, his mom was back to her feet.
"I cooked this dinner, so I get to decide who gets to eat it." She added, before returning to the food.