Dial Drunk - Post Malone

6

Dinner is good. Turns out Levi's talents are not limited to songwriting. Levi cooks like his father, Austin had always felt a little Southern sunshine from her. She had gone all out with a large roast, vegetables and gravy that was so good Austin would drink it by the glass if he could. The conversation is also easy and light-hearted because almost everyone knows each other and they all get along well. Austin takes a little extra time to chat with Stella, besides the fact she is Levi's sister, he really enjoys her humour and she is easy to talk to. "Engaged? You should have told me before I put in all this effort," Austin says grinning at her. "Oh stop," Stella says laughing, "you didn't stand a chance with Grassy around anyway," she adds as they both laugh again. Stella is one of those women who shines and holds a room when she talks, she has the same kind of softness to her that Levi does but with a few sharp edges that only a big sister could have. He bets Stella stood up fiercely for Levi while they were growing up. He also notices Levi has a large grin on her face at how well he and Stella are getting along, and so he is pleased he has put in the effort with Stella. He would do anything to see Levi happy and that includes not punching Logan in the face.

Logan also puts in effort to get to know everyone and annoyingly Austin succumbs to the fact that Logan is just a nice guy. Asshole, he still hates him. Logan asks Cecilia all about her life and working for Austin then sings her praises at her accomplishments. He gushes about how driven Dre is and admits he has not only searched him up but used some of his business savvy ideas in his own career - Dre thinks he is a stand-up guy. He compliments Grassy on his suit and listens attentively while Grassy shares his latest research on alien invasions on Earth - Logan does not even frown or roll his eyes like most people do when Grassy speaks. He asks questions and offers to help Grassy in his research.

He battles a little with Stella who does not look particularly taken by him, but this is not their first meeting so he tries to build on from their last encounter. But, Stella makes it hard with her sullen face while he talks. He also continually compliments Austin on his last album and career which is climbing steadily. He is nothing but a bag of compliments and nice guy vibes who also waits hand and foot on Levi and constantly asks if she is OK and having fun at her dinner party - Austin fucking hates him more now than he ever did and wishes he would just choke on the roast meat he is constantly complimenting Levi on. But, he knows that's irrational, how can you dislike a guy for being nice?

However, and this is a big however, Logan does not sign. Not once. He doesn't even try and at one point Levi pulls out a notepad to communicate privately with him. It's wrong and in Austin's eyes, Logan is not as invested in this relationship as Levi is nor does he respect her enough to learn how to communicate with her properly. He does not think he is irrational in that thought and by Stella's slightly frosty engagement towards him he does not think he is the only one.

Austin signs, Stella signs, Grassy signs, they all know sign language fluently but Dre doesn't and neither does Cecilia but they try. They sign the few words they have learnt and even learn some new ones. Cecilia who is meeting Levi for the first time even has a private moment where Levi teaches her to spell Dre's name and sign, "I love you." Then Dre grins when Cecelia signs "I love you DRE," to him while Grassy howels and Stella and Austin snort with laughter at Dre's love-soft face.

He catches Levi looking at him or Stella at times with her eyebrows raised as her eyes dart to Logan. She wants to know what they think of him. Do they like him? Do they approve? Austin wants to sign that he is not good enough for her and that that she should cut him loose, but no one is good enough for Levi and she looks so hopeful. He just can't so he contains his shit and gives her a thumbs up while Stella does the same. "Terrible taste in men," Stella mumbles as she pours the last of her wine into her glass. Did she drink that whole bottle? He doesn't think she meant to say that out loud because she covers her mouth and looks around to see if anyone heard her, Austin pretends he didn't hear a thing.