Dial Drunk - Post Malone

9

The following two weeks are gruelling. They have all the songs and melodies and are now in the process of recording the songs and making them album-ready. They need to be perfect. Other people, sound managers and producers invade his space with Levi and so does Dre. It's annoying to have to share her with a room full of people, but he would be lying if he said he didn't feel a sense of purpose because although she is pretty independent and holds her own she does need him to interpret for her when Grassy falls asleep on the couch. Levi has a soft nature, but make no mistake - she makes herself heard. She is very particular about how the songs need to sound to the point where she and Austin even get a bit testy with each other.

He always thought Dre was bad when it came to stopping a song and shitting on him about dropping a note or singing off-key. But, Dre has nothing on Levi. She picks up what the others don't and she will yank that soundbooth door open and storm up to him, planting herself in front of him with that baby goat nose scrunch while she tells him off.

"This is your third take on the same line. You are flat. Why are you flat?" she signs angrily after making him stop yet again on the twelfth song they are busy recording.

"I wasn't."

"You were."

"No, I wasn't."

"You were, I heard it."

"There must be a chip in the floorboards that is messing with the vibrations. I was not flat."

"There will be a chip in you if you don't start singing properly."

"Did you just threaten me with violence, Levi?"

"I did."

"I get enough shit from Dre, Levi. Besides, he is my boss, not you. Get off my back," Austin says and signs. There is a muffled sound and then Dre's voice comes over the intercom. "Umm...Levi is the boss here...just saying." Austin turns to look at Dre through the sound booth window and he just shrugs back at Austin. It's true. Levi has control of everything, including his heart. Both Austin and Dre have agreed never to admit that they pander to her. It's just the way it is. "I am tired. I have been going at it since 7 am...it's now 9 pm," he signs. Levi's face softens and there's a flash of guilt in her eyes. "Done?" she turns to Dre and signs. "OK," Dre signs back. "I am sorry, I get in my head sometimes. I get too deep," she signs to Austin. "I know...but, I get it. The songs are personal. They mean just as much to me as they do to you," he signs. How can he be mad at her for being so passionate about the music they have made, her passion and drive are the things that are going to solidify his place in this music world.

"Let me make it up to you. I will make you dinner. I will do it at your house so you can relax."

"You don't have to do that, Levi. We are not at odds."

"I know but I would still like to make you dinner."

"Will you make that gravity of yours?"

Levi breaks out a smile and nods. "OK I suppose I am fine with you making me dinner if you insist," Austin says, grinning. Levi rolls her eyes and twirls her hand in the air, "it's a wrap," she signs. Everyone packs up their stuff then Grassy, Austin and Levi head to the parking lot. Levi follows Austin home and starts cooking dinner after she pushes Grassy and Austin into the lounge. They sit like good little boys, their stomachs growling as they wait for dinner to be ready - it does not help that the smell of her cooking food eventually wafts into the lounge.

When it's finally ready and she calls them to dish up, both men dash to the kitchen and load their plates, drowning their food in gravy and having to walk very carefully to the dining room. Comfort food. That's the only way Austin can describe Levi's cooking. It warms his chest and fills his belly, he can't help the soft smile on his lips and by the way Grassy hums while he eats Austin knows he is no better off.