Dial Drunk - Post Malone

48

He does not walk the red carpet with her. He does not want to overshadow her as the media is already talking about his rare appearance during his hiatus. He also does not want all the news articles tomorrow to be just pictures of them and their relationship. He wants the focus to be on Levi and her talents. She deserves the spotlight. So he keeps to the shadows while she nervously walks the carpet, taking sneaky pictures of her with his phone when she stops to pose for the cameras. She is a carpet favourite and everyone is going crazy for her. Like they should. He is so fucking proud of her.

His heart drops when he sees Colter Wall arrive on the carpet and after he poses for a few pictures he catches up with Levi and makes a fuss about her nomination. Levi looks genuinely happy to see him and it makes Austin feel uneasy as to how good they look together. They would be a real power couple if they were ever a thing. What is he doing here anyway? Austin does not think he is nominated for anything But, he is a big part of the music industry so like Austin, he must have received an invitation to the ceremony anyway. It also does not help that he sees Levi has taken off her engagement ring, choosing to let it hang from the thin gold chain he had given her so long ago. He has since bought her many gold chains - big thick expensive ones. But, she chooses to wear that thin one that's hardly noticeable except to him now that her ring hangs from it.

He meets Levi inside the large ceremony hall, she signs excitedly about the red carpet and how nervous she is so he hugs her and reminds her how much she deserves this. How she deserves all this attention and how much he loves her. She only just has time to roll her eyes at him before people descend on her, offering their congratulations and singing her praises. Austin's role tonight is to interpret for her and support her - he has no problem with that and does it proudly. Eventually, they are shown to their seats and sit down while people continue to come up to Levi for a chat.

And when her name is called. When she wins like he knew she would, he gets emotional when the entire ceremony hall does not clap loudly, but rather they all lift their hands and shake them gently, clapping in sign to show their respect and solidarity for her. It catches her off guard too and she walks up to receive her award with watery eyes and a wobbly chin. He knows the recognition of people means more to her than the award itself. Grassy interprets for her proudly and when she walks off stage she locks eyes with Austin while they grin at each other. She is on top of the world and she makes him feel like he is floating above those stars with her.

~

The after party is great. It's in a beautiful hotel near the Award Ceremony. It's fancy and over the top because Austin spared no expense and Grassy planned it. Austin finds himself off to the side while Levi is passed around the venue as everyone wants the chance to tell her how proud they are of her, but he does not mind - she is happy and that makes him happy. He has been sipping on his flask like always but has made the effort to stay sober - he owes her this much.

Everyone seems to be here. All their friends, her clients and some potential new ones, there are also a ton of celebrities - models, actors, and singers, including the one and only Colter Wall. Austin had exchanged pleasantries with the man and he had been pleased to see Austin, going on about how wonderful his albums were. He acted like a proud big brother and Austin will admit he let his walls down a little, he can't help it when it comes to Colter, the man is so genuine and kind.

...or so he thought.

He watches as Levi smiles while Colter signs to her, he has perfected it. She looks so taken by him and his stupid story about helping his horse give birth. She giggles and nods, playing with her engagement ring as she seems to hang onto his every word. He pulls his mouth in disgust at the very clear display of affection they have towards each other and chucks back the rest of his whisky then taps his glass on the bar top for the barman to fill up. He has found himself a seat at the outside bar and has made himself comfortable as the whisky starts flowing along with his thoughts of self-doubt and jealousy as to how easy it is for Colter to capture Levi's undivided attention. He turns away from his view of them and lifts his glass, tapping on the bar top for another as soon as he finishes it. He can feel it in his bones - he is drunk and only getting drunk. Angrier too. That rage slowly starting to creep its way up his spine.