Dial Drunk - Post Malone

34

He watches the phone as it continues to ring. It's late and she is probably sleeping so if she can't see her phone flashing or feel it vibrating she won't answer, or she won't answer because she unblocked him accidentally and is just watching it flash. No doubt she will block him again once the dial tone comes to an end. But then her face suddenly pops up on the screen. Austin did not expect her to answer so he jumps a little and drops his phone, kicking it under the couch accidentally when he stands to get it so then he has to reach frantically under the couch for it. Well, at least she will know he is still a fucking idiot. When his fingers finally touch his phone as he reaches under the couch he grabs it quickly and pulls it out from under the couch checking immediately to see if she is still there.

She is.

She is sitting in her bed, her hair slightly rumpled from sleep and her cheeks flushed. He can see she is shaking by the way her picture is shaking slightly as she holds her phone in her hand. They have not seen or spoken since the night everything exploded on the bus. "Hi," he says, his voice strained. She looks so beautiful and so very sad. She is just different. She lifts her hand and gives him the tiniest wave. "I just...I heard what happened and wanted to see if you are alright," he says. She frowns the props her phone up. "Your room is too dark. I can't read your lips," she signs. Austin reaches over and turns on a lamp propping his phone against it and then looks at her, she gives him a thumbs up.

"I heard what happened to you. I wanted to make sure you are alright," he signs.

"I am fine."

"Sweet, I-"

"Levi. My name is Levi, Austin. Why are you calling me? That incident happened two weeks ago."

Austin's chest burns at her abruptness towards him. She is as cold as ice, but he can't blame her. He did this to her - he won't deny it. "I only just heard. If I had heard earlier I would have called earlier. I am so sorry, Levi. Truly," he signs. Her shoulders slump and her demeanour melts a little. "Why are you really calling me?" she signs, a tear slipping down her cheek. "Please don't cry. Please," he signs moving closer to the phone. They both know why he is really calling. "I need you to only call me if it has to do with work. That is the only reason I unblocked you," she signs.

"Yes. Of course. I just needed to know you were OK. I won't phone if it's not work-related again."

"Thank you."

"Levi -" he starts then stops when he sees a shadow on the wall behind her. She is not alone. "Are you alone?" he signs. She looks to her side then back at Austin and shakes her head. She has moved on. He feels anger, pain, and hurt all bubble up and start festering in his chest. Of course, Colter would have moved in as soon as he could. "I better go. I am glad you are ok," he signs. She leans forward and lifts her hand, it looks like she wants to say something but he is so hurt right now he pretends he doesn't see and cuts the call.

How could she? He could maybe understand if she had met someone after their break up and leaned on them leading to a relationship like he did. But, Levi had used him until Colter had come looking for her. She had left Austin the second Colter snapped his fingers and now has moved him into her house as if Austin was nothing. He storms to the kitchen and grabs his car keys then goes out to the garage and rips open his car door pulling out that stupid bobblehead he has on his dash of Colter Wall then smashes it onto the floor, stamping on it until all that's left is tiny pieces of plastic. He hates Colter, he rode into town and snatched everything from Austin, fucking everything. So he hates him so fucking much.

He stays black-out drunk all week. He remembers nothing except images of Levi flipping through his mind.

~