Dial Drunk - Post Malone

37

Austin slams on the breaks outside the nail salon just as Levi and Stella rush out, their hands laced together with Grassy sitting between them like a fucking king with his legs out straight. They are all laughing. Austin chuckles and jumps out of the car, rushing up to them and taking Grassy from them. "Careful my toes! Don't ruin my pedi!" he shouts while Levi and Stella laugh excitedly and skip dance to the car. Stella slides in first then Levi who shifts to the middle to leave room for Grassy. Austin places Grassy in the car and then stills with a frown. "Where is your bodyguard?" he asks Levi. "Oh, I told him to take the day off," she signs. "Don't do that again. If you are in public you must always have your bodyguard. Do you understand me," he says. He sounds a little angrier than he should but it freaks him out knowing she was so exposed.

"It's a private salon and-,"

"Stella." Austin cuts her off with a warning tone. Both Stella and Levi's eyes widen. "I won't do it again," Levi signs. "Thank you," Austin signs then closes Grassy's door and climbs in. "Told you he would get upset," he hears Grassy whisper. "So fucking hot," Stella says, fanning herself. She does not whisper. "You know I can hear you," Cassidy snips. "Oh I know," Stella says passing her a folded piece of paper. Cassidy frowns but takes the paper and unfolds it then screams in frustration. It's a picture of Stella holding a sign that says 'Austin's #1 Girl' on it. Austin has to suck his lips in to stop his chuckle. Stella is relentless. Cassidy scrunches the picture up and throws it out the window while Austin watches through the rearview mirror at Levi taps Stella on the knee. "Don't push her buttons," she signs. "I will push her buttons," Stella signs back. "Be nice," Levi signs. "I will not be nice," Stella signs and then pulls a face at her while she starts giggling. Her eyes flick to Austin's in the rearview and she shrugs.

"I am going to hug that baby so hard! Well, gently hard, but I am going to hug him. Do you think he will call me uncle?" Grassy says. "Well, you are his uncle so yes," Levi signs before Austin can stop her. "Austin," Grassy squeaks. "Just breathe, buddy, like this," Austin says taking deep breaths in through his nose and out through his mouth as Grassy tries to copy him while Levi, Stella and Cassidy watch them with raised brows and open mouths. "Oh...he is breaking down," Stella says when Grassy sniffles then starts wailing. Both Stella and Levi reach over and cuddle him. "What's wrong with him?" Cassidy asks, annoyed. "Family is a big thing for him and nothing is wrong with him," Austin says.

They pull up to the hospital and all climb out. Cassidy takes Austin's hand and his first instinct is to pull away but he can't do that. She is his girlfriend. He hangs back, letting Stella and Levi walk ahead of them so Levi does not have to stare at his fingers tangled with Cassidy's.
At the nurse's station, they are directed to a waiting room where Dre and Cecilia's parents are already waiting. Austin takes the opportunity to let go of Cassidy's hand and hugs all four parents then sits with them as they chat.

"How long is this all going to take?" Cassidy groans after about an hour. "Well, that's all up to nature, dear. The baby could pop out right now or in a few hours," Ceceila's mother says. "A few hours?!" Cassidy groans and then slouches in her chair in a sulk. Cecilia and Dre's parents are both clearly a little taken aback by her attitude and Austin is embarrassed. He feels a soft tap on his shoulder and looks over knowing already that it's Levi, he knows her touch. "I don't mean to sound rude. But, this is a happy time. Especially for Dre and Cece's parents. I don't think Cassidy being here is a good idea. I don't think she wants to be here...sorry," she signs. "I think you are right, sweet...Levi. Sorry," he signs then stands.

"Cas," he says flicking his head to the door as he walks past her. She follows him into the passage. "You have had a long day. I don't expect you to sit here for the next ten hours with us," he says. "Ten hours?" she asks with wide eyes. "Yeah. Why don't you go home? Go relax, have a hot bath and I will be home as soon as the baby has been born, OK?" he says. "OK," she says leaning in and kissing him, he kisses her back to keep her happy then pulls back. "Come on, I will call you a cab," he says taking her hand and leading her down to the front door while he dials her a cab. He waits with her and then lets her kiss him again before she gets into the cab. Once she is gone he stands in a secluded spot and lights a cigarette. His hand automatically reaches to the small of his back and pulls out his flask but his hand is still midway to his lips when he sees Levi walk out the front door and look around for someone. Is she looking for him?