Needed You

Chapter Six

Addison: No problem Fliss. I'll make sure she's ready for bed before you get home. Don't feel like you need to rush, you deserve a night to enjoy yourself :)

I smile lightly at the message. I owe Addison a lot, she's always there at the drop of a hat to watch Freya when I need her. Even with as little as twenty-four hours notice, like in this instance.

I'd had every intent of blowing Levi off tonight for his birthday. There was no way around it - Dad finished work at the same time as me on Wednesdays, and no amount of meddling could have seen Addison mind Freya for an hour longer than usual. He'd have called it an unnecessary expenditure, and there way no way I was leaving her alone with our father, no matter how much I wanted to go out and enjoy a drink.

Yet, by some stroke of luck, or cosmic intervention, he'd told me last night over dinner that he'd be out with some business associates for a meeting until late. The time wasn't specific, but it was enough, and the universe seemed to be on my side for once.

I knew the bar the guys were heading to. It was popular in Slipway, even with Eastbridge youths, for it's live music and late licence. It wasn't anything to really dress up for, but still, I made an effort to do my makeup a little nicer, and wear something different to my usual.

A taxi might've been the better choice - parking in the centre of the Slip was never an easy feat from what I knew - but I knew that if I drove, I'd have an anchor to keep me from getting carried away. A drink or two, like I'd assured Levi, and then home early enough that there was no chance my dad would make it back before I did.

I manage to find a space about five minutes from the bar, which looked absolutely rammed as I drove past. With Levi's present in my hands, I make my way towards them.

It isn't anything particularly special, just a small token of appreciation for him these past few weeks. In truth, I'm also hoping the gesture might soften his anger if Austin has decided to let slip about our little romp on the sofa.

That, I've regretted since the minute he left. He returned on the Saturday morning all smiles and jokes with the guys, and in my fury, I didn't say a word to him. No one noticed the new animosity, or if they did, they didn't raise it. Kade was Kade, speaking as little as usual, and not even bothering to glance my way. We left earlier than normal, and that was the last I'd seen of any of them until today.

I push through the gathered crowd of smokers at the front door, cringing at the stifling heat as I step inside. The air hangs hot and sweaty, too many bodies crammed into the small bar. Even by a glance, I can tell many are underage, but with the amount of money this place makes, I can't imagine they care much.

Quicker than I expected, I spot Levi and the rest hovering around the pool table, the birthday boy with his head tipped back in a laugh. I smile as I approach, weaving my way through the bodies until I reach his side.

"Happy birthday!" I call, heart warming at the genuine grin that crinkles his eyes. Well, he's not pissed at me, so at least Austin is good for something.

"You made it!" He envelopes me in his arms, pressing a kiss to my cheek. "Have you been here long?"

"Not at all." He pulls away, taking my hand and forcing me to do a spin. "Already flying, are we?"

"Not nearly high enough - I just wanted to get a good look at you. You look good." I laugh, letting him pull at my jacket until it slips off. He tosses it over the back of a bar stool, one where Austin leans. My sights land on him, a glimmer in his eyes as he looks me up and down, and my jaw clenches in annoyance before I turn away. "This for me?" He nods to the small box in my hand.