The Infamous Levi Privet

Five.

Things couldn't be more awkward at home between Finn and I after the steamy kiss at the swimming hole. The ride home was dead silent, we didn't look at each other once. But the mood was definitely a positive one in the cab of the truck. I for one couldn't wipe the smile off of my face.

When we arrived home, Lindy was there. She was still in her clothes from the cafe and was doing some housework. As much as I wanted to avoid her, I didn't. I half expected her to hound me but instead, she just asked if I would cover her shift tomorrow morning. It was only a few hours and I would be done by the afternoon so that I could free up my Saturday.

After a full nights sleep, achieved with a dose of painkillers for my hangover that had crept back and a Xanax to calm me down, I was awake and ready to attack the day.

I snuck downstairs after my shower, hoping to catch Finn before he left for the morning. But I was too late. His truck wasn't in the driveway. With nothing to fill in my spare time with, I started the 20-minute walk into work.

I pushed my earbuds into my ears, my music blasting. I felt the happiest I had been in months. My life was starting to pan out normal. I had escaped the club scene, the photographers, the bad influences. My snotty, snobby, good for nothing parents were out of the picture and I had a met a boy who made me swoon. Make that two boys.

I bit my lip thinking of Jake. Jake was definitely more my type. He had the image, the looks, the brawn, and personality. My lip-biting turned into a smile as I thought of the afternoon we had shared together down at the local bar. It had been so easy and the whole afternoon flowed - just like the booze.

My song changed, and in between the switch, I heard a rather familiar low rumble of a car idling beside me. I stop in my tracks, rip my earphones out of my ears and turn to see the matte black Dodge Charger driving slowly beside me. I can't see the face behind the tinted windows, but I shoot light-hearted evil eyes to Jake who I guess is behind the driver's seat.

The irony of his timing is impeccable.

"Need a ride, love?"

I go to protest, but realise that I still have a good 10 minutes walk ahead of me. I slip into the passenger side of the vehicle. His two friends flank the backseat.

"Chad, Leroy this is Levi - from the cafe,"

I meet Jake's introductions with an eye roll, but hold out my hand for them to shake regardless. "I am not just the cafe girl"

"No, you're right. You're the girl that stitched me up drunk at the bar on a Thursday afternoon!"

Chad and Leroy are a chorus of laughs alongside Jake. He thinks he has just said the funniest thing on the planet. I stay quiet. I have no time for jerks.

We pull up outside of the cafe and I fling my door open ready to storm out when Jake catches my wrist. I look back at him and he mouths 'see you soon'. I reply to him with a nonchalant eyebrow raise and strut away from the vehicle, making sure my hips swing wide. When I hear the boys whooping and hollering in the car, I know my sassy getaway has worked.

Work flies by, and by the time I look at the clock I only have half an hour to go. The cafe has been bustling all morning with all sorts of people. Lucy doesn't work weekends so I didn't have to lend my ear to her whiney voice all day, but I did get to chit-chat with a few of the older members of staff. All of which who had worked in Lindy's Kitchen since she opened it back in the day.

I tidy up the newspaper stand while the bell on the door rings signaling a new customer. I know the ladies at the counter have it covered so I continue to straighten the papers and magazines into an orderly pile.