The Split

Chapter 4

Red Grove Bar:

Levi walked in and smelled the scent of clove cigarettes, floor polish and cheap beer. Scanning the crowd, Zak wasn't at the bar, nor the front tables. Maybe she had gotten here before him, walking further into the place, she saw a familiar face in the back booth tables, all black table and chairs, and him sticking out amongst the red splash wall paint. She took a deep breath and walked over. Suddenly the feeling of nervous nature crawled over her skin, why? She wasn't sure, she tried to shake it off as she got closer but it just settled in the pit of her stomach.

'Long time, no see Zak.'

His tall frame looked up from his phone and took in the sight. She looked good, much better than the last time he had seen her when he yelled at her for prying as to the reason he and Olivia  broke up. That night wasn't the best memory for the two of them, he later apologized but still, she just wanted to help and he jumped down her throat.

"Likewise Levi. you look good."

'Thanks, so do you.'

They hugged and then sat down on opposite sides of the booth. Levi shrugged off her jacket, and looked for a server, no way they would be able to talk without some liquid courage. Looking at him, she felt that familiar tug, he was a beautifully dark, smart, confident being and she was attracted to that. Attracted to him.

After all these years, it still hadn't left her but she didn't act out on it, instead she ignored it and fell into a pattern of short temporary passionate agreements with men she never kept a phone number for. She was using them to soothe the savage ache she had for Zak, a night of passion to forget the potential happily-ever-after with him

'What can I get you?' The server asked as she made her way to their table.
"Heineken please"

'Whiskey straight.'

The server nodded and walked away. A cloud of uncomfortable silence swept over them and then away.

"Does she mention me?" Zack asked with a nervous twitch.
Oh man, not one for easy questions.
'Yes, she does.'

"Did she tell you to hate me? For everything that happened to her?" Zak was know playing with his fingers.  Levi could tell he was way more nervous about this. But she chose to ignore the twitches and shook her head.

'No. she told me she left herself open to the spirit world and she got a bad attachment. It happens.'

"Yeah." Zaks eyes looked down.
'Do you still miss her? Still love her?'

Zak took a deep breath and was about to answer her when the server came up to the table with their drinks.  They thanked her and waited till she was gone to continue.

"Yes to both."

'Any chance of coming back together?' Levi asked biting the side of her cheek. Hoping she didn't just hurt him more. He sighed and shook his head. That was not a good sign.  Licking his lips  he looked at Levi.

"I don't think we brought out the best in each other the last few months. I was gone so much, she was angry and lonely. Then..i shouldn't have brought her to the tombs. I begged her not to come but she kept pushing and I caved."

'Zak. Livy did what she wanted, she wanted to spend time with you doing what you love and yes, something bad happened but you can't keep blaming yourself.'

He took a sip of beer and just kept silent. Levi sipped her drink and held the glass, that uncomfortable silence stretched again. He was starting to pull at the label of the beer bottle as he glanced at her. Pulling a face watching as she could drink whisk straight.

"How do you drink that and not grimace at the burn?"

'It doesn't bother me, it's a warmth in my chest.'
"Ballsy."

'Thank you.'

They toasted and fell into a conversation, not about ghost hunting, his ex lover, her business growth and accounts. They just talked. Two friends catching up. He showed her some new pictures which caused her to move closer to him in the booth, they were side by side and at one point they had been just sitting next to each other, no pictures or funny videos. Just next to each other.

God he smelled good.
What was wrong with her, stop sniffing her best friend's ex.

When the server came back asking if they wanted a refill, he looked in her direction. "Want another drink or did you want to go?"
'Go where?'

"My house, we can drink and not worry about driving drunk. Plus you can see the new decor."

'Sounds good.'

"Check please."