Competing for His Heart

Chapter 10:"That's Not What You Said Last Night."

Levi's POV

I woke up with the hangover from hell. Stumbling out of bed, I tripped over Blake who was laying on my floor, passed out, with an empty bottle of tequila in his hand. As I kicked him, he mumbled something about Cassie. I chose to ignore it.

I checked my watch- I had fifteen minutes to pull myself together and get to the main dining room to meet my parents for breakfast. My stomach turned at the thought of faking my way through this conversation. I had no desire to participate in "The Competition". As much as I'd love to see Olivia all dolled up, I don't want it to be because she's competing for me.

I looked down at my duffle bag, packed full of clothes. Sitting amidst the dirty clothes was a black velvet box. Inside? A perfect ring for the perfect girl. 

The proposal was going to be perfect. Olivia would meet my parents, we'd spend the summer together in the Hamptons, then, on our last night here, I was going to enlist our friends to help me decorate the big, old gazebo in the back garden. She would have loved it- no, she WILL love it. She's going to win. I knew this trip would end in a proposal, I just didn't realize this was the way it was going to happen.

After quickly brushing my teeth and patting down my hair, I threw on an old pair of sweatpants and walked down to meet Mom and Dad. Mom was sitting at the head of the table, looking like she'd been up and ready for hours. I swear that woman never leaves her room without making sure she's completely put together. Dad, on the other hand, looked like he'd just rolled out of bed. He was wearing his trademark dark blue monogrammed robe, and his hair was sticking up everywhere.

I sat down next to Dad, and started piling my plate high with a variety of foods the chefs had prepared for breakfast. Mom wasted no time.

"Levi. We have something important to discuss."

"Oh, Rose, let the boy sit down and take a breath before you start bombarding him!", Dad said, with his usual charm, "Good morning, Son! How are you feeling this morning?"

I looked up at him, mouth full of waffles.

"hmmm-finnn" I tried to mumble out, my mouth still full of breakfast.

"LEVI. Do NOT talk with your mouth full. I knew we shouldn't have let you go to a college that wasn't Ivy League standard. Your table manners are horrendous." Mother said in horror.

I swallowed my bite.

"I feel fine. Thanks, Dad."

"Levi, I hope you can eat and listen at the same time," Mom spoke sharply, "I have to meet Vanessa's mother for tea at 10:00, and I will not stand to be late. If you had arrived to breakfast on time, there would be no need to rush...." she trailed off, glancing at me in disdain.

I stayed quiet, still eating, and waited for them to start explaining.

"Did you happen to notice there were quite a few young ladies about your age in attendance last night? They all had name tags on?" My dad started.

"Yeah, I thought they were trying out to participate in one of Mom's famous Debutante Balls." I answered, trying to sound oblivious.

"Actually, all of those young ladies- including the lovely Vanessa- were here for you." Mom answered with a smile.

Mom and Dad laid out the history of "The Competition" just as the girls had the night before. There would be ten girls, four rounds of judging, and a proposal for the winning girl. I feigned shock and surprise as they talked me through the ins and outs of being the Hamptons new, most sought after bachelor.