Focus

by Alyssa Rose Ivy

  “So what are the plans this weekend?” he asked.

  “I’d like to do something with some of the girls on our floor—we obviously never caught up with them last night.”

  “Same, we’ll have to talk to Anne and Tiffany,” Hailey agreed.

  “Tonight?” Levi glanced into the rearview mirror.

  “I guess.”

  “Okay, so let’s hang out tomorrow night.”

  I shook my head. “I can’t.”

  “Come on, Al. You know you want to. It doesn’t even have to be just the two of us. We can hang out as a group.”

  I looked back at Hailey, and she shrugged.

  I sighed, realizing this was another dangerous step. “I’ll think about it.”

  He put a hand on the back of my seat. “I’ll take it.”

  Levi turned on to Broadway and parked near our dorm. “I’ll call you later to finalize plans.”

  “You never give up, do you?”

  “Not when it comes to you.”

  Before I could unbuckle my seatbelt, he leaned over and did it himself, his lips brushing against mine. “Have a great day.”

  “See ya.” I got out without looking back.

  We went inside, and I grabbed my books before running across campus to make my first class.

  I walked in after the professor had already started his lecture. He shot me an annoyed look as I slid into my seat next to Jared. Jared smiled at me, tilting his laptop so I could see his notes. Unlike Levi, Jared actually took them.

  Class went by in a blur, and I walked out with Jared just like after our first class.

  “Levi never came home last night. Do you know anything about that?”

  I figured he’d find out anyway. “He may or may not have spent the night on the couch.”

  “And where did you sleep?”

  “On the couch,” I mumbled.

  “You two sure like the couch. Is he going to be in a good mood when I see him?” Jared nudged me as we walked.

  I moved closer to Jared when a kid on a bicycle nearly ran me over. “It depends on how happy cuddling makes him.”

  Jared arched a brow. “Cuddling. Is that what you kids are calling it these days?”

  “You got me. We had hot sex. I wanted Hailey to join in, but Levi wasn’t up for it.”

  Jared cracked up. “You’re okay, Allie.”

  “I’m glad you approve.”

  “But seriously.” He glanced behind us before continuing. “I’m glad you guys are working things out.”

  “I don’t know if I’d say that…”

  “You spent the night together. I don’t care if all you did was sleep. It still means something. You don’t do that with someone you don’t want to be with.”

  I adjusted the straps of my tote bag so they didn’t dig into the bare skin of my shoulder that my tank top left exposed. “I didn’t want to be with him the last time we slept on the couch.”

  “Yes you did.”

  We reached my next class, and I saw Owen waiting in the same spot as last time.

  Jared nodded. “See you around, Princess.”

  “Do you really have to do that?”

  “What? It’s your title.”

  I shook my head. Jared waved to Owen, and walked away.

  “Good morning.” Owen looked tired. I guessed he’d been up even later than I had.

  “Before you ask, I spent the night with Levi on the couch.”

  He smiled. “I know.”

  “You do?”

  “I just ran into him.” Owen held open the door to our classroom.

  “Oh, okay.”

  We headed into French class, and I hoped I’d manage to understand something my teacher said this time.

  Chapter Seven

  My first Friday night as a college student didn’t start out particularly eventful.

  “So, we’ll go to the Boot first and see where we want to go from there.” Anne applied her makeup in front of one of the mirrors in the bathroom.

  “Didn’t the guys say the Boot was lame?” I finished straightening my hair, unplugging the flat iron before placing it on the sink to cool.

  “Upperclassman always say that. I think you burn out on it Freshman year because it’s right here.” The bar was literally a couple hundred feet from our dorm.

  “Okay, I’m up for anything.” I couldn’t deny the giddiness I felt about going out with the girls. Even though it had only been three days of classes, I’d survived my first week of college.

  I grabbed my purse and followed Anne out of the room. Hailey and Tiffany needed to use the ATM, so we were meeting up with them outside the bar.

  The Boot was happening. People were hanging out on the sidewalk outside, and a steady stream was heading in. There was nothing particularly special about the place, but located right off campus, it was unofficially the Tulane bar.

  We saw Hailey and Tiffany immediately, and wordlessly we all headed to the door.

  We flashed our IDs at the bouncer and walked inside.

  “One of the annoying parts about this place is that they actually check ID.” Hailey replaced her license in her wallet.

  “We can always get fakes if you think we need them.” Anne definitely seemed keen on the idea.

  Hailey shot her down. “We don’t need them, and it’s not worth the risk of getting busted with one.”

  “I never saw you as someone who would be afraid of getting caught,” I said casually, taking in my surroundings. A bar dominated the back wall, with tables scattered throughout the rest of the space.

  “I’m not, but it’s not worth it when you can get served most places.”

  Tiffany nodded. “Yeah, that makes sense.”

  “I’m sure someone will get us beer.” Anne smiled as Brandon came our way. I knew I wasn’t imagining something between them at the frat party.

  “Hey guys. We’ve got a table and a few pitchers, care to join us?”

  We all looked at each other before Hailey answered. “Sure.”

  An hour and a few cups of beer later, Anne was agreeing on our behalf to go with the guys to some small house party their friend was throwing. Considering nothing too exciting was happening at the bar, none of us had a problem with it. It was really funny to be hanging out with Brandon. I never would have believed it in high school.

  We walked a few blocks down Broadway with the guys, hoping the party would be at least half decent. We stopped in front of a house with faded paint and a rickety front porch. The only thing that marked it as a college student’s house was the Tulane Green wave sticker on the front window.

  I walked up the front steps, hoping they’d manage to hold all of our weight. This was one of those non-glamorous parts about college that people never tell you about—worrying that the dilapidated apartment hosting a party would fall apart with you in it.

  There were only about twenty people inside when we arrived, so Tiffany, Hailey and I took a seat on a couch after grabbing some Abita beers. It didn’t take much time in the city to realize it was a great local beer. Anne continued to chat with Brandon. There was definitely something going on between them.

  A guy with shaggy, brown hair squeezed in next to me, pushing me closer to Hailey in the process.

  “Hey, I’m Nick.” He held out his hand, shifting his beer to his other hand.

  “Hi, I’m Allie.” I accepted the handshake. His hand was wet from what I hoped was condensation from his beer.

  “Cool. I don’t think I’ve seen you out before.”

  “Probably not. I’m a freshman.”

  “Really? I wouldn’t have thought so.”

  “Because I look old?” I tried to discretely wipe my hand on my skirt.

  “No, not at all.” He looked panicked. “I just mean you seem more mature.”

  “Oh. I’m going to take that as a compliment.”

  He smiled. “You should.”

  There was something almost helplessly nerdy about Nick. He tried to hide it beh
ind a frat boy front, but it was definitely there. I’d have felt bad for him if he wasn’t blatantly violating my personal space. I scooted closer to Hailey, but I couldn’t move far. The couch wasn’t built for four.

  “Hello, Hailey,” a brunette said snidely. She was tall. Her long legs exposed in a short, black dress. A pair of three inch heels only added to the effect. No one had to tell me she was a Pteron. The confidence she carried screamed it.

  “Hi, Michelle.” Hailey almost flinched when she said her name.

  “What are you doing here?” Michelle didn’t even glance at me.

  Hailey played with the clasp of her purse, obviously flustered. “We were invited.”

  “I didn’t think these guys had such bad taste.”

  “Excuse me, who are you?” I asked. The girl was a brat.

  She turned to study me, clearly not impressed by what she saw. “Was I talking to you?”

  Hailey laughed. “Do you know who this is, Michelle?”

  “Should I?”

  “Allie, Allie Davis.” Hailey grinned.

  Michelle coughed, nearly choking on her beer. “You’re Levi’s Allie?”

  I wouldn’t normally want to admit to it, but I figured this had to be the daughter of the woman I’d met at Commander’s. “Yes.”

  “Oh, wow, I didn’t know.” Her cheeks flushed.

  I shrugged. “I don’t usually go by Levi’s Allie. Just Allie is fine.”

  She crossed her feet at her ankles in what I assumed was a nervous motion. “Can I get you something? A beer or anything?”

  “I’m fine.” I held up my half full beer in evidence. “You can stop trying to kiss up to me.” I was still mad about the way she treated Hailey.

  Tiffany looked between Michelle, Hailey, and I trying to figure it out. I was really glad it was Tiffany with us and not Anne. She didn’t say anything.

  Michelle’s eyes suddenly lit up. “Does Levi know you’re here?”

  “He knows I’m out with my friends.”

  “He lets you go to parties without him?”

  “Wow, you need to dump your boyfriend if he’s that controlling.” Nick leaned closer to me.

  Michelle broke into a smile. “He’s more than her boyfriend.”

  “Okay… still you need to ditch him.” Nick put a hand on my arm. I shrugged it off.

  “It just surprises me he’d be okay with it. I’d have thought Levi would be more protective.” Michelle leaned in like she was challenging me. Maybe being rude to her was a bad idea.

  “I think I know Levi better than you do.” I stood up. I didn’t like having to look up at her. If it weren’t for her higher heels, we would have been close to the same height. “Besides, he doesn’t own me.”

  Her eyes darkened, but then she calmed down. “I guess you would know him better. It just seems odd that you’d be here flirting with other guys. I can’t imagine Levi, or his father, would like that.”

  “His father?” Tiffany asked, talking for the first time.

  “Yes, his father really wouldn’t like it.” I didn’t like the way Michelle was looking at me. Warning bells went off. I couldn’t let Robert find out the truth from Michelle. It was up to Levi to tell him.

  “I’ll be right back,” I said to Hailey and Tiffany.

  I walked out onto the front porch and texted Levi. I glanced up at the cross streets. I’m at a party on Broadway and Maple. We planned to meet here. Come.

  I reclaimed my seat on the couch, knowing he’d be joining me soon.

  Nick and Michelle were nowhere in sight, but I assumed neither had gone very far. “Everything okay?” Anne asked, abandoning Brandon.

  “Everything’s great.” I smiled.

  Hailey gave me a quizzical look before continuing to rip the label off her beer. She looked bored.

  We sat for a while before I heard a very familiar voice. “Hey, I’m just looking for someone.”

  I turned and stood up. I saw Michelle out of the corner of my eye as I launched myself into Levi’s arms. “Finally!” As his arms came around me in surprise, I kissed him. He responded immediately, his arms tightening. I heard Jared and Owen laughing in the background.

  I pulled away in a slight daze—it was supposed to be just for show, but it didn’t feel that way.

  “Hey, love, it’s good to see you too.” I could tell he was trying to figure out what was going on.

  “I just met a friend of yours.” I pointed to where Michelle stood with her arms crossed over her chest.

  Understanding flashed in Levi’s eyes as he led us over to her. “Hi, Michelle. So you’ve met Allie?”

  Michelle moved her arms and stood up straighter. “Yes, and I definitely get why you chose her. She’s amazing.” She gave me the biggest, fakest smile.

  The forced nature of it didn’t go unnoticed by Levi. “Good. As nice as it is to see you, I’m going to be taking Allie now. We’ve got some plans of our own.”

  I groaned internally. I tried to help and, of course, he had to take advantage of it. “Before we go, let me make sure my friends don’t mind.”

  “We don’t mind at all,” Anne said immediately. “Go have fun.” She winked at me.

  “If you want to go, we understand.” Tiffany was trying to figure out what I wanted her to say.

  “Yeah, go ahead.” Hailey grinned. She was in so much trouble.

  “Bye, Michelle. Great meeting you.” I let Levi lead me to the front door.

  “You guys staying?” Levi asked his friends.

  “Yeah.” Jared was eyeing Tiffany.

  “Okay, but remember the rules,” I warned him. Tiffany was too sweet of a girl to have to deal with Jared.

  He glared at me. “Yes, how could I forget?”

  Levi led us off the porch and away from the house.

  “Nice kiss.”

  “You know why I did it.” I looked up at the perfectly crescent moon.

  “Do I?”

  He traced a line down my arm.

  “Of course. Michelle would have told your dad if she thought something was up. Why would it mean anything else?”

  “A chaste kiss could have accomplished the same thing. That wasn’t chaste—your tongue was in my mouth, Al.”

  “Are you complaining?”

  “Hell no. I happen to like your tongue…and the rest of you.” His eyes let me know exactly what he was implying.

  I stood staring at him for a moment. I wished he didn’t make my whole body heat up a couple of degrees every time I was alone with him. “So, was making me leave part of fooling Michelle, or was there any other reason?”

  “Of course, there were other reasons. Unlike you, I’m not pretending to want to stay away.”

  “Where’d you park?”

  “I didn’t drive.”

  “So you’re walking me back to my dorm?” It wasn’t too far, but I was regretting my decision to wear new shoes. My feet were killing me.

  “Would you rather fly?” He smiled. “And be honest.”

  I probably should have said no, but a major part of me wanted to say yes and that part won over. “You’ll fly me home?”

  “You know I’d fly you anywhere.”

  “Fine.”

  He grinned, pulling off his shirt as he led us further into the shadows. He kissed my neck once before wrapping his arms around my waist and taking off from the sidewalk.

  It had only been a few weeks since I’d last flown with Levi, but it felt like forever. The familiar exhilaration hit me as soon as we were airborne, and I wished my dorm was further away. Evidently, Levi did too.

  “Where are we going?” I yelled. I knew he’d be able to hear me over the wind, but I wouldn’t hear his answer. When the city lights began fading from view, I had a pretty good idea. After a few minutes, he landed in the sand.

  “What the hell, Levi? You were supposed to bring me home!”

  “You didn’t want to go home, did you?” He pulled me close to him, kissing my ear, before moving his lips ba
ck to my neck. I involuntarily closed my eyes.

  “Did you?” he whispered.

  Without conscious thought, I answered. “No.”

  “Good.” He moved his lips to mine, but surprised me by giving me only the lightest of kisses. He took my hand and led me for a walk down the beach. “I’ve missed you so much.”

  “I’ve missed you too,” I admitted. I looked out at the black water, wishing the moon were full like the last time we’d gone to Grand Isle.

  “I knew you did.” He grinned, pulling me down onto the sand with him.

  “Nothing’s changed, Levi. I’m still mad.”

  “Come on, things have changed. We spent last night together, and look at us now. Who do you think you’re fooling?”

  “I’m not just going to go back to how things were before. I can’t.”

  “As long as the end result is the two of us together, and you coming home with me tonight, I’m okay with that.”

  “I’m not going home with you.”

  “Putting that part aside, can you at least admit we’re together?” He leaned down over me, gently stroking my stomach under my tank top, in an all too familiar way.

  “Only if we move things slow.”

  “Move things slow?” His hand stilled.

  “We can date. But it’s casual, and I am not sleeping with you.”

  “You slept with me last night.”

  I groaned. “Okay, I am not having sex with you.”

  “But you’ll sleep in my bed?” His hand moved again, inching even further up my body.

  “Not a chance.”

  “So, we’re back to couches only? Good to know.”

  “I’m being serious. The last time we had sex, I ended up your mate. I’m not doing that again anytime soon.”

  “What, you think you’ll become even more than a mate, or that if you let me have you too many times you’ll be under my mind control?”

  I froze.

  “That’s a joke, Al. I swear, no mind control.”

  “If my terms aren’t acceptable, I can go back to avoiding you.” We both knew I didn’t really mean it.

  “You can’t avoid me, but I’ll accept the terms for now.”

  “Good.”

  “So can I kiss you, or is that breaking some other term you randomly made up?” He shifted, his face inches above mine.