Page 33 of The Break-Up Pact

He stares down at his leg, pizza momentarily forgotten in his hands. “It’s weird to think about, but if we hadn’t put things off, I might be married by now.” I can’t see his face, and his tone is just as unreadable—something that might be relief and might be regret. “I probably should have realized something was off. But we were both so busy. I just chalked it up to that.”

“I know it’s not really my business, but—how are things between the two of you right now?” I ask. “Is any of this working?”

I’m preparing for him to say no, because then I’ll have to make an offer I’m not sure I want to and tell him we can drop this whole Revenge Ex scheme now. Except when Levi opens his mouth, he says, “Actually, yeah.”

It’s like I had my arms braced in front of me and something came and hit me from the side instead. “Oh?” I manage.

He nods. “I think it is. We’ve talked a few times. A lot about the old days. She doesn’t mention Roman.” When his eyes finally meet mine, there’s something guarded in them again. I stiffen at the sight of it, reminded of that cool distance he kept between us all the years he was gone. “She’s said a few things about the future that make me think… maybe she wants me to be a part of it.”

A friend would ask him right now if he wants to be a part of her future. If he’s willing to settle for “maybe.” If this entire debacle with Roman is really something he can see himself getting past and trust it won’t happen again.

And I want to be Levi’s friend. But the truth is, under the surface, I know I have an agenda of my own. One that would be asking those questions for my own sake, and not just for Levi’s.

I let the question die in my throat. Someone else can ask Levi, but it probably shouldn’t be me.

“Well—that’s good,” I say. “That it’s working, I mean.”

Levi nods again, his eyes drifting out to the rest of the apartment, nearly lost in a thought before he pulls himself back.

“What about Griffin?” he asks.

I don’t miss the edge in his voice. I might be keeping my feelings about Kelly to myself, but Levi still has no qualms about how he feels about Griffin. It makes me bite down a quick smile. It’s not the same as Levi being jealous, but there’s a satisfaction in it just the same.

“He’s somehow both super quiet and ridiculously loud,” I say. “He’s not texting me anymore, but he’s been posting nonstop.”

I’m not even checking Griffin’s Instagram on purpose anymore. He’s just always there at the top of my feed, the new poster child for Doing the Most. Selfies of him with Lisel on a hike, a picture of him snuggling Lisel’s dog, an announcement that he’s collaborating with yet another protein powder or fitness brand. I can only assume his new manager never sleeps.

“And you’re okay with that?”

I shrug, sidestepping the question. I’m not okay with it in the sense that I don’t understand how someone I cared about so much can have such little regard for my feelings. But I also don’t care much what goes on in Griffin’s world and find myself caring less every day.

“It’s different for me. I don’t have any desire to be with him anymore.” I smirk. “Honestly, the whole thing is kind of funny now. I think the attention on us is really getting to him.”

Levi bristles. “He always did have a way of needing to be in the spotlight, even in school.”

“Speaking of,” I say carefully. “I know you’re not a huge fan of that spotlight. You’re still okay with all of this?”

The irritation eases out of Levi’s expression. “June, I’m hiding in the back of Tea Tide all day. I’m the one who should be asking you that.”

I consider for a moment. “I don’t mind it now. Everyone’s just curious, mostly. And I’ve always liked talking to new people.”

The only downside to that, of course, is that Tea Tide is so crammed with new people that it’s still pushing the regulars out. But I’m hoping that’ll resolve itself when the hype dies down.

“I guess I was just worried about your writing situation,” I elaborate. “If this weird viral fame is going to affect how you handle it at all.”

Levi shakes his head. “Even if it did, I’m pretty sure the whole business with Kelly would have blown it up first,” he says. “And anyway, I’m still planning on publishing under a pseudonym.”

“Hmm.” I take another bite of my pizza, chewing thoughtfully. “You’re going to need something broody and edgy, to go with that novel of yours.”

He rolls his eyes affectionately. “I’ll probably just use Dawson,” he says, which is his mom’s maiden name.

“Or you could commit to the mood. Archer Blaze Storm,” I venture, leaning in.

Levi casts his eyes back up to the ceiling, already sensing I’m on a roll. “Here we go.”

“McManly Mysterious Man,” I throw out next.

He furrows his brow. “Why would a parent with the last name ‘Man’ name their kid ‘McManly’?”

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