Page 20 of Holiday on the Rocks
“Whatever.”
“You have to admit I’ve been a pretty good friend today.”
My eyes locked with his emerald jewels. “Thank you.”
It came out a husky whisper. “Anything for you, Allie.”
His words socked me in the stomach as we both knew he’d spoken them to me the day we met at an outdoor concert. I’d told him I didn’t want him to walk so far to get me pizza. Anything for you, Allie.
He gave me a wave before walking off.
I pulled on my grey sweats and sat in the corner of the room digesting the day. I took a few more pain meds as my head still had a little throb to it. There was quiet music, I thought. I checked my phone but not that. I opened the door and walked to the top of the stairs as the soft music was clearer and the organ in the center of my chest jumped. Down the stairs and on the leather sofa was the hot man strumming the guitar while one foot rested on the coffee table and the other on the floor.
I stood out of sight as he looked down at the strings. He’d gotten his guitar as a kid from his aunt for Christmas one year. By the time I met him it was a well-worn instrument that displayed what a natural musician he was. He’d taught himself and only played for me. I’d lie on his bed while he sat next to me and strummed beautiful songs as he looked down wearing that sexy ass grin.
He’d only played in public once. My mother ran the Christmas Pageant at our church and the day of the program the acoustic guitar player came down with the flu. I told her how amazing Levi played and after I begged him he caved. Anything for you, Allie. The entire congregation gasped when Levi appeared and slayed it as I sat in the first row falling even more in love with him.
This might’ve been a turned corner when it came to Levi and my parents, but they happen to catch him in my room at midnight the following evening and the full-blown Kill Levi Era continued on.
His fingers danced on the strings while I attempted to beat the desire that swam through me into submission.
I despised the fact that I wanted to stand there forever looking down at him.
I forced my feet to return to my room and plopped into bed. The music stopped and it was late, but I was not sleeping. Thoughts of Toby holding me against the bathroom wall along with Levi who was doing hurdles in my mind was the equivalent of a child high on Jelly Bellies and Lemon Heads; sleep was not happening.
I disliked that my hate was wavering a bit. Yeah, him saving me twice in one day was messing with me. I’d just steer clear of him tomorrow. Yes, that was the ticket. I gave team Allie a quick pep talk.
So he helped me out of a sticky situation today, death, but by tomorrow the hatred I’d had for Mr. Satan would return. He was still the scum of the earth, and if it wasn’t for the life threatening thing today, the loathing hate I had for him would be as strong as it’d always been. Yup, a raging river of hate. So tomorrow I’d slip right back into my normal state of mind. The one that gives zero fucks for a dumbass.
A positive thought? I was positive Levi sucked.
I tossed and turned for what felt like an hour, and I was trying everything to get to sleep. Basically one sheep, two sheep, raccoon, cow, turtle, Old McDonald had a farm, heeey Macarena! Had I developed adult ADHD?
Me: I can do this. I can sleep.
Brain: Pssst.
Me: Yeah?
Brain: What disease do you think you have?
Deep breathing and thinking of Emily’s wedding details that normally put me to sleep in a second, did nothing. I sang Silent Night and Little Drummer Boy, but still not sleepy.
Then there was a creak. What could be in a strange house in the Colorado mountains? My eyes darted around the dark room wondering if it was a bear outside my window or a serial killer in the hall. I thought I’d prefer a serial killer if I had to choose between the two, I guess. But I would fight a bear, not well, but I’d sure as shit give it a go. But not a grizzly bear, or a black bear. I’ll take a Care Bear, please?
Yes, I definitely have adult ADHD.
I slowly climbed out of bed and went to the door. I pressed my ear to it but heard nothing. I nearly jumped out of my skin when the noise happened again. It was from outside but I couldn’t make myself look.
What if I pulled open the curtain and a man was there staring at me? The thought sent a shiver up my arms.
Calm your ass down!
I went over and peeked out the window to see nothing but trees and snow. Whew. I got back into bed and after more tossing and turning, I finally grew tired.
My eyes opened and terror wrapped around me. I was back in the car again. I hung upside down with more blood appearing by the second. My gloves were soaked in it as hot tears streamed down my face.
The biting wind cut my skin like shards of glass as the cold seeped into my bones while I shivered uncontrollably. My fingers were numb and stiff, unable to feel the cold anymore. I knew it wouldn’t be long before it was over. Before I was gone. The slow ache in my chest grew as my heart was turning to ice. I had no way out. I was alone and there was no hope. Nobody was coming for me. I was gone.
