^^Above is a picture of Clair as a reminder

+++++++

Bailey's POV

"What kind of question is that?" Matteo, Clair's younger brother, asks.

"It's a question, Levi has to answer," Lori states, her long drawn arms cross, leaning her chest over them, giving Levi her undivided attention.

I slam my hands down on the black lace overlay, the table legs quivering underneath the lit candlesticks, and shout at Clair, "Just because you're jealous of our relationship doesn't mean you can try and sabotage it."

"Bailey, you know the rules. No talking while your guest is being questioned," Grandpa Carl says, waving his wine glass in the air for the waiter to refill.

I plop back in the black wooden chair, both of us letting out a huff as we collide. I hate that stupid rule. Just like I hate the smirks Clair and Aunt Lori share. Clair is a spitting image of her mother. Not only do they share the common black hair gene, and big brown eyes but they're both spoiled, entitled and believe they can wave their thimble fingers around, and people will drop to their knees for them.

Clair tucks her raven-colored hair behind her ear, and breathes calmly, "I'm not sabotaging it. I just want to know why he is with you and not with someone like me. Especially after we made out twice and I hear you guys haven't even kissed, yet."

"Clarice Moretti, knock it off," Uncle Sal, her dad, hisses across the table but Aunt Lori's smirk only encourages her daughter's poor attitude.

Her words stir something inside me. A burning in the pit of my stomach. Maybe it's the fact she called our relationship fake just a week ago or that she is pointing out my lack of experience. It's most definitely the embarrassment flooding my cheeks over being called out in front of the family but her words are like a knife cutting my ego and without thinking I lash out.

"We are too kissing! In fact we're having sex!" I scream across the table, practically climbing on top of it to make my point but Levi is quick to pull me back into my seat before my hands reach Clair's throat.

Not only is Grandma Delores choking again, but now half of the family joins in with her, including Levi, whose face is white as a sheet and he looks like he's about to pass out.

This may be too much for him.

While everyone loses their shit around us, Clair laughs at me in disbelief, never taking her gaze off me and this entire time my mom has stared at her plate, silently pretending to eat the leftover whipped cream that fell off her cherry pie.

"Bullshit! You wouldn't even make out with your hand if someone dared you to," Clair snorts.

With Levi's hand still gripping the back of my black dress, preventing me from tackling Clair, I am left with no other choice but to toss a piece of uneaten vegetable and chuck in her direction. The piece of asparagus spins in the air, in slow motion, and we all watch as it smacks her cheek and lands in her lap.

Matteo laughs at the food hitting his older sister, and claps his hands together, as if I just performed a magic trick and he wants an encore. Once again, I am the entertainment tonight, but what's new?

Clair looks around at everyone, appalled by my actions then her gaze lands back on me. She's furious. She shoots up from her chair, making it crash against the stone and retorts by throwing a piece of cut bread at me.

The piece of broken loaf hits me in the head with a thud, sending crumbs falling into my hair and lap.

Once again, I try to stand up, showing her my dominance, but once again Levi pulls me back down into my seat. He is really starting to piss me off.

Grandpa Carl cuts in, "Bailey, follow the rules. Clarice, that's enough. Levi, you do not have to answer the inappropriate question Clarice asked you."

Levi listens and remains silent, as he should. It's a bullshit question. This entire dinner is bullshit and I don't know why I agreed to attend this year.

After a few moments of everyone settling back in, the waiters come to take our plates away, and dinner is officially over.

"I have a question for Levi." Everyone glances at Aunt Lori, who cannot take a hint to save her life. "How are you doing after Jack's death? It must be so hard for you knowing that he died, and you survived."

I was wrong. We need to abort the mission. This is worse than Taya's interview. Aunt Lori and Clair teamed up against us, and it's the wild card I did not prepare for.

With the table cleared and dinner coming to an end, everyone stares at us, waiting for an answer. Great Grandpa Marco, who sits at the end of the table, interlaces his fingers and rests his head on them. Even my mother finally set her fork down and gives Levi her full attention.

One thing I did not count for is the fact that Jack was the family favorite and Levi was the one who survived.

Levi exchanges looks between me and the family and I can't defend him this time, but I say a quick prayer to myself that he gives them the answer they're looking for.

He takes a deep breath and I grab his hand, squeezing it three times, letting him know I'm here for him but also fix this situation so the family will accept him and we can get money. The better the answer, the sooner we can get out of here.

"First, I want to address my relationship with Bailey. I told Clair that I was never interested in her before and after she locked me in the bedroom against my will. My feelings, loyalty and commitment is and always have been to Bailey and Bailey only and I would like our relationship to remain private out of respect for her."

Some of the family nod their heads in agreement, but no one has spoken up against his statement.

Levi continues, "Now secondly, Jack is my best friend. Even after his death, he is my best friend. Has been for over a decade and knowing that he is gone and I'm not is something I remind myself every day. It's a guilt that I can't shake. It's a burden I carry on my shoulders. It's something I have begged God to switch and let me die and him survive, but no matter how much I beat myself up over losing the one person who was closer to me than my own brother, the outcome still remains the same."

Levi uses the cuff of his black dress shirt to wipe away a tear, but it doesn't stop him from finishing his point. "However, there is one outcome I can change and that's Bailey. I have taken on the responsibility of taking care of her. Something Jack can no longer do. Even if our relationship falls through, I will keep my promise to make sure she smiles every day, that if she cries, it's in my shoulder and when she's mad, I can let her take her anger out on me. I will do everything in my power to make sure Bailey is never in pain and never in danger. It's what Jack would have wanted, and it's something I promised him when we were kids."

Everyone, including the waiters, all stopped to listen in on Levi's answer, and after he finishes everyone is brought to tears. Sniffles echo the garden and no one bothers, not even Lori, pushing any further.

"It's the least I can do," Levi's eyes drift back on the table, his last words barely a whisper.

I place my free hand on top of our already conjoined hands under the table and look up into his eyes, amazed by his answer. The overwhelming feeling of comfort and happiness replaces the anger that was sitting in the pit of my stomach. Both of which make me emotional and for the first time my body urges me to cry in front of him. I swallow the lump in my throat, pushing back the tears that threaten to fall, but one manages to escape anyway, and Levi wipes it away with his free hand.

I had no idea Levi felt this way. I had no idea he actually cared for me.

+++++++

We stand together out on the grass as the family mingles with each other. The strange feeling of nervousness runs through me and I haven't had that feeling since we agreed to enter into this relationship but I'm finally seeing him in a new light and my mind and body have no idea how to act around him.

Across the garden, the waiters break down the table and fold up the black linens, putting everything into the storage closet, and I can't believe we actually pulled this off. We had a rough beginning with Clair's outburst, but Levi managed to save the dinner, anyway. Oh, yeah, Levi failed to tell me that he made out with Clair when we were dating.

"So you made out with Clair, twice?" I ask, keeping my gaze upon the crowd.

"Yeah. I'm sorry. I should have told you about the second time, but we broke up and honestly-"

I interrupt, "It's fine. Just don't do it again. I can't have my boyfriend cheating on me and smearing my reputation." I try to keep my tone light and playful but I'm not sure if I'm succeeding or not and I have no idea why I care all of a sudden what Levi thinks.

"Is it cheating though if we aren't actually dating?" He smirks, returning the playfulness, and I like it when he bounces off me.

"It's cheating if I say it's cheating! Just don't kiss anyone, okay?" I return the smirk, but it doesn't last long before I break out into laughter.

"You know I wouldn't. After everything I just said back there and you still think I'm going to cheat on you?" He asks and the tone of our conversation shifts.

"No. I don't think you will. Did you mean all of that back there or was it for show?"

"Do you really not know by now?"

Before I can answer, Grandpa Carl walks up handing me an envelope and I know inside is cash. "Thank you for attending this year. Here is a little something for you."

He extends his hand out for Levi to shake, "Young man. You have been through a lot and we all believe Jack would be so proud of how you have handled his passing and have taken the responsibility of looking after his little sister. You are a good man and I ask that you take care of Miss Bailey because she's always been a feisty one and needs someone who can keep up with her."

"I"m sorry about the shouting and the food throwing and telling everyone we had sex. We aren't actually having sex," I admit.

"Clair sometimes deserves to be taken down a notch or two and she isn't physically hurt, just her ego. Yes, dear, I'm sure you're not having sex. People who are don't shout it from the rooftops."

"I guess you're right," I murmur.

"You kids take care of yourselves," Grandpa Carl says and takes his leave.

Behind him are Aunt Sistine and her husband and they come over to thank us for coming, then Matteo comes by giving me a high five for the vegetable attack on his sister. Finally Uncle Sal, Aunt Lori, and Clair come over. The tension still sits there between Clair and I and I refuse to apologize for my actions.

Uncle Sal speaks up first, "You two make a fine couple. Levi, despite the accident with our nephew you have matured and I can see you turning into a fine gentleman. What do you want to do with your future?"

"He's going to be a lawyer, daddy," Clair says and the words daddy coming from a seventeen-year-old girl makes me cringe.

"Well, I'm only sixteen but open to options. I'm still figuring it all out." Levi rubs the back of his neck.

"A lawyer would make good money to raise a family and support Bailey," Uncle Sal suggests.

"Raise a family with me?" I blurt out. Did they forget I'm only fifteen?

"Well I don't expect Levi to date you, take care of you, then dump you. Jack wouldn't approve of that. They made a promise. Levi is in it for the long run. He's going to make a fine husband and you are lucky to have him." Uncle Sal affirms.

"You're right, sir. I did make a promise to Jack to care of her and I didn't mean temporarily," Levi says.

"If you decide to take another route, let me know. Maybe the Moretti family business would interest you."

"Daddy, how can you offer him a job after he broke my heart?" Clair pouts.

"Oh hush you little brat. I see all the guys lined up in your DM. You're fine." Aunt Lori hisses.

Uncle Sal clears his throat, "We should get going."

He again thanks us for attending and the three of them saunter back in their house.

"Did Uncle Sal just marry us?" I ask, still trying to comprehend the future laid out before me.

"I think so," Levi replies.

++++++++

All three of us climb back into the Chevy and breathe a sigh of relief. Overall, this year's dinner was successful, and the family approved of Levi, but despite that, I have an aching pain stirring inside me.

My future was laid out for me and I never imagined Levi being in my future for forever, let alone next year. After this contract ends, what will happen to us? Will we be able to remain friends? What if he wants to go his own way and we never talk again? A sharp pain shoots through my heart over these thoughts, sending more confusion to my brain. I don't want him to leave me.

Mom sighs against the window, the condensation showing the evidence of her unhappiness, and her presence brings me back to reality.

"When we get home, I'm packing up my stuff and moving into the bar, temporarily." She says.

"What? Why?" I turn around, stunned by her announcement.

"You're clearly out of control. Your performance at dinner was embarrassing and if Jack or your father were there they would be ashamed of your attitude. The ironic piece in all of this is that Levi seems to be the only person who can rein you in so I'm going to let him be in charge of you."

"So your solution is to leave and dump me on Levi?" I ask, bewildered.

"I don't know what else to do! You made it clear you don't want me or need me in your life and it's either I stay and throw you out or I leave but if we continue to live together we are going to destroy each other until there's nothing left to save."

"You know what? I'm glad you're leaving because you're right. I don't need you," I huff, plopping back in my seat.

Levi pulls the truck into our driveway after a short drive home.

Mom leans into his shoulder, "Good luck. Hopefully you'll be able to get through to her because I can't handle being pushed away by her after losing Jack. I just need some time and space to grieve."

I mumble under my breath, "You're the one literally abandoning me. Some mom you are."

Mom glares at me and it's a look I used to receive when I was a child acting out. She continues to speak to Levi, "Just don't do anything stupid. Wear condoms, use plan b. Just don't get her pregnant. Don't be stupid like me and get pregnant in high school. Your kids will grow up to be spoiled, ungrateful and they will hate you. I'm only saying this because I guess you guys are 'having sex' now."

"We aren't-" Levi is cut off by the slamming of the truck door.

I jump out of the car, following her across the driveway. She can't end our conversation on that note.

"I'm glad you're leaving because now I don't need the constant reminder that you don't love me!" I scream but she doesn't return the anger. Instead, she ignores me and heads into the house and our conversation ends by the slamming of the front door.

I look over at Levi, who stands in the driveway, in disbelief, and he shares the same expression.

 My mom is gone. I'm not sure whether to cry, scream or laugh.

Before I can process my emotions my instincts kick in and I express my feelings the only way I know how, by breaking shit.

I glance around the front lawn, my eyes landing on the empty planters, and one by one I start smashing the planters into the driveway. Pieces or terracotta fly in all directions.

I remind myself that this is all Jack's fault. If he hadn't died, my dad wouldn't be in rehab and my mom wouldn't be moving into the bar.

Levi yells at me, but at this point it's just background noise.

After all the planters are smashed, I go for the garden gnomes. Little men fly across the lawn, landing in shards. Pieces of smiles and innocent eyes look back up at me.

I reach for another one when I'm knocked back by water spraying my face.

"What the hell!" I scream. Denver's black dress clings to me like a wet smock.

Levi stomps across the driveway but doesn't make it far before his dress shoes slip on the wet pavement and he falls on his back.

I rush over but I too slip on the wet pavement and fall on my back, right next to him. We both groan, holding onto our backs, and it's not until we look at each that we bust out laughing.

"Your makeup is running and you look like a raccoon." He grins.

"Yeah well maybe that's because someone decided to spray me with the garden hose!" I shove his shoulder.

"I had to. You were about to murder every gnome that sits in the garden, and what did the innocent guys do to you?"

"I was just so angry. I lost the last family member I had," I breath.

"I can be your family. I can stay the night so you're not alone tonight. I'd sleep on the floor, of course," he suggests.

"I'm okay tonight. But can you just lay here with me until my mom leaves?" I smile, and slide my hand into his letting him know I'm being genuine and he nods, taking my hand into his.

I don't know what it is about him, but Levi's presence is somehow comforting. Maybe it's his calm nature or his sweet gestures that I'm starting to realize aren't fake. It's like when I'm talking I can tell he is actually listening. Not the kind people do when they nod their heads, but stare off into space. No, Levi always gives me his full attention and I'm starting to feel like I can tell him anything.

Together, lying on the driveway, we stare up at the stars. Despite my earlier tantrum the entire neighborhood probably overheard, it's actually a very peaceful night.

"So you really don't remember anything from the party?" He asks.

I shake my head, "No, but I heard that I fought AnnaMae. Brandon kissed me and Hunter stopped him."

"Did he really kiss you?" 

"I guess so, at least that's what Hunter told me." 

"I'm serious, if Brandon messes with you again, tell me."

"I don't ever plan on being in the same room as him. I know he laced my drink, I just have to prove it."

"I do hope you find the person who did that to you. Although, I have a feeling you weren't the intended target. Who would have the motive to harm you? I'm just glad nothing serious happened."

"Yeah thanks to you and Hunter that night."

"You know, before Brandon and Hunter, I was on the porch yelling at you."

"You were? It doesn't surprise me. It seems like you yell at me a lot."

"That's not true! You are just a very frustrating person sometimes. I'm usually a chill guy, go-with-the-flow, but somehow you always bring out the other side of me,"

"What is that? The strict father side?" I joke.

"No, more like the worried boyfriend side!" He shoves my shoulder and as his fingers make contact with my body a shock runs through my body, warming up everything inside me.

Although the entire town and social media know about our very public relationship, sometimes I forget we are dating. Well, fake dating.

Usually hanging out with Levi is like hanging out with a friend until he makes small comments like that, which confuse both my heart and head.

"Alright, what was the worried boyfriend yelling at me for that night?" I ask, trying to calm my heart and brain.

"I told you that you needed to listen to me if you wanted to be on the squad and that fighting wasn't the answer."

"What did I say in return?"

"You nodded your head," he replies.

"Then I meant that," I look over and see him staring back at me.

I'm not sure if it's the moonlight, stars or the adrenaline still rushing through me from my earlier Godzilla attack on the gnomes, but his eyes are sparkling in a way I've never seen before.

"Would you like to go to Devon's birthday party with me on Saturday?" He asks, not breaking our eye contact.

The question floats off his tongue like a soft cloud. I watch as his lips come together and part as he speaks. For the first time ever, I want Levi to know what his lips taste like and I can't seem to get out the words running through my head, for I'm still caught in his trance. All I can do is nod.

The garage door opens, bringing me back to reality that I've been laying on the cold concrete in a soaked dress for the past twenty minutes holding hands with Levi Bedford. What's wrong with me?

We both scramble to get out of the way as my mom backs her truck out. We stand at the edge of the driveway and watch as she ignores our existence and disappears into the darkness. 

Now it's official. I'm on my own.

Levi's POV

After a brisk walk home, I shut the front door and lean against it. She held my hand. For the first time I felt she was staring into my soul and we were on the same wavelength. My heart races as I relive the moments of us stargazing. I wish I could do it all over again.

"Levi Bedford." I open my eyes and see mom's silhouette standing in the foyer's entryway, rolling pin in hand.

"Are you having sex with Bailey?" She growls and my heart drops into my stomach. How did she hear that rumor?

"What? Why do you have a rolling pin?" I ask, trying to comprehend everything.

"I'm making dough! Lori called me this evening to let me know that my son is sexually active. I know that my son, who is an A student, makes better choices than that!"

"It's a misunderstanding," I assure.

"That Bailey girl is a terrible influence on you. I know for a fact that Clair would never pressure you to do something like that before marriage!" Mom waves the rolling pin over head like a psychopath, and in this lighting she looks like a serial killer in one of those horror films Bailey likes so much.

"Ma, I'm not having sex. I'm telling you, it was a misunderstanding." I head up the stairs, ending this conversation before she interrogates me some more.

"You better not be!" She yells up the staircase. 

~~~~~7/23/20 • 3998 words~~~~~

🌸Thank you for reading. Please vote/comment if you enjoyed the chapter!🌸

I love how Judy doesn't know her son isn't a virgin and she thinks Clair is this angel. 😂

Also, even though we won't meet Matteo again, I love that he enjoys seeing his sister (Clair) get beat up by vegetables. 🤣