Never Say Goodbye Read online

  I can feel the smile on my face because he was fun to hang out with last night. I just hope he isn’t the playboy type of guy I originally thought. I guess the only way to find out is to hang out with him. So I quickly text him back, “Last night was fun. We can hang out around 4:00 p.m. if that works.”

  I plop back down on the bed patiently waiting for a response. Luckily, I don’t have to wait too long. I check the message and he says, “Great, I’ll swing by and pick you up at your dorm at four.”

  “How do you know which dorm to come to?” I ask surprised that he already knows where I live.

  I get a quick response, “You live in Cobb with Brynn right?”

  “Yes, I do but how did you know that?” I text back and am slightly freaked out. Before I have time to think about it anymore his text comes through, “Chad told me, don’t worry I’m not stalking you Liv.”

  Phew, that makes sense. Why didn’t I think of that? I respond back, “I’m not. Iwas just curious, that’s all.” I send back hoping he believes me.

  He sends a response back, “Okay good, I will see you at 4:00 p.m. then.”

  I check the time and it’s only eleven-thirty so I have plenty of time to get some homework done and shower before Levi gets here.

  “So bitch, spill,” Brynn says with a grin on her face as she comes out of the bathroom.

  “Spill what?” I ask nonchalantly.

  “Your poker face sucks and clearly Ryan isn’t the one to put that silly smile on your face. So spill,” she states knowing me way too well.

  “I’m hanging out with Levi at 4:00 p.m.,” I say still smiling.

  “Nice, what are you guys doing?” she asks curiously.

  “Umm…I have no idea,” I say with a laugh.

  “Okay, well I’m sure he will have something up his sleeve,” she states with a mischievous grin.

  “B, do you know something I don’t?” I ask knowing my best friend.

  “Actually, I don’t. I just figure since he’s obviously trying to impress you that he will do something you won’t forget,” she states with a serious look.

  “What? He doesn’t have to impress me; I just need him to be himself,” I tell her truthfully.

  “I know Liv, but it’s what guys do. So just go along and enjoy,” she says with a smile.

  I head into the bathroom to get a shower and dressed, so then I can dive into homework. I don’t want to think any more about Levi right now. I can’t let a man consume my mind like Ryan did. Look how that turned out.

  After I’m showered and dressed I start right into my studies while Brynn gets ready to head over to Chad’s.

  “Are you walking over to Chad’s?” I ask curiously, because she has high heeled boots on.

  “Oh God no, he’s picking me up. I wouldn’t dare walk over in these bitches,” she says as she lifts her foot in the air to show me her heeled boot.

  “Okay good, that was my concern,” I say with a laugh.

  “He should be here any minute so I’m gonna head down and wait for him,” she says as she puts her coat on.

  “Have fun,” I say with a smile.

  “I will. I want to hear all about your evening with Levi so call me,” she states as she pulls her coat on.

  “You’re not coming back tonight?” I ask, not surprised, she hasn’t seen her boyfriend in over twelve hours.

  “Not tonight, I’m staying at Chad’s,” she says with a knowing look.

  “Alright, well then I’ll just fill you in tomorrow,” I tell her with a smug grin.

  “Like hell you will bitch. I want details tonight,” she says with a devious look.

  I start laughing, “Okay, I will call you when I get back.”

  “You better or I’ll be blowing up your damn phone,” she states deadpanned.

  “Don’t worry I’ll call you,” I say with a smile.

  “Good,” she says as she heads out the door.

  I get lost in my work and lose track of time until I hear a knock at my door. I answer it and am surprised to see Levi standing there looking all sweet and sexy at the same time.

  “Hey, you ready to go?” he says looking a little confused at my expression.

  “Sorry, I lost track of time. Let me just grab my coat,” I say.

  “Take your time we aren’t in a hurry,” he says sweetly.

  I grab my coat and slip my feet into my Uggs and grab my wristlet and keys and am ready in no time.

  “Okay let’s go,” I say with a smile as I head towards the door. I lock the door and we make our way down the hall and stairs to the bitter coldness that awaits us outside.

  “I’m parked over here,” he says pointing in the direction of his car.

  We walk over to his car and I can’t say I’m surprised he drives a freaking Corvette. Why not have a hot car for a hot guy.

  “Nice car, is it a 67?” I say as we walk up to the sleek black car.

  “Wow, a girl who knows something about cars…I’m surprised,” he says with a wink.

  “I know a little bit,” I say smugly as he opens the door for me. Nice to see chivalry isn’t dead yet. I check his car out as he makes his way around to the driver’s side and climbs in. It’s clean and smells nice. A cross between a new car scent and a leather smell, but the combination is nice almost calming.

  “Ready to go?” he asks as he starts the car.

  “Sure, where are we going?” I ask curiously.

  “I figured we could grab something to eat and then decide where next,” he states.

  “Okay sounds good to me,” I say with a smile.

  “Do you like Italian food?” he asks as he drives.

  “Sure do,” I say with a smile. I actually love Italian food.

  “Good,” he says with a smile and continues to drive.

  It doesn’t take long to get to the restaurant, which looks busy. I’ve never eaten here but have heard great reviews on it.

  “Have you eaten here Liv?” he asks with a smile.

  “I have not, but definitely looking forward to it,” I say with a smile.

  “Good, their food is delicious,” he states as he gets out of the car. I open my door and meet him in the front of the car and we walk to the front door of Trilussa’s.

  “Mmm…it smells so good in here,” I say upon entering the establishment. The scene is quiet, but beautiful and it looks romantic as well. I wonder if he brings all of his dates here. Ugh, why on earth am I thinking that way?

  “Just wait till you try the food,” he says with a sexy smirk.

  We get seated pretty quickly because we apparently have a reservation. He really did put thought into this. As I’m looking at the menu I can’t decide, the food all looks mouth-watering.

  “Do you want wine with your food? They have some great wine here,” he says with a smile.

  “I don’t really drink wine, but thanks,” I say solemnly.

  “Really? You don’t like wine, so you only like beer?” he asks with a curious look.

  “Yeah, is that so bad?” I say with a shy smile.

  He laughs, “No Liv, there’s nothing wrong with only liking beer. I’m just surprised that’s all,” he says with a comforting smile.

  Luckily, I don’t have to say anything more because our waitress comes up to the table. “Hey Levi, long time no see, where have you been?” she says to my date. Obviously, I’m missing something here. Levi must sense my confusion because he looks at my response before saying anything.

  “Haven’t really had the time to stop in Rachel,” he says to our waitress with a small smile.

  “Oh, well maybe you could change your schedule around. We miss you around here,” she says in a sexy tone. Okay so yeah, I’m definitely missing something here.

  He smiles at her, “We’ll see Rach. Can we place our order please?” he says as he nods in my direction. The look on the waitresses face shows she’s surprised I’m sitting here with Levi.

  Her blush says it all. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t se
e you sitting there.”

  “It’s fine,” I say with a smile.

  “Ca..Can I take your drink order,” she stutters.

  “I’ll just take a water with lemon please,” I state.

  “Sure,” she says and then looks to Levi, “Your normal?” she says.

  “No, actually I’ll just take water with lemon too,” he says looking at me.

  “Oh okay, I’ll go get them,” she says and then quickly leaves.

  “You could have ordered your “normal” drink,” I say with a slight irritation in my voice.

  “I know I could have, but that’s not what I want right now,” he says staring at me.

  I just look at him unsure of what else to say. This date is starting to feel awkward and I’m starting to think I was right about him being a player.

  Before I think I blurt out, “Maybe you shouldn’t have brought me here, you’re messing your game up.”

  “My game? What are you talking about?” he says looking confused.

  “Really Levi? Obviously the waitress is something to you; she didn’t even see me sitting here for heaven’s sake,” I state irritated.

  “Liv, it’s really not what you think,” he states.

  “Then what is it?” I retort.

  “I used to come here all the time so they know me, that’s all,” he says with a guilty look.

  I can’t help but laugh out loud while looking straight at him. “Seriously, that’s the best you got?” I say calling him out on his shit, “You can do better than that.”

  “Better than what?” he says looking confused.

  “Levi, if you’re going to lie to a girl you need to come up with a better excuse than that,” I state smugly. The look on his face is like a deer in headlights.

  Before he can respond, our waitress is back with our drinks. Can’t lie, I’m a little nervous to drink it thinking she may have spit in it.

  “Are you ready to order?” she pipes up.

  Before I can respond Levi speaks up, “Give us a few more minutes,” all the while never taking his eyes off of me. She walks briskly away.

  “What? You don’t usually get called out on your bullshit?” I ask confidently.

  “Actually, no I don’t. Damn this is awkward,” he says looking anywhere, but at me now.

  “Seriously, girls let you pull this shit?” I ask not believing girls are that naïve.

  “Look Liv, I’m not with her. I used to hang out with her, but that was a while ago,” he says looking apologetically.

  “Listen Levi, I don’t care what you did or who you did, but I won’t tolerate being lied to,” I state with a harsh tone.

  “I know and I’m sorry, it just caught me off guard and then you called me out and I didn’t know what to say. But you are right you deserve the truth,” he says looking defeated.

  I just stare at him, “No more lies or excuses okay?” I state.

  “You got it. You are something else you know that?” he says out of nowhere.

  “No, I just don’t deal with bullshit.” I state proudly.

  “I got it Liv, It won’t happen again,” he says with a smile.

  “Who said there’s going to be an again?” I deadpan.

  “Shit,” he mutters quietly, “Liv, look I’m sorry. I swear there’s nothing going on with me and Rachel,” he says looking intently at me.

  “I know we don’t know each other, but I’m not going to lie, you definitely seem like the player type and well it’s starting to look like I was right,” I say truthfully.

  “WHAT?” he says completely shocked.

  “I didn’t stutter. You seem like a player, not saying you are, but you seem like it,” I say.

  “Wow. First you call me out on my shit and then tell me I’m a player, this first date is one for the books. Holy shit,” he says looking frustrated.

  Before he can say anything else our lovely waitress comes back again. “Ready to order?” she asks looking irritated.

  “Sure,” I say, “I’ll take the Rigatoni Forestiera,” I tell her with a smile. I glance over at Levi and he just looks shocked.

  “And you Levi?” Rachel says.

  “I’ll just take the Sicilian Chicken,” he says and after Rachel writes it down she walks away.

  I look at Levi and he’s just staring at me.

  “What?” I ask.

  “I’m surprised you don’t want me to take you home right now,” he states.

  “I’m starving and I’m dying to try their food,” I state matter of fact.

  “Okay then,” he says with a half-smile.

  I look at him and nod my head and then look around to take in the beautiful restaurant.

  “Liv, can we start over?” he asks out of nowhere.

  I just look at him in shock, “You’re serious?”

  “Hell yeah, I’m serious. Look, you seem like a cool ass girl and can’t say it didn’t turn me on a bit when you called me out,” he says with a confident smirk.

  “You’re showing me you’re exactly who I thought you were and I’m really not into that,” I state.

  “Give me a chance. I want you to truly get to know me,” he says looking hopeful.

  “Let’s just see how the rest of dinner goes,” I state.

  “Sounds good to me,” he says with a smile.

  “How do you like your sorority?” he asks out of nowhere.

  “I like it. The girls are all pretty cool,” I say with a smile.

  “That’s good. Are you planning on moving into the sorority house next semester?” he says trying to have a conversation.

  “Yeah, Brynn and I are both moving into the house.”

  “That’s cool.”

  “Did you live in the fraternity house before moving off campus?” I ask making conversation.

  “Yeah, I did for a year. Then me and a few of the guys decided to get our own place,” he says with a smile.

  “Why?” I ask curiously.

  “Why did we decide to get our own place?” he asks looking slightly confused.

  “Yeah, you can do almost anything you want in the frat house. What made you decide to get your own place?” I ask looking intently at him, hoping he doesn’t give me some more bullshit lies.

  “Honestly, I didn’t care for a few of the guys in the house and some of the guys felt the same way so we decided to get our own place. Then we wouldn’t have to deal with their shit,” he says piercing me with his eyes.

  “Why didn’t you care for some of them?” I ask being nosey.

  He laughs a small laugh and then says, “Well some of them were just punks. Thought they could get away with anything. We got into a couple fights and decided they weren’t worth it and moved out.”

  “Oh, well that’s good then. Don’t you still see them at functions?” I ask curiously.

  “Yeah, but its different now. From living with them and seeing them every day to once in a while changes things,” he says with a nonchalant look.

  “Okay, well that makes sense,” I say not asking any more questions about it.

  Thankfully our food comes. Rachel, the waitress, drops our food off and walks away as fast as possible. We eat in silence but its comfortable silence. There’s soft music playing in the background which sets for a calming setting.

  I finally get done with about half of my food but can’t eat anymore.

  “That was delicious,” I say relaxing back into the booth seat.

  Levi chuckles, “You’re done already? You still have a full plate.”

  “Are you kidding me? I’m stuffed, help yourself,” I say pushing my plate towards him.

  He starts laughing again, “No, I’m good, I can’t finish mine either,” he says as he pushes his plate towards the middle of the table too.

  “I think you may need to roll me out of here,” I state patting my full stomach.

  “Aren’t you just the funny one,” he says with a laugh, “So what did you think of your first visit to Trilussa?”

  “
Very good, I will definitely be coming back,” I say with a smile.

  “I told you their food was amazing,” he says with a smile.

  “Yes you did.”

  “Dessert?” he asks with a sexy smirk.

  I look at him like he’s lost his freaking mind, “Are you serious right now?” I ask.

  “Of course I’m serious. They have awesome desserts,” he says with a smile.

  “I have no room to put dessert,” I say patting my full stomach.

  “Okay, maybe next time,” he says looking hopeful.

  “So you’re confident thinking there’s going to be a next time?” I ask.

  “Not confident, but hopeful.” he says with a shy smile.

  Before I get the chance to respond, Rachel comes to our table. “Can I get either of you dessert?” she states.

  “No, we’re good. Can we just have the check please?” he asks never taking his eyes off of me.

  I think I should feel intimidated by his stares, but I don’t. I take it he’s trying to show me that he doesn’t care if one of his conquests is here or not, and put the focus on me, though I could be wrong.

  Rachel walks away and he’s still staring at me.

  “Why are you staring at me?” I ask.

  “Why not stare at you?” he retorts.

  “Because it’s not nice to stare,” I state matter of fact.

  He chuckles, “Does it make you feel uncomfortable?” he asks sweetly.

  “No, not really it’s just not needed,” I state.

  “Well, maybe I like to look at you,” he says with a devious look.

  “Trust me; I don’t have anything you haven’t seen before,” I state.

  “Damn,” he says with a laugh, “You are one tough cookie.”

  “I just don’t like bullshit, I told you this already,” I repeat.

  “I got it Liv, relax. You are a breath of fresh air princess,” he says smiling.

  “Why? Because I’m not dealing with your lies or bullshit?” I ask confused.

  “Yes, it’s nice to see a girl who stands-up for herself and won’t let a man walk all over her. You are a rare breed.”

  “Well its unfortunate that more girls aren’t like me then,” I state matter of fact.

  “Don’t I know it,” he says with a laugh.

  Rachel finally appears with our check, Levi pays and we head out into the blistering cold.