“You’re smothering him again, Levi,” she says after we walk a little ways.
“Will you stop saying that? Can’t-”
“Levi Carr?” a familiar female voice says to the left of me. I look and see the face of an ex-girlfriend from high school.
“Allie? Hey, how are you?” I ask, returning the hug she gives me. Allie is a couple inches taller than Presley with legs that always seemed to be miles long in combination with long, curly brown hair and brown eyes to match.
“Good! How are you? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you. You’re at Roxboro, right?” Her hand is still on my arm as she talks to me.
“Doing great. Yeah, I’m at Roxboro.” Presley’s grip in my hand turns into a death grip. “Forgive me, Allie. This is my girlfriend, Presley. Pres, this is Allie, a friend from high school.”
Allie sticks her hand out to Smarty and chuckles, “Yeah, Levi and I were just friends.”
Really, Allie? I watch Presley to see her reaction.
“So nice to meet a high school friend of Levi’s.” Her smile is fake.
Allie turns to me and asks, “How is Mr. Carr? Mom said he was in the hospital not too long ago. I wanted to stop by and see him, but you know, didn’t know if I should.”
“Pops is doing better, thanks for asking.”
“Yeah, Victor is doing a lot better. We are spending the whole weekend with him.”
Allie looks a little shocked, but I don’t know if it’s from Smarty calling Dad by his first name or the fact that she’s staying with me at Dad’s. Both are privileges that Allie didn’t get. And quite frankly, I’m a little surprised by Presley, who is now leaning into me a little with our arms around each other’s waist.
“Well, we’re just on our way to see the rest of the festival. Nice to meet you.” Smarty has the fake smile still on her face.
>
“Yeah, nice to see you again, Allie.”
“Nice to see you too, Levi. Maybe we can have lunch or something next time you’re in town?”
“Oh, I -” I can’t even finish my sentence before Presley speaks up.
“Oh, we can’t. We will be busy. Sorry.” Smarty starts walking away, dragging me with her.
I finally let out a laugh. “Who’s jealous now, hm?”
“I’m not jealous, Levi.”
“I beg to differ, Smarty. That was definitely the behavior of a jealous girlfriend. A little jealousy is good, remember? Isn’t that what you told me?”
“Well, I might have been little taken aback. So, how long did you date her?”
I shrug, wondering if I should pretend not to remember.
“Levi, I know you remember. Come on, how long?”
“Freshman and sophomore year of high school,” I say, giving in to her.
“Wow, that long.” She pauses. “Was she your first?”
I groan. “Smarty.”
“What? It’s an honest question that I’m asking.”
“Fine.” She probably won’t let it go if I avoid it. She’s too damn stubborn. “Yep. Are we done talking about what’s her face?”