Slow deaths, that’s how she’s killing me.
Pressing the start button, the engine rumbles to life, and I give the throttle a twist to make it growl. This bike is a demon on the road, and right now, I need to feel its power beneath me. “Ready?”
Her chin on my shoulder and her hands laced tight around my abdomen, I feel her nod. “Yes!”
I look both ways, searching for an opening in the traffic. Just before I pull out, I hear her voice in my ear. “Just for the record, I’m really proud of you for how you stood up for yourself in there.”
A sliver of warmth—happiness, maybe—snakes through my chest, and I feel the corner of my mouth turn up as I release my grip and we shoot off.
15
Levi surprises me in the most unexpected ways. Up until this morning, I thought he was a bullheaded jerk who was happy living in his father’s shadow and having his life mapped out for him. Admittedly, his ability to stand up to David and take control of his life was impressive. Now, as we step off the elevator of U of C Medicine’s children’s branch, he’s delivering another surprise.
If I thought Levi Black was a shallow son of a bitch before, he’s proving me wrong in a big way now.
The hospital is reserved for children with varying medical problems. I’ve always avoided places like this because they make me sad. The very reason I got into the field I did was so I could help someone recover from an injury, but a lot of these kids are never going to recover from theirs. Some of them might not walk out of here at all. It’s depressing, but Levi is displaying the total opposite reaction. As he pulls me along down bright hallways, he’s energized in a way that I haven’t seen before. It’s as if he can barely contain himself.
I understand why when we reach a large room at the end of one of the corridors. It’s wide open and filled to capacity with children and their families. As soon as they see Levi, cheers and clapping begin. At first, I think this must be a meet and greet, but it’s not. Just as I notice the giant banner painted on the wall, Levi leans in.
“Welcome to the Levi Black Foundation.” A brilliant smile lights his face, and I watch as he goes forward to greet everyone with open arms. I stand back as the crowd swallows him, stunned.
It’s amazing what he’s doing. A foundation? I knew Levi donated to charities, but I always assumed that was done for him, not by him. I certainly had no idea he had his own foundation. It gives me a little laugh, though, that it bears his name. It’s such a Levi thing to do.
As I look around, I notice that the room is decked out in state-of-the-art equipment. There are several televisions, computers, video game systems, an air hockey table, and a station full of toys set up for all ages. There’s so much that I can’t catalogue it all, but I think I understand what he was going for here.
This is a retreat for the kids, and Levi made it happen.
“So, it’s usually more low-key, but what do you think?” Leaning with his shoulder against the wall, Levi surveys the room. Now that they’ve each had a chance to meet him, the kids are busying themselves with the toys.
“I think it’s great. I didn’t know you had your own foundation. You’ve been busy.”
Digging his hands into his pockets, he stares off in thought. “It’s just a pet project. Something to keep me busy. The kids seem to enjoy it.”
It’s so unlike him, to be so nonchalant about this. I’m not used to humble Levi. I watch him as he watches the kids and I wonder, who is Levi Black really?
“What made you decide on a children’s foundation?” As popular as he is in the sports world, he could have done anything. Why kids?
Brows furrowing in thought, Levi’s answer is slow to come. “I’ve spent a lot of time in hospitals. Being hooked up to IVs, having surgeries, knowing there’s more to come. It sucks. It’s even worse when all you have to occupy yourself is a shitty local broadcast television and a view of a field or street through the window when you’re bored. This gives them something to look forward to at least.”
Studying all the kids, they’re having fun. Even the ones in wheelchairs, with IVs still attached, wear smiles. My chest constricts when I think of what he’s given to them. “You’re doing a lot of good here, Levi,” I say softly.
Dipping his head to his chest, Levi smiles sheepishly while raking his fingers through his hair. “Thanks.”
Turning my head, I wait for him to look up at me, and when he does, I hope he can see just how proud I am of him. How proud I am to be standing here beside him. “Thank you for bringing me here. For sharing this with me.”
“You mean you’re not starving and you don’t want to kick my ass?”
His mouth twists into a teasing smile that gives me a hint of those deep dimples beneath his beard, and I chuckle. We missed lunch coming here, but truth be told, my hunger was forgotten the minute we stepped off the elevator.
Grinning, I tell him, “Don’t push your luck, mister. A girl’s gotta eat.”
I love how he looks at me, especially when he gets those little creases around his eyes. I’m beginning to learn that there’s a lot more to Levi Black than what he puts out there. Maybe I should be putting less stock in the media circus and more into what I see with my own eyes.
“Did I tell you that this little shindig comes with a buffet?”
“You did not,” I chastise him playfully.
“Allow me.” Hooking his elbow out for me to take, he guides us past a group of nurses and parents to a table that’s, indeed, filled with all kinds of delicious looking food.
“Did you pay for a caterer?” I ask Levi as I take the plate he’s offering.
He chuckles, shaking his head. “No. This is a potluck. Everyone loves me here, obviously. Whenever they know I’m coming, they do this. We’re family here.”
For a moment, I can’t take my eyes off him. His quiet confession leaves me speechless, and I begin to think about all the things he’s told me about his father. The way David Black spoke to his son this morning was upsetting to watch. There was no respect there, no sign of fatherly love. I won’t pretend to know what kind of relationship they have, but from what I saw today, I can say with confidence that what’s happening in this room is giving Levi something he needs.
Shrugging off the heavy thoughts, I take another look at the dishes available and my mouth waters. There are enchiladas, baked spaghetti, several kinds of pasta salads, and a whole table dedicated to desserts. My stomach growls loudly.
“This is beyond awesome. Don’t let this go to your head, but I’m kind of jealous of you right now.”
“As you should be.” Nudging me with his elbow, Levi tips his head closer and his blue eyes meet mine. “Eat.”
He doesn’t have to tell me twice.
***
“You’re going down!”
Levi is having his ass handed to him in a game of Mortal Combat against a kid that can’t be any older than seven. It’s the most hysterical thing I have ever witnessed. Not because the kids is as cocky and self-assured as Levi, but because Levi’s really trying. His face is scrunched up in intense concentration and his fingers are jamming on the controls so hard he’ll probably have to buy a new one, and he’s losing. Hard.
“You rotten...scoundrel! When I figure out how you’re cheating, I’m giving you the worst wedgy of your life.”
“In your dreams, rich boy!”
On the screen, one of the characters throws out an arc of lightning and electrocutes the other character until his eyes burst in his skull. The boy throws his bald head back and cackles wickedly. I guess he won.
I look around at some of the parents lingering nearby, checking their reactions. This is the most gruesome game I have ever seen. So far I have witnessed spines being ripped out, bodies split down the middle to reveal their internal organs, and a man’s genitals exploding. But none of the adults here seem to care. I guess as long as the kids are enjoying themselves, then that’s all that matters.