For a minute I'm not sure whether or not he'll answer me, and that's fair. I don't like to tell people when I've had rough days at my job either. "There haven't been a lot of times I've been scared. Fish and Wildlife isn't as dangerous as other divisions, but I'll say I was scared when we went undercover. I know Levi was too. Magnolia Grace's husband was dangerous and if he'd figured out who we were, we would've been in some real trouble." He takes a drink from his cup. "That's the most scared I've ever been."
"Levi didn't say much about it, and I know mom and dad didn't ask him a whole lot. Especially after he got shot. We were just so happy that he'd survived and pulled through so none of us had questioned it." I stop for a second, and gather my thoughts. "It was easier, especially growing up, not to think about what my dad and grandfather were doing for a job." There's a comfortable silence that stretches between us, and I watch as he shovels food into his mouth like he's starving. "You know, if you're ever hungry, you can come over and I'll feed you."
A smile spreads across his face. "You don't know how often I might take you up on that."
Warmth spreads through my chest. "I'd love for you to."
Together we finish dinner, and then share a piece of the apple pie that Dakota brought. "Wanna watch some TV for a little while?" He asks. "That's something we've never done before."
Swallowing roughly, I give him a smile. "I'd love that."
And we head to the living room, taking a seat on my couch as he flips through the channels looking for something for us to watch.
Chapter 7
Dakota
I'm in a great mood this morning, after leaving Molly's. We didn't end up in bed together. One of the first times we haven't. I had a smile on my face when I woke up, because I feel like she and I got closer by not sleeping together.
"You and Levi are gonna be patrolling down by the river today. We've had people calling in teenagers throwing rocks at fish." Samuel is the new shift commander, and I like him a lot. He's been very fair with everything he's done since he started, and he seems to care about the people who work for him.
"Do you know where the hell Levi is?" I ask, looking around the squad room.
"Running late, but said he's going to be here within the next ten minutes."
"Sounds good." It gives me a few minutes to work on my reports from the last week. There's always something to do, and I'm always behind on them. Working on them with dyslexia is harder than it probably should be, but if I can lock in, I can get some things really done.
Having a seat at my desk, I pull out a few of the paper reports so that I can type them up. Sometimes that's easier for me. I'm about to get started, when my phone buzzes. Pulling it toward me, I see my sister's name.
Luce: Can you drive me tonight?
What in the hell does she want to do tonight?
Dakota: Depends on what you want me to drive you to.
L: A guy I like invited me to bowl, and I'd like to go. Mom and Dad said they won't take me, so it's up to you, bruh.
I hate it when she calls me bruh.
D: Is he old enough to drive? Why does he want to go bowling?
L: He's the same age as me, neither one of us have our permanent licenses yet. Wouldn't you prefer we go bowling instead of going to the movies?
I think back to the type of shit I used to do at the movies, and realize she's right. At least at the bowling alley they aren't cuddled up in a couple of chairs with the lights down low.
D: I guess I can come with you.
L: If you come with us, you need to bring someone cool. Bring Molls.
A smile works it's way across my face. I love that my sister has hero worship of Molly, and it definitely makes things better for me.
D: I'll see if she's busy.
L: Make it happen, love you!
D: Love you, too.
I set the phone down and stare at the reports in front of me for a solid thirty seconds before my brain decides it actually wants to cooperate today. I work through two of them before I hear the door to the squad room bang open, and Levi comes walking in like he didn't just stroll in fifteen minutes past the time he was supposed to be here. He's got his gear in hand and his hair is still a little damp, which tells me exactly what kind of morning he had. He drops into the chair across from me and starts pulling his things together like he's not even a little bit sorry.