After answering some uncomfortable questions about the power of the lipstick from Aunt Pearl the next morning, Levi and I head out to do some more sightseeing. Even though it’s November, it feels like a June day. Good thing I’ve got plenty of summer wear.
When lunchtime arrives, Levi clasps his hands together. “All right. It’s time to introduce you to my favorite place here. Can you handle it?”
“I don’t know. What is it?”
“You’ll see,” he replies with a smirk.
When we pull up to a place called Whataburger, I can’t help but smile. Levi practically talks about this place in his dreams.
“Hope you didn’t expect fine dining. To be honest, though, this place is better than any fancy restaurant.”
“Really? Is it that good? Looks like a burger joint to me,” I say as I readjust the sunglasses on my head.
“Watch your tongue, woman. You better not insult Whataburger in my presence, or in all of Texas for that matter. And you were doing so well at fitting right in too.”
I head toward the door, admitting to myself that it smells heavenly. A juicy burger is right up my alley, so I’m pretty excited.
“Hold up. We’re meeting someone.” He pulls on my hand as I reach for the door.
“We are?” I ask, a little surprised.
“Yep. I got ahold of Bill yesterday. He’s dying to meet the girl who made me a Northeasterner.” Levi kisses my cheek, and I put a hand on my hip.
“You didn’t tell me I was meeting your friend. I would’ve dressed nicer,” I say, looking down at my old denim shorts and plain tank-top. It could clearly be worse—the margarita glass pajamas are in my suitcase. Still, first impressions and all that.
“Are you kidding me? You look gorgeous.” He pulls me closer to him and, despite the warmth from the sun, it feels good to be so close.
“You’re damn right about that. Tell me, how the hell did Levi Creed snag such a beautiful woman? This is a story I have to hear,” a voice says. We turn to see a man sauntering toward us. Like Levi, he’s sporting his cowboy hat and a plaid shirt. I’m guessing he’s Bill.
I don’t have to guess for long. “Hey, you must be Jodie. I’m Bill. Wild Bill, as the ladies like to call me.”
Levi snorts. “Please. What ladies?”
Bill punches Levi in the arm and the two eventually find their way to the typical, two-slap man version of a hug.
I extend a hand to greet Bill. “Nice to meet you,” I say.
Bill grabs my hand and kisses it. “Nice to meet the girl who tamed Levi.”
“I don’t think tamed is the right word. This one is wilder than me,” Levi teases as we head inside Whataburger.
“I don’t believe it. She looks so sweet and innocent,” Bill says.
“Hardly,” Levi says, and now it’s my turn to punch him.
We maneuver through the line, Bill and Levi insisting on a whole slew of foods I have to try. When there are enough calories piled on the tray to feed an entire family for a week, we find a small table in the back corner and dig in.
And Levi’s right. It’s the best damn burger I’ve ever had.
I’m not shy, scarfing down my food as Bill and Levi catch up on old times and new times. It’s not awkward, though. Between mouthfuls of burger, I fill Bill in on my background and my writing. It’s comfortable. Just like with Levi, Bill makes the conversation easy. There are no false pretenses or uptight interactions. It’s just genuine, good conversation.
When we’re almost done, I turn to Bill. “So, I hear Levi was a bit of a handful in the day.”
Bill grins. “He’s told you, has he? I’m sure he sugarcoated a bit.”
“He told me about Wild Pete.”
At this, Bill erupts with laughter. “Oh, Jesus. I haven’t thought about the Wild Pete scandal forever. That was a seriously good time.”
“I wouldn’t quite classify it as a good time. But it was definitely memorable,” Levi adds, grinning.
Bill gets a serious look on his face now, the story probably stirring up other thoughts. “Levi, I’m sorry, man. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you more when you had your accident. I know how much the rodeo meant to you. I just… I didn’t know what to do to make it better.”
Levi nods. “There was nothing to do. I just had to find my way. I’ll always be thankful you got me so interested in riding. It was a great chapter of my life. But this chapter, well, it’s not so bad either,” he says, putting an arm around me.
I turn to look into the brown eyes I’ve come to love. I scrunch my nose at Levi and he does the same.
“No, it doesn’t look so bad,” Bill says, grinning as we stand to leave Whataburger and head back to Levi’s parents’ house, Bill and Levi swearing to keep in touch.