Free Rebecca's Rose by Jennifer Beckstrand Page B

weaving unsteadily to his truck, getting in, and speeding away—his souped-up engine rumbling all the way into the next county. He apparently didn’t care that he had brought Tara with him or how she would get home.
    “You okay, man?”
    Levi turned. He hadn’t even heard Jason come out. “Yeah, I’m okay.”
    Jason already possessed that glassy stare that indicated he wouldn’t remember much of anything that happened tonight. “Oh, man. Your nose is bleeding, man. Come in and get some ice or something.”
    “They won’t let me back in,” Levi said.
    “Oh.”
    Levi opened the door for Jason and pushed him toward the inside. “I’m good,” he said. “Go back inside. I’ll call my sister to come get me.”
    “Okay, man. Take care. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
    Levi sat down on the curb, leaned his head forward, and pinched the bridge of his nose. His blood dripped into the gutter as he peeked through his fingers to dial his sister’s cell. He’d sunk pretty low, being forced to call his sister to pick him up like some sixth grader after a playground fight.
    His only prayer was that Rebecca wouldn’t suddenly decide to drive by in her buggy and see him sitting there.
    “Hello, Beth. I’m an idiot. Could you come and get me?”
* * * * *
    In less time than Levi would have thought possible, Beth pulled up to Tequilita’s Bar and unlocked the passenger door. His nose had stopped bleeding, but he held the napkins to his face so he wouldn’t drip on the seats in case it started up again.
    Patient, reliable Beth didn’t utter a word on the ride home, and Levi didn’t volunteer any information. He felt ashamed enough without having to recount every detail to his sister.
    She parked the car, and they trudged up the three flights of poorly lit stairs to the apartment. Unlocking the door, she glanced at Levi. “You’re lucky Mom had to pull an extra shift.”
    They walked into the kitchen and Beth turned on the light. “Let me see,” she said.
    Levi pulled the napkins away from his face.
    Grimacing, Beth ran her finger along the bridge of Levi’s nose. “You did yourself up a good one.”
    “You should see the other guy.”
    “I’ll get some ice.”
    Beth filled a plastic bag with ice cubes, laid it on the counter, and pulverized it with the thick end of a butter knife. She handed it to Levi. “I’m afraid Mom’s going to notice this with or without the ice. What are you going to tell her?”
    Levi wrapped the ice bag in a towel and laid it gingerly on his nose. “I’ve never lied to Mom.”
    “I know. What are you going to tell her?”
    “Tara wanted to get back together.” Holding the bag carefully, he stretched out on the sofa. His legs hung twelve inches over the side.
    “And she hit you?”
    “Her boyfriend did. After she kissed me.”
    Beth sat on the floor next to the couch. “You let her kiss you?”
    “She kind of surprised me.”
    Beth crossed her ankles and leaned back on her hands. “Does this mean you’re getting back together?”
    “No,” Levi said. He went quiet and listened to his own breathing.
    Beth threw her head back and looked at the ceiling. “Thanks for all the info.”
    “You’re nosy.”
    “I’m never nosy.”
    He glanced at his sister. “You’re going to think this is dumb.”
    “Probably.”
    “It doesn’t seem honorable to go out with Tara anymore. Whether she agrees or not, I’ve been using her. It’s not right. It doesn’t feel right.”
    Beth peered at Levi. “That’s not dumb. That’s the smartest thing I’ve heard you say in ages.”
    “I met somebody,” Levi said.
    Beth gave him all her attention. “Somebody new?”
    “A nice girl.”
    Struck dumb, Beth stared at Levi for a long time. “Not the type you usually date?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Why are you interested?”
    Levi cleared his throat. “At first I felt sorry for her. She crashed a skateboard in front of the store, and I gave her a bandage.”
    “So, a clutzy, nice girl who