Chapter 18: °18•Disturbance

“What?” My sister asks, choking after I told her I was seeing Tory. I’m fucking glad that we aren’t at work right now, but in my apartment, or everyone would have known my business.

Although Mrs. Rosenberg above must have heard Lily screaming.

“Hold on, hold on. So does this mean that my big brother stopped being a big slut? Who ate you, and what did you do with my brother?” She can’t stop laughing as she speaks.

“Watch it!” I warn her.

“Or what? You don’t scare me.” My sister looks at me with challenging eyes.

If she weren’t my little sister, whom I love so much, she would know what I think of her remark.

“Joking aside, how does it make you feel to be with someone more than once? And most importantly, how did all this happen? Does she know what you did with all those women?”

Lily never approved of what I became after my divorce from Darla. It’s been around five or six years now since that happened. I don’t fucking care who’s counting. I certainly didn’t stop to count how many women I slept with. Now I have Tory, and that’s all that matters.

Funny thing, after we slept together, I told her I wasn’t a commitment kind of guy and look at us now. Who knew? I certainly didn’t.

“What’s with all these questions? I’m not one of your friends who shares my feelings, and you know that?”

“Come on. It’s a big deal for you, Levi, and I want to know how it makes you feel after all this time. Don’t be a party pooper.” Tch, she’s persistent when she wants to be.

“You can forget it.” I stand my ground.

“You’re no fun, Levi.”

“Never said I was,” I reply with a smirk, knowing I’ve won this round.

Then I hear someone knocking at the door.

Oh shit!

“You expecting someone, brother?” It’s her turn to smirk.

Oh, fuck!

I pin my eyes at her. “Lily, don’t even think about it. I’m warning you.”

That doesn’t do the trick because she gets off the couch and runs at the door before I can even make a single move.

“Tory!” Lily shouts with a little too much enthusiasm when she opens the door. So close, so damn close.

That’s it. I’m a fuckup, a real fuck up. I mumble as I rub my eyes with annoyance.

“Hello, Lily.” Tory manages to say while being dragged to the couch by Lily.

“Lily,” I warn her.

“What? Oh, come on, you can smooch after I’m gone.” She then turns to look at Tory like she’s her next prey.

“So Tory, you and my brother, what’s up with that?”

“Hmm.”

“Lily, I think it’s time for you to go. Your fiancé must be waiting for you or something.” I say annoyingly. I love my sister, I do, but she’s getting on my last nerve.

“Okay, okay, geez. Call me later, and we’ll talk more, ok? Without my brother’s interference.” Lily says to Tory as she walks through the door without even saying goodbye to me.

When I ensure she’s gone, I step in front of Tory and pinch her chin to lift her head towards me so I can kiss her properly.

“Hey babe, sorry about my sister.”

“It’s ok. I love your sister.” She says, giggling a little.

I leave a peck on her lips, and as I lean toward her, she lies more on the couch. I start to crawl above her, and that’s when my cell starts to ring.

Can’t people stop interfering when I’m trying to fuck my woman? Tch fucking disturbance.

Her giggles change to laughter as I look at her. I smile a little, but when I see who’s calling, my smile immediately drops as I sit on the other side of the sofa, leaving Tory’s side.

“Can’t she leave me the fuck alone?” I snap at my phone.

Tory looks at me with concern when she senses the surrounding atmosphere change.

I don’t answer and let it go to voicemail. I don’t need her to ruin my evening with Tory.

The phone rings again.

What a bitch!

“I’m sorry, babe. If I don’t get this, she won’t leave me the fuck alone, and the phone won’t stop ringing.”

“Who is it?” Tory asks as my phone continues ringing.

“My fucking crazy ex-wife,” I say as I rub the back of my neck.

“Oh, do you want me to leave you alone so you can talk to her?” I see the concern in her eyes.

“No, of course not,” I reply without hesitation.

“What do you fucking want, Darla? Can’t you take the hint that I don't want to talk to you ever again?” I answer as I take Tory’s hand to show her where my allegiance lies.

“Enough is enough, Levi. I know you still love me. After our divorce, you went from one woman to another, and you are still single. That’s the proof that you still want me. Come and claim me so we can finally be happy.”

“Darla, your fucking obsession with getting back together has to stop, and for your information, I am in a relationship. Isn't that right, babe?”

Fuck, what did I just do? I ask myself as I look at Tory. Yep, I fucked up, really fucked up. I hang up on Darla and go straight to Tory’s side.

“What the hell was that, Levi? Exposing me to her like that?” She snaps at me.

She is so beautiful when she’s angry. Focus, for fuck’s sake, Levi.

As I step closer to her, she backs away from me.

“Do you still love her? Is that why you still talk to her?” She asks, and I can hear the struggle in her voice.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Tory. I’m not your fucking ex who’s going to sleep around.” My eyes widen at the realization of what I said.

Fuck, what the fuck is wrong with me tonight? Why did I fucking say that?

Damn temper.

Damn pride.

“That’s a low blow, Levi, a real low blow to expose my past like that to my face.” I see tears appear in her eyes.

Fuck!

That’s it! That was the last straw with Darla. I thought I could handle her and all her crap just because I wanted to prove to myself that I wasn’t scared to handle her. But now, seeing Tory distraught like this because of my frustration towards my fucking ex, I’m definitely cutting her off this time.

No, this is on me. If I hadn’t answered Darla’s stupid call, none of this would’ve happened. I have to apologize to Tory. She doesn’t need to deal with my ex.

“Until now, you were a jerk, Levi, but now, you’re a real asshole. I… I need some air.” That’s all she says as she steps away from me and leaves my apartment.

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

I can only blame myself for this.