Good Days

⊕

“Ahhh, you like vintage rom-coms. I can understand that. Pretty Woman has been a favorite of mine for a long time. And then they did Runaway Bride and I thought it was the best movie I’d ever seen in a long time. Like turning in her running shoes to him, my heart just melted.” she grinned putting a hand on her chest as she played the movie over in her mind briefly. Candice was brought back from her thoughts as he mentioned loving cartoons. “Well then you’ll fit right in. I’ll make you some heart waffles as well in the morning.” she giggled, poking him softly in the arm. She smiled at his words seeing he was being very kind to her. “That’s very sweet to say, but honestly, there is no line. No one banging down my door for much other than some friends getting free lunches and dinners.” she shrugged with a grin.

Candice smiled widely at him as he complimented her mothering. It was probably the best compliment you could give her. “I’ve always wanted to be a mom so that means a lot, Levi. Thank you. I also had a good one to…um…learn from.” she told him, her smile faltering slightly. She hadn’t seen her mother in going on eighteen years. Yet, she still remembers kissing her goodbye that morning as she rushed off to her shift at the hospital. She couldn’t imagine how Jocelyn Riley felt when she made it home to see that her daughter’s room was a wreck and her daughter was no longer there. “You must’ve had a good mom too. You’re a wonderful person so your mom had to have something to do with that, am I right?” she smiled. She liked how much he was talking to her. It made her realize that he felt more comfortable around her which was what she wanted. Her eyebrows rose at his words. She hadn’t expected that. Levi and Lexi just had this thing about them and she always thought they were together in some way. “Taylor is a babe, okay. I get it.” she smiled. “So, what’s your type? I make an amazing wing woman. Let me help you find someone. Doesn’t have to be forever, but even just for tonight.” she grinned as she started looking around for beautiful girls that she thought Levi would be into. “There’s a cute brunette at the bar. I could talk to her and you can swoop in and buy her a drink.”

***

“Well anything with Julia Roberts is an instant classic so you obviously have good taste. Throw Richard Gere into the mix and I mean could it get more dreamy than that?” Levi let himself think for a moment what it would be like to be curled up on the couch with Candice watching rom-coms. It felt like that would be an actual dream and sort of the closest he could get to the perfect day. The idea of heart-shaped waffles made him smile and he stared at the a spot on his arm where she had touched him for a moment. God he needed to get himself together but he was too drunk to not be smiling like an idiot. “Well that's a shame there should be a line all the way from here to New York City for a chance to have some time with you or at least a drink. That reminds me do you want a drink or can I buy you one, I'd be happy to. It may or may not be obvious that I may have had a few myself but I can tell you that they are quite good, even the fruity ones. Even though I'm usually more of a beer guy. Am I rambling a bit? Anyway, uh, point is, you should totally be taken on dates.” he figured that this was probably the moment where he should just come out and ask her on one but he looked at her and froze up, instead focusing back on his drink. No matter how drunk he was he just couldn't bring himself to have the confidence. That and he figured it would probably be better if he asked her sober.

But when he saw her smile falter at the mention of her own mother, he reached out to brush his fingertips along her chin and her cheek. He didn’t even think about it or try to stop himself until he realized what he had done and sheepishly pulled away. He was sure he was fully red now and he mumble and apology, not exactly sure what had come over him but being near her had always been comforting. His own mood quickly changed when she asked about his mother and he had to look away, putting his glass to the side so that he could run his hands through his hair nervously. “Yeah, yeah she wasn’t too bad,” he replied softly with a shrug, grateful to be off the subject. His eyes widened at her suggestion and he had to let out a laugh before shaking his head.  “My wingwoman? Candice that is very sweet but I’m...I mean I do fine in that department and not to sound like an ass  but...hooking up with someone on Valentine’s Day could send the wrong message.” Not to mention there was only one person he had his eyes one and he was currently talking to her. “I dont know if I have a type, I think you’d have to ask Chase or Lexi what my type is. I mean..what’s your type?”

∅

Candice had picked up on Levi being shy, but she liked that about him. Roane had been shy as well and she found it endearing. Her shy customers had always been her best customers as well. She smiled at him as their eyes met, hoping to ease his nerves slightly. There was no reason to be nervous around her. She tried to make herself as non-threatening as she could when she met people. The world needed a bit more niceness in the world. Candice chuckled as he quietly admitted that he loved love. “So you’re a secret romantic, then?” she smiled looking over at him. “You watch rom-coms? You’re out here Notebooking girls aren’t you?” she teased lightly.

“Yeah they are.” she chuckled as he told her the bars were full of alcohol. She looked around trying to find the little blonde, but couldn’t see her. “She does love her selfies. You two stay safe together tonight, alright? If you guys can’t make it home, you’re more than welcome at the Riley house. Just don’t get upset if you find a four or five year old waking you up in the morning.” she grinned. She had always thought that Levi and Lexi were absolutely adorable together. Candice laughed out loud as he mentioned a long line of suitors. “No, no, no. None of that for me. I don’t really have the time for all of that and no one is interested in a nurse who works all the time and has two small children. That’s a lot for someone to take on.” she said with a shake of her head. Besides, there were other circumstances that she didn’t want to bring into someone else’s life. “My big plans are to eat all the good on this food crawl, go home, give my kids their treats from me, change into our pajamas and watch movies while we eat said treats until we fall asleep.” she nodded. “The plans are going well. I’m just waiting for their dad to bring them here so we can eat.” she said looking out of the window for any sign of her children and her baby daddy. “Are you and Lexi doing the sweetheart’s deal? I hear you can choose from really great foods to make your box. Does she have a particular meal time of the day she likes the most?”

***

“A bit of a secret but I won’t deny it if anyone asks. Oh I love rom coms. I mean Notebook is good but I’m more of a 90s rom com kind of guy. Like, Sleepless in Seattle? Man, Tom Hanks? National Treasure, truly. And Meg Ryan is..a dream.” Levi stopped himself, already feeling like he was talking too much but Candice had an effortless way of making him feel calm and nervous all at the same time. His eyes widened a bit a she offered to let him and Lexi stay over. While he knew he was capable of making it home, he couldn’t deny that part of him wanted to take her up on it. He bet she was a vision first thing in the morning. God, he needed to get it together or he was going to embarrass himself. “Honestly, that sounds like a fun time if you ask me. Plus, I love morning cartoons.” He shook his head at she spoke, not noticing he was actually doing it. “Are you kidding? Come on, like, just some nurse who’s a mom isn’t all you are and anyone who wouldn’t want to give you a shot needs some serious like..I don’t know, mental examination,” he told her with a soft laugh, rubbing at the back of his neck when he played back his words in his head. 

“To be honest that sounds like the best night ever. You’re like the best mom ever. Seriously. Your kids are so lucky.” He met her eyes so she knew he meant it. The more he saw her with her kids, the more he realized just how shitty his mother had been in the end. But Candice reminded him of the good times. Of how strong a mother’s love could be and how much of a difference it could make for kids. He glanced towards the door to see if Angel and the kids were nearby before looking back at her, unable to hide his laugh at her question. “Me and Lex? Oh absolutely not. She likes all meals, especially the ones I pay for but no sweethearts for us. Plus at this rate I’m pretty sure the only person she’d want to take on a date is Taylor Swift which..I can’t totally argue with.”

◦

Valentine’s day had been a normal day for Candice for awhile now. If she wasn’t at the hospital to help out, she was with the kids giving them sweets and hanging out with them for the day. She used to be the girl that went all out and did sweet things for the lovers in her life, but she found that they did not care or never showed up. With Roane, he always seemed to be gone on or around the day so while he did make sure he always gave her a present, what Candice always wanted was for him to be there. Still, she made sure to decorate some parts of the house for the kids. There were Valentine’s day pillows on her couch and red and pink blankets on the couch. Their bedspreads were the same or covered with hearts of all colors. Other than Christmas, Candice went big for St. Patrick’s Day, not only because of her Irish grandparents, but also because it was her birthday and she always loved the holiday. That would be the next big holiday that she would celebrate.

She pulled her coat off as she waited in the next restaurant that Ángel and the kids were suppose to be meeting her in looking around and smiling at everyone’s happiness and lovey dovey looks. She was glad to see so many people so happy. Her head turned as she heard her name and smiled as she saw Levi coming up to her. She chuckled softly as he offered her a rose and took it with a thank you. Her eyebrows scrunched as she looked down at herself. She was in a pink fitted sweater and jeans with boots. She hadn’t tried to look anymore special than any other dinner out with her kids and her baby daddy. “Thank you, but these are just my normal clothes, Clark Kent.” she grinned softly. “I am. I like seeing everyone happy and giddy.” she nodded looking around the restaurant before looking back at Levi. She could tell he had been enjoying some alcoholic beverages. “You look like you’re having a good time. How have the bars been? Wait, where’s Lexi? Are you meeting her somewhere?” she asked as she brought the rose to her nose and took a long inhale. She loved the sweet scent of roses.

***

Without fail he blushed at the nickname, running a hand back through his hair in hopes of covering it up. “Ah well normal or not..” he shrugged, his smile staying on his face as he met her eyes for a second. The more he saw her lately, the bolder he felt, though not bold enough to actually do much but slightly flirt. Though he wasn’t totally sure Candice was aware he was even flirting. “Yeah, yeah I hear you, I kind of love, love, you know? I lowkey like all the cheesiness,” he told her in a whisper, laughing at himself before taking a sip of his next beer. “I’ve been having fun, yeah, yeah the bars have been great. Full of...alcohol,” he added with a snort of a laugh, cringing as he heard it and quickly covering his face. “I have the long weekend off so I figure why not enjoy it, you know? Uh Lex is somewhere around here, probably taking selfies or waiting for Angel to take selfies or convincing someone else to get her another shot,” he joked, glancing over his shoulder briefly to look for his best friend. “What about you, huh? You got any big plans? I mean surely the line of suitors waiting to sweep you off your feet is very, very long.”

“She’s Swedish. So like still white, but from a different country.” She shrugged before popping another fry in her mouth. She had never met a potato that she didn’t like. “They’re like 30 bucks I think, but we could always just live stream one from the living room, at least that way I could stay in my pajama’s.” The way Levi talked about Candice was something that she loved. It was so genuine, and the both of them deserved something good, and it was all Lexi could do to not force the two of them in a room together until they declared their feelings for one another - However, she decided against her dramatic approach. “That was very nice of her. I love Candice - she’s so sweet, and literally the best cook.”  

****

“Oh so like..spicy white? Something like that?” He laughed softly as he said it, messing with her as he reached for his food and shoved some fries in his mouth. “I’m all about a livestream from your living room. Then we can just drink a 12 pack and not worry about paying fucking 14 dollars for a drink like they charge at those venues. I mean it’s straight up robbery. That’s why I’m convinced in my next life I should just be a bartender and then steal everything and escape,” he told her, tapping the side of his head as if that was the smartest idea. “Yeah, yeah, she’s the sweetest,” he said softly, staring out the window for a moment. “You...you think she has someone to be her Valentine? Like...hmm..what if I...do adults even ask each other to be Valentine’s? Ew the more I say it, the more I hate it.”

Nicholas frowned faintly staring at the man’s arm. The bandage wasn’t great and given the blood soaking into it he could be the man needed stitches or atleast to properly disinfect it. His head lifted at the man’s question and he sighed. Atleast he could offer, if the man didn’t want help then that was on him. “I just…your arm doesn’t look too good. Look I’m a doctor and I’m not going to try and force you to go to the ER but I do have a first aid kit in my car. If you can spare a few minutes. I’d be happy to take a look at it. If only so you don’t end up in my ER when it gets worse” 

****

“You know that just sounds like you’re trying to get me in your car man, a little sus,” he replied without really thinking. But he looked back at the wound and knew he shouldn’t be so stubborn. Plus, he was pretty sure he had seen the guy around whenever he had stopped by the hospital to see Candice. He sighed and cleared his throat, trying to swallow his pride, “I mean, uh, actually yeah, I could use some help and I would appreciate not going to an ER,” he admitted and stood up straighter. “So um, lead the way or whatever,” he told him and motioned towards the parking lot so he could follow him back. “So uh, what’s..what’s your name?”

Hurriedly grabbing the bag out of his hand and setting in her lap. Lexi wasn’t always an open book, but Levi had become one of her closes friends and aside from her siblings was one of the only people she didn’t feel like she had to have everything together in front of. “Next concert you’re going with me, and that is partly because I am 5′4 and I cannot see above half the people that stand in front of me. We should go see Tove Lo, I think she is coming to town soon. I’ll have to re check the schedule.” Lexi took the top off of the milkshake and quickly dipped a couple of fries into it, before bringing them up to her mouth. “Nah, what about you? Did you see Candice today?” She asked before turning her head to the side to face him.  

***

“Wait, who the fuck is Tove Lo? Have we listened to her? Honestly, I can’t keep up with all these white popstars,” he teased and reached into the bag for some fries as he pulled into their spot. “Also are you paying for all of these tickets cause you know me, always on a budget.” The mention of Candice had him immediately blushing and he took a moment to mask it with a sip from his milkshake as he undid his seatbelt and slid his seat back a bit to get comfortable. “Not today but I did uh have dinner with her and the kids yesterday. That was...very nice. God she’s so,” he let out a dreamy sigh, knowing he had talked Lexi’s ear off about it already. “Anyway, she told me she really liked my coat so that was nice.”

Location: McCoy’s home With: @levi–mccoy

“Hey, I brought dinner,” Chase called into the house as he made his way inside, peeling off his coat and stomping his boots on the welcome mat to get any excess snow off of them. A good sized snowfall had blanketed the town and while picturesque, it had certainly prevented them from getting any work down around the house. Heading into the kitchen, a grin spread across his face the moment he laid eyes on Cooper, his German Shepherd. “Hey, boy. Got you something special, too.” He pulled the Japanese takeout containers out of the bags and opened up a smaller one with a side of steak, setting it onto the ground for the dog before looking at Levi. “Figured hibachi was okay since we hadn’t done that in a while. We’ve got beer, right? I didn’t get any because I assumed we did.”

***

“Oh thank god I’m fucking starving. Been fucking with the wifi connection all day,” he admitted as he came out of the living room and towards the door to grab the food from Chase. “Yeah we got a shit ton of beer. Managed to be around Tony’s when he was trying to get rid of some excess. Gave me a few cases. I knew the old dude had a soft spot for me,” he teased and eagerly unpacked everything as he went to the table, the smell of it already making his stomach excited. “It’s getting nasty out there, huh? I gathered a shit ton of wood for fire, we’re gonna absolutely need it. You remember to pick up more toilet paper? We eat this hibachi we’re gonna need it,” he teased and handed Chase a plate. 

◑

Candice nodded softly. She was more than happy to help a friend out with anything even if it meant sewing up some shirts or socks. “Look at you treating yourself! That is so important you know. The jacket looks good on you so keep that up.” she smiled widely. Candice grabbed her purse from the SUV and chuckled. “Everyone is miserable when they’re sick, but some people don’t take it out as much on others.” she grinned pinching Ayden’s cheek making him giggle.

Jaden smiled and bumped his fist with her own before taking her mother’s hand again as they walked across the street over to the restaurant. “Ummm, that’s very sweet of you to think first of all. The letters and sounds part yes, the being good part was something I had to learn.” she grinned. Candice had been pretty well behaved through her childhood, but there was that ten years where her wildness took over and had gotten her into plenty of difficult situations. She opened the door to the restaurant letting Levi and the kids in before herself. “Oh wow, Levi! You are really winning tonight! Treating yourself and getting a new big time contract. That’s amazing! Is it far from here? Like will you have to stay up there while you work on the resort? It sounds like it’s going to be a lot of intense work.” she said the last part with some concern. She hoped he and Chase would be taking care of themselves up there. Candice would also miss bumping into him on the streets of Amory, but that was irrelevant. Work was necessary and needed. The hostess took them to a booth in the back where Ayden quickly scooted into one side and Jaden into the other after Candice put the booster seat under her. Candice sat on Jaden’s side across from Levi. She helped her kids take off their coats and hands stuffing them on the sides nearest the walls before taking off her own. She moved the crayons and paper in front of both Jaden and Ayden so they would be entertained while they waited for someone to come and take their orders.

Candice frowned softly as Levi shared that he and Chase’s heat was out. “You guys don’t have heat? It’s freezing outside! Look, I have some electric heated blankets and extra down comforters that I can bring to your house. You guys keep them as long as you need. It’s way too cold out here for you two to be making it work.” she said with a shake of her head as she took her phone out to make sure she remembered to bring those items to their house. She sighed softly as he asked about the beginning of her year. There was so much to say and yet, so much she couldn’t say. “It hasn’t been dull. I can say that much.” she chuckled looking over the menu before looking over to Levi. “Just got some unexpected presents and I’m still figuring out what to do with them.” she told him softly. The money she knew was for Ayden and she had secured it in a bank account for his college fund if he chose to go. The properties were still up in the air. She wasn’t sure she could bring herself to even go into the California house again. She shook her head, trying to let the thoughts go. “So what are you going to eat? And don’t get something light. I want to make sure you’re full when you leave the table tonight.”

*****

“Thank you, thank you,” he told her softly as he smoothed down his coat, having to admit that it felt pretty fucking good to hear that compliment come for her. It definitely made the new coat a top favorite of his. Her excitement was infectious and it told him that he was right in actually celebrating this instead of keeping it to himself. “Uh not too far. Enough that we can commute, plus, I always like sleeping in my own bed anyway. I mean I’ve slept a lot of places but now that I have one of my own? Can’t beat it. Chase and I got our mattresses from some super sale and it may be one of the proudest moments of my life.” It sounded silly, probably, but after moving from foster home to foster home, from cold beds and random hand me downs. Having something of his own was what made him proud and feel good about himself. “It’ll be intense for sure but really fun. I’ll finally get to put these amateur architect skills to work.” That was what he had always actually wanted to but he had barely gotten through high school, he didn’t think he’d ever settle anywhere long enough to try college.

He watched the way Candice was with the kids, reminding him of his own mother. Back in the days before everything clouded her judgement, back when he could remember feeling loved. “You’re very, very sweet but we’re good now. We fixed it. We had to huddle up a bit for warmth and it was hilarious but we figured it out. I mean I’d never say no to extra blankets, or uh, you stopping by.” He folded his arms on the table as he listened to her, not sure if he should be concerned or seriously intrigued. Maybe a bit of both. 

“Unexpected presents? Well that’s..I mean is that a good thing? We don’t have to talk about it, I don’t wanna pry or anything.” He smiled down at the menu and tapped his fingers against the table.”Well, I’ve always been a sucker for breakfast for dinner so..probably an omelette and a bagel and..would you wanna share some fries? What’s your go to?”

“Listen, i’m working on turning Chase into a Swiftie than the three of us can finally go to a concert together.” She pulled her phone out and quickly pulled up Spotify, before scrolling through the list of songs before pressing play. “Okay, I heard this one on the radio at work yesterday and it was an automatic banger.” Lexi leaned up to turn the volume up a little before leaning back in her seat. “We love Miley in this car. And to answer your question, the only time I don’t crave a chocolate shake, is when I want a strawberry shake.”   

***

“Oh my god could you imagine? All of us at a Taylor Swift concert? I’m manifesting that shit or whatever it is those girls on your instagram say.” Levi wasn’t really big on social media but Lexi had gotten him on there. He was sure it was just so he could like her posts but he still got to see plenty of funny videos so that made it worth it. He tapped his fingers against the steering wheel to the beat of the music, not necessarily hating it but it wasn’t his favorite. Still, he was sure she’d play it enough he’d come to like it either way. “Right, right thank you for clarifying.” His smile stayed as they pulled up to the drive thru and gave their usual order, Levi handing the food over to her as they got it so that he could drive out to one of their favorite spots to eat, smoke and just be. “So, anything interesting happen in your day today or same shit different day?”

◐

Candice adjusted Ayden’s hat on his head after Levi fixed his zipper. Candice swore she saw red cheeks on the man, but she figured it was because of the chill in the air. It was probably going to snow again in the next few days. It was always snowing here in the winter. Candice had come to appreciate it. It quietly reminded her of home. “Busted jackets? Well, you have a busted jacket that needs sewing, you can always bring it over to my house. I may not be the best with zippers, but I’m pretty good with a needle and thread.” she grinned with a nod. Her grandmother had taught her when she was small and she had become very accustomed to making her own costumes when she was Kandi Kane.

Ayden squealed as Levi was able to zip his jacket up easily. ‘Thank you, Mr. Levi. I like your jacket.’ Ayden grinned. “Yes, thank you very much. Especially because Ayden is not a nice sick person.” Candice smiled softly taking her both of her children’s hands. She smiled softly back at him. His eyes always seemed so warm even as he seemed unsure of what to do around her or the kids or both. Candice hadn’t figured that part out yet. “We’re going to Peggy and Sue’s for dinner because Jaden got the Good Little Star award today for good behavior at preschool AND she knows fifteen letters and sounds already!” Candice said happily shaking her daughter’s arm who giggled softly. ‘My name start with a J like Jar, Mr. Levi.’ Jaden grinned. “You’re welcome to join us. Well, I think you kind of have to because you saved the day with the zipper. I have to treat you to dinner now.” she smiled softly. “Unless, you have other plans which I hope I haven’t kept you from.” She hadn’t even thought about him having plans already. “You too, Levi.” she smiled genuinely. “And it’s never too late to say Happy New Year. Have you had a good start to yours?”

***

“Ah well I will...keep that in mind,” he told her softly, suddenly wishing he had something that needed sewing. He knew he’d definitely use that excuse in the future. God, was he pathetic, or what? He could hear Chase and Lexi laughing at him in his head. “Why thank you very much. I just bought it actually. Little treat to myself,” he admitted. Levi rarely spent money on himself unless it was for food or drinks and half the time his clothes ended up coming from Lexi or by chance he’d see something he liked. But he had gotten a big job last week and had been excited enough to spend a little extra money which had resulted in the new winter coat he was not sporting. It was a small comment from Ayden but it had Levi smiling. “Do nice sick people exist? I thought everyone was just miserable when they’re sick,” he teased. 

Levi’s eyes widened, Candice’s excitement only making him more excited before he held out a fist for Jaden to bump. “That’s amazing, congrats, J. Guess she takes after her mom, huh?” He caught his own words but smiled through them, not sure how they even came out. He wasn’t usually this confident around her but he supposed he had just woken up on the right side of the bed today. Or maybe this new job was giving him hope that he could take his work to the next level and finally feel secure enough where he didn’t stress about money all the damn time. He was surprised at the invitation though he supposed he shouldn’t have been. Candice was one of the nicest people he had ever met and he could tell how sincere she was about it. It wasn’t something he saw often. He was used to people being unkind and the exact opposite of warm. “No, no I’d love to. I’m uh, actually celebrating a little bit myself,” he admitted, “I just got this uh big contract for the company for a place a bit further upstate. A resort that needs renovating. They’re like..big, old money so..I’m super psyched about it. So yeah, yeah I’ve been having a pretty good start, I’d say. I mean the year started with Chase and I’s heat going out so kind of took that as a bad omen but we’re making it work. What about yours?”

●

“You really had to take your jacket off in the car, Ay?” Candice said with some frustration as she fought with her son’s zipper. ‘It was hot.’ he replied simply. “I would’ve turned the heat down if it was that hot, Buddy.” she frowned. ‘I keep my coat on, Mommy.’ Jaden grinned next to her brother. Ayden stuck his tongue out at her and Jaden stuck hers right back out at him. “Hey, stuck out tongues don’t get sundaes after their dinners.” she warned looking up at both of them before their tongues quickly returned to the insides of their mouths.

Candice heard the question for help and was already shaking her head no and tell the person that she was fine before realizing who it was. Levi McCoy. She twisted to make sure it was him and smiled up at him. “Hey Superman. I see you’re flying in to save the day as usual.” she smirked rising to her feet and moving so he could fix the zipper. Jaden giggled happily at him as she leaned back into her mother’s legs. “So you’re the zipper whisperer too? Is there anything you can’t do, Mr. Levi?” Candice teased.

**

He was sure his entire face flushed when she said his nickname, sure there was never a time where he didn’t blush around her. It was ridiculous, really, he felt like a school boy with a crush but that’s just how he had felt around her since he met her. She had a point though, he did always manage to swoop in at the right time and he had just chalked it up to the universe working in mysterious ways. “Zipper whisperer I am not, just very accustomed to busted jackets,” he joked, but he knew that she didn’t really know just how many hand me down jackets he had in his life time, some of them with and without zippers. “Oh there’s plenty I can’t do, believe me. It’s all just about a little focus and...patience,” he said softly, focusing hard on the zipper so he didn’t embarass himself. But he guided the zipper with ease back into place in a few seconds and zipped it back up to Ayden’s neck. “There you go, nice and warm dude. Can’t be catching a cold out here.” 

“Where uh, where are you guys headed?” He adjusted the beanie on his head and stood up a bit straighter as he met her eyes. “It’s um, it’s..it’s good to uh,” he paused and cleared his throat. “It’s good to see you. Uh is it too late to say Happy New Year?”

“You know i’ve been really craving a chocolate shake dude.” Lexi couldn’t sleep, and Levi’s passenger seat was calling her name. Their nightly drives was one of her favorite past times, and even when the two of them didn’t have much to say - they played each other their favorite songs and just sat in content while the music filled their ears. “Have you ever dipped your fries in your milkshake? Because if not you’re so missing out.” She grinned and shut the passenger side door. “Alright, whats the vibe tonight? Sad or chill?” 

***

“When are you not craving a chocolate shake, dude,” he replied with a smirk in his best impersonation of her. It was weird to think that Lexi was one of the only people in his life he had known for a long time aside from his brother. From the moment they met it was a completely opposites attract sort of thing but she had taught him a lot about being a good friend. And he was pretty sure he’d be fucking lost without her. “Uh you always dip your fries in mine so yeah, I have.” He felt more at ease the moment she was in the passenger seat and he quickly pulled off, turning the radio up a bit as he did. “Uh, chill, I’m thinking chill. Why, what you got for me today? You haven’t told Chase that you turned me into a Taylor Swift fan, have you? He wouldn’t let me live that down.”