Carry Me

“Back down, asshole.”

“What zar you, my mozhere?”

“Fucking Russian!”

“Zat’s what your mozhere does. Every night.”

Levia growled and launched herself at Eric, effectively tackling him to the ground and flashing a few people behind her. At least she had chosen to wore decent looking underwear today.

It all started when Levia was asked to dance by Emma and Rose, which she gladly accepted. Those girls were too cute for their own good.

Then Olivia came over, her dress far too short for someone of her age. As Jimmy liked to put it, she was not a Mom I would Love to Fuck, but a Mom I would Love to set on Fire.

She had pulled the twin girls away, claiming that Levia was tainting them. Then of course, Eric came to her rescue, tossing insults at Levia like middle aged men toss money at strippers.

That man always knew just how to push Levia’s buttons.

Now here she was, socking him in the jaw a few times and kneeing him in the gut. Olivia sat on the sidelines screaming and Eric was trying to fight Levia back. She wouldn’t allow it.

He managed to rip the bow off her dress, effectively ruining it. She started to choke him with his tie when she felt herself being pulled off. Her legs dangled in the air and she struggled to get free from whoever was holding her. They must’ve been really strong.

Once he was out of her sight, Levia had nothing to say. He wasn’t worth yelling her words at.

Whoever was carrying her put her down and forced her to sit in a chair. She had an idea of who it was, but refused to look up to confirm her belief.

“You better now, Lev?”

Levia lifted her eyes for a moment to acknowledge Matt’s presence before her gaze went back to the floor.

“I’m fine.”

Matt shifted in his seat, leaning over with his elbows resting on his knees. Levia took notice of the wedding band on his finger. It felt like it had been there the whole time she had known him, not just for a few hours.

“I know it’s really none of my business, and Ads never really said a lot about it, so I don’t expect you to either, but it’s worth a try.”

Levia waited for him to clear his throat and speak.

“What did he ever do to make you hate him so much?”

Levia turned her head away, not really caring to explain. Technically, he was family now, and part of her felt the need to tell him. Like a sister would confide in her brother.

Attractive brother-in-law, but ‘brother’ nonetheless.

She didn’t know where to start, and at first words didn’t come out. Matt sat patiently, waving off everyone who tried to come near. This included even Addison, who upon seeing Levia’s disgruntled state, said nothing more and trusted Matt to handle it.

Levia took a deep breath, preparing to speak more than Matt had probably ever heard her speak at one time before. She hoped she didn’t bore him.

“I used to live with my dad for the longest time, while Addi stayed with mom. Mom got married when I was…oh…six I think, but I still didn’t live with her. When Dad met Sylvie and got married, when I was about 15, then I got kicked out and was forced to live with Mom and that asshole.

It wasn’t so bad at first. I met Pete, who was only a couple years old at the time. Eric had no problem with Addi since she had been there for years already and was about to graduate, but he didn’t want me anywhere near Pete. He thought I would scare him, taint him, hurt him. He didn’t trust me.

He made my high school years torture. He would make up all these stories, telling my mom about parties I went to and boys I would have sex with. I did none of it, but my mom didn’t believe me. She only believed her beloved Eric.”

Levia bit her lip, looking to see if Matt was tired of her talking yet. From what she could tell, he was just listening intently, absorbing it all in. Addison had probably told him most of this, or maybe she didn’t. Personally, Levia was tired of keeping it all in with no one to talk to, and she felt Matt was the best person to tell at this point.

Matt nodded for Levia to continue, “Keep going.”

Levia had no hair to play with, so she settled on the hem of her dress instead.

“Addison was away at college by that point, so she couldn’t help me out. Mom had officially turned against me, and I wasn’t even allowed to have friends. I wasn’t allowed to socialize with anyone. I became a loner. And it was all his fault.

I kept in contact with Dad and his family, visiting every now and then. Me and CJ stayed pretty close, and once I turned 18, we hung out a lot more. I was an adult then, so I thought I could do whatever I wanted. After taking CJ to a concert of you guys, like she talked about, I left. I finished my senior year after first semester and just up and left. I never said a word to anyone.

Eric and Mom never made an attempt to contact me. I didn’t even talk to Dad or his family, even Papa and Nana, for two years. I finally broke down and talked to Addison, but that was it. I didn’t want anyone to tell Eric where I was or what I was doing. Somehow he would find a way to get me, and make my life terrible. I knew he would.

So basically, I hate him. Can’t stand his guts. He made my life hell, and I’m just waiting for a chance to do the same to him.”

Matt sat up after Levia finished and scratched his head, “Oh.”

Levia sighed, “I’m sorry. I doubt you wanted to hear any of that and I probably annoyed and bored you-”

Matt shook his head and held up a hand, cutting her off, “You didn’t. I’m glad you told me, actually. Things make a lot more sense now.”

Levia shrugged, “I guess so.”

The two sat in a comfortable silence for a while. Levia was waiting for him to get up and leave, but he never did.

“Just…please don’t tell anyone else. I don’t want everyone knowing. It’s really not that exciting, and it’s nothing that should make me react the way I do-”

“You have every right to act the way you do, Lev. Don’t think otherwise. And no worries; it’s safe with me.”

Matt gave her a wink and Levia bit her lip to keep from smiling.

“Thanks, Matt.”

“Anytime, Lev.”

----------------------------------------------------------

Levia scowled and gently rubbed her sore knuckles. Her right hand was already bruising. She must’ve really whopped a punch on Eric.

Smiling with satisfaction at the thought, she found herself wandering aimlessly around the dance floor. She spotted Jimmy and Zacky, dancing with Emma and Rose. It was impossible not to know of Rose’s crush on Johnny, but it seemed that Rose had taken a liking to Zacky too.

He was holding her hands, twirling the small girl around in time to the music. Levia nearly giggled at how cute it was. It made for a great distraction from her aching hands.

She let her thoughts wonder to how great Zacky was with kids. He would make a great father someday.

As if on cue, Zacky looked up from Rose and spotted Levia, instantly smiling. She smiling shyly back, not wanting to interrupt his dancing.

Doing what she didn’t want him to do, he gave Rose’s hand a squeeze and a handsome smile before patting her on the head and handing her off to Jimmy. Levia swore she heard Jimmy yell something about what a ladies’ man he was, but she couldn’t really tell over the music.

“Hi, Levee!”

Levia looked around for the voice, extremely confused when she saw no one. There wasn’t even anyone around her.

“We’re down here!”

Levia furrowed her brows and looked down, her face transforming into one of joy when she saw who the two voices were.

“Jagger! Makaile!”

They grinned and she bent down to hug them.

“I haven’t seen you guys all night!”

“We know! We missed you, Levee!”

“I missed you too, Jagger. How’s your night, Makaile?”

Makaile shrugged, “Good. We watched your fight. It was pretty cool.”

“It was awesome!” Jagger laughed.

Levia chuckled, “Well thanks guys. I’m sure your dad never does anything like that, huh?”

Makaile rolled his eyes, “Oh, yeah. He never does.”

Zacky wandered over and put an arm around Levia. She smiled at him.

“Hey, Zacky,” the boys greeted.

“Hey, buddies.”

“Who were you dancing with?” Jagger asked.

Levia frowned until she realized that Makaile and Jagger hadn’t met Emma and Rose yet. Her face brightened at the thought of them meeting.

Zacky smirked, obviously understanding Levia’s thoughts, “Emma and Rose.”

“Who are they?” Makaile asked.

“They’re my sisters,” Levia replied.

Jagger gasped, “I didn’t know you had sisters!”

“I do.”

“How old are they?” Makaile piped up.

Levia giggled. He was just like his father.

“They’re twins. And they’re six.”

Even Zacky couldn’t help but laugh at the enlightened expressions on the faces of the two young boys.

“You want to meet them?” he asked.

Levia looked from Zacky to the boys, waiting for their answer. When they nodded enthusiastically, she let out the laugh that threatened to escape.

“They really are just like their father,” she blurted out.

Zacky chuckled, “That they are.”

The two led the boys over to Emma, Rose, and Jimmy. It was coup de foudre, as Sylvie and CJ would say. Makaile and Emma hit it off right away, as did Rose and Jagger.

Jimmy left to go find Leana, stating that he may have lost two of his women, but there was still one he knew would never leave him. Levia fought the urge to coo and pinch Jimmy’s cheeks for saying something so sweet.

Zacky and Levia walked off, hand in hand. He eventually convinced her to dance more, to calm her down more. She was surprised he never asked what had happened. She was sure Matt had probably filled him in on the situation, but for some reason she knew Zacky knew nothing other than she had punched and attempted to beat up Eric. She was glad Matt hadn’t said anything; she didn’t want or need Zacky worrying.

Levia felt extremely guilty. She had tried so hard to push her dance with Jacoby to the back of her head, but she knew it was hopeless. The thoughts kept resurfacing, and she felt like she was going to explode if she held it in from Zacky any longer.

“I danced with Jacoby,” she blurted out in the middle of one of their slow dances.

Zacky chuckled, giving Levia a confused look, “Okay?”

Levia looked down, her grip on Zacky’s shoulders tightening, “Things just got…a little closer than they should have.”

Zacky pulled Levia by the waist so their chests were touching, his hand sliding up and resting behind her neck.

“Hey,” he said to get her attention after she attempted to look away, ‘it’s fine. I don’t care.”

Lies.

“I’m so sorry,” she said sincerely, “I feel like such a terrible person.”

Zacky shook his head, his hand running through Levia’s hair, which had fallen out, in what he knew she thought of as a comforting and calming manner.

“Really. It doesn’t bother me.”

Lies.

Levia refused to look Zacky in the face, though he could tell her muscles were relaxing from his hand in her hair.

“You sure?”

“Positive.”

He should really stop lying to himself.

“I’m glad I’m with you,” Levia said quietly, moving her head so it rested on the side of Zacky’s neck.

Zacky tensed, and not in a bad way, at Levia’s breath hitting his neck. He continued running his hand through her hair and enjoyed the feeling of their bodies pressed so tightly together.

“I’m glad you are too.”

A hand on Zacky’s shoulder jolted him and Levia from their daze and they simultaneously glared at the person who had interrupted them.

Brian grinned sheepishly, “Did I interrupt?”

Zacky scoffed, a displeased look on his face, “No. Not at all.”

“Well excuse me Mister Head-Over-Heels-For-My-Girlfriend. I thought you guys might want to take part in the throwing of the garter and bouquet.”

Levia ignored Brian’s comment to Zacky and tilted her head in confusion at whoever was standing behind Brian.

“CJ?”

CJ poked her head around Brian’s shoulder and looked at Levia innocently.

“Yes, sister dearest?”

Levia eyed CJ skeptically, “Have you been hanging around Bri all night?”

Brian and CJ both scoffed and looked away from each other.

“No…” they replied.

“Alright, fuckers,” Levia heard Jacoby’s voice float through the room via microphone, “it’s time for the infamous bouquet and garter toss! Matt, get yourself and that sexy bride of yours out here!”

The crowed roared and cheered while Matt and Addison came out, Johnny following with a chair. He set the chair down rather roughly and gave Matt an unhappy look. Addison gave him a kiss on the cheek and a pat on the shoulder, and Johnny walked away much happier.

Jacoby chuckled, “Alrighty. Now, let’s get all those unmarried men out here!”

Addison got herself situated on the chair, Matt standing next to her. Men piled out, maybe about three dozen, but no more. They must all be married, Levia thought.

At sounds of struggling coming from the speakers, Levia looked up to see Tony prying the microphone out of Jacoby’s hands.

“You’re not married, Cobe. Now go down there take that garter!”

The crowd cheered him on, and Jerry practically shoved him off the stage. Jacoby scowled and stalked over to the group of guys, crossing his arms and mumbling things Levia didn’t know.

Zacky had left, along with Brian, so it was just Levia and CJ left standing.

Levia couldn’t help but be a tad disgusted as Matt drove under Addison’s dress, effectively covering the majority of him. Addison’s giggles were enough to make Levia contemplate what Matt was really doing under there.

A minute later he came out, garter in his mouth. The guys whooped while Levia frowned.

Gross.

Turning his back, Matt tossed the garter over his head. Levia thought that Eric Bass had it, but Jacoby was the one who stood up, proudly holding Addison’s garter over his head.

“Eat it, fuckers!” he yelled.

Brian pulled a disgusted face, “Not after that’s been up Addison’s leg-ow!”

Matt smacked Brian upside the head, “Stop that!”

“Looks like it’s bouquet time!” Tony cheered through the microphone.

CJ pulled Levia out with her to the floor, “Come on, Lev. Let’s go catch it!”

“But not after he caught the gar-”

“Yes! It would make it even funnier!”

Levia frowned, “You hate me, don’t you?”

CJ grinned cheekily, “Never!”

“And there it goes!” Tony yelled.

Levia paid no attention whatsoever to where the bouquet was. She was only thinking about how weird it would be if she were the one who caught it…

Needless to say, she was just a bit surprised to look down and see said bouquet in her arms.

Well, how did that get there?

CJ laughed and clapped her hands together, “Look, Lev! You caught it!”

“No, really?!”

CJ put up her hands in defense, “Hey, now. Just saying.”

Laney walked over, tapping her chin, “Oh, would you look at that. Jacoby and Levia caught the garter and the bouquet, which means both of them will be getting married next…”

Levia held the bouquet tightly in her hands, giving the two girls an unamused look, “Not funny.”

Jacoby, being pushed by Brian and followed by a half amused Zacky, made his way over to Levia.

“Nice catch,” Jacoby said nonchalantly, his eyes meeting with Zacky’s for a split, understanding second.

Levia stared at the ground, unaware of Jacoby and Zacky’s wordless exchange, “Thanks. You too.”

Matt appeared on stage and took the mic from Tony. He waved at everyone, who were clapping and hooting for him.

“Thank you, thank you,” he chuckled, “but just so you know, the night is coming to and end. Me and Ads want to say thanks to everyone for coming and for dealing with our shit over the years.”

He made a point of looking at the guys, who nodded in understanding. Levia, on the other hand, had no idea what Matt was apologizing for.

“Another hour or so, and me and Ads will be making our way to the Caribbean. Sucks for you fuckers,” Matt chuckled deeply, “right. Anyway. Thanks, everyone!”

More clapping and cheers erupted. After it stopped, Matt and Addison came over to join the rest of the wedding party, plus Jacoby and CJ, who had managed to migrate over to the area.

“Well what are we waiting for? Let’s party!” Addison laughed.

Amber smirked and grabbed a hold of Zacky, literally dragging him with her. When Zacky tried to send Levia a pleading and apologetic look, Amber pulled him roughly, turning his back to Levia.

Levia glared daggers at the back of Amber’s head.

Bitch would pay.