Chasing the Bartender

A Day At The Park

LEVI POV

I couldn't sleep at all last night. Images of Davina at the bar kept appearing everything I closed my eyes. Being awake left me to imagine all the things I could've done last night. I could have claimed her, walked right up to her, and kissed her till she was lightheaded. My thoughts still run rampid as I run around the trail that runs through the park.

As the sun begins to rise, more and more people start breaking my solitude. Parents and their kids play and run around, others run around like me, and some sit under trees, taking in the warmth and sunshine. I think about going to see Dane as I'm close to his house, but then I see a girl who resembles my sister. As she gets closer, I realize it is her. She's changed. She used to hate running, but here she is, running with earbuds in her ears.

I move in her way. Realizing she has no way around the person getting in her way, she stops and takes out an earbud and looks up at me. At first, her expression was annoyance, then shock, then worry. She starts to look around as if someone might see.

"What? No hug for your big brother Hads?" She chuckles nervously. Then, steps off the trail so others can pass by.

"Hey Levi." She smiles as she moves in to hug me. "I should've known we'd meet sometime. How have you been?" She still looks nervous and keeps looking around.

"I've been good, I'm happy you're back. I was sad I never got to say goodbye to either you or Vi."

"Oh, sorry about that. It was a last-minute decision to accept our offers. We decided right before graduation. I hear you're a lawyer now." She says, trying to change the subject.

"Yeah. I work at the same firm as Dane." She looks at her watch and then looks around some more. "Sorry to cut thus short, but I have to go. I'm photographing a wedding in a few hours and need to go get ready. We'll have to catch up another time." She says as she quickly takes off.

I keep going around, now thinking about my sister and Davina. If Hadley runs now, I wonder what else has changed. A little kid with black hair and blue eyes runs past me, laughing as he looks over his shoulder. I stop and watch him as he enjoys his childhood. I turn when I hear a woman's voice calling after him and see who I least expected. She hesitates slightly when she sees me but then keeps running after him. I should've known she'd have someone in her life by now. That she wouldn't wait too long to have a family of her own, hoping to be better than her parents. I turn and jog after them, I go right past her and to the little boy. Grabbing him and returning him to his mom.

"Xavier, you can't go running off like that. Anything could've happened." She says as she kneels down and hugs him. She looked up at me, and I'm suddenly very happy I decided to run shirtless. "Thank you for your help." She stands and faces me.

"Of course Vi." I smile as the little boy tugs on her shirt.

"Momma, do you know him?" He looks at me nervously. She lowers herself to his level again.

"Yes, sweetheart. He and Uncle Dane are best friends. We grew up together." He smiles at me and steps forward.

"Then can I be your best friend too?" I lower down to his level as his mom watches me closely.

"Of course we can be best friends." He smiles widely as he flings himself into my arms. It feels right holding this little boy. Maybe if I hadn't been such an i***t, he would have been my boy.

"Momma, can I play with my new friend?" She looks at me, then back at Xavier.

"Xave, I'm sure he has other things he." I cut her off before she can finish. Any excuse I can use to be around her is good enough for me.

"I'd love to play with you, Xavier." He begins jumping before taking my hand and pulling me towards the playground.

Vi goes and sits on one of the benches where we can be seen. He goes down the slide and I catch him, he runs and I chase him, he gest on a swing and I push him. My heart aches a little at how much I want this with my own family. But the one woman I had hoped would be mine already has a family, and Lillian isn't the family and relationship type. Xavier starts to play in the sand as I tell him I'm going to take a break and talk to his mom.

"He likes you." She says without taking her eyes off of him.

"He's a sweet boy. Does he look more like you or his dad?" I ask, turning to look at her. She just shrugs her shoulders. "Where is his dad? He didn't want to play at the park with you two?" She sighs again but never takes her eyes off of him.

"He doesn't know his dad. His dad doesn't know he exists." I look back at the little boy who has a wide smile on his face.

"Why not?" I ask. She stands and calls for her son.

"Xavier, sweetheart, it's time to go." He stands and runs to her. "See you around, I guess." She says without looking at me. I follow as she rushes to her car. Once he's in the car and can't hear us as well.

"Vi, come on. Talk to me. Why doesn't his dad know about him? He deserves to know his dad!" She steps towards me.

"You don't get to play that card with me, Levi. I have done my best for that little boy. His dad was long gone by the time I found out I was pregnant. And you don't get to pretend like you care, not after what you did." She gets in her car and drives away. Leaving me shocked.

DAVINA POV

I guess it was unavoidable. At some point, we were going to run into each other. At some point, he would see Xavier. It made me so happy to see them play together. I wish I could give them that relationship, but I want him to have his mom and dad together. Not his mom, dad, and dad's girlfriend. No way I'm letting Lillian close to my son.

We pull up to Dane's house, and Xavier can't get to his uncle fast enough. We waited until Hadley got done at the wedding she was working on this morning. After getting home and getting Xave into bed, I tell Hadley all about running into Levi and them playing together, and I cried. I thought I had run out of tears for Levi Adams, but I guess not.