Page 46 of Burning Bridges Duet

The next song is “Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls, which is difficult to sing because it’s so high, but I love it since it shows the range of my voice. The waiter brings what looks like cocktails to Liv and River, but since she said she doesn’t drink in public and I know River doesn’t either, they must be mocktails. I nearly laugh as I watch River trying to drink around the little umbrella before Liv takes it out of his drink, and they both chuckle.

We play a few more songs, and the audience is getting into it tonight, clapping and nodding to the beat. Liv and River are our number one fans, but I would be offended if they weren’t. The last song for the night is a duet with Cara, the bass player in my band. We’re singing “Let It Go” by James Bay, and she steps to my side since we only have one mic on the small stage. She starts singing, and the song suits her, her voice is high and angelic. Since we only rehearsed the song today for the first time, I watch her and wait for my cue, making sure not to miss my parts.

When we finish, I look at Liv with a smile, proud of how well it worked out. But there’s a small frown on her face, and her eyes look sad. She’s still clapping like crazy, but she doesn’t seem happy anymore.

What the fuck just happened?

Ryder’s performance tonight is incredible. I knew he was talented, but with his band, he’s unbelievable. I loved every second of it until the last song, when the pretty lilac-haired girl on the bass stepped up to his side. Her grungy style suits her perfectly, unlike my sad attempt to fit into Ryder’s world. She starts to sing, and her voice matches her beauty. She captivates everyone, most of all Ryder. He looks happy, and he doesn’t take his eyes off her during the whole song.

My heart hurts, and I wonder if I got it all wrong. I thought there was something between us after the kiss yesterday. I couldn’t stop thinking about it all night, but maybe I just misread the signals. After all, I’m interested in not only him, but River, Chase, and Jaxon as well. Why would he settle for me if I can’t promise him the same? He’s so fucking handsome, and there are girls left and right who want a piece of him. As the song ends, I clap but feel sick.

“I need some fresh air,” I tell River, and he scoots out of the booth to let me out. I push myself through the crowd with my eyes closed, moving toward the exit, but some guy stops me by holding me by my upper arms.

“Don’t touch me,” I say.

He just laughs. “Where are you going, angel? I just found you,” he says, and my stomach turns at his use of the endearment Liam used with me. As I’m trying to pull myself out of his hold, I feel warmth on my back.

“She told you not to touch her. Back the fuck up,” River says, and the guy lifts his hands in a surrender motion.

“Sorry, dude, didn’t know she had a man,” he says. I huff and make my way out of the bar. Since it’s nighttime, it’s cooler outside than inside, and I sigh in relief. Tears are forming in my eyes, but I can’t stop them.

What is wrong with me? We had such a fun evening, and now I’m ruining everything. A small sob escapes me, and River pulls my shoulder to turn me toward him.

“Hey, hey, hey,” he says, pulling me into a tight embrace, holding my head against his chest. “What just happened, Liv? I thought you had fun? Should I go back in there and deck the guy?”

I laugh between sobs. River, my cute, nerdy, kind River, just offered to deck somebody who touched me, and I’m standing here crying because of his brother. I’m the worst.

He lifts my chin with a finger and bends down slightly so he can look me in the eyes.

“Tell me,” he asks gently.

“I kissed Ryder yesterday,” I say, sniffing, but he just laughs.

“Oh, I know. He couldn’t shut up about it.” I cringe. “But that’s not why you’re crying,” he observes, his eyes flicking back and forth between mine. I look to the ground. “You can tell me anything, Liv.” He cups my cheek and strokes it with his thumb like his brother did yesterday.

Ugh, stop comparing them, Livy!

“I’m a fucking hypocrite,” I sob. “I want you and Ryder both so much, and I can’t stop thinking about Jaxon or Chase, but I can’t stand Ryder looking at that pretty girl in his band the way he just did. What does that make me?” I ask him, looking up into his stunning, sky blue eyes.

“Say that again,” he whispers, his gaze softening, and I reel a bit.

“What?” I ask. His eyes get hooded, and he places his forehead to mine, breathing in deeply.

“Tell me you want me,” he whispers, and I let out a breath.

“River, I want you so bad it hurts.”

I lean in to kiss her, my lips grazing hers gently, testing the waters. I don’t want to push too hard or make her feel uncomfortable, but then she pulls me to her by my shirt, her hands gripping tightly, and I know she wants this as much as I do. I smile into the kiss before taking her head in both my hands and deepening it. It’s been so long since I’ve felt this, and with Liv, it’s better than anything I could have imagined. She smells like vanilla and tastes like the pineapple mocktail we just had. I bite her soft lower lip gently, and she moans quietly, encouraging me.

I’m bending down to her because she’s so small, but then I pick her up by her thighs, just shy of her butt, and lift her to me. She automatically wraps her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck, and I kiss her like it’s the first and last time, savoring every second.

It’s official—I’ve fallen for her, hard, and there’s no turning back.

TWENTY-SEVEN

I’m worried sick. Liv just stormed out of the bar, River hurrying after her. For a moment, I thought I’d have to jump in and punch some guy, but River had it handled. I saw a new side of him tonight.

Now they’re outside, but I can’t see them from where I am. I want to go out and look for them, but I have to help the band pack up our gear and talk to the owner. I don’t think I’ve ever packed up so quickly in my life. The owner hands me the check, which I give to Cara, trusting her to make sure everyone gets their fair share for the night. I decline the offer to grab a drink with the band to come down from the gig, and rush outside to find my brother and my baby girl.