Page 58 of Burning Bridges Duet

I step back into the building to make sure I’m safe and not exposed to the public. Once the door closes behind me, I quickly reach for my phone and dial Frank’s number.

“Olivia?” he says when he answers the phone.

“Frank, I need to start over,” I say urgently.

“I feel so bad for her,” Chris says, jolting me out of my memories. “It’s like she can’t even have a moment to herself without someone sticking a camera in her face.” Her eyes flick up to mine, and I nod in agreement.

“It’s crazy how the media can be so invasive sometimes,” I say.

“I know, right?” she replies. “It’s like you can never escape the spotlight, even when you’re going through something as personal as a breakup.”

Girl, if you only knew.

She bites her bottom lip, looking at me intently.

“No one deserves that. She didn’t deserve anything that happened to her or the way everyone treated her afterwards,” she says, and I furrow my brows.

Is she talking about me?

We sit in silence for a moment. Since the conversation turned into a direction I don’t like, I decide to shift gears.

“So, how’s your love life going?” I ask Chris, hoping to lighten the mood. She laughs and shakes her head.

“It’s nonexistent. There’s this hot girl in my psychology class, but she never talks to me. She probably thinks I’m stupid,” she says.

“Why would she think that?” I ask, frowning.

“Well, I may have slept in class once or twice,” she admits sheepishly, and I can’t help but laugh.

“Chris!”

“Sometimes I stay up late gaming with River, and it just happens,” she explains.

“I bet River never slept in class afterwards,” I say, thinking of my cute nerd, but Chris rolls her eyes.

“Probably not. Ew, stop it with the heart eyes.” She playfully pushes me, and I kick some sand on her feet. I check my watch and realize I still need to get some homework done for tomorrow.

“Come on, let’s head home,” I suggest, standing up and brushing the sand off my clothes.

THIRTY-THREE

I had a tough time in choreography class today. I just couldn’t seem to grasp a certain sequence, and the teacher’s feedback was more discouraging than motivating. I couldn’t bear the disappointment, so I decided to skip grocery shopping and head straight to the studio to work on the routine until I got it right.

Me, a perfectionist and people pleaser? No way.

I arrive at Tanner Fitness and immediately spot all four guys standing around the reception desk, laughing with each other. My heart swells. River is the first to see me, and his face lights up as he walks over and pulls me close, pressing his forehead against mine.

“Missed you, beautiful,” he whispers before giving me a gentle kiss.

My stomach flutters with butterflies as I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him back. When we break apart, I get turned by my shoulder to face Ryder.

“Give me those pretty lips, baby,” he says with a smirk before kissing me passionately, cupping the back of my head. He dips me backwards and bites my lip before pulling away. I can’t help but laugh.

“I missed you guys too,” I whisper. As I finally tear my gaze away from the twins and look at the other guys, I see Chase’s eyebrows nearly reaching his hairline and Jaxon sporting a scowl I’ve never seen before. Fuck. I knew it was too good to be true.

River takes my workout bag from my shoulder and holds my hand as we walk towards the reception desk.

“Hey, guys, how are you?” I ask, a hint of uncertainty in my voice.