Page 98 of Burning Bridges Duet

“Yes, I was hurt, so I turned and ran away, but I only saw the part where she was kissing him, not the part where he pushed her away and told her that he has a girlfriend,” I explain, and he relaxes a bit but still looks unconvinced.

“Wouldn’t a fuck boy tell you just that? That it ‘wasn’t what it looked like’?” he asks.

“Yeah, probably, but there’s video proof that he didn’t consent, so he’s off the hook,” I say, and he nods.

“Okay then. Seems like he can live another day,” he mutters, and I smile.

I get up to get us some ice cream and turn on the reggaeton channel on my music app. I hand him his cone and sit back in his lap, leaning my back against his chest. When we finish our treats, we just chill there, him hugging me from behind.

“Next time, you run to me instead of running away. Promise me, Livy,” he whispers in my hair.

I bite my lip. I don’t know if I can promise that. If Liam becomes an imminent threat, I wouldn’t hesitate a second to run away or go with him to keep them all safe. The guys, Chris, and Gunner are my new family, and I would rather die than let Liam hurt anyone else I love. The weight of that realization brings tears to my eyes.

“I love you, Gunner. You’re my best friend,” I whisper, and he holds me even tighter, resting his chin on my head.

“I love you too, Livy.”

EIGHT

A sudden knock on my door jolts me awake from my slumber. I groggily rub my eyes and squint at my phone to check the time. It’s only seven-thirty in the morning. I let out a groan.

Gunner spent the night over at my place after we watched movies together. He woke me up from a nightmare and comforted me until I fell back asleep. At five am, he left to get ready at his apartment because he had to be at work by six. Since it’s Friday, I have no classes and wanted to sleep in a bit. I hope he’ll check in with me during the day, so I know he’s okay.

Another knock interrupts my thoughts, and I drag myself out of bed. Maybe he forgot something? I open the door just an inch and peek outside, finding Chase standing there.

“You look adorable in the morning,” he says with a chuckle.

I groan again and open the door wider, letting him in. He leans down to kiss me, but I put a hand over my mouth.

“Morning breath,” I say, but he pulls my hand away.

“Like I give a fuck,” he whispers before swooping in for a kiss.

I hum happily against his lips. He breaks the kiss and pulls playfully on my messy bun, which is already falling to the side of my head.

“Did you sleep okay, gorgeous?” he asks, and I yawn.

“I did, but somebody disturbed me,” I say with a frown. “Why did you wake me up?”

“I feel like we haven’t had the opportunity to talk after everything went down, and I wanted to take you out for breakfast before we head to the studio,” he says, taking my pinky finger and hooking it with his. I smile at him.

“Chase, it really is okay. I believe that she came at you and that you didn’t do anything to hurt me. We’re good, honestly,” I say, and he nods.

“I’m happy to hear that, but I meant what happened on the dance floor the night before,” he says, and my brows rise.

“You mean the sex?” I ask, and he chuckles.

“Yes, I mean the mind-blowing, life-changing sex we had before you dropped me like a hot potato.”

“I didn’t drop you,” I say, biting my lip.

“No, you just rocked my world and disappeared directly afterwards. Maybe that’s the karma I deserve, but I still didn’t like it,” he says, and I laugh.

“You did not just reference your being a player right after talking about us having sex? Chase, I thought you had game,” I tease, and he winces.

“I’m sorry, that was dumb,” he says. “You make me nervous, Liv. I’m never like this, but I want to give this relationship my best and make you happy, make sure I can keep you.”

My heart swells at his words. He’s usually so confident, but it’s good to see a vulnerable side of him too. I reach up and play with one of the curls falling out of his man bun, smiling at him.