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Luke
Charlieshowsusaroundthe equipment, but I’m not paying attention to his words. I’m sizing him up like a damn caveman. When I walked around the corner and saw him kissing Liv, his hand grabbing her ass, I couldn’t think straight. My insides tangled into a knot. I wanted to break his hands for touching her. It was a near replica of the nightmare vision I had. Mark’s grip on my shoulder is the only thing that kept me from charging between them like a crazed psychopath. Mark and Dylan keep casting glances at me, making sure I’m getting a grip.
Objectively, I can admit Charlie is a good guy. I can tell he cares about Liv, but who wouldn’t? It takes a few minutes, but I shove the caveman aside. It would destroy any progress I’ve made with her if I snapped her new boyfriend’s neck.
I grab onto the jealous rage monster and use it to fuel my determination. I have to be patient and let her decide she wants me. When I spoke to her outside the coffee shop yesterday, her kindness in the face of the mistakes I made overwhelmed me. The love she still has for me blazed in her eyes, even if she refused to acknowledge it.
At breakfast a little while later, I catch Liv’s eye and hope blooms in my chest, silencing my inner turmoil when she smiles and blushes. Everything about her is beautiful. Her kind soul and generous heart always leaves me breathless. I don’t deserve her smiles or her blushes, but she gives them to me anyway. Just being near her makes my world feel lighter. I can’t believe I ever let her go.
“Dude, she’s still in love with you. I checked,” Jackson says from the couch at Mike’s house. We all took a breather to give Liv her space. She’s hanging out with Dylan and Vera while the rest of them watch me pace the living room.
I turn to him, leveling him with a hard stare. “What did you do?”
“Chill, bro. We just got her riled up to see where she stood. We told her there’s no way she’s in love with the new douche canoe, and she didn’t correct us. If it was true, she would have,” Brando says.
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Don’t worry, Liv put the idiots in their places,” Jordy says, and I take a calming breath.
“I have to be careful here. One wrong move and it’s all over,” I say.
“She’s only clinging to Charlie because she’s scared. But Charlie’s not an idiot. He sees it too,” Garrett says.
“Just be patient and keep showing her how much you love her. That’s all you can do,” Jordy says.
Skye lets out an annoyed sigh and Jordy glances at her.
“You should show her the tattoo. That’ll soften her up,” Brando says.
The thought had occurred to me, too. The tattoo is a tribute to the sacrifice she made when she saved my life. I never thought she’d see it. But now, I can’t wait to show it to her.
“What do I do about Charlie?” I ask the room.
“Want us to beat him up?” Jackson asks with a grin, and I chuckle.
“Yes. But don’t. It won’t help.”
Jackson sighs like I told him he can’t have a pony for Christmas.
“He’s a good dude. If he hadn’t fallen for Liv, he’d fit in with us well,” Garrett says. Brando and Jackson glare at him.
“We’ll like him when he breaks up with Liv,” Brando says and Garrett rolls his eyes, reminding me of Liv.
“Who wants to take bets on when Liv caves?” Jackson asks.
I press my lips together but can’t help but smirk when Skye jumps in. “I’ve got one hundred on two weeks.”
Jordy throws his bid in, and Jackson whips out his phone to keep track. I shake my head at my friends, but find hope in their exuberance. I decline the bet, but silently beg the universe that it won’t be too much longer.
