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This was where it all began.
I didn't know it then, but that was when we started giving in to our love for one another.
This was only the beginning of our…
Friends-to-lovers relationship.
ChapterThree
Livvy
Sixteen Years Old
I’d ridemy bike to our river in the woods often, just to have some peace and quiet. A secluded place where I could be alone with my thoughts and feelings. Away from my dad, who was suddenly riding my ass about college and what my SATs needed to be to gain admission into the universities he demanded I apply to.
I rode the dirt road to our special spot, wanting to clear my head with some exercise. Parking my bike near the willow tree, I grabbed my sunglasses, radio, and headphones from my backpack and headed to the water’s edge. Slipping off my sandals near the shoreline, I walked through the tall grass into the murky, warm water. Letting the hot sun beam on me as I listened to the cricket’s chirp.
I climbed onto the rope swing that hung just above the water off a willow branch. Ethan surprised me with it on my fifteenth birthday. Putting on my headphones next, I scrolled through my songs on my Spotify and found the tunes I was looking for. I started to swing to the soft melody of “Loving You” by The Canons while softly singing the lyrics to myself.
All of a sudden, the swing jerked back, almost sending me into the water. I let out a scream, turning to see who was behind me.
Ethan chuckled. “I like having you at my mercy.”
“Don’t you dare,” I warned, instantly hopping off the swing. Kicking up water, I splashed him behind me.
He grinned in that Ethan, smart-ass sort of way. Cocking his head to the side, he challenged, “Don’t start a war you can’t win, Livvy.”
“Oh yeah?” I never took my eyes off his as I tossed all my stuff beside my sandals on the shoreline so none of it would get wet.
With a shit-eating grin on my face, I leaned forward, building up the anticipation of what I was about to do. Pushing my hands through the water, I shoved a huge wave in his face.
He stepped back, his eyes widening in shock of what I’d just done. “Don’t fuck with me,” he goaded, hiding back a smile.
“I thought I already did.” I splashed him again, this time with much more water in my hands. Not caring he was wearing all his clothes.
In a challenging expression, he bit, “Do that one more time and watch what happens, Livvy.”
“Hmm…” I baited, placing my finger on the corner of my lips. “Watch me!”
I didn’t give him a chance to reply before I went full force, splashing him as much as I could. Laughing my ass off the entire time, I never let up, throwing heaps of water at him. Each one worse than the last.
I vaguely heard him snap, “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Wha—”
He threw me over his shoulder as if I weighed nothing, completely catching me by surprise. Holding the back of my knees, he kept me locked in place.
“Wait! What are you doing? This isn’t fair! You’re bigger than me!” I pressed my hands on his back to look up and see where he was carrying me.
He treaded deeper into the river, not caring he was getting his jeans soaked.
“No!” I screamed, fully aware of what he was going to do. “I don’t want to go in there, Ethan! I’m wearing a nice dress! Please!” I pleaded, kicking and screaming.
His hands shifted to grip onto my waist, getting ready to do the unthinkable. I held him tighter, even though I knew it didn’t matter, he was stronger than me.
“Begging won’t help you in this situation. You should’ve thought of that before you decided you wanted to start a war with a guy who never loses.”
“I’m sorry!” I apologized. “I was just playing! Put me down! Please!”
