Page 21 of The Twisted Beats

I can’t say a word because if I do, I’ll be on my knees, begging her to wait for me. And I don’t beg for anything.

“You know, Jax. I’m going to miss you so very much.” She pulls out of my embrace and starts to leave the room. “Where are your bags? I’ll help you take them to the car.”

I grab the documents off the table and follow her out. “They’re already loaded. My briefcase is by the door. All I need to do is slide these into it and I’m able to go.”

She swerves toward the front door. “In that case, I’ll walk you out.”

We stroll to my car hand in hand. She holds her head high and glances around the estate. I can’t take my eyes off her. I feel like if I do, I’ll never see her again.

David opens the back door of the car to usher me in.

Livianna shakes her head. “I’ve got this, David. You get in and I’ll shut the door once he’s situated.”

“Of course, Livianna.” He returns to his position in the driver’s seat.

I take her in one last kiss, wishing I could do this forever. In a moment of weakness, I cave to my true wish.

I pull away. “Livianna, there’s something you should know.”

Chapter Five

LIVIANNA

One & A Half Weeks Before Now

Black Lace Memories & The Lies I Drink To Forget

His voice doesn’t just haunt me, it rewrites the parts of me I swore were gone.

“Knock, knock.” Quinn opens the screen door of the Malibu beach home and dances into the living room. “I’m ready to get my groove on.”

“Quinn, I love the rocker vibe you’re sporting. My brother will be impressed.” I scan over her faded Daisy Duke jean shorts, black ‘Mayhem Rocks’ half-shirt, and cowboy boots. “You know he has a thing for blondes.”

“Are you trying to set me up with your brother?” She runs her fingers through her long, blonde, wavy hair. “How would you feel if I dated him?”

I slide a black belt from my brand, Lehlani Rose, through the last loop of my jean shorts. The LR monogram clasp secures it in place. “It wouldn’t bother me at all. He means the world to me and you’re all-around fantastic.”

“Then why haven’t youseen him for a while?”

“He’s been touring and I was in Paris before I came back here.” My heart aches with the mention of Paris.

Everywhere I look, reminders of Jax are staring me in the eyes. He texted when he got to Malaysia a week ago, but we have yet to find a time to talk.

Instead, he sends quotes and memes about going after what you want. I respond by telling him how great work is.

We avoid any words related to our feelings or our relationship. I think it’s too hard for either of us.

The emptiness in my chest steals my breath whenever I think about our distance. I shake off any thoughts of him, grab my motorcycle boots off the floor, and sit on the couch to put them on. Quinn places her cross-over purse on the coffee table and peers down at me.

“But why not make time to see Brendan…or do you call him Guns?” She checks out my black Rolling Stones half-shirt that has the signature red lips with the tongue sticking out on the front. “Is it okay that the sister of the lead guitarist of Mayhem is wearing a Stones shirt to his concert?”

“Bren, as I call him, won’t even notice what I have on. Plus, he’s a huge Stones fan. He’s the one who gave me this shirt.”

“How long ago was that?” She disappears into the kitchen. “I’m making us a cocktail.”

“There’s already a batch made in the refrigerator. They’re in two red containers.” I think back to when Bren gave me my shirt. “It was on my eighteenth birthday, so a little over five years ago.”

“And you still have it?”