Page 22 of The Twisted Beats

“Yeah.” I smile at the memory, ignoring the pain associated with my boyfriend at the time. “It was my birthday and Callum took me to get a tattoo?—”

“The one on your chest?”

“Yes, that’s the one. Anyway”—I shove my foot into my boot—“Bren went with us. He got bored and went to a storenext door. He returned with this shirt and told me I had to keep it as long as I have my tattoo.”

“Interesting and a bit strange that you have to keep it forever.” She comes back into the room with the two tumblers. “What’s in these?”

“Watermelon Basil Vodka and soda water. It’s a refreshing drink and goes down easily, so be careful. We have at least a four-hour drive ahead of us and I made them strong.” I finish putting on my other boot and stand. “Well, Bren said the van should be here soon.”

“I’m so fucking excited.” She sucks on the straw in one of the containers. Her eyes go wide. “Damn, these are strong.”

“I know. I plan on getting trashed today.”

“Woohoo!” She takes another drink. “What’s gotten into you, Livianna? You usually don’t talk like that.”

I can’t tell her I’m depressed because the love of my life walked out on me. She thinks my secret boyfriend is only a man I use when I need a sexual release. I work at least fifty hours a week, so my excuse is conceivable.

“We’re going to see my brother’s band’s headlining act at Coachella. It’s a huge event and we’re going to celebrate.”While I try to forget Jax and the last few years of my life.

It’s easier that way. Once he returns, I’ll let myself feel again. I just hope he still wants me when he gets home.

Quinn does a little dance. “Girl, I like your attitude. I’ve only known you a short time, but I never thought we’d be getting drunk together at eight in the morning.”

“Are you trying to say that I’m no fun?”

“Not at all, but we’ve never partied like this.”

“Yes, we have. You’re forgetting how we met.”

“Oh, yeah. We were so wasted that night at Isabella and Andrew’s wedding.” Quinn laughs. “I’m so glad they’re divorced.”

My stomach flips. Andrew works for Jax. But then again, so does Quinn.

She’s brilliant at what she does. She even helped me when I started investing. And here I am right back to missing Jax. I can’t seem to get away from him.

“Their marriage was short-lived, but I think it’s best they’re not together. Isabella’s a bitch from hell. She tried to take Andrew for everything he’s worth.”

“I didn’t know that. He always seems so positive.” She takes another drink as she hands me the other tumbler.

“Bottoms up.” I take it and toast to her in the air. “Andrew got that from Jax. You know he teaches all his employees and mentees to always focus on the desired result fulfilled. There’s no room for negativity.”

Fuck!

I do not want to be thinking about him. I take a swig of my potent cocktail. It’s best if I start numbing myself now. Otherwise, the tears…

Stop, Livianna!

The buzzer for the gate access goes off. I rush to the panel on the wall and hit the entry button so our transportation can pick us up.

Quinn grabs her bag and gestures to the entryway. “Our chariot awaits.”

“That it does.” I grab my black Fedora meets boho hat, shades, and my red cross-body fringe bag.

It’s another item in my spring collection and one of my personal favorites. I actually built my outfit for today around it.

We leave out the front door moments later. The weather is perfect for a festival—not too hot.

Quinn gasps when she sees the black Mercedes Sprinter in front of the house. “I’m so relieved to see this van is actually a little limo party bus.”