Page 98 of The Twisted Beats

“I think there are some in the en suite. I’ll check when Callum is done.” She mopes over to Bren and places her hand on his back. “Please don’t be mad at me. I was scared and couldn’t get out of it.”

“Which is exactly why you shouldn’t have slept with him. You’re playing a dangerous game, Livianna, and it’s not going to end well.”

“I swear I’m not. I was hurting and wanted to feel someone love me. Just me, not her, and Callum does.”

Bren’s demeanor softens and he hugs her. “When are you going to realize we all love you?”

“I don’t know, but I hope I do soon.”

“Yeah, me too. Stop listening to that voice in your head and you’ll see how much we all love you.” He breaks away. “The pills should hit soon. Until they do, stay in here.”

With that, I quietly shut the door and get in the shower to rinse off. What the fuck was that all about?

I thought the Hemingses were all put together like a perfect photo, but I’m beginning to realize their family might be as fucked up as mine.

I come out of the bathroom to find Bren alone, sitting on the freshly made bed.

“I sent Livianna away to…” He gestures to the space next to him. “Look, Cash. She can be destructive at times and you got caught in the crossfire.”

I dry my hair with the towel in my hand. “What’s going on with her?”

“She cuts on herself.”

“With what?”

“Her fingernails.”

“Why?”

“Because the twisted beats in her heart are broken.” He sighs heavily. “Seriously, if I knew, I would stop her.”

“She was out of it before that happened.” I sit next to him, tossing the towel on the floor.

“Which is why you should’ve waited to have sex with her.”

“But I didn’t know she was gonna do that. All she wanted was for me to show her I love her. How was I supposed to say no?”

“I don’t know.”

“Wanna hear something a little…? She reminded me of how my pops was right before he died.” I swallow that lump of pain in my throat. “Not exactly the same way, but desperate and needing someone to reassure him no matter how it presented itself.”

Bren pats me on the back. “Bro, I’m sorry. That’s gotta be rough on you.”

“It’s nobody’s fault, Guns. I just think when I saw Lily tonight, all my anger about the situation going on with Faith and Sebastian fell away. All I could think about was making Livianna feel better.”

“Well, she doesn’t break down often, so trynot to worry.” Bren stands and motions to the door. “We’ve got an opportunity to make the best out of this party. Whadda ya say?”

I smirk. “Other than the obvious bullshit, I’m not complaining about my night. I’m not sure it can get any better.”

“Fuck off, Cash. She’s still my sister.”

We leave the room laughing. I search for Lily and find her lounging on the gray sectional near the band’s practice area.

I recline next to her and slide my arm around her neck. “Why are you in here all alone?”

She gestures to her wrists with an emptiness in her eyes. “I finished getting the bandages on and the pills Bren made me take just hit. Now I’m in a zombie state. I hate it. I have zero energy.”

A quick idea passes through me. I have something that could help. I consider it for a moment. I need to see her smile and having fun.