Page 17 of Shattered Rhythm

“So since it’s not a date and Ryder is coming too, may I join? I’m hungry, and I’m done with sandwiches for a while.” Chase shudders.

I laugh. “Sure, but I wanted to try out that taco truck on the beach. I don’t know if that’s any better than sandwiches.”

“Oh, tacos are superior,” he replies, smiling at me.

River comes back with Ryder and Jaxon in tow.

“You joining us too, Jaxon?” I ask him with a smile.

“Where you heading?” he asks.

“Liv wants to check out the taco truck on the beach, but she doesn’t dare try it by herself,” Chase answers, teasing me.

“That is so not what I said. Yes, I want to check it out, but also wanted to hang out for a bit,” I retort.

Ryder comes over to me and gives me a hug. I’m a bit surprised by the move, but it was nearly a year ago when I was last hugged, so I hug him back, maybe a bit too fiercely.

“Hey Liv, good to see you too,” he says with a chuckle.

I let go of him and step back, trying to hide my watering eyes, but Jaxon is watching me intently.

“Yeah sure, whatever. Let’s get some tacos,” he says.

* * *

Jaxon

She’s looking fine as fuck today, like she wanted to impress. Not that she doesn’t look good all the time anyway, but with her long hair in waves falling down her back and those tight little jeans…God damn.

Except there was such sadness in her eyes after Ryder hugged her.Is she lonely?I never see her with anyone. Sure, she comes to the studio to dance and work out, but she never really talks to anybody besides a quick chat with us or Chris.

We walk to the beach together, and the mood is good. Ryder and River are laughing and joking around, pushing at each other. Chase has an arm around Liv’s shoulder and is talking animatedly while she blushes like crazy, which makes me smile to myself. She fits well into our little family, but I kill that thought immediately. Where would that lead anyway? River is half in love with her already, Ryder is clearly just as infatuated, and Chase… I hope she isn’t just another potential notch in his bedpost, as that could end in a catastrophe. Me? I have no fucking idea what I want from her. I don’t even know her, but there’s a pull I can’t explain.

I’d like to get to know her better so I can figure my shit out, but then what? Losing our found family because of a girl we all want for ourselves? Not going to happen. Looking over to River, I notice how he looks at her and ask myself if it’s already too late to spare everyone’s feelings. I have no fucking clue.

We get to the taco truck and tell the guy our orders. I’m impressed that Liv orders four for herself, since the guys and I usually get six each. When I get my wallet out to pay, she stops me.

“Nope, not happening. It was my idea, so I’m buying,” Liv says, making me snort.

“Hell no, you aren’t paying for our twenty-four tacos.”

“You’re right,” she says while handing the taco truck guy a hundred-dollar bill and telling him to keep the change. “I’m paying for twenty-eight.”

Sure, I’ve noticed a few times now that the girl has money or comes from money, but I still don’t like that she thinks she has to pay for my stuff.

“Eyes on me, Liv,” I say, and her eyes snap up to mine. Taking her chin between my forefinger and thumb, I tell her, “You will not pay for our shit again. Either I pay for yours or everyone pays for their own, but I don’t want you to spend money on me, you hear me?”

“I hear you,” she says with a gulp.

“Good girl,” I whisper, letting go of her.

* * *

Ryder

We all sit at the picnic tables near the taco truck and devour our food. When Liv lets out a moan after her first bite, everyone looks at her. She gets as red as a tomato and looks down at her taco.

“Oh, shut up, you guys,” she mutters, which makes us all laugh.

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