Page 33 of Shattered Rhythm

You’ll be back in my arms soon.

I love you.

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE

Ryder

“She did what?!”

I jolt upright, hitting my head on the reading lamp by the sofa.Ouch.Rubbing my forehead, I scan the room, trying to figure out what all the commotion is about. What did Liv do to make Jaxon ‘Jax out’ again? He’s so easily agitated these days. It makes me smile, knowing that my surly big brother has a soft spot for her a mile long, but then again, who doesn’t? Even Chase, who never gets attached, nearly fell over himself when he saw her wearing his clothes yesterday, and River, who usually only has eyes for his games and computers, skipped sleep just to take care of her. And me?The fuck I know.

If it were just River and me, all these confusing feelings wouldn’t be a problem. We already shared a girlfriend in high school, and it worked perfectly until she cheated on us with the quarterback of the football team. In hindsight, I’m glad it didn’t work out. I liked and respected her, but I wasn’t in love with her. I’ve never even been in love before, but River took it hard. That cheating bitch broke his heart, and for that, I hated her.

Sharing with River, Chase, and Jax though? It wouldn’t work without risking our family. Chase might be open to it, since he’s easygoing and open-minded like that, but I don’t think he would commit to a serious relationship, and Jax? I chuckle at the thought of him walking in on Riv and me spit-roasting Liv.

Nope, I like my balls where they are, thank you very much.

“It’s fucking nine am. The last time we checked on her was at six. Why didn’t anyone get up?” Jax asks, running his hand over his face.

“Because the little minx switched off my alarm,” River says with a smirk.

“I can’t believe she just got up and left, and she stole my favorite hoodie,” Chase says, scratching the back of his head.

“Looks like you have a reason to contact her,” I observe with a smile. “Does anyone have her phone number?” I’d like to punch myself for not getting it earlier.

No one answers.

“Great. What do we do now? Does anyone know where she lives or works besides that cage gig from hell?” I ask, cursing myself for not knowing more about her. Since it’s Sunday, we’d have to wait until tomorrow to maybe see her on campus.

“Let’s just head to the gym and get her number from the registration form,” Jax suggests.

“That is so against all forms of data protection laws and even crossing into stalker territory. We can’t do that,” River protests.

“Like I give a fuck,” Jax says easily, getting up to shower and change.

“Of course you don’t,” River says with a sigh. He stretches, gets up, and holds out his hand to me. I take it, and jump to my feet. “Ready to chase our girl?” he asks, smiling.

“Ready when you are, brother,” I reply, clapping a hand on his back.

* * *

Chase

We all went into the gym, even though we don’t all work on Sundays. Jaxon was dismayed to see that Liv had only filled out her name on the form and left the sections for her number and address blank. Since he checked her in himself, he only had himself to blame.

As we were already there and I had no classes scheduled for Sundays, I decide to work on some bookkeeping tasks. Then, in the early afternoon, I notice a familiar long brown ponytail swishing from left to right on the security camera and watch as Liv makes her way straight to the dance floor. I quickly get up and follow her without even thinking about letting the others know. She’s just connecting her phone to the sound system when I climb up on the stage and approach her.

“Oh no you don’t. Don’t even think about dancing after the night you had. You hit your head badly, your eyes are still red, and you have bruises all over your neck. You need to rest,” I tell her. Only then do I closely examine her and notice that there are tears in her bloodshot eyes.

“I need to clear my head, Chase. I need the rush of dancing to get me out of this spiral. I know you’re worried, but I need this,” she pleads with fear in her eyes, and I realize that she needs an escape from what happened to her in the club.

“I understand that you need a rush, Liv, but you’re not going to dance. Follow me,” I tell her as I take her hand and lead her out of the studio and into my office. I quickly grab a spare helmet and my leather jacket before guiding her to the parking lot. I can’t help but feel relieved that we didn’t run into anyone on the way out.

As we reach my red Harley-Davidson Street Bob, I turn to her and gently pull on the hairband holding her ponytail to let it down. She looks up at me, breath quickening, and I feel my dick twitch.Not the right time or girl, buddy.I hold my jacket open for her, and she slips into it. After she turns to face me, I gently place the spare helmet on her head and adjust the straps to ensure it fits properly.

“Have you ever ridden a bike?” I ask softly.

“No,” she whispers. I place my hands on her shoulders and bend down to meet her gaze.

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