Page 52 of Shattered Rhythm

“Hey, yeah, I got an event to handle,” he answers, his gaze boring into Ryder’s.

“Gunner, this is Ryder and River, friends of mine,” I add quickly, and Ryder smirks.

“Yeah, like really good friends,” he says, pulling me to his side to kiss my temple. Gunner watches the move but doesn’t react.

“Nice to meet you guys. I hope you have a good rest of the evening.”He starts to go but then turns and says, “Livy, I think I left my hoodie at your place the other night. Could you check your apartment?”

“Sure,” I say slowly, wanting to smack him over the head. He just gets into the elevator. As soon as the doors close, Ryder is on me.

“Who the fuck was that?”

* * *

River

“Did you sleep with that guy?” he demands.

“Ryder!” I pull him back. “It’s none of our fucking business what she did before we started whatever this is between us,” I hiss at him.

Liv manages to open her door and asks, “Can we discuss this inside, please?”

I push Ryder into her apartment and take a quick look around. It’s small—really small. The bed takes up nearly the entire space, and then there’s a kitchenette, a built-in wardrobe, a little desk with a chair, and a TV stand with a TV perched on it. There’s also a door that must lead to the bathroom, I assume. It’s small but cozy, and clothes are scattered around, making me smile.

“Sit wherever you like,” Liv says as she heads over to the espresso machine. I take a seat in the desk chair, but Ryder is too wound up and starts pacing in the small space. Liv notices this too and approaches him, taking hold of his wrists.

“I never slept with him or did anything else you’re thinking of. He helped me assemble my furniture because I couldn’t do it myself, and he comes over to talk and drink coffee. He’s just a friend, a really good one,” she explains.

Ryder looks into her eyes and begins to calm down, nodding as he takes deep breaths.

“I’m even ninety percent sure he’s gay, but in the closet,” Liv adds with a smile.

“That didn’t look like it,” I interject. “It seemed more like he was jealous and trying to rile us up.” Ryder nods in agreement.

“I don’t think it was jealousy in that regard, more like friend jealousy,” Liv continues. “He doesn’t have many friends either, and let’s be honest, your little show of marking your territory would have had me making a dumb comment too,” she says, grinning.

“You’re right, I’m sorry,” Ryder admits, wincing.

Liv gives him a quick peck on the lips. “Don’t worry, it was cute, in a Neanderthal kind of way,” she reassures him, bopping his nose.

“You did not just call me that.” Ryder warns.

Liv just shrugs, so he grabs her by the hips and throws her onto the bed, following her and tickling her relentlessly.

“Stop!” she shouts, giggling. “I can’t breathe. River, help!”

I stand up and catch one of Liv’s wildly kicking feet, then take off her sock and begin tickling her foot.

“Traitor!” she exclaims, laughing.

* * *

Ryder

I let go of her and lie next to her on the bed, while River lies down on her other side. She’s still breathing hard, and I smile, reaching over to flick her nose.

“You’re cute as hell, you know that?” I tell her, and she blushes.

“You are.” River leans down and kisses her gently.

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