Page 72 of Shattered Rhythm

“You know money is no problem. I just need a chance to start over, and that needs to happen quickly.”

He rummages in his desk, retrieves a large envelope, and hands it to me.

“Here's your new ID, passport, and all the other documents you requested. I've updated your name on all crucial records, including your bank account. There’s an email address from a guy that rents apartments near campus. I’ve already enrolled you, so the only thing you need to do to start fresh is choose an apartment to rent and get over there.”

I take everything from him and nod, feeling a sense of relief.

“If you want to make it in time for the start of the semester, you have to get going, Olivia,” he says.

“Thank you so much, Frank. I don’t know how to repay you,” I tell him. He smiles and pats my hand.

“Don’t worry about it, honey. Just be safe and happy in your new life. God knows you deserve it.”

* * *

Liv

I wake up to the sound of loud knocking on my door. My head is pounding, and I feel like a truck ran over me.I’m never going to drink again.

I drag myself out of bed and open the door a slit to see Chris standing outside with two coffees in hand.

“You’re lucky I love you and you have caffeine with you,” I mutter as I open the door wider. Chris looks fresh as a daisy, and I can’t help but feel envious.

“Good morning grumpy!” she singsongs.

“Shh,” I hush her. “Why are you so chipper, girl? Where’s your hangover?”

“I don’t have one because Jax fed me some aspirin before going to sleep,” she replies with a shrug.

“How nice of him,” I say sarcastically.

“He would have done it for you too, but Gunner was up his ass the whole time to get him out of your apartment,” she says.

I smile to myself.Gunner has my back.Sometimes he can be a little overprotective, but it’s a good feeling to know I can count on him.

“But I thought you might need one too, so I brought you some,” Chris says as she heads to my kitchenette to fix me a glass of water. “So, how are you feeling about last night?” she asks over her shoulder, and I smile at her.

“It was fun. Thank you for coming out with me. You were right—going out was much better than crying at home.” She brings me the glass of water and the pill, and I gratefully swallow it.

“Listen,” she says, kneeling down beside me as I sit on my bed. “I noticed something yesterday, and I have a plan.”

She is such a scheming bitch. I love it.

“What did you notice?” I ask.

“Jaxon is firm in his belief until he sees you with another man and gets jealous,” she says.

“He was jealous yesterday?” I ask, intrigued, and she laughs loudly.

“Oh, girl, he was fuming, especially when you were sexy dancing with Gunner! By the way, what was that? How can he dance so well, and how come you two aren’t sleeping together?” she asks, and now it’s my turn to laugh.

“We’re not like that. Gunner is just into Latin dances.”

“Sure,” she murmurs. “Anyway, we need to get you dating. I’m sure as soon as you go out with someone other than them, he’ll come around because he can’t stand the thought of somebody else touching you.”

“Chris, I’m not the type to play games, and I’m not going to use Gunner like that,” I say with a sigh.

“You don’t have to, and I don’t think you’d have to follow through. Planting the thought in his head would be enough. He just has to see it,” she explains. “And I wouldn’t suggest Gunner for that.”

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