Page 9 of Liv Parrish

“Good night, Liv. Try to get some sleep.” I nod and walk over to the door to open it for him. “And lock up as soon as I’m out the door.” This time I give him a genuine smile.

“I will, promise.” He gives me a strange look and for a moment I think he’s going to say something else, but then he walks out, leaving me to face the rest of the night alone.

The next day starts just like every other. I’ve always been an early riser despite the lack of sleep, so once I’ve showered and dressed, I buy coffee at the little coffee shop around the corner from my apartment and then head back over to the clinic where I know an interrogation is waiting. As expected, both Ren and Evan are waiting for me, and it looks like Evan has been brought up to date.

“Okay young lady, we want details, and we want it now.” That’s Ren. No one would mistake her for the mother-hen type, but right now she’s doing a pretty decent imitation of a parent who caught her teenager sneaking into the house after curfew.

“Young lady?” It’s true, I am a few years younger than both of my friends, and they remind me of it often. I smirk at them before rolling my eyes, but Ren is tapping her foot, so I decide to get on with it. She’s not exactly known for her patience. “Remember I told you about Heath, the guy I found in the alley a while back?” I don’t wait for them to respond. “Well, Riley is one of his friends. They also work together. He stopped by last night and we hung out for a bit, just talking. I made him hot chocolate. That’s it, nothing more to report so you can both stow your parental glares. There’s nothing to get worked up about. I probably won’t see him again anyway.” For the life of me I cannot figure out why I’m disappointed to admit this, and of course Ren notices.

“He just stopped by, out of the blue? How is that not suspicious? And why do you look like you’ve lost your favorite sweater?” Ugh, so much for hoping.

“Because it wasn’t out of the blue, exactly. I phoned him first. Or I should say I phoned the business number on their card, and Riley answered.” I choose to ignore the sweater comment.

“Why did you call?” Jeez, why can’t they let this go?

“I couldn’t sleep, and I was curious about where Heath worked, so I called.”

“So, you were trying to get hold of Heath?” Why does everyone keep asking me this? The memory of him kissing his girlfriend returns to taunt me and I’m officially done lying to myself that I’m okay with it. Not that I can do anything about it, but it still adds an edge to my voice when I reply.

“No! I just … I don’t know, okay? I was awake and bored and curious, so I called. Can we drop this now? You still need to tell me about your date.”

“I agree with Ren,” Evan responds before Ren gets the chance. “This guy showing up out of the blue is weird. Are you sure you’re comfortable with that?” He had been quiet throughout the conversation, but he was obviously paying attention.

“Please, you guys, I love that you’re concerned for me but it’s not necessary. Riley is a good man, I don’t doubt that for a second, and I would tell you if he made me uncomfortable, but he doesn’t. Anyway, I doubt he’s going to make a habit of showing up here. More than likely, it was a one-time thing because I called.” Ren seems to consider this, but Evan looks like he’s willing to accepts my words at face value.

“Yeah, about that. Next time, call me. I’ll be happy to keep you company.” I smile at him, because I know his offer is genuine.

“Evan, I’m not calling you in the middle of the night after you’ve spent a full day at the clinic. Brent would never forgive me.” He and his partner both live busy, active lives so yeah, that’s not happening.

“Brent will understand, and you know it. He knows how important you are to me. You and Ren.”

“Ah, Ev, we love you too, you big softie.” Ren nudges him with her shoulder before focusing her attention back on me. “You know we’re just looking out for you, right? But we’ll back off a little if that’s what you really want.” She draws out the really and we both start laughing, happy to set aside the subject matter of my sleeping habits and late-night visitors.

The next few days go much the same way as they did before all the excitement with the Russian and my short stint in the hospital. I usually don’t start working until about ten in the morning, when I make sure the center is stocked with enough supplies to keep a bunch of teenagers fed for an afternoon and also have whatever they need for school projects and homework. Once the kids start showing up, they are provided with a meal and then it’s time for homework. We also provide tutoring, pretty much anything they might need, and once that’s done, there’s usually a bit of time left for games or just relaxing before they go home. Today there are fewer children than usual, and homework goes quickly, so we decide on a game of hoops to blow off some steam before the end of the day. Despite being an introvert, I’ve always enjoyed outdoor sports and usually find myself included when the time comes to pick teams. We’re just about ready to start our game when a familiar face appears next to the court.

“Riley. Hey, what are you doing here?” Instinctively I brace for bad news, until I register his broad smile and the fact that he’s busy removing his work boots.

“Hey, Liv. I wanted to check out this place and thought we could hang out for a bit, but a quick game of hoops sounds way more fun.” He winks at me before striding onto the court barefoot in his jeans and Henley, the sleeves shoved up to his elbows. The boys take about two seconds to realize that Riley is serious about joining in before they start arguing about who’s team he should join. Once that’s decided with the two of us on opposite sides, the game begins in earnest. It turns out Riley is super competitive, which isn’t surprising. SEALS aren’t known for being happy with second best, but he’s also in peak physical condition, also no surprise. So of course, my team got creamed, but everyone had a good time and by the end of the game Riley is accepted as easily as if he’s been working here for years. It’s amazing to watch how the boys respond to him, as if recognizing that he will be a positive influence if given half a chance. And Riley doesn’t disappoint. Everyone from the youngest to the oldest is treated with care and respect. It’s not an act either, it’s just who he is.

“Ready to call it a day? We wouldn’t want to wear you out on your first visit,” I joke, even though the man has barely worked up a sweat.

“Ha-ha, very funny. I wasn’t the one looking all worn out a few minutes ago. I thought I would have to carry you off the court.” We both laugh, enjoying the easy banter.

“Seriously though, thank you for coming by. It means a lot.”

“Liv, you don’t have to thank me. I had a blast. And I told you I wanted to hang out again. I wasn’t just saying that.”

And that’s how it started. Once or twice a week, he stops by the center to hang out with the kids for a while and then the two of us will go grab something to eat while we talk. Mostly it’s just everyday stuff, but I think that’s what we both need right now, and that’s okay.

Chapter 3

~ Heath ~

She’s been hanging out with Riley. Fucking hell!

How many times had I wondered about Liv, dreamed about her, about having a relationship where we could share everything, but convinced myself it wouldn’t work between us because I’m ready to make a commitment and settle down, and I thought she would be leaving soon. So, I started dating Kelsey a couple of months later, and while I enjoyed her company and felt a spark of attraction, it never felt anything close to the unabating need I felt for Liv. There was a connection with Liv which I refuse to believe was one-sided, and now my world is rocked yet again to find out she’s still here and hanging out with Riley! He’s my brother, I trust him with my life, but this …. I don’t even know how I’m supposed to feel. Relief that she’s still here? Absolutely. Excited at the prospect of seeing her again? You bet. Now I just need to find a way to gag the little voice in my head taunting me that she never reached out to me but chose Riley’s company instead. The heat rising in from my chest and up my neck should have been an indication that I was going to fail miserably with this conversation.

“You've been hanging out?” I’m a little surprised that my voice still sounds normal, despite the tension coursing through my body. And when did it get so damn hot in here? We’re sitting in my office, wrapping up a file for a client when Riley dropped his bombshell. He doesn’t even seem to notice my distress, which only ramps it up further.

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