Chapter 15

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

Liv

After spending the rest of the afternoon and evening editing the video for Dirty Velvet, I’m fucking exhausted but relieved that everything worked out so well, and a little bit proud of myself too, if I do say so myself. I already knew they were good but hearing them play a song more in their genre was eye-opening. Having that grungy rock vibe of their basement band room was such a great setting for their video, and I was ecstatic while watching the content I filmed. I knew then that this video would come out fantastic.

Gunner came over in the evening after I didn’t answer his texts or calls since I was in the zone editing. He ordered us some Chinese food and made sure I ate something while he watched me edit. Even he was impressed with the footage and told me that the sound and the visuals could come from a famous band.

He went back to his apartment a little after eleven pm, since he had to work early the next morning, telling me to go to bed too, but I haven’t slept one wink because after the video was uploaded, I moved on to making the band’s social media accounts and a basic website. I’d already done all of this once, since I’d been the one handling mine and Liam’s stuff, and I missed social media. I loved managing it before everything went to hell and I only got hate comments, so it’s fun doing this for them. Since I know how quickly the internet moves, I know I needed to be quick with everything. I’m on it for hours, and it takes until late in the morning, but I used every marketing trick I’ve learned over the years.

Now it’s close to lunchtime, and I’m done. I can’t do any more and need to eat something. My stomach is growling, and my head is pounding from staring at the screen for too long. My phone chimes, and I look at it to find several unread messages from Gunner and the guys. I quickly text Gunner back, letting him know I’m finally done, and then open the group chat.

Ryder: You guys should have seen it. Liv is a fucking pro.

River: Not surprised. You know she made money with that stuff, right?

Chase: Not just money, guys. Our girlfriend is a fucking star.

Jaxon: Was a fucking star. Good thing that’s over. You didn’t exploit her generosity too much, Ryder?

Ryder: Nope. You had fun, didn’t you, baby?

Ryder: Babe?

I chuckle.

River: I bet she’s already editing your video, Ry.

Jaxon: Want to come over for dinner, sunshine?

Jaxon: I just texted Gunner to check on you. Don’t come at me for being overprotective. That’s what you get when you don’t answer your phone.

I laugh. No wonder Gunner just came over out of nowhere. Since when do those two text so much?

River: Good morning, beautiful. Did you sleep well?

Ryder: Baby, I’m dying over here. Can you answer already?

Chase: Back off, guys. Art needs time.

Jaxon: We’re heading to the gym at 2 pm. Wanna join?

I look at the clock and see that it’s already a quarter past eleven, so I take a quick shower. I put my hair up in a high ponytail before putting on some light makeup and my dance outfit, which consists of a mint-colored pair of leggings, a matching sports bra, and an oversized, long-sleeve white shirt. I quickly pack up my laptop in my sports bag with some fresh clothes and grab my keys before heading out the door. As I make my way to the guys’ house, I’m feeling excited to show Ryder what I already accomplished and tell him the good news.

* * *

River

I take a break from my homework and head to the kitchen to grab some water. As I’m walking back to my room, the doorbell rings. I open it to find Liv standing there, looking tired but good as always. I pull her into a hug.

“Missed you, beautiful,” I say, kissing the top of her head.

“Missed you too,” she replies tiredly, stifling a yawn, and I furrow my brow.

“Did you not sleep enough?” I ask, and she shrugs.

“Sure, let’s say ‘not enough,’” she says as we walk into the living room.

Chase and Jaxon stand up when they see her, each pulling her into a hug and kissing her.

“Did you just say you didn’t sleep?” Jaxon grumbles. “You look tired. Gunner told me you guys went to bed after eleven.”

“He sure did,” she says with a smile, and Jaxon frowns at her. “Since when are you guys buddies and texting?” she asks him, and Chase laughs.

“Since they both figured out they’re overprotective alpha males and it’s easier to keep you safe by working together,” he says. Liv chuckles and shoves Jaxon.

“You know Gunner’s a really nice guy and a good friend to have,” she says, and Jaxon shrugs.

“Sure, whatever. Wanna take a nap on the couch?” he offers.

“No, but I would love a coffee,” Liv replies, making puppy dog eyes at him, and he heads to the kitchen to make her one.

She sets the laptop she was holding on the coffee table and opens it. It’s a nice, new model, and I’m intrigued. I sit beside her.

“I want to show you guys the video I made yesterday from Dirty Velvet,” she says, stretching her neck from side to side.

“I’m gonna get Ryder,” Chase says, walking to the hallway.

“Would you let me?” I ask. “I can connect your laptop to the TV so we have a bigger screen.”

“Sure, here,” she says, smiling at me. She hands me her laptop, and I beam, stroking the top. “Don’t tell me I have competition in the form of a laptop.” She laughs, and I chuckle.

“Not competition, but you have a very pretty laptop, beautiful,” I reply, and she just shrugs.

“I bought it yesterday with the equipment. The guy at the store told me my old one wouldn’t have enough RAM to edit the footage quickly,” she explains, and my brows rise.

“You know your way around laptops and RAM?” I ask.

“Not a bit, but I know that my laptop has to be fast, or I’ll get frustrated, so I let him talk me into buying this one. You can use it if you want to. I don’t need it for anything other than video editing,” she says. I stare blankly at her. “Do I sound spoiled? I’m sorry. I just mean I have my other laptop for my school stuff, and this one was just for this.” She blushes. “I think I’m making it worse. I’ll just stop talking.”

“Don’t worry,” I say with a chuckle. “I’d love to get my hands on this beauty for a while, if you’ll allow it.”

Jaxon returns with Liv’s coffee, and she lets out a satisfied groan as she takes her first sip. Just as she sets the cup on the coffee table, Chase and Ryder come back into the room, and Ryder pulls Liv into his arms and squeezes her tightly.

“Hey, baby, don’t go MIA on me like that again,” he says, his lips hovering near her ear. Liv laughs and leans into his embrace.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was busy making you famous,” she smiles.

Ryder’s expression softens, and he presses a tender kiss to her lips before sitting on the couch and pulling her onto his lap. As we all settle down, I turn to Liv.

“Ready?” I ask.

She nods, and I press play. The video begins with some wide shots of the band in the band room. The sound quality is top-notch, Ryder’s voice crystal clear. As the second verse begins, the camera smoothly transitions to the side, moving closer to the band members and highlighting their individual talents. The band sounds incredible, and they’ve picked the perfect song to showcase their abilities. The camera zooms out during the bridge before zooming in on Ryder, who sings the first few words of the chorus without the instruments, just his raspy voice. His hands are on the microphone before him while he looks directly at the camera, his light blue eyes intense.

Then the drums come in, and the camera shifts to Tom, who’s giving it his all. His drumsticks are flying, his hair following suit as he throws his head back. Next, Cara starts harmonizing in the background, and the camera focuses solely on her, capturing the emotion on her face as she plays bass and sings with her eyes closed. As Brian begins his guitar solo, his head bobbing to the beat, the camera fixates on his hands, capturing every movement as he pulls the strings before zooming out to show more of him.

Liv’s camera work is incredible, making the band look professional and as though they are part of a big production, when, it was all her work. Just her.

As the video comes to an end, we see Ryder releasing the microphone, causing it to fall, and next is a closeup of it swinging from left to right like a pendulum on its wire. Out of focus are Ryder’s feet as he walks out the frame. I’m left in complete awe.

The room falls silent until Jaxon murmurs a “Holy shit.”

“Well, that was more than worth skipping sleep,” Chase comments with a laugh.

Meanwhile, Ryder is just sitting there with Liv on his lap, staring at the TV and not moving. Liv’s smile slowly fades as she watches him, then she glances at me with a questioning look in her eyes. I open my mouth to say something, but before I can, Ryder abruptly stands up, forcing her to stand with him. He grabs her under her arms and lifts her before turning in circles, laughing uncontrollably, Liv joining him with a few squeals. He sets her back on her feet and starts to pepper her face with kisses.

“We look like fucking professionals!” he exclaims.

“I mean you are now,” she replies with a chuckle. Ryder chuckles as well, pulling her into his arms.

“It takes a bit more than a fucking perfect video for that, baby, but I’m more than happy already. Thank you so much,” he says, then he lets go of her before kissing her with her head between his hands, and she smiles into the kiss.

“Ryder,” she says when he releases her. “Did you check the numbers on the video?” He blinks at her, surprised.

“I thought you just uploaded it on private or something,” he says. I pull the laptop onto my knees and minimize the video, looking down at the numbers.

“You guys already have like two hundred thousand views,” I whisper, then I look up at Ryder before we both turn to Liv, shocked.

“I opened some social media accounts for the band and fed them teasers of the video,” she announces with a smile. “One of them went viral a few hours ago, and I bet the numbers are increasing as we speak. You already have around thirty thousand YouTube subscribers, with a few thousand followers on other platforms.”

“Holy fucking shit,” Jaxon mutters again.

“Huh,” Ryder manages to utter before he sits himself back down on the couch.

“But that’s not the best part,” Liv adds, grinning mischievously.

“How is that not the best part?” Chase asks with a laugh.

“A record label just slid into your DMs half an hour ago,” she replies. “It seems it’s time to get your own songs ready, Ryder, because you guys are getting a contract.”

Chase and Jaxon both jump up from their seats, cheering, while I’m left in stunned silence. I look over at Ryder, expecting him to flip out, but instead, he’s just sitting there, staring up at Liv. Tears start to well up in his eyes, and before we know it, he’s sobbing uncontrollably. Liv’s face falls, and she moves to straddle his lap, cradling his head in her arms against her chest.

“Ryder,” she whispers, but he just pulls her closer, squeezing her tightly as he continues to cry.

It’s been years since I’ve seen him cry. My eyes start to water too as Chase and Jaxon stand by their side, watching the two of them. Liv continues to shush Ryder, telling him that he’s made it and that he’s going to be the next big thing.

“Just wait until we get started,” she whispers, pushing his hair away from his eyes. “This is only the beginning.”