Chapter 24

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR

Liv

The class finally comes to an end, and I hastily pack my bag, shoving my laptop inside. All I want is to escape from here. I was lost in my daydreams when my dance history teacher addressed me twenty minutes ago, and I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about. I managed to fumble an “uhh” in response, while Camilla and Sofie snickered behind me.

Those two have become increasingly hostile towards me. They never directly confronted me after the incident in the cage, but they make sure I can sense their gossip and mockery. I shouldn’t let it bother me, but I’ve had my fill of people talking about me, and I’m simply over it.

I rise from my seat and head towards the door, but as I do, Camilla and Sofie walk up beside me. Camilla nudges me with her shoulder, causing me to stumble.

“Oops,” she casually remarks, while Sofie links their arms. They laugh amongst themselves and walk out of the room. I roll my eyes at their immature behavior and follow them out of the door. Ryder and River should already be on their way to get me so we can head over to Tanner Fitness together, and I’m happy to see them, so I don’t let the girls’ behavior sour my good mood. As I step out the building, I hear shouting.

“It’s her, Olivia Baker!”

“She just came out of the building. Olivia!”

Panic surges through me, causing me to freeze in my tracks. No, please, not again.

People start rushing towards me, and just as I gather my wits and attempt to run, a circle of reporters forms around me. Cameras are thrust in my face, blinding me with the bright flashes. I shield my eyes with my hand, trying to block out the overwhelming chaos, as questions bombard me from all directions.

“Olivia, is it true that you’ve started a new life in America to engage in sinful relationships with multiple men?”

“Olivia, why are you hiding here? Are you guilty of all the accusations made by Liam’s fans?”

“Olivia, what do you want to say to your fans back home?”

Tremors course through my body as I struggle to maintain my composure. I search desperately for familiar faces behind the horde of reporters, hoping to find someone who can help me, but all I see are Camilla and Sofie, their mouths agape and eyes wide with shock. This can’t be happening again. I can’t fucking do this again.

“N-No comment,” I stutter, desperately trying to push my way out of the crowd, but one of the reporters grabs hold of my shoulder, preventing me from escaping.

“Olivia, your fans deserve some answers,” he insists, his voice accusatory.

The commotion intensifies as people start shouting and complaining, only to be forcefully pushed away.

“Everyone back the fuck off!” Ryder’s voice booms out, cutting through the chaos. He fights his way towards me, forcefully clearing a path through the crowd. I’m an emotional wreck, tears welling up in my eyes, but he wraps his arm around my shoulder.

“I’ve got you,” he whispers in my ear. Determined, he pushes our way back through the reporters, holding me close to him, his other hand extended as a shield.

“Are you one of her men?” A reporter thrusts a microphone in Ryder’s face, attempting to probe further, but Ryder stands his ground, his expression angry.

“I am,” he replies boldly. “Now back the fuck up.”

“Isn’t that the singer from that new rock band?” I hear another reporter say behind us, and panic surges through me as their attention turns towards Ryder.

“Ryder!” I hiss, my eyes wide with fear, just as his car comes speeding towards us on campus. The reporters scramble out of the way as Ryder opens the passenger door, gets in, and quickly pulls me onto his lap before closing the door.

“Go, go, go,” he urges River, who presses down on the gas pedal, propelling the car forward in a near frenzied escape from the campus. I bury my face into Ryder’s neck, my sobs mingling with the sound of his ragged breathing.

“They found me,” I whisper between sobs.

The car becomes enveloped in an eerie silence as we leave the chaos behind.

* * *

River

I try my best to stay calm and think through our options as I drive. Witnessing Liv being surrounded by the press was terrifying. From the outside, it was evident how roughly they treated her, and I can only imagine the harshness of their words.

Liv sobs again as she buries her face into Ry’s neck. It’s clear this has taken an emotional toll on her. I’m so fucking grateful that Ryder was with me when we got there. I sure as fuck would have walked in there to get her out too, but I don’t know if I would have been as effective as him.

Contemplating our next move, I debate between driving home or heading to Tanner Fitness as we had previously discussed, but I decide that going to the studio is the smarter move. If any reporters manage to follow us, I’d prefer to be at the studio, where we would have time to make a plan for safely getting Liv home without them noticing. The last thing she needs right now is reporters camped out on our doorstep.

“What’s the plan?” Ryder asks, his hand gently rubbing Liv’s back.

“I think the best option is to go to the studio,” I say.

“I’ll text them to let them know what happened and that we’re on our way,” he says, pulling out his phone and holding it out behind Liv’s back. I simply nod in agreement.

I take precautionary measures, driving in circles to ensure that no one is following us. I curse the fact that Ryder’s car is so distinctive, making it difficult to go unnoticed. After about thirty minutes, we arrive in the parking lot of Tanner Fitness. Chase and Jaxon are already waiting for us, concern etched on their faces. Jaxon practically yanks the passenger door off its hinges as he pulls it open before taking Liv into his arms.

“Sunshine,” he whispers as I walk around the car and join them.

“Are you guys okay?” Chase asks. Ryder shakes his head, his expression grave.

“Let’s get inside,” he suggests.

We head to Jaxon’s office, where Ryder explains everything that happened. Liv is straddling Jaxon, who’s seated in his desk chair, holding her tightly.

“Do you think someone recognized her or…?” Ryder asks.

“No, he did this,” Chase says.

“How do you know?” Liv asks, looking up from Jaxon’s chest.

Chase walks around the desk and opens a drawer, retrieving a yellowish letter.

“Motherfucker,” Ryder hisses, and Liv inhales sharply.

“It seems he exposed you to the press,” Jaxon says.

* * *

Olivia,

I see that you still don’t understand the gravity of your situation. You think you can continue living your life as if nothing has happened, but you’re wrong. You’ve tarnished not only your reputation, but also my good name and your soul with your behavior. You should have listened to me. I warned you what would happen if you kept up this charade. I warned you that those other men weren’t good enough for you.

You didn’t listen, and now you’re going to pay the price, but I won’t be the one to punish you. No, that would be too easy. You might think you can hide from me, Olivia, but you can’t. I know exactly where you are and who you are. Soon, everyone else will too. You think you’re safe with those men, but you’re not. They can’t protect you from the truth.

Soon, everyone will know the kind of person you’ve become, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. The worst part is that you did this to yourself. You couldn’t be faithful to me, so now you must suffer the consequences. I hope it was worth it. You’re just a cheap little tramp, playing around with other men’s hearts, and when they get tired of you, as they inevitably will, you’ll be left with nothing. No man will want a used-up slut like you. You might think that I’m doing this out of spite or jealousy, but you’re wrong. I’m doing this for your own good. You need to be held accountable for your actions. Your reputation will be shattered, and those men you cling to will turn their backs on you, but don’t worry, I’ll take care of you when the time comes. I’ll make sure you don’t suffer too much.

If I can’t have you, no one can. Remember that.

* * *

“What are we going to do now?” Ryder asks, his gaze shifting between each of us.

“There’s nothing we can do,” Liv responds, wiping away her tears with the sleeve of her sweater. “He won. I could only start over somewhere new again, but we all know that’s not going to happen. I have to endure it, hoping that it will eventually die down, again.”

Jaxon nods in agreement from behind her, while tears well up in her eyes once more. Chase reaches out and gently strokes her head.

“But you’re not alone in this anymore,” he says. “You have us, and we’ll protect you.”

“I love you for saying that, but you have no idea what it’s like to live like this,” she says, looking sadly at him. “Liam is right—I can’t force you guys into this. It’s bad enough that Ryder got recognized today. He’ll be dragged through the mud right alongside me.”

“Oh, baby, bad press is the best press for rock bands,” Ryder says with a laugh. “Don’t worry about me.” Liv’s expression softens as she looks at Ryder, a mixture of gratitude and concern in her eyes.

“I appreciate your optimism, but this situation is different. All our personal lives are going to be exposed and scrutinized. I don’t want any of you to go through that,” she says.

“We’re a family,” Chase says, his voice determined. “We’ll face this together, no matter what. You won’t have to go through it alone.”

“You’re part of this family now too,” Jaxon chimes in, his tone calm yet resolute, “We’ll do whatever it takes to protect you and get through this. We won’t let him win.”

“Thank you, all of you,” she says, her eyes searching each of our faces. “But I need you to understand the consequences. It won’t be easy. We’ll face backlash, judgment, and intrusions into our lives.”

“We knew this relationship would come with its challenges. And if we stand together, we can face everything that comes our way,” I tell her, my voice filled with conviction.

“Okay, then,” Liv says. She takes a deep breath, her resolve strengthening. “We face it together. Let’s show the world that we won’t let anyone break us.”