Chapter 7

CHAPTERSEVEN

Liv

After rinsing off all the sand in their shower and a delicious breakfast with the guys, I realized that I needed to rush back home and get changed into my own clothes so I could make it to my classes on time. It is Thursday, and I had already missed three days because of all the drama. I couldn’t afford to miss any more, since I knew it would be difficult to catch up already.

I talked to the guys about it, and we all agreed that since Liam was still in Toronto and there would always be people around me in my classes, I could go home and to college by myself. Jaxon, however, insisted that I take one of them with me when I wanted to go out in public, like going grocery shopping or to Tanner Fitness at night. I didn’t mind this arrangement at all, as I like spending time with them and appreciate their concern for my safety.

As soon as I got home, I changed into comfortable clothes, applied sunscreen and a little bit of makeup, pulled my hair up into a messy bun, and hurried back out with my bag to make it to campus in time.

Now I’m sitting in class, still breathing a bit heavily from having to sprint here, but I made it. I take out my laptop to take notes, and my fingers swipe over my phone in my bag. I should text the guys to tell them I made it here safely.

I quickly glance around to make sure my teacher is occupied before reaching into my bag to grab my phone, but I notice that it’s still off. I’d turned it off to save battery after contacting Frank, without checking my messages, and hadn’t bothered to turn it back on since then. I power it up and get bombarded with a flurry of messages and missed calls from the guys. I’m relieved that my phone is set on silent, or else this would’ve been really embarrassing in class. I start to go through the messages, and I see that most of them are from Ryder, reassuring me that Chase didn’t do anything, and from Chase himself, apologizing and saying he didn’t consent. Jaxon, on the other hand, didn’t text but called me at least thirty times. River just sent me one text, promising to find me and bring me back. It’s so good to know that they care about my well-being so much. Even Chris texted me, asking if she needs to dick punch Chase for me.

I feel a twinge of concern as I notice the numerous missed calls and messages from Gunner. The first message I see is a simple yet urgent question.

Where are you???

Before I can read any further, the teacher clears his throat, so I quickly slip my phone back into my bag, avoiding his disapproving gaze. I make a mental note to check on him later and find out what’s going on. I can’t help but wonder what he wants and why he’s been trying to contact me so much. Did his dad do something again?

The class drags on, and I struggle to stay focused. When the lecture finally ends, I gather my things and head out of the classroom. I check my phone again and see that Gunner has sent even more messages in the last hour. I decide to call him back now and not wait to meet him at home.

“Hey, Gun, what’s going on?” I ask when he answers the phone on the second ring.

“Livy, thank god. Are you okay? I’ve been trying to get ahold of you for days!” he says.

“I’m fine. Why are you so worried, is everything ok? Are you hurt?” I ask, now feeling concerned myself.

“Am I hurt? Livy, your boyfriends” —he nearly spits the word— “knocked on my door Sunday evening and told me that Chase guy messed up and you just upped and left! They wanted to know if you were with me or if I knew where you went, and surprise, surprise, I didn’t. I haven’t seen or heard from you for two days before that because I was too focused on my own fucking problems.” His voice breaks, and I can sense the guilt in his words.

“Gunner—”

“No, I’m a bad friend and I nearly punched your guy for upsetting you. Where are you? Should I come and get you? I can still head over to that fancy fitness studio and kick his ass,” he grumbles, and I chuckle at the thought of Chase getting his ass kicked by Gunner.

“Are you at home? I just finished my classes. I have some ice cream in my freezer we could eat, and I’ll tell you everything.”

“I’m here,” he says.

“On my way,” I tell him before texting the guys my new plans and heading home.

* * *

Gunner is waiting in front of the apartment complex when I pull up at the curb. I’m not even fully out of the car when he snatches me up and pulls me into his arms, my feet dangling above the ground.

“Gun, I can’t breathe,” I mutter into his chest, so he eases up a bit but doesn’t let me go.

“Don’t do that shit to me ever again,” he says, his voice breaking, and I feel so bad for not considering his feelings in this whole mess.

I couldn’t even send him a short text to let him know that I’m okay? I’m the bad friend in this scenario.

“I’m sorry I worried you,” I say as he sets me back down on my feet. “Let’s go upstairs and talk about everything. I’m sorry I didn’t check in with you earlier. Was there something going on with your dad again?” I ask, studying his face. It looks almost normal now.

I consider telling Gunner my entire story, like I did with the guys. I want to, but I don’t think I can do it right now. Telling the guys already took everything out of me, and I don’t think I have the strength to share all of it again so soon. I’ll tell him, just not right now. We have time. For now, I’ll explain the misunderstanding with Chase.

“No, I haven’t heard from him, but I have to go back to work tomorrow,” he says, and I feel a pang of guilt again for not keeping in touch with him.

“Will you be okay?” I ask.

He nods, but I can tell he’s not entirely convinced himself.

“Please text me from time to time to let me know how you’re doing,” I say.

“Like you did?” he asks, raising his eyebrows.

Oh wow, he’s really mad.We get to my apartment, and I let him in.

“Gun,” I murmur, pulling him into an embrace. “I’m so sorry.”

He lifts me by my thighs and walks to my bed, sitting us down, his back against the headboard and me straddling him. I want to look up at him, but he squeezes me tight, so I relax into his bear hug.

“What did the fucker do? Do I have to get a gun without a serial number?” he asks, completely deadpan, and I laugh into his chest.

“No, stop it. We don’t need to murder any of them, clear?”

He eases up his embrace, so I lean back and look at his face to find him smirking.

“Crystal,” he says, and I smile. “I’m better with my fists anyway.”

“Gun!” I hiss, playfully punching him in the chest, but I quickly pull back, my knuckles hurting. “Fuck, you’re like a wall,” I say with a groan.

“Livy,” he starts, his eyes sad. “What did he do?”

I take a deep breath before answering.

“It was all a misunderstanding,” I say, and his brows furrow.

“How come?” he asks.

I sigh heavily. “I went into the studio to bring the guys coffee, but just when I got in, I found him kissing one of his students.”

Gunner shoots upright, and I have to grab onto his shirt to avoid falling off his lap.

“He did what?” he nearly shouts in disbelief.

“Yes, I was hurt, so I turned and ran away, but I only saw the part where she was kissing him, not the part where he pushed her away and told her that he has a girlfriend,” I explain, and he relaxes a bit but still looks unconvinced.

“Wouldn’t a fuck boy tell you just that? That it ‘wasn’t what it looked like’?” he asks.

“Yeah, probably, but there’s video proof that he didn’t consent, so he’s off the hook,” I say, and he nods.

“Okay then. Seems like he can live another day,” he mutters, and I smile.

I get up to get us some ice cream and turn on the reggaeton channel on my music app. I hand him his cone and sit back in his lap, leaning my back against his chest. When we finish our treats, we just chill there, him hugging me from behind.

“Next time, you run to me instead of running away. Promise me, Livy,” he whispers in my hair.

I bite my lip. I don’t know if I can promise that. If Liam becomes an imminent threat, I wouldn’t hesitate a second to run away or go with him to keep them all safe. The guys, Chris, and Gunner are my new family, and I would rather die than let Liam hurt anyone else I love. The weight of that realization brings tears to my eyes.

“I love you, Gunner. You’re my best friend,” I whisper, and he holds me even tighter, resting his chin on my head.

“I love you too, Livy.”