I was shocked to hear Steve had disregarded my threats. The kid obviously had a death wish.
“Honestly, I think he has a screw loose Kyle. He just pushes and pushes like he wants Matt and I to mess him up.” Cole sighed. “Livy stopped us today, told us not to lower ourselves to his level, but it was fucking hard. He was calling her a whore.”
“Motherfucker! I’m gonna rearrange his face. We’ll see how he likes that!” I barked, pissed off the kid had dared go near our girl after the things I had threatened to do to him.
“Livy doesn’t want that. She wants us to rise above. Honestly, I think after she stood up to him, he might stay away. She proved she’s no easy target for his shit.”
“Yeah, well if he doesn’t, I will not be rising above.” I growled. Fuck that. He tried to hurt the woman I loved, even with words, and I was going to hurt him, real bad.
“Me either. We’ll see, I guess. Anything from Kade on the missing kid?” Cole asked.
“Nah, not yet.” I sighed. I wish there had been. The sooner that kid was found, the sooner Liv’s torturer was dealt with.
“I gotta hit the gym and work off this tension. You ok to keep an eye on her? Matt will want to make dinner, since Livy hardly ate anything all day.”
“I knew it!” I growled. She avoided meals like the damn plague. I knew if I wasn't there pushing her, she’d skip it.
“It wasn’t really her fault. The food is shit, and there was nothing she could keep down. She did her best, had an apple and a granola bar. Matt’s gonna pack her lunch from now on.”
“Good. She’s not strong enough to skip meals. She needs the energy.” It was likely why her headache had hit, and why she had crashed. She had already skipped breakfast because of her nerves that morning, then lunch too.
“Just go easy on her Ky. She did really well today, held it together like a pro. She’s trying.” Cole implored, and I knew he was worried I’d be an asshole with her when she woke up.
“I know, Cole. I am proud of her for making it through the day, especially with all the shit you just told me. I’ll be nice and keep the overprotective asshole in.” I joked. Cole just nodded as he slapped my back, then headed past me to go work out.
I turned too, and headed for the stairs. There was only one place I wanted to be, and that was beside my little live wire.
OLIVIA
I woke up, confused about where I was for a moment. I quickly realised I was home, in my room, and knew one of the guys must have carried me in from the car.
I turned over and found Kyle laid on his side, his head propped on his elbow just watching me. I could tell he had been stressing himself out by the wildness of his hair. He always pulled on the ends when he was worried.
“Hey.” I whispered.
“Hi Princess.” A small smile crept across his face and brought out one of my own. I had missed him so much that day, and I really didn’t care how clingy that may make me sound. I loved every one of them, more and more with every day that passed. If I could lock us all away together, and never have to separate from any of them, I would in a heartbeat. “How’s your head?”
I lifted up onto my elbow, mirroring Kyle’s position and smiled.
“Much better.” And it was. The skull cracking pounding from earlier was now just a dull throb, and the little light in the room, from the nightlight beside my bed, wasn’t hurting my eyes at all. “I missed you today.”
“I missed you too Baby, so fucking much. I hated knowing you were facing something that scared you, and not being able to be at your side.” He sounded pained, and I knew he must have literally been on edge all day, just waiting for the call I needed a rescue. The fact that hadn’t happened made me feel good. I made it through the first day, relatively unscathed, and I had stood up for myself, a lot more than I would have liked to need to, but still, I did it.
“I made it though Kyle.” I told him with a smile. “The whole damn day sucked, and I’m pretty sure every girl in the place hates me, but I made it.”
“I know. Cole told me how you stood your ground and stayed strong. I’m so proud of you. I knew you could do it.” He shuffled forward until we were pressed together, then slid one arm beneath the pillow under my head, as the other wound around my hips. He held me tight and I knew he was relieved I was safe.
“I didn’t, but I have to admit, I’m feeling a little more confident in myself after what I faced today. Maybe I am stronger than I thought.”
“You’re the strongest person I know, Liv. Stop doubting that.” He growled, the sound vibrating through his chest and into me, sending my butterflies fluttering around my stomach once again.
After what had happened with Cole a few days before, being as close to the guys as I was with Kyle at that moment, had become a lot more exciting, but also frustrating. I wanted to feel what I had with Cole, again, with all of them, but I was too scared and unsure to push things further, especially with Kyle who wasn’t even ready to kiss me yet. I knew that, knew I couldn't even broach the subject of my lusty thoughts with him, but my body didn't seem to agree, as need thrummed through it for a kiss, a touch, something!
“Liv? You ok?” Kyle asked. I jumped a little and realised I had been way too lost in my completely
