“I don’t want Grant to have to go to anymore trouble. It’s already taken so much of his time getting me started at school.”
“He won’t mind Livy. He’d be mad if we didn’t speak to him about what’s happening. He just wants you to be safe and happy.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I am. Now, friday night?” He glanced at me with that sexy half smile, and my stomach set aflutter once again.
“Friday night?” I didn’t remember agreeing to anything, but it had been a crazy couple of days.
“Yeah. I’m taking you out on a date. I can’t promise a helicopter, but I have plans I think you’ll enjoy.”
I laughed. Cole’s helicopter date had been a bone of contention amongst the guys since that night. Kyle was pissed Cole had allowed me to set foot on what he called a ‘death trap’, while Kade and Matt were just pissed Cole had pulled such a grand gesture, worried their dates could never live up to that night.
I had to admit, Cole’s date would be pretty hard to top. It had been the greatest night of my life, but any time I spent with any of my guys would be special, which was what I had assured them again and again.
“Really?” I gasped excitedly, my fatigue momentarily forgotten. “Where are we going?”
“That would be telling.” He laughed.
“I love surprises!” I squealed. “I can’t wait, Matt!”
“Me either. I’ve been waiting for my night to have you all to myself.” The tone of his voice sent the butterflies in my stomach into a wild flurry, as tingles ran through my body, quickly reminding me of what Cole and I had shared in my room after our date. Were Matt and I ready to try something like that too? I wasn’t sure, but the prospect was exciting.
Matt parked the car in the driveway out front of the house and turned to me, the engine still running.
“You head in. I need to run to the store for some groceries.” He explained when I looked confused.
“I can come with you, and help.”
“No. You’re exhausted. I want you to go in and lie down until dinner, no arguments, ok?” He said in that commanding way only he could get away with.
“Ok.” I agreed, knowing he was right, I was exhausted. Cole had laid with me all of the previous night, once he carried me from the shower, but it had been a very long and restless night for both of us. I felt for poor Cole having to run around a football field for two hours after a full day at school.
I leant in and kissed Matt like I meant it, needing him close after the feelings the short ride in the car with him had awoken. He took control of the kiss quickly, both of his hands cupping my cheeks as he attacked my mouth with vigour, showing me his passion and his sexy as hell commanding control. By the time he stopped, I was a love struck mess, unsure of what the hell I was supposed to be doing.
“Go Chica. I’ll be home soon.” Matt directed as he placed a small kiss right on the end of my nose, making me giggle, and snap from my daze. I nodded and grabbed my backpack, then jumped out and waved him off. I noticed the way he lingered in the gateway until I was safely in the house, and loved knowing how much he cared.
“Liv?” Kyle’s voice echoed through the house the second I had closed the front door behind me.
“Yeah, it’s me.” I called back. I dropped my backpack, which felt a ton heavier than it really was, to the floor and schucked my coat and boots, putting them both away neatly.
“Hey Baby. Good day?” Kyle asked when he appeared in the doorway. He was wearing gym clothes and he looked fidgety and kind of anxious. He leant in to kiss my cheek, but it was brief and oddly, not followed by the hug I expected from him. Something was definitely off with him.
“Yeah, better than yesterday. You? Were you at work?” I asked, hoping he would give me a clue of what was wrong at least.
“I went in for a few hours this morning, but finished up pretty early. I was hoping you’d want to train with me?” He asked. I wanted to say no, to say all I wanted for the next hour at least, was my comfy bed, but the hope, mixed with pain in his eyes was clear to see. Something was wrong and he needed the distraction of us training. I could give him that. If it would help I would give him anything.
“Sure. Just let me change and I’ll meet you in the gym, in five.” I agreed, already knowing this was going to hurt, a lot.
“Good.” He nodded, like he was trying to convince himself it was good, then he just hurried away without another word. Something was definitely wrong.
***
“Come on Liv! Actually try to put some effort in!” Kyle snapped. We’d been in the gym for thirty minutes, and I was really close to snapping and yelling right back at him. He had been pushing me way harder than normal, and because I was so exhausted, I was far from meeting his exacting standards.
“I am!” I ground out through clenched teeth, trying hard to hold my anger in. I knew it wasn’t me he was mad with. Something had upset him that day, and I just happened to be the one he got to yell at in that moment. I tried hard to remember that as he lurked behind me, an arm across my chest holding me tight. I was supposed to escape the hold, but my exhausted limbs were rebelling and refused to cooperate.
“You’re not! You’re barely even moving.” He laughed, like he was teasing me, and I hated it.
“I’m tired Kyle!” I yelled.
“And? You think an attacker will stop to check how you’re feeling before he grabs you?”
