Page 63 of Shattered Mind

“Yeah.”

She clears her throat and shifts in her seat so she’s facing me. “Well, they were both in the medical field. My mum was a midwife, and my dad was a paediatric surgeon. That’s how they met; their paths crossed at work. They used to love telling me the story of their epic workplace romance,” she lets out a sad laugh before falling silent as her gaze becomes unfocused, as if she’s lost in the memory.

“You didn’t want to follow in their footsteps?” I ask, and she blinks, her eyes clearing.

“I did. I wanted to become a midwife like my mum. I used to love the stories she’d tell about babies she had delivered. She collected these little chips in a jar for every baby she helped bring into the world.” Her smile is sweet and full of pride as she talks about her mother.

“What changed?”

Liv shrugs. “I sort of developed a phobia of hospitals. I try to avoid them as much as I can, but on the rare occasion I do find myself inside of one, I’m counting down the seconds until I can get the hell out of there. But that’s not the only reason. I feel like I lost a lot of precious time with my parents to their jobs.”

“How so?” I ask her. I feel like I’m grilling her a little, but I’m hanging onto every word that comes from her mouth. This more serious side to Liv is something I wasn’t expecting, and it only makes me want to know more about her.

“They worked long hours. Sometimes it felt like I wouldn’t see them for days because they’d get home late and leave early. Don’t get me wrong, they were great parents. I had everything I could have ever wanted growing up. We lived in a beautiful home. I never went without. And at the time, I loved the freedom I had at such a young age, but after they died all I had left werematerialist things.” Her eyes sparkle with emotion in the moonlight as she looks at me with a sad smile, “I’d give up everything, the money, the house, all of it, just for a few more memories with them.”

There’s an ache in my chest by the time she finishes talking. I reach across the centre console and take her small hand in mine. “I’m sorry you lost them, Blue.”

“Me too,” she says, squeezing my hand gently.

“Ready to go home?” I ask, turning the key in the ignition. The truck rumbles to life and warm air blasts from the vents against my face.

“Yeah,” Liv answers quietly as she nestles against the seat, her eyes becoming heavy with exhaustion. I turn the truck around and navigate the thicket of trees back towards the road. Within seconds, Liv doses off, her shallow breaths audible in the silence of the cab. I think about everything she told me for the entire drive, and I continue to think about it long after she says good night and makesher way into her house.

CHAPTER 34

OLIVIA

Grayson: I know you like to spend your free time googling corny horse jokes, but have you ever ridden one?

I smile down at my phone as I read the text from Grayson and quickly type a reply.

Me: I had a free pony ride one time at the farm. Does that count?

Grayson: No. Meet me at my training barn at 6, tomorrow evening.

Me: Yes, sir.

Grayson: Good girl.

My cheeks heat as I stare at his reply. It’s unexpected considering I literally played with myself in his lap less than twelve hours ago. I still don’t know what came over me. I wouldn’t consider myself to be shy, but I’ve never felt confident enough to do anything like that either.

Something about the way Gray looks at me just completely rids me of any inhibitions. He makes me feel sexy in a way no man ever has.

“I used to blush like that whenever Roman walked into a room,” Amelias voice has my head snapping up in surprise as she takes the seat opposite me.

“Sorry,” I respond with an embarrassed laugh as I lock my phone and tuck it back inside my handbag.

“Don’t apologise. I hope it’s a certain one of my boys putting that smile on your face,” she says, her expression knowing and I feel the redness in my cheeks get impossibly deeper.

I shake my head in amusement. “Nothing’s sacred in this town, is it?”

“No, sweet girl. It is not.” She laughs and as I watch her, I see so much of Noah in her lighter features.

When I first met the Calloway boys, I could see the resemblance between Hunter and Grayson immediately. They both have dark features and deep, emerald, green eyes. Noah on the other hand has lighter hair and hazel eyes.

It wasn’t until I met Amelia that it all made sense. She’s a very beautiful woman. With shoulder length, light brown hair that has a shine to it I’m in envy of. Her face is natural; with only a few visible lines I imagine she earned from raising three boisterous boys. Everything about Amelia is warm and welcoming. She reminds me a lot of Elizabeth in that sense.

“So, what brings you into Bellas? I’ve worked here for months now, and this is the first time I’ve seen you in here.”

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