Page 36 of Fall Hard

“My abs will survive missing one session,” I quipped and something sparked in her eyes that had interest shivering through me in return.

“Rest up,” she said, rolling her eyes and Jamie shooed the guys out of the flat, pressing a kiss to Ryan’s slightly sweaty face as she did so.

“I really am sorry, Liv,” Leo called as Jamie herded them out and I waved a hand airily at him. “If you need anything, let me know.”

I thought about it as he left and Bryn watched me, a small smile flirting with her mouth.

“What is it?”

“Do you think I could guilt Leo into bringing me some ice cream?”

She laughed. “I think you could get him to make it from scratch.

I smiled as I closed my eyes, relaxing against the pillows as Bryn covered me with a blanket. “Excellent.”

* * *

“I did it.” I flopped back down into my seat at the booth Bryn and I had chosen atThe Box, phone clutched triumphantly in my hand. Three days later, and I’d been cleared by the doctor to be up and about again. Aside from a little lingering soreness in my neck, I felt absolutely fine. Bryn had taken my bed for the first night while I crashed on the sofa, but I’d felt okay enough to swap back the next day.

“And she definitely has never sold you drugs?”

“Nope.”

Bryn smirked. “Baby girl’s growing up. What did you say to her?”

I shrugged. “I just asked if I could have her number.”

From the look on Bryn’s face, this wasn’t quite the answer she’d hoped for. “So you didn’t make small talk? Or introduce yourself?” I shook my head and she sighed. “Well, you may have zero game but at least you did it.”

“Gee, thanks.” I took a sip of my milkshake, they were definitely my new go-to even if they did give me both brain freeze and a sugar crash afterwards. “How’re things with you and Jamie now?”

“Fine.” Bryn shrugged. “She was stupid, I was stupid, and now we’re good.”

“The guys all seemed impressed that you stood up to her.”

Bryn rolled her eyes as I sipped my drink. “They make her sound like a pitbull or something.”

I snorted and Bryn stood up from the table.

“Anyway, I have to get back to the apartment to study. You coming?”

“Sure.” I sucked the last of my milkshake down and then shivered as the cold ran through me. “Wait, what are you studying for?”

“I’ve got an exam.”

“And you’re wasting your time with my stupid problems rather than revising?” I slapped her arm lightly as we walked out and into the warm late-afternoon air. “You idiot.”

“Helping you,” she reminded me dryly and the look I gave her made her sigh. “It’s just one exam, everything else I already sat when I was in Cali. I just need to pass this one unit.”

“I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

Bryn waggled her eyebrows. “Want to help me maneuver my flash cards?”

“How can I say no to an offer like that?” She laughed and I grinned. “No, seriously, how do I say no?”

“Can you be bribed?” A sly look came over her face, “because if so, I have a gift for you.”

Now I was intrigued. “Maybe.”

---