Page 59 of Dream (Fighting Fate)

“All right. You’re the guest here, Liv. What cup?”

Her gaze roamed the screen, searching. “Tri-Force.”

Corey hooted. “Aww yeah!”

Lance appeared in the doorway. “What the hell are you up to?”

I grinned at Liv, her game face well and truly in place. She really was fucking adorable. I wondered if I should go easy on her.

“Liv here,” Corey said with an unmistakable smirk, “is apparently going to kick Josh’s ass at Mario Kart.”

Amusement shone from Lance’s eyes. “This, I need to see,” he said, moving into the room and sitting down. Two seconds later, Cain joined him. I was either going to have an epic win with a cranky girl on my hands, or I was going to be shamed in front of everyone. Glancing over at Liv and seeing the determination on her face, I didn’t think I’d mind.

As the race began, I tried to focus, but the trash talk and hoots of happiness coming from Liv really did make it hard. When I dropped back to fifth place, I conceded I might be in trouble.

Cain laughed beside me. “Man, you’re getting owned.”

“Kick his ass, Liv,” Lance said, amusement more than obvious in his voice.

Drifting through a box, I waited to see what item I would end up with. Sounds of pain echoed through the room the second the blue spiny shell appeared. Knowing she was close to the finish line, I released it.

“Oh no,” Cain moaned. “You’re an asshole.”

Liv collected a box and drifted around the corner. I could see her on my screen as I moved into second place, not far from her. She was so close to the finish line it wasn’t funny. I was sure I’d be able to pass her once she was hit.

The blue shell loomed over her just before all hell broke loose. The guys started yelling, jumping up and cheering, and Liv sailed across the finish line, taking first place.

“Holy shit!” Corey yelled. “That was the most epic finish ever! I can’t believe you pulled out a fucking super horn.”

The smile on Liv’s face was the biggest I’d ever seen. She stood, arms above her head, slowly turning victory lap style.

“Yeah, okay,” I said, smirking at her show. “You’ve still got another two races to go yet, hot shot. Don’t go celebrating too early.”

Arching an eyebrow at me, she sat back down. “Well, let’s do it, Mr. Movie Star.”

The guys all laughed, obviously enjoying themselves at my expense. Starting the next race, I forced myself into game mode. I needed to level the score or I’d never hear the end of it.

But luck wasn’t on my side. Even though the races were close, Liv seemed to pull out every trick she knew, winning all three races. The mocking was relentless.

“Yeah, yeah,” I said, shaking my head. “You can all fuck off now. I have an ego that needs soothing.”

Liv grinned at me as they all filed out of the room, closing the door behind them. Locking my gaze with hers, I narrowed my eyes with mock scorn, but that seemed to only make her laugh and throw herself back on the couch.

Looming over the top of her, I pressed my lips together, trying to conceal my smile, but as she placed her hands on my chest, her eyes shining with happiness, my desire to play with her faded. So many

things about her amazed me. It mystified me how she was so oblivious to her uniqueness. She really had no idea. But maybe that was a part of the reason she was so captivating.

Pausing crouched over her, I took the time to search her features. “I know you said you’re good with everything, but I need to make sure you know what you’re doing, Liv. It’s important to me that this not end badly. Not because of my career, but because I care about you and don’t want to see you hurt. If you’re unsure about anything, you need to tell me now.”

Her gaze searched mine, a seriousness coming over her that stirred worry in my stomach. Emotions flashed in her eyes so fast I had no chance of catching them. But then she smiled and playfully pushed against my chest. “Stop being so melodramatic. Whatever happens, happens. It’s the summer. Let’s just have fun and do what makes us happy. And when it’s time to leave, we pick up what needs to be picked up, and we continue on with life.”

Her words, while they made sense, didn’t leave me feeling clear of conscience, but I would take them. There was nothing I could do about it anyway. Because, as I’d established many times over, I was an asshole.

Chapter 35

Olivia

Eyes closed, I exhaled and allowed my senses to take in everything around me. Under my feet, the sand was warm, a mixture of course and soft, dry and slippery. The sun tingled against my skin, intense, fierce and hot. Inhaling, I felt a light breeze pick up in the air. As it kissed my skin, I smiled, feeling it rouse my hair and soothe the heaviness of the heat. Waves crashed on the shore, the gentle rhythm of the push and pull lulling me into a deeper place of relaxation.

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