Page 1 of Battered Moves

SIX MONTHS AGO

Dear Liam,

I’m so relieved to finally hear from you again. I’ve been worried sick about you since I heard what happened. I can’t believe they would accuse you of something so horrible. You’re my best friend, the person I look up to the most. I know you would never do anything like that, and I know that you would never intentionally hurt anyone. Now that you’ve explained, everything makes much more sense. That’s why it hurts so much to see you in this situation. The media has painted you as a villain, a monster, but I know that’s not who you are. You’re kind, compassionate, and loving. I want you to know that I’m here for you, no matter what. I’ll keep writing to you, sending you updates about what’s happening on the outside. The last thing I saw was an article about Olivia getting out of the hospital after her last knee surgery. That poor thing.

I hope she feels better soon and that you’re able to contact her to explain everything to her too. You guys just belong together. I’ll do everything in my power to help clear your name, to prove your innocence.

Please don’t lose hope, Liam. You’re not alone. You have me, your biggest fan, your loyal friend. We’ll get through this together.

I love you,

Foxy

CHAPTERONE

Jaxon

We’re finally done putting the new heavy bags in place, even though Ryder complained the whole time, but it was necessary. The old ones were already worn out, and we want the best equipment for our customers at all times. We head out to the reception area to find Chris and three coffees waiting for us.

“Well, look at that. They’re for us?” Ryder smiles at Chris, but she looks concerned.

“Yeah, Liv brought them over for you guys.”

“That’s nice of her,” River says, turning his head in search of her. “Where is she?”

Chris frowns. “She left. She was agitated and crying, telling me that she had to leave and that I should tell you guys she’s sorry.”

“What? What happened? Why didn’t you come for me?” I ask her, maybe a bit too aggressively.

“Calm down, Jax. It just happened a minute ago. I haven’t had any time to—”

She doesn’t finish her sentence as I run out of the studio, searching the parking lot for Liv’s car, but it’s not there anymore. I come back to the others, shaking my head.

“Already gone.”

“What exactly happened, Chris?” River asks her, while Ryder holds his phone to his ear, apparently calling Liv.

“I don’t know. She came in with coffee for us, smiling and asking for you guys. I told her you were busy with the heavy bags and that Chase was already in the studio, so she went to bring him his coffee but came back quickly. I gave her a letter that was sent here for her and asked if she found Chase, but she was already crying.”

I feel a knot in my stomach.What did Chase do?

* * *

Chase

I can’t believe Tyler did that. I’ve told her multiple times over the past few weeks that I’m not interested in her anymore. We had some quick fucks in the past, but she was just a convenient hole to stick my dick in. I was a fucking player, and looking back now, I regret being so careless. My past actions are haunting me now.

Since I met Liv, no other women have interested me anymore. At first, there wasn’t anything between us. She just intrigued me, so much so that all the others lost their appeal. I didn’t even go on that fucking date I’d arranged to get her out of my head. I just rode my bike for hours. Now, after last night, nothing compares to her anymore.I had a taste and became addicted.

That’s why I’m even more concerned about how she left last night. I wanted to bring her home, maybe even to my bed. I know it was after three am, and she was clearly dancing that late because something was bothering her and she couldn’t sleep. I was inclined to leave her alone when I saw her come in, but after watching her dancing so seductively on the camera feed in my office,I just couldn’t stay away.

As soon as Tyler comes onto me, I push her off. “You can’t do that, Tyler. I told you our fling is over. I’m not interested anymore. I have a girlfriend.”

“Chase Miller doesn’t commit. At least not really,” she retorts.

“The fuck I don’t, and even if I didn’t, I’m done with you. Consent goes both ways, Tyler. Keep your hands and mouth away from me,” I say before storming out of the studio, not giving a damn about the class that starts in a few minutes.

As I reach the door, I nearly trip over a coffee cup left carelessly on the ground.

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