Page 11 of Battered Moves

Jaxon nods his head in agreement. “We will figure this out together. You don’t have to go through this alone, Liv. We’re here for you.”

“We’ll make sure he can never hurt you again,” Ryder says, reaching out and squeezing my foot.

I give them a small smile, relief washing over me. For the first time in a long time, I don’t feel completely alone and helpless. They know everything now, and they’re still here.

“Thank you, guys. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

Chase pulls me from Jaxon into his own lap and gives me a tight hug.

“You don’t have to know,” he whispers in my ear. “We’ll always be here for you, no matter what.”

For the first time since Liam ruined my life, I feel like I might have a chance at not just surviving, but living.

CHAPTERSIX

Jaxon

I wake up to the sound of rustling and need a second to orientate myself. After Liv finished her story, we all squeezed onto the couch and continued watching our show, cuddling and trying to comfort her. But my mind was still reeling, my thoughts consumed with what she endured. She’s incredibly strong, and I can’t imagine going through what she has. Being abused by the one you love, watching him kill your family, and then having the public turn on you when you already have nothing left… It’s all so unimaginable and unfair.

As I reflected on our previous conversations, I realized that there were things along the way that didn’t add up or made me question her story, but I never would have guessed something as horrific as what she revealed. Despite that, she never outright lied to me, and that means everything. Honesty and loyalty are the traits I value the most, and I admire the fact that she wasn’t even capable of lying to me while hiding a whole identity.

I hear the rustling again and turn my head towards the other end of the couch, where Riv and Ry are cuddled up with Liv. The TV is on, but the streaming service is asking us if we’re still watching. I glance at the digital clock on the surround system and see that it’s just after three am. When Liv untangles herself quietly from the twins and stands up, I assume she’s just heading to the bathroom. But I soon hear the alarm panel beep and the front door open. My hackles rise.Where does she think she’s going, alone, at this time of night?

I grab my keys, wallet, and a hoodie from beside the door, then put on my shoes before following Liv out. I see her getting into her car and run to the passenger door, open it, and sit down beside her. She jumps in surprise but then breathes a sigh of relief when she realizes it’s me.

“So, where are we heading?” I ask her, and she pulls her shoulders to her ears.

“I didn’t mean to wake you up.”

“Yeah, I gathered that,” I say.

“I slept the whole day, and now I can’t anymore. My head is spinning, so I wanted to go and dance it out,” she says quietly.

“Okay, let’s go,” I tell her, fastening in my seatbelt.

“No, I didn’t mean to interrupt your sleep, Jaxon,” she replies, blinking at me. “You don’t need to come. You can go back in.”

“Sunshine,” I start, my voice firm, “I’m coming. Let’s go.”

The side of her lip tilts upwards as she starts the car.

* * *

The studio is quiet when we arrive. I can understand why Liv and Chase like to be here at night, but normally, I would prefer to be in bed. If Liv were there beside me, I doubt I would even make it to work on time in the morning, but we’re here now because she needs this, and I need to know she’s safe. I sit in one of the chairs in front of the stage and make myself comfortable.This is going to take a while, I guess.

Liv stands before me and peels off the oversized sweatpants she borrowed from Chase, leaving her in just his boxers and a T-shirt that is far too big on her, hanging mid-thigh.

“Can I play the music over your phone? Mine is still at your place,” she asks me, and I hand her my phone with the music app open. “Can you please start this song on repeat when I finish stretching?”

I nod my head, trying to keep my eyes on her face rather than her toned legs, while she heads over to the stage. Once up there, she bends down and touches her toes, gradually lowering her upper body until she’s hugging her legs. She then moves into a split, and I’m impressed.So is my cock.She gets back up and pulls her leg up, resting her foot behind her head, causing me to swallow hard as I try to keep my thoughts in check.Oh, the possibilities…

After something like fifteen minutes, she nods to me, and I push the play button. I take a few deep breaths to calm my cock down, not recognizing the song that starts playing. I look down at the screen to see that it’s “I Lost Myself” by Munn with Anna Clendening. The song is about someone who’s left their past behind and is running from the demons that still haunt them.

I watch her intently as she moves to the music, telling her own story with her body, and I can see the weight of her own struggles reflected in her movements. She carries so much on her shoulders, and I can’t help but feel the urge to help her lighten the load. I know she knows that she’s not alone anymore, but I need to find a way to make her believe it. I focus on her, watching her every move, listening to every beat of the music.

* * *

Liv

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