Page 44 of Battered Moves

“Is this what her nightmares are like?” I ask Ryder in disbelief. The twins had told Chase and me that they’d experienced them once before. He nods, eyes sad.

“Gunner said she has them nearly every night,” he says.

Fuck.No wonder that guy runs over there every time he hears her. That shit is ripping my heart apart.

“I’m so sorry,” Liv whispers, and Ryder scoots over to them, kissing her head.

“You don’t have to apologize, baby. You’ve had a rough day. It’s no wonder your mind isn’t settling,” he assures her, while River kisses her temple.

“Do you want to try to go back to sleep?” he asks, but she shakes her head.

“I’ll make us dinner, then we can watch a Disney movie or something,” I suggest as I walk to the kitchen.

“Wow, Jaxon Tanner is offering to watch a Disney movie for you, gorgeous,” I hear Chase say. “If that’s not love, I don’t know what is.”

“Yeah,” Ryder chimes in. “But don’t choose something cool likeMulanorMoana. Make him suffer throughCinderella.”

I hear Liv giggle, and my heart feels a little lighter.

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

Chase

“Do you have everything?” I ask Liv, who’s standing before me with a duffle bag. I take it from her shoulder and transfer it to mine.

“I think so, but it’s just for two days, so I’ll survive either way,” she says with a smile and hooks her pinky with mine.

We head back to her car, and I help her get her stuff into the trunk before taking the passenger seat. It’s a sunny day, so Liv puts down the top to enjoy the weather. I put my sunglasses back on and smile at her as she does the same.

“It’s a pity we couldn’t take your bike,” she says as she starts the engine.

“Yeah, but duffle bags don’t mix well with motorbikes,” I reply, remembering a time when I had a small crash because I tried to transport a big bag on my bike. I cringe at the memory.

“Safety first,” she jokes, and we head off. “Do you think Jaxon is already making lunch, or should we get something for everyone?”

“I’ll text him and find out,” I say.

On our way back. Should we bring food, or do you have it covered?

I’m making burgers, but you could stop and pick up some ice cream and sweets. River says Liv’s period should start in the next few days, according to his calendar, and maybe she’d like them for her PMS.

I laugh out loud. I don’t remember the last time Jaxon texted that much, and hearing him talk like that about a woman’s cycle…Who is this guy?

“Well, lunch is covered,” I start, and she throws me a glance.

“But? Should we get some coffee?” she asks.

“We can if you’d like to,” I say.

Isn’t PMS also the time when the girl gets emotional?I should ask Chris about these things. Shouldn’t a boyfriend know about this stuff?

“Jaxon wants us to get some other stuff too, like ice cream, sweets, and so on,” I say cautiously, and Liv chuckles.

“What, is he PMS’ing?” she jokes, and I wince at my poor attempt at subtlety.

“No, but River thinks you might be soon,” I clarify. Liv looks at me for a moment, blinks, and then starts wheezing with laughter.

“I don’t know if this is creepy or considerate.”

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