Page 24 of The Twisted Beats

“It was ahugesuite. He was alone when he came out of the entryway holding up two bottles of alcohol. He was yelling to Bren that he brought back a surprise when he saw me sitting on the couch. He dropped the bottles and rushed to me.”

“How did you end up kissing?”

“I stood up to leave, but he grabbed me and told me to remember what we had. He said he never stopped loving me. His lips were on mine before I knew what was happening.” I suck in a ragged breath.

She fans herself. “How romantic.”

My eyes bulge. “You can’t be serious? It was horrific.”

“Right. The girls. Tell me the rest.”

“They came out of the hallway and around the corner naked. One of them said something about assuming it was only going to be a foursome, but she could get on board if the other girl could.”

“I take it they didn’t know Bren was your brother.”

My face scrunches up. “Do you think I would’ve considered it if he wasn’t?”

She shrugs. “Sorry, Livianna, but you’ve told me some things that make me believe you would’ve.”

“Quinn, I may have been wild as fuck back then, but I would never share the man I love with another woman. I’d watch people with him, let others watch us, but no way would I share.”

Her eyebrows rise and her lips purse as if she caught me in some kind of strange confession.

I’ve told her I’m open-minded, so I’m at a loss. “What’s with the look?”

She tilts her head and shrugs. “You just said you were in love with Cash.”

“Yeah, back then.”

“How long had it been since you had seen him before that night?”

“A little over a year.” I cross my arms over my chest. “I left LA when I was twenty.”

“So you hadn’t seen him in over a year but still loved him. It’s only been another two years, so maybe you have locked away feelings for him.”

Heat swirls in my chest and my cheeks burn.The alcohol must be hitting me.It’s been a while since I’ve let loose.

“Quinn, I’m not in love with Callum anymore.”

“I’m not saying you are, but there must be unresolved feelings there.” She takes a sip of her cocktail. “Think about it, Livianna. The last time you saw him, he told you he loved you. I assume you left based on your inability to share, so…”

“So what?”

“I get it now that I know the backstory.” She pulls her phone out of her bag. “Have you listened to the words of their song ‘Forget Paris’?”

“No. I try not to pay attention to their music.”

She stops what she’s doing and stares at me like I’m personally insulting her. “You don’t listen to your brother’s band?”

“Um…sometimes.” I blink twice. “I’m busy with work, so I rarely have time to explore new stuff.”

“Well, you have plenty of time now.” She fiddles with her phone. “I’m connecting this to the vehicle’s sound system.”

A few moments pass, then dark notes filter in through the speakers. Quinn turns up the volume.

“Listen closely, Livianna.”

I recline, close my eyes, and take in every part of the song.