Page 65 of The Twisted Beats

She looks down and smears it into her skin. She raises her gaze to mine, licking her fingertips. This girl… I’m gonna lose my mind over her. I know it because she has me eating out of the palms of her hands.

“What?” She stands. “I hear the protein in semen is good for your skin and nails.”

I laugh and take her in my arms. The warm water splashes over our slippery skin and I savor the moment.

I might be young, but I have a romantic side I’m dying to show off. “You’re taking me under, Lily.”

“What does that mean?”

I stare deep into her eyes. “You’ve got me hypnotized in your spell.”

Her breath hitches. “I guess that makes two of us.”

Our lips crash together. My stomach spins and my heart expands out of my chest. I can’t deny I’m in love with Livianna. I just hope she doesn’t rip me in two.

“Cash, your uncle is here.” Bren’s holler from Livianna’sbedroom takes me out of the moment. “Get your ass downstairs.”

“Give me five minutes.” I kiss her forehead. “I’ve gotta make this quick.”

“Do what you need to do. I’ll be waiting for you in the kitchen.” She steps out of the shower.

“Why the kitchen?”

“I’m going to make you something to eat on the way to the studio.”

“That’s not necessary. My uncle can take us to a drive-through.” I rush to lather up and wash my hair.

“I know, but I want to do it, love.” She disappears out of the room.

I beam at the sentiment.Love.She calls me love.

Looking back, I admit I was an asshole while I was out on tour and having sex with girls when I told her I would wait. Back then, I let the hormonal teenage boy in me run the show and justified my poor behavior.

Now that I know how it truly feels to love someone like I do her, I realize how wrong that was. If I had known what love was, I wouldn’t have done anything like that.

Hindsight is twenty-twenty, but I wish I had known that then. Things would’ve been different and I would’ve honored Lily more than I did. She deserved more and I vow to make it up to her.

I hurry up and finish getting ready, feeling as if I’m ten feet tall, knowing I’m gonna make all of Lily’s dreams come true. I meet them downstairs as I work my arms into one of Bren’s T-shirts.

My uncle, Bren, and Livianna are talking in the entryway. Bren shoves peanut-butter-covered bread into his mouth.

Livianna holds out a bowl of yogurt parfait and a plate of toast for me. “Here. Take this with you. Bren can bring the dishes home.”

“Thanks, Lily. I’ll see you later.” I grab my jacket and her offerings.

I lean in to kiss her. Right as I get close to her mouth, my uncle says something that has my head swinging back his way.

“Cash, you won’t be seeing her tonight.”

“Why?” I glance at Bren, who just shrugs.

“Because we’re laying down tracks and you haven’t seen your ma in two weeks. She wants you home tonight.” My uncle opens the front door, giving me a don’t test me stare.

The muscles over my ribs tighten.

“I didn’t know she was back in the States.” I turn back to Livianna. “Sorry. She needs me.”

“It’s fine. Just text me when you get home.” Livianna plants a peck on my cheek.