"We're dating. Like full-on, dude. It isn't a one-night stand. I mean I think we both thought it would be that, but it isn't," I confess and he looks angrier at that. "I like her. I respect her. I'm not going to hurt her."
"Did she tell you?" I blink and wait for him to elaborate. When he just stares at me imploringly I have to shrug. He swears again. "Well, I can't fucking be the one to tell you."
“Tell me what?” I don’t like the cold knot tightening in my chest.
“I’m more protective of Liv than I am of Tenley or anyone else in the family, but there is a reason for that,” Tate explains, stepping closer to me and pointing. “You need to be careful here. For your own sake because I know you’ve been burned before.”
“Scorched,” I correct. “Like the earth in the Bible.”
“If you two aren’t honest with each other then it will happen again, and she’s not telling you something,” Tate says quietly. “And I’m actually more worried about you than her at this moment in time.”
“Wh… What?” This was not how I thought this conversation would go at all.
"Boys! Let's move. Coach wants us suited up and on the ice in fifteen!" Nash's voice fills the hallway and without another word, Tate stalks off toward the dressing room.
I’m left with nothing but an ominous feeling in my gut.
Chapter23
Liv
Iglance at Dylan who is occupied with his giant plastic dump truck, sitting on the AstroTurf-covered patio and making dump truck sounds with his little mouth. I take the moment to glance at my phone again. The family group chat has been blowing up since I made my little announcement. All I wrote wasMorning Gang. New boyfriend alert: I'm dating Crew Westwood. K Thx Bye!
There’s been a tsunami of texts ever since. So many I had to completely turn my phone off during classes this morning. I pull up the group chat now and scan over the texts.
Callie: I am so happy for you baby! Crew is good people. But if that changes let me know and I will knock him over the head with something.
Uncle J: She’s not kidding. Trust me.
Uncle Luc: She isn't kidding. Anyway, happy if you're happy kiddo.
Auntie Rose: Avery and Steph are such lovely people, I’m sure Crew is a fine man. Yay for love.
Harlow: Relax Mom they just started dating. Do NOT throw around the L word.
Theo: Now I know who to target on the ice when we play the Quake next week. Gotta show Westwood we’ve got your back.
Grady: I already did that when he told me.
Shelby: Happy for u Livvy! Is his twin single?
Uncle Cole: You really wanna date a guy on the other side of the country?
Shelby: I didn’t say anything about dating.
Uncle Cole: I am going to delete this entire conversation from my brain now.
Tate: We will chat when I get home Liv.
Oh… that one is foreboding.
And oddly, not a word from Tenley. I haven’t been home to talk to her in person about this so I hope she’s there when I’m done watching Dylan. I glance down at my little monster who is rolling the dump truck toward the rattan coffee table and making noises I’m sure he thinks are engine noises.
My phone buzzes again but this time it’s not the group chat. It’s my boyfriend. A smile blooms as I open his text.
Crew: Wanna come over when you’re done at Tate’s? Would love to see you.
Liv: Sure. Ten has our car but if you don’t mind driving me back to WeHo later I’m in.