Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
LIVIANNA/LILY
Then
Striking Clocks & Wounds That Don’t Scab
He swears I’m unforgettable, yet every hour he erases me.
Gia builds a tight smile. “Livianna, you know I don’t participate in those types of activities.”
“What activities would those be?” Jax rests his ankle on top of his knee.
“The fun kind.” I direct the innuendo to Jax.
His phone flashes. He pauses to check something and then addresses Gia.
“I apologize. I’m Jaxon Crowne.” He reaches across the table and holds his hand out to her.
“It’s nice to meet you, Jaxon.” She shakes it. “I’m Gia Armstrong.”
He takes the opportunity to change the subject and to ask her what she does for a living. She tells him and they start discussing her acting career.
For someone who’s supposed to be smart, Jax seems to have little knowledge about who’s who in the industry. He recognizes the top movie stars’ names, but no one else.
It makes me believe he couldn’t care less about the entertainment business. That’s good for me because he might not know anything about my past.
Wouldn’t that be a refreshing change?
Mateo and Hunter approach and give Gia and me our cocktails. Jax stands and they all shake hands, complimenting each other on their latest accomplishments.
I introduce Gia to Mateo and Hunter. In the shuffle, I end up between Mateo and Hunter. Gia lands beside Hunter. Jax takes the chair across from me, shoulder-to-shoulder with Mateo.
They seem to travel in the same crowd and know a lot about each other because they’re comfortable in each other’s presence. They reference different people and lucrative deals the other might be interested in.
At one point, Hunter welcomes and congratulates Mateo on being one of the youngest people to make it into the club. He proudly thanks him.
This conversation just took a turn in a direction I’m more interested in. This might be the way to get an invitation to one of Mateo’s infamous sex venues.
“What club is that?” I ask. It comes out with a hint of desire.
Hunter lifts his glass. “Mateo recently hit billionaire status and he’s not even twenty-five.”
My mouth falls open, but I shut it just as fast. “Congratulations, Mateo. That’s a great accomplishment.”
“I appreciate that.” He glances at Hunter and Jax. “My dad helped and did most of the heavy lifting, but it’s great to be standing in the ranks with these two.”
Jax and Hunter both dip their heads in acknowledgment like it’s a ritual. That means Gia and I are sitting at a table where not only are these men handsome as hell, but they’re also all powerful, driven, and resourceful.
Here I thought billionaires were dull, shy, quiet, and old. Wow, was I wrong. All three of these men are interesting, articulate, and young.
A weird pang of jealousy snaps in my chest. How could I get Livianna Grace Designs to that level?
I suck in a breath and let it fade away. This night is about fun. Work will stay locked in the closet if I have my say.
I shift closer to Mateo. “You know, I’ve heard about your business.”
“Considering we’re sitting in one of the event centers I own, that doesn’t surprise me.” Mateo shrugs.
“This is your place?” I glance at Hunter. “Isn’t this your casino?”
“Yes, but The Beckett Brand owns restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues that are housed inside our establishments.” He gestures with a flick of his hand to Jax. “Jaxon has invested or consulted with both of us on various ventures we’ve been involved in.”
Some woman approaches Gia. “Gia, we need you for the press interviews now.”
“Of course.” She finishes her drink and stands to leave. “Livianna, will you be here when I get done, or do you want to come with me?”
“I’ll wait here.” I’m not leaving this group of men for the life of me. “Take your time. I promise I’ll behave.”
Jax squirms in his chair and clears his throat. His face is tight and red.
That’s a strange reaction. Before I can hook onto that thought, the staff person who came to get Gia notices Hunter.
“Perfect.” She places her palm on Hunter’s shoulder. “Would you please join us? We could get some pictures of you and Gia. You can promote Efron Lux.”
“I’d be happy to. After all, any press is good for business.” Hunter stands and peers down at Mateo. “Mateo, since this is your establishment, do you want a photo opportunity with the beautiful Gia Armstrong?”
“Of course I’d love that.” He stands.
They excuse themselves and leave Jax and me alone. A snap of the painful memory of his rejection of me the last time we were by ourselves flashes in my mind. I try to put it aside.
“I guess that means it’s just us.” Jax moves into Mateo’s space and lifts his glass to toast mine. “Here’s looking at you, kid.”
“I’m not a child.” I straighten my back.
“Livianna, relax.” He places his drink down. “That’s a quote from a movie.”
“Likely story.”
“Why do you say that?”
“You didn’t seem to know very much about films or anything about the movie industry when you were talking to Gia earlier.”
“I don’t,” he admits. “It’s from Casablanca. It’s a classic.”
To release the tension, I laugh. “That makes sense.”
Now it’s his turn to go rigid. “Are you trying to insinuate I’m old?”
“No.” I shift to face him straight on. “Why do you always bring up age?”
“I didn’t realize I did that.” He adjusts his chair so our knees are almost touching. “I forget how young you are sometimes.”
“Why does it matter?”
“It shouldn’t.”
“But for you, it does.” I tilt my head to study him, wondering what age has to do with our interactions.
He’s quiet for a moment, then a smile curls his lips. “Your company seems to be doing well. Tell me more about that.”
“It is.” My chest bubbles with excitement. “And that reminds me. I owe you a thank you.”
“Why?” He pulls back with his forehead furrowed. “I haven’t done anything to help you.”
“Not true, Jax.”
“Then please expand. I’d love to hear how I have any part of your business.”
“That night we talked out on my back patio. I was about to have a panic attack. You calmed me down and my dad saw that.”
“I’m not following.”
“After that night, my parents came to me and asked me if I was planning on switching careers. When I didn’t respond, they told me they’d support anything I decided to do with my life.”
“What does that have to do with me?”
“My dad explained you were the one who pointed out I was looking for his approval.”
“True.”
I shrink a little inside. “I always thought my parents wanted me in acting and I was afraid to do anything else. When I quit without telling them, I thought they were going to be angry, but they weren’t.”
“Are you saying I gave you the courage to take the leap of faith?”
“In a way, yes. If you hadn’t said something to my dad, I don’t think I would’ve gotten up the guts to do it.”
“Then I’m glad I helped.”
I place my hand on Jax’s knee. “Thank you for opening the door for me to make my dreams come true.”
“My pleasure.” His heavy stare connects with mine.
There’s a moment of warmth that passes from my heart to his. His gaze travels to where my palm rests on his leg and he swallows hard.
He pats the top of my hand as if asking me to remove it. “I’m happy you’re doing something you’re excited about.”
“Me too.” I pull back and pick up my glass to toast him. “To you, Jaxon Crowne, for helping me get my life on the right track.”
He raises his drink and we cheers to each other.
After a sip, he places his glass down. “I’d love to hear more about your company.”
“I still feel like it’s in its infancy, but so far it’s doing well.” I just wish it reflected what I really want it to be, Lehlani Rose Designs.
He zeroes in on me. “What was that concerned look for?”
I shake my head. “What do you mean?”
“You were smiling and excited, but then your eyes dimmed and your facial features tightened.” He shifts closer to me. “It appeared to me like you’re holding back something about your business that’s causing you some discomfort.”
A rush of heat flares in my belly and rises to my cheeks. How in the hell did he pick up on that so easily? Am I an open book he can read?
My phone vibrates. I pull it out of my clutch and a message floats across the screen. My hands shake and my heart pounds the second I see who it’s from.
The Cheater: Happy New Year, vixen. I’ve spent the last eight months trying in vain to forget you.
The dedication of our performance tonight was not only for you.
It was my resolution for the world to hear that this is the year I finally let you go.
Have a good life. Maybe in the next lifetime we’ll find each other and get it right.
My insides hollow out. I stare at the message and my soul shatters. My skin itches, so I dig my nails into my wrists and scratch them. It doesn’t relieve the ache.
Callum hasn’t stopped trying to reach out. He sends texts or leaves voicemails when he’s obviously high, saying he still loves me and how sorry he is for letting things get out of control.
He mumbles about getting back together but says he needs to keep me safe from getting hurt. I never respond.
His flip-flopping messages are confusing as hell. I’ve had to remind myself he’s a rockstar who cheats. He only wants me to stick around because he’s always seen me as his and his alone.
If he couldn’t keep our love untarnished before, there’s no way he could after he discovered I had been with other men. He said he’d never let it go, meaning his jealousy would be unbearable.
At least that’s the excuse I give myself every time I feel weak and consider working it out with him.
“Livianna?” Jax’s voice cuts in. “Is everything okay?”
“Um…yeah.” I raise my gaze to his. “I was just thinking about how strange it is.”
“What?”
“For the people in New York, it’s a new year right this minute, but at the same time, for us, we’re still in this year. We’re all here on Earth yet living in separate times. One is in the future and one is in the past, depending on where you’re located.”