Chapter 53: lovesick idiotGAVIN HAWKINS POV I stood frozen, watching as Lyric walked away. My fingers clenched around my exam paper, but it might as well have been nothing. She had barely looked at me—barely acknowledged me. But those marks on her face? The scratches on her arms? That wasn’t nothing. Before I could think twice, my feet moved on their own. I shoved my results into my bag and followed her out the door, weaving through students who had no idea that my heart was hammering like a drum in my chest. Lyric walked briskly down the hall, her bag slung over one shoulder, her posture tense. She knew I was behind her. I could tell by the way her fingers twitched, tightening around the strap of her bag. I didn’t care. I wasn’t letting this go. “Lyric.” My voice was quiet but firm as I caught up to her. She ignored me. “Lyric, stop.” Nothing. She was heading toward the main doors—probably planning to leave. But I wasn’t letting he
Chapter 54: This is the end for meGAVIN HAWKINS POV The sun had dipped lower in the sky by the time I arrived at her house after practice. I couldn’t wait until the next day to talk to her—to make things right. I didn’t fully understand what I was feeling, but I knew one thing: I wanted to see her again. The thought of her hating me didn’t sit right. Stepping out of my Jeep, I hurried toward the Spencers’ front door. The garden was in full bloom, fresh flowers sprouting up from the neatly kept beds. The neighborhood was lively with the distant sound of dogs barking, the occasional chatter from passing pedestrians. When I reached the porch, I noticed the door was slightly ajar. I raised my hand to knock but froze. The thought of turning back echoed in my head. Instead, I stayed. Something felt off. Cautiously, I pushed the door open, its slow creak sending an eerie chill down my spine. The moment I stepped inside, an instinctual alarm went off in my head.
Chapter 55: I Don't Care If I Crash LYRIC'S SPENCER POV The girls' voices overlapped, their demands growing louder by the second. Lana, Catherine, and Hanna bounced on the bed, their matching pajama sleeves flapping as they argued over what counted as a real magic trick. I blinked at them, momentarily overwhelmed. A real magic trick? What did they even mean by that? I could do a simple card trick, but that wasn't going to satisfy them. Just as I opened my hands to sign a compromise, a voice interrupted from the doorway. "I think I can help with that." I turned my head to find Gavin leaning casually against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest, a smirk tugging at his lips. What was he doing here? I looked over at the clock on the wall; it was fifteen minutes past eight. The triplets immediately turned toward him, eyes wide with interest. "You can do magic?" Hannah asked skeptically, tilting her head. Gavin stepped into the room, his express
Chapter 56: Part of the family LYRIC SPENCER POV I swallowed hard, my grip tightening on my phone. His words hung between us, thick and heavy like a storm waiting to break. Gavin took another step forward, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from his body. My pulse pounded in my ears. Slowly, hesitantly, he reached out, his fingers brushing against my wrist. I didn't pull away. His voice was lower now, rougher. "Tell me to stop, Lyric, and I will." But I didn't. Instead, I let my phone slip from my hands onto the bed, freeing my fingers to trace the edge of his shirt. It was the smallest movement, but it shattered whatever restraint was left between us. Gavin exhaled sharply, his other hand cupping my jaw, tilting my face up toward his. His touch was both careful and desperate, as if he was afraid I might vanish. "You drive me crazy," he murmured. "I don't know how to want you less." Before I could process what was happening, hi
Chapter 57: I was screwed LYRIC SPENCER POV I was sitting on my bed, scrolling through my phone, when a knock sounded at my door. I hesitated, then typed out, Come in. The door creaked open, and Gavin stepped inside, shutting it behind him. I sighed. What now? He smirked, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Why do you always look like you’re bracing for impact when I show up?” I gave him a pointed look. Because I am. His smirk widened. “Fair enough.” Silence stretched between us. But it wasn’t awkward. It was heavy. Charged. I fidgeted with the hem of my shirt. You’re not staying the night. “Relax.” He rolled his eyes. “I’m not trying to sneak into your bed.” My face heated. My fingers glided over my screen with full force. That is NOT what I meant. “Sure,” he teased, but then his expression softened. “I just… I didn’t want to leave things weird between us.” I stared at him, fingers hovering over my phone screen, my heart ra
Chapter 58: Time for Change The next morning, I tried to act normal. Really, I did. I took my bath as usual, contemplating whether to wear my favorite lip gloss or go bare. I also debated whether to wear my hair in a ponytail or let it down on my shoulders. Every decision was overthought, and it was exhausting. The reason was simple: I didn't want him to think I was trying to look good for him. But, in reality, I was. I just didn't want him to notice. Finally, I settled on a flowy, pastel pink sundress that hugged my curves in all the right places. The dress was adorned with delicate white flowers and had a subtle sheen to it. I paired it with a pair of neutral-colored heeled ankle boots that added a touch of sophistication to my overall look. I styled my hair in loose, effortless waves, and applied my favorite lip combo - a soft, rosy shade that complemented my skin tone. I finished off my look with a spritz of my best scented perfume. After ensuring I looked good
Chapter 59: Do you like me back Lyric Spencer? I exhaled slowly, my fingers gripping my phone as Aunt Stephanie’s words lingered in my mind. "Don’t let fear make your decisions for you. Love a little. You deserve it." I had spent so much of my life running—running from rejection, from loss, from anything that felt too big to handle. Maybe it was time to stop. Maybe it was time to do something terrifying. Like letting Gavin in. I glanced back at him just in time to see him get tackled by all three triplets at once. He let out a dramatic groan, collapsing onto the grass as if they had actually defeated him. Lana whooped in victory, standing on his back like a tiny conqueror. I bit my lip, fighting back a smile. He must’ve felt my stare because his head turned, his gaze locking onto mine. A slow, knowing smirk curved his lips. “You coming over here, or are you just gonna admire me from a distance?” he called. I rolled my eyes, but my stomach flippe
Chapter 60: My BoyfriendLYRIC SPENCER POV Just as Gavin’s hands slid beneath my dress, gripping the backs of my thighs, the shed door banged open. "Lyric Spencer!" Aunt Stephanie’s voice cut through the haze like a bucket of ice water. I jolted, shoving at Gavin’s chest as we scrambled apart. He stumbled back, breathing hard, his hair thoroughly wrecked, his shirt stretched from my grip. My pulse hammered in my ears, my lips still tingling from his kisses. Aunt Stephanie stood in the doorway, arms crossed, one brow raised. She wasn’t exactly angry—more amused, maybe exasperated. Gavin cleared his throat, running a hand through his hair. "Uh—hey, Aunt Stephanie." "Hey yourself," she drawled, eyes flicking between us. "Y'know, when I said to ‘love a little,’ I didn’t mean in broad daylight where the kids could walk in on you." My face burned. Gavin grinned, unrepentant. "To be fair, we were behind the shed." Aunt Stephanie sighed like she wa
Chapter 88: Breaking up with you Lyric POV "A lady back there asked if I could give her a drink since she's 'lack toast and tell her aunt,'" Viktor said over the counter, his eyes crinkling with amusement. I stared at him blankly, barely registering his laughter. "She meant lactose intolerant," he added, letting out a deep chuckle. I didn’t laugh. I wasn’t in the mood for jokes. My mind was too preoccupied with my fight with Gavin yesterday. What did he mean by what he said? Shaking off my thoughts, I left the counter to prepare the order Viktor handed me. My body moved on autopilot, my mind still trapped in yesterday’s argument. Then suddenly—pain. Hot coffee spilled over my hand, scalding my skin. The cup hit the floor with a shatter, but I didn’t scream. I didn’t even flinch. I only stared at the mess, the burning sensation barely registering through the numbness inside me. "Lyric, are you hurt?" Viktor’s voice was tight with concern as he hurr
Chapter 87: Who gave you that title? LYRIC SPENCER POV My hands trembled as I sat on the bleachers, clutching the edge of my phone like it was the only thing keeping me grounded. The crowd was still buzzing with energy after the win, but my focus was gone. I didn’t hear the cheers. I didn’t see the flashing lights. I couldn’t feel anything but the weight in my chest. He saw. I knew it the moment I looked up and saw Gavin’s face on the ice. The way his expression fell. The way his shoulders dropped like the air had been knocked out of him. He saw Viktor kiss me. And he thought I let it happen. I swallowed hard, trying not to cry, but the tears blurred everything—my screen, the rink, the people. I wanted to go to him, explain, scream if I had to, but I couldn't even speak. All I had was this goddamn phone, and I couldn’t get close enough in time. I tried to follow him after the ceremony, but the crowd was too thick, and he disappeared before I cou
Chapter 86: A nobody GAVIN HAWKINS POV I couldn’t move. The roar of the crowd faded into a low, muffled hum—like someone stuffed cotton in my ears. Everyone around me was cheering, celebrating, soaking in the win, but all I could hear was the pounding of my heart and the static in my head. Because on that giant screen… I saw her. Lyric. Smiling. Laughing. And Viktor… kissing her like he had the damn right. No. No. No. My throat tightened like it was closing up. My gloves suddenly felt like they weighed a hundred pounds. My chest ached, like someone had slammed a hockey stick straight into it. I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. Couldn’t do anything but stare. She didn’t push him away. She didn’t even look surprised. I wanted to believe it was a mistake. That Viktor forced it. That it was out of nowhere. That she didn’t mean to let it happen. But none of it mattered. Because it still happened. And I felt so goddamn stupi
Chapter 85: Sugar town Third person POV “Gavin is back,” Aaron asserted, stepping into the room with urgency in his voice. “Where was he?” someone asked, confusion etched on their face. “Family emergency,” Aaron paused. “He forgot his phone at home, and it was switched off.” “That bigot,” Coach Fedelin cursed under his breath, shaking his head. He turned to Lyric, his expression softening. “Sorry to bother you. We’ll leave now.” Lyric offered him a tight, polite smile, though her mind was already spinning. She wondered how Gavin was doing. What kind of family emergency could make him leave his phone behind? And if his phone was really off... why did he reply to her text? Her eyes narrowed. Why was Gavin lying? A voice broke into her thoughts. “I saw Coach leaving. Is Gavin okay?” someone asked. Lyric nodded and signed, > “Okay. That’s great.” --- In the locker room, Gavin sat on the bench, already dre
Chapter 84 Third Person POV Finally, it was Friday—the day of the long-awaited match. Foreigners and out-of-town visitors filled the town stadium, eager for the game to begin. The scent of grilled hot dogs and burgers filled the air as vendors lined up their stands, taking advantage of the large crowd. Inside the locker room, the coach gathered his players for a final pep talk. The team was fully dressed in their uniforms and hockey gear, ready to take on their opponents. However, as they huddled together, the coach quickly realized someone was missing. "Where is Gavin?" he asked, his voice laced with irritation. The players exchanged confused glances, searching each other’s faces for an answer. "Shawn, you're closest to him. Where is he?" the coach pressed, narrowing his eyes at the player. Shawn hesitated before answering, his voice uncertain. "I don't know, sir. He hasn’t been picking up my calls or responding to my messages." The coach’s express
Chapter 83: Out of the game GAVIN HAWKINS POV The cold evening wind breezed past me, sending a shiver down my spine. I had driven over two towns to reach the Baby Dragon Casino, the location Allesio had assigned me to. The plan was simple: deliver over ten grams of methamphetamine. It was the most sought-after drug of the month, going for over a thousand dollars per 1.5 grams. I pulled over a few blocks from the casino, scanning the area for anything unexpected. By that, I meant the police. This place was notorious for drug dealing, thanks to its location by the famous casino. Politicians, celebrities, and the elite stopped here, not just for high-stakes games but also for a quick fix. Allesio was one of the biggest dealers in town. I was just the messenger. The deal was to dress decently—not enough to raise suspicion, but just enough to blend in while standing out slightly. With tight security and police dogs patrolling the area, the risk was high. I hoppe
Chapter 82: Just some guy > I signed before lowering my hands. Viktor smiled, slipping his phone back into his pocket. “She thinks she’s unlucky. Says I’m too overbearing.” > I teased, raising an eyebrow. "Hey!" He placed a hand on his chest, feigning offense. "I’m just helpful. It’s not my fault people don’t know how to take care of themselves." I rolled my eyes and turned away, stepping toward the main street. The town was quieter now, with most businesses closed for the evening. A few groups of people wandered around, probably visitors in town for tomorrow’s hockey game. Viktor easily fell into step beside me. “Are you walking home alone?” I nodded. "I’ll walk with you," he said casually, shoving his hands into his pockets. > "I know." His voice was light, but his steps remained firm. "But I want to." I didn’t argue. It had been a long day, and honestly, I di
Chapter 81: Gorgeous It was a little hotter than expected in the middle of January. The café was getting fewer and fewer customers during this time. People in Velmont didn’t drink much coffee in winter since snow rarely fell in town. The last time it snowed was at my sixth birthday party. I only remembered because Mama had kept the photos at home. I had clocked out of my shift earlier that day. It had taken a lot of convincing to get both Gavin and my aunt to let me work. The head chef, Sasha, was at the grill, her face red from the heat. She was also washing dishes in the back, her movements sharp with frustration. Then Michael stepped in. He stood by the threshold of the double doors, scanning the room like a hawk. "You, with the ugly hairband." I froze, pointing at my nose in question. "Yes, you," he clarified. Self-conscious, I touched the hairband resting atop my head. My mother had given it to me. It was beige and outdated, but I loved it.
Chapter 80: I pity her Gavin Hawkins’ POV I would like to say everything was going according to my plan. But it wasn’t. Lyric was never meant to be part of my life, and it would take me a year to realize it. Because if something wasn’t yours, it would hurt you until you realized it. --- I pulled my Jeep into the driveway of Alessio’s house, gripping my keys tightly as I made my way to the door. Lyric and her aunt were safer in my house than they were anywhere in Velmont, but that didn’t mean Alessio couldn’t still harm them. I wasn’t going to let that happen. Running a hand through my hair, I tried to ignore the weight of the steel tucked into my jeans. I pressed the doorbell. A sharp voice erupted from the speaker beside the gate. "Who is it?" "Gavin Hawkins. I'm here to see your boss, Alessio," I spoke into the intercom. The response was immediate and laced with hostility. "My boss says he doesn’t know a Gavin Hawkins. Leave be