“I’m good.” Aiden cleared his throat. “I was actually just calling to see if Liv is okay?”
“Liv?” I said stiffly. Huh? What was he talking about?
“Yeah, I tried texting her a couple of days ago, and she hasn’t responded, so I figured I would check with you.”
“She’s fine,” I said and put my finger up to my lips as I looked at Liv. “Hold one second, please,” I said quickly and pressed mute. “It’s Aiden. He said he’s tried contacting you and you haven’t answered,” I whispered to Liv and she frowned.
“Uh, no.” She shook her head. “What is he talking about? I just spoke to him this morning.”
“Oh.” I shrugged my shoulders. “So he’s lying? Should I tell him you’re here with me now?”
“Yeah.” Liv nodded. “Tell him that I’m here and that I said I spoke to him this morning.”
“Okay.” I was about to unmute, when Xander shook his head and sighed.
“Do you two have absolutely no clue?” He stood up and walked toward me. “That’s still on mute?”
“Yes.” I nodded.
“Good.” He stopped in front of me and his green eyes pierced mine. “Listen to me carefully. Do not tell Aiden that you know that he’s lying. He obviously used that as an excuse to call you. You should be thanking your lucky stars, not accusing him of lying.” He shook his head and looked back at Liv. “I have no idea where you are getting your advice from.” He turned back to look at me. “Get back on the phone and ask him something. Be nice. Be sweet. Be happy to hear from him. Don’t accuse him of lying. Don’t have an attitude. Don’t talk about kissing Scott or seducing him when you were sixteen. Stick to topics that are safe for now. Do you hear me?”
“Yes.” I nodded meekly.
“I don’t know why he’s calling you,” he said with a serious face. “Maybe he got hit in the head and actually likes you.”
“Xander!” Liv screeched.
“I’m sorry.” He laughed and looked at her. “But really, I think I got hit in the head as well.”
“Why’s that?” She frowned.
“‘Cause I’m dating you.” He grinned at her, and she just shook her head and mumbled something. “But you know I love you. That’s why I’m letting you move in with me.”
“What?” I froze and looked at Xander and then Liv’s pink face. “You’re moving in with Xander?”
“Oh, boy.” He bit his lower lip and stepped back. “You didn’t tell her?” He looked at Liv and she glared at him.
“I’m sorry, Alice. I was going to tell you. And it’s not for?—”
“We’ll talk later.” I made a face at her and then unmuted the phone. “Sorry about that,” I sang into the phone, my heart racing as I thought about Liv moving out.
“That’s okay,” Aiden said stiffly. “Where did you go?”
“I had another call,” I lied. “I just got asked out on a date.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, this guy I met last weekend. His name is Sylvester,” I said and I could see Xander rolling his eyes as if he couldn’t believe I was going down the lying road again.
“Sylvester Stallone?” Aiden asked and I laughed.
“Funny—not,” I said. “I didn’t say Rambo called me.”
“That’s good. I don’t think I can take Rambo on.”
“Oh?” My heart felt as if it were going to pop out of my chest then. What did he mean he couldn’t take Rambo on? Did that mean he liked me? Did he want to date me? My stomach was doing somersaults.
“Yeah.” He laughed. “He might not like you getting calls from guys, even if they’re just friends.”
