Page 130 of The Bitter Words

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.”

“Time is a fascinating concept when you really think about it.”

I tuck my phone back in my purse and try to forget Callum’s declaration. It hurts too much to say goodbye forever.

I turn my focus to Jax. “Tell me your thoughts about that idea.”

“You really want to know?”

“I do.”

“There’s only now. As you said, some people live in the past, some in the future. When do you see a person really living in the moment?”

“I don’t know.” I consider the question.

Do I live in the present?

Not always. Usually, I’m remembering something that happened or envisioning a better way to approach my plans to build an amazing brand.

He shrugs. “We can’t control either, so why try?”

“Because we all have goals and dreams we want to accomplish. And nobody wants to repeat past mistakes.”

“You make a good point.”

I glance at a TV projection that has the New York feed of the New Year’s Eve bash playing. “Hold on, Jax. My brother’s band is on and I want to see their performance.”

Jax turns his head and peers at the screen. The scene shows Mayhem on the stage just finishing their set. The house DJ is loud, but the TVs are running the broadcast with captions, so I can still figure out what’s going on.

The host brings Callum to his side and says something. I read the scrolling text on the lower part of the TV.

The presenter says, “Well, Cash, why did you pick to do a cover of ‘Tainted Love’ for your opening song for New Year’s Eve?”

“An ex-girlfriend suggested it once and I didn’t wanna do it then. Circumstances have changed, so I thought it was a great way to bring in the New Year.”

“Interesting.”

Callum’s glossed-over eyes twinkle into the camera. “For all those out there who have been destroyed by heartbreak, let that tainted love go and burn it down with yesteryear.”

“Do we know who this ex of yours is?” the host asks.

“We kick off our worldwide tour tonight.” Callum pats the guy on the back and bypasses the question. “Be sure to download our new album,Dead Lilies, and get your tickets to one of our shows. Time to bring on some epic Mayhem!”

Dead Lilies… Wow. That’s extremely pointed, and my eyes begin to sting.

The innuendo is cruel. I can’t believe my brother agreed to name their album something so obviously intended to causeme pain. On top of that, he asked me to watch them play tonight.

Did he do it to tell me something? Is he on Callum’s side?