He Lets Me Go—Or Does He?

I was still standing too close.

Still breathing him in.

Still burning from the way, he had kissed me—like I was something he wasn't willing to lose again.

But I had to leave.

I had to.

So, I forced myself to step back.

One inch at a time.

One breath at a time.

Because if I didn't—

I knew I'd be lost all over again.

"I have to go," I whispered.

Ethan didn't move.

Didn't try to stop me.

And that?

That should have made this easier.

But it didn't.

Because I could see it.

The way he was calculating.

Like he was letting me leave because he knew I'd come back.

Like he knew something I didn't.

I reached for the door.

My fingers barely grazed the handle before he spoke.

"You think this is over?"

My breath caught.

I didn't turn around.

Didn't trust myself to.

Because if I did?

I wouldn't leave.

I knew I wouldn't.

"I don't know what this is," I admitted.

Ethan let out a quiet laugh.

"That makes two of us."

I closed my eyes, gripping the handle tighter.

Then—

I walked out.

The cold hit me first.

Sharp. Biting.

Like a punishment for walking away.

I exhaled, watching my breath curl in the night air.

I was free.

Finally free.

Then why did it feel like I had left a piece of myself behind?

Like he had let me walk away—but not really?

Like he was still pulling the strings?

I shook the thought away.

I had to keep moving.

Had to put distance between us before I did something stupid.

Like turning around.

Like running right back to him.

I didn't get far.

Maybe ten minutes down the street.

Maybe five.

Before my phone rang.

I knew who it was before I even looked.

But I looked anyway.

Jax.

I sucked in a sharp breath.

Because Jax?

He was expecting something.

Expecting a win.

Expecting me to come back with something he could use against Ethan.

And instead?

I had nothing.

No leverage.

No plan.

Just the memory of Ethan's mouth on mine and the horrifying realization that I didn't regret it.

Not even a little.

I let the phone ring.

Didn't answer.

Because I wasn't ready for whatever came next.

A second later, a text.

Jax: You're late.

Another buzz.

Jax: Don't make me come find you, sweetheart.

I swallowed hard.

Because I knew what that meant.

Jax was watching.

Waiting.

And if I didn't show up soon?

He'd make sure I regretted it.

I clenched my jaw.

I had already made one mistake tonight.

I couldn't afford another.

So, I turned down the street.

And I went to meet the devil.

Jax was waiting at the bar, legs stretched out, drink in hand.

Like he had all the time in the world.

Like he already knew how this would end.

His smirk widened when he saw me.

"There she is."

I sat down without a word.

He watched me, eyes glinting.

Then—

"You failed, didn't you?"

My pulse skidded.

"I didn't—"

Jax let out a quiet chuckle.

"Don't lie to me, sweetheart."

He leaned in, voice dropping lower.

"You went in there thinking you could play him."

His smirk faded.

"But Ethan Carter doesn't lose."

I swallowed hard.

Because Jax?

He wasn't wrong.

Not this time.

Jax exhaled, leaning back.

"All right."

I frowned. "What?"

He took a sip of his drink, then shrugged.

"You want another shot at him?"

My stomach tightened.

"What are you saying?"

Jax grinned.

"I'm saying, Liv, that you're not done."

His voice was smooth.

Deadly.

"You're gonna go back."

I shook my head.

"No."

Jax's smirk didn't fade.

"Then you tell me—what happens next? You think he's just going to let you walk?"

His eyes flickered, something dark settling into them.

"No, sweetheart. Ethan's not done with you."

His smirk sharpened.

"And I'm not either."

I swallowed hard.

I should have seen this coming.

Should have known Jax wouldn't just let me back out.

But what scared me the most?

He was right.

Ethan wasn't going to let me go.

Not really.

And now?

Neither was Jax.

I was stuck between them.

Between two men who didn't believe in losing.

And I?

I was the one thing neither of them was willing to give up.

Jax leaned closer, voice almost gentle.

"You have two choices, Liv."

His fingers tapped against the glass.

"You go back to Ethan."

His smirk returned.

"Or?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Jax tilted his head.

"Or I make sure you don't have a choice."

My blood ran cold.

Because that?

That wasn't an empty threat.

That was a promise.

And suddenly, I realized—

I wasn't walking away from either of them.

Not anymore.

Ethan let Liv leave—but did he really?

Jax makes it clear—she's either with him, or he'll force her hand.

Liv is officially trapped between two men who don't lose.

Can Liv outplay both of them before it's too late?