Chapter Four
MADDIE
Tomorrow, I officially turn twenty-one, and it’s about time. But when the clock strikes midnight, nothing will really change. I’ll always be the youngest in my family, so it’s not like everyone will magically treat me like an adult.
After rehearsal, Sophie picks me up, and we go home where she cooks dinner. Once we eat, I start studying because I have a few tests next week, and I’m trying not to cram so much this semester. The thought makes me laugh because I know it won’t last long.
It’s past seven, and I’m busy with my nose in my geology book learning about the different compositions of rocks when Liam walks through the front door, laughing on his phone and being rowdy.
I try to ignore him, but it’s nearly impossible when he’s dressed so nicely in a sleek black polo shirt and dark washed jeans.
He shoves his phone into his pocket, plops on the couch next to me, and flicks on the TV.
“Rude!” I scold, the noise distracting me. “I’m trying to study here.”
“Then go to your room. This is the community living space where we watch TV and hang out,” he explains as if I’m stupid, and I swear he’s just trying to get me worked up.
I just need to get through this last chapter without my eyes rolling in the back of my head from boredom, but it will be nearly impossible with him being so close. Combine that with the loud volume, and I’m doomed. I slam my book shut and glare at him before packing up my shit. “Fine.”
As I make my way down the hallway, I hear Liam yell from the sofa.
“I’m kidding,” he says. “Come back. I’ll turn it off.”
I smirk, before turning around and going back to the living room where his feet are propped up on the coffee table.
“Are you excited about your party?” he asks as I sit back down.
Lennon and Sophie planned a birthday bash tomorrow night for me. “Yeah, but I don’t think I want to wait until then to start celebrating, considering I technically turn twenty-one in four and a half hours.”
Liam glances at me and shakes his head. “I’m not giving you booze now, so don’t even ask.”
“Oh, I don’t need you, Hulk. I can Uber to the bar and order it myself at midnight.” I shrug as if I don’t care either way. I somehow finish the chapter about Earth’s geological subsystems and close my book as he plays on his phone. “Guess I better get dressed.”
“Absolutely not,” he snaps.
“We’ll see,” I tell him, pulling my phone from my pocket and checking the time before packing all my books into my backpack.
“You have school tomorrow,” he says as if that’ll make me change my mind.
“And I’ll skip.” I shrug and stand, but he doesn’t even crack a smile. “Oh come on, don’t tell me you’ve never missed class because you’d be lying. I know better.”
There’s nothing he can say, and he knows it. “I’ll tell your sisters.”
This has me giggling. “They don’t control me.” I take a few steps forward and lean over until my face is close to his. “And neither do you, Dad.”
He swallows hard as I pull away and walk to my bedroom. I grab clothes, head upstairs, and take a shower. After I put on some makeup, I change into a pair of black leather pants and a crop top. Once I’m ready, I make my way downstairs where Liam is still sits on the couch.
When my foot hits the bottom step, his eyes scan up and down my body before he stands and stalks toward me. “You’re not going out like that alone. It’s way too dangerous.”
My eyes meet his. “If you’re so concerned about my well-being, then join me. However, I’m going with or without you, so the decision is yours, Hulk.”
I walk away, shaking my hips since he’s watching me. Once inside my room, I lean against the wooden door, trying to calm my erratically beating heart. He’s always had that effect on me. While I don’t want to go alone, I will, but I have a feeling he’s coming.
Before scheduling an Uber, I grab my driver’s license and cash, then tuck them into my back pocket. Just as I’m opening the app, a knock echoes.
“Mads.” I hear from the other side.
“Come in.”
Liam enters. “I’m taking you out.”
A sly smile slides across my lips. “Like a date?”
He shakes his head, rolling his eyes. “Call it whatever you want, but you’re not going alone.”
I loop my arm in his. “Thanks, Hulk. We’re gonna have fun! I’ve always wanted my own personal bodyguard.”
This is another chance to break through his hard shell, and I almost feel bad for baiting him.
If Liam didn’t care about me as anything more than just a friend, he wouldn’t give two shits if I went solo.
This just proves he does and is holding back, for whatever reason, and I’m determined to figure out why.
Liam drives us across town to the bar where he used to work as a bouncer in college, and we get in without being ID’d.
Every guy we walk past takes a second glance at me, and while I love all the attention, I enjoy the glares Liam throws at them more.
It’s as if I’m his, and he’s telling the whole place to back the fuck off, which I’m totally okay with.
Liam goes straight to the bar and orders a beer but refuses to buy me a drink until midnight, so I take him by the hand and lead him to the dance floor. He’s stiff as a board as I move around him, which makes me laugh.
“Loosen up,” I say, placing his rough hands on my hips, but that only causes him to tense more.
“I’m not used to dancing with a professional,” he teases when he accidentally steps on my toes. I think he’s actually nervous, which I find absolutely adorable. He had no problem keeping up with me when we first met, but that’s one night we can’t relive.
The next song is a fast beat remix, and I take the opportunity to get even closer to him, rubbing my ass against him.
When I feel his grip tighten on my hips, I turn around and face him.
His eyes are full of fire and lust, and it only encourages me to keep going.
We dance for nearly an hour before he mutters a single word.
“Mads,” he whispers as the song ends, and I wrap my arms around his neck. Our bodies press together, and I can feel how hard he is. “I think I need another drink.”
“What time is it?” I ask, smiling as I continue moving my body.
Without responding, he grabs my hand and leads me through the crowd.
Liam and I make our way to the bar, and while he’s placing his order, a guy comes and stands on the other side of me.
He starts flirting, then asks if I want to dance.
Considering I can’t drink yet, and he’s cute as hell, I tell Liam I’ll be back.
“What’s your name, baby?” he asks confidently, placing his hands on my hips.
“Maddie. What about yours?” We sway together in rhythm, and I can see Liam’s gaze burning into me.
“Sam,” he says.
The song ends and another starts, and after a minute, Sam has the audacity to grab a handful of my ass. Five seconds later, Liam is by my side, pulling me away.
“What the hell, man?” Sam snaps.
“You’ve gotten your fucking fill,” Liam snarls, leading me to the bar with a scowl on his face.
“I had it under control,” I tell him, annoyed he’s treating me like a kid. “How do you know I didn’t want to go home with him?” I cross my arms, pinning him in place with my annoyance.
Liam grimaces. “Is that what you really want? Some random dickhead at a bar?”
I sit next to him, thinking about his question, and check the time. I have ten minutes before I can legally order alcohol.
“Do you wanna know what I really want, Liam?” My mood turns serious, but he started it.
He chugs the rest of his beer and sets it down. “I’m afraid to ask.”
I study his face and peer into his blue eyes. Nervously, he runs his fingers through his messy hair.
At that moment, I decide to forget about all the boundaries and tell him the truth. “I want you, Liam.”
Sucking in a deep breath, he looks away before meeting my eyes again. He leans in close so our conversation is more private, though no one is paying attention to us.
“I can’t take your virginity,” he simply says, driving a knife through my heart.
“Why not? You’ll fuck any other woman who flaunts themselves around you. Half the time, you don’t remember their name. But here I am, willing and able, and I’m off-limits. Sounds like bullshit to me.”
“Sophie and Lennon are like my sisters, and that’s damn special to me, Maddie.
My friends are my family. Something I don’t really have outside my circle.
You need to wait until you fall in love with someone who feels the same way about you.
Trust me when I say I’m not that guy. I can’t be.
” There’s nothing harsh about his tone, and he sounds sincere, which only makes it hurt more.
“We both know love doesn’t matter. Most of my friends who’ve built it up to be something so amazing were let down and left heartbroken. I bet you’re scared of falling in love with me and being the one who gets hurt.”
A laugh escapes him. “That’s not a bet I’m taking. But hey, look what time it is.”
Liam turns his phone around, and I have one minute until it’s my birthday. The bartender comes over, and I smirk when Liam orders a hurricane for me, explaining it’s my birthday and to make it good.
“It’s fruity, so you’ll like it. And it will probably only take one before you feel it,” he says. A moment later, I’m being handed a red and orange ombre-colored drink with a pineapple slice and a cherry on a cocktail stick. I take a sip, and my eyes widen at how sweet it tastes but also strong.
“Oh my God. This is delicious,” I tell him, beaming.
“Which means it’s dangerous as fuck, so pace yourself,” he demands. It takes me all of five minutes before the liquid is gone.
“You good?” he asks suspiciously when I can’t stop smiling.
I stand and tell him I want a shot.
Liam tilts his head. “You sure about that? You’re gonna feel like shit tomorrow if you drink too much.”
Narrowing my eyes at him, I smirk. “I’ll order it myself, then.”
I wave over a female bartender. “I’d like a screaming orgasm.”