Chapter Six #2
I make a big show of rolling my eyes, but she ignores me, and I try to ignore him.
Things between Liam and me have been weird and rocky over the past few years, to say the least. One minute, we’re just friends, and the next, he’s kissing me on my twenty-first birthday.
Of course, we don’t discuss it. That’d require emotions and sharing feelings, and Liam doesn’t do either.
But it’s a kiss I can’t stop thinking about, and I wonder if he ever does.
Sophie drives like she’s on a racetrack, and we arrive at the hospital just as Lennon starts pushing.
Liam and I sit next to each other in the waiting room while Sophie goes into the delivery room with Hunter.
I witnessed Alison popping out, and that was enough to traumatize me for life.
Watching that was the only birth control I’ll ever need.
I’ll gladly go in as soon as the baby boy is here.
“So why’d you come anyway?” I ask as he scrolls on his phone. “Didn’t think babies were your thing?”
“My thing?” he muses. “Their first kid is pretty cool. This one will be too.”
“Alison,” I correct. “And since when do you like children?”
He finally looks over at me, a smirk painted on his lips. “Well, you were seventeen when I met you so…a few years, I guess.”
I scowl, confused and annoyed by his odd comment. “That’s ridiculous! I was almost eighteen, thank you very much.”
Wait. Did he say he liked me? I’m not sure how to take his little statement.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Adult child,” he corrects.
I jab my elbow in his ribs, and he yelps. “You’re the only adult child in this room.”
“You excited to be an aunt again?” He abruptly changes the subject, giving me whiplash.
“Of course. Waiting for Sophie’s announcement soon,” I say, chuckling.
“My money’s on a honeymoon baby. Hundred bucks she’s knocked up by Christmas.”
“That’s a nine-month window.” I cross my arms and legs. “I’m not making that bet.”
“Chicken,” he quips.
“Asshole.”
Another hour passes and Sophie finally comes out with a big smile on her face. “He’s here! Come on, Mads. Lennon wants you to meet him.”
“Is he cleaned up?” I stand, walking toward her.
She rolls her eyes and grabs my elbow. “Stop being a coward. He’s adorable either way.”
Giggling, I follow her while Liam waits. As soon as I see Lennon and Hunter, I beam and rush over.
“Oh my gosh, he’s so cute!” I say softly, leaning down and rubbing his little cheek. “You did good, sis.”
“Excuse me?” Hunter interrupts. “I participated too.”
I turn and give him a bemused smile, then pat his cheek. “Well done, Daddy. Your sperm contribution helped create an adorable baby.”
“Babe, I think she was talking about the giving-birth part,” Lennon tells him as I take pictures of her cradling the baby and Hunter standing next to her.
“Well, she did nearly squeeze off my hand,” Hunter complains, then smiles at Lennon. “Which is nothing compared to your pain, I’m sure.”
Lennon shakes her head at him, making me laugh.
“So does this little guy have a name?” I ask as Sophie stands on the other side, admiring our nephew.
“Sure does,” Hunter says proudly. “Aaron Christopher.”
“Oh, I love that,” Sophie says. “Dad’s gonna appreciate you keeping his name in the family.”
“Me too. How’d you think of Aaron?” I ask.
Lennon groans, sighing deeply. “Well, since I named Alison after my favorite singer, I told him he could choose this baby’s name. So…he picked it after his favorite quarterback.”
“You named my nephew after a football player?” I gasp.
“Damn straight! Aaron Rodgers.”
“Oh, I like him,” Sophie says. “He’s a hottie.”
“It wasn’t because of his looks,” Hunter replies. “But if my kid loves football as much as I do, then he’ll appreciate his namesake. If not, we’ll never tell him.”
Lennon chuckles. “Regardless, I think it suits him.” She glances at Aaron and smiles.
“I do too,” I say. “Can I hold him now?”
Lennon is brought to her recovery room shortly after I hold him, and Hunter invites Liam to meet the newest member of their boys’ club. Mason arrives after work, and soon, the six of us are gazing in awe at the new baby.
“Is Sophie still bringing Alison up tonight?” I ask before leaving. “I want to take more pictures but with the four of you.”
“No, but Mrs. Locke’s bringing her first thing tomorrow morning after their sleepover. I can’t wait to see her reaction,” Lennon says.
I look over at Liam and bite my lip. “Maybe if I can hitch a ride, I can skip my morning class and be here to visit.”
“Hitch a ride, huh?” Lennon arches a brow.
“If my very nice roommate would help me out…” I linger, waiting for Liam’s reaction. “Roomie?” I stick out my lower lip, pleading with my eyes.
“Your begging skills are pathetic,” he retorts, and I fantasize about being in front of him on my knees. I try to push the thoughts away.
“You really want to talk about begging right now?” I narrow my eyes at him, wondering if he’ll call my bluff or not. The night of my birthday, I nearly begged him to kiss me, and it’s all it took for him to finally break.
His gaze finds mine, my expression unwavering. “Nope.” He stands, then shakes his head. “We’ll be here.”
I smile victoriously as Sophie and Lennon give me the same look. They don’t know our history, and I don’t plan on telling them anytime soon. They’ll most likely want to murder or lecture me and then lock me in my room forever.
Sophie drives us home, and while I’m in my room, getting my bag packed for school tomorrow, she comes in and shuts the door.
“Hey,” I say, stuffing my dance clothes and shoes inside. Then I move around the room, grabbing snacks and more school shit because I have to study tomorrow. “What’s up?”
“So I don’t know what’s going on with you and Liam, but I need to tell you something.” She takes a seat on the bed, crossing her legs.
I furrow my brows, looking over at her in confusion. “You know there’s nothing going on. He treats me like an annoying kid sister he can’t get away from.”
Sophie shrugs, pursing her lips. “Well, you two have grown closer since you’ve moved in, so I’m wondering if you’ve noticed his weird behavior over the past couple of months?”
“Liam is always weird,” I counter, shaking my bag to make everything fit. “Every time he comes back from traveling for a job, he seems a bit off, but I figured it was how he decompressed after dealing with fugitives.”
“Sometimes, I guess…but I’ve lived here for a while, and his work never seemed to affect him other than being tired.
Recently, he’s been more moody and snappy.
The other day, Mason and I were kissing in the kitchen, and he stalked in.
Normally, he’d tease us, but he whipped open the fridge door, and it slammed into me.
I pushed it closed and glared at him, and he looked like he wanted to murder me. ”
“Well, I give you that same look anytime I catch you and Mason making out.” I chuckle.
“Mads. This was different, and it’s just one example. He apologized the next day, but it was like he was a different person—edgy and angry. Not the Liam I’ve known for years.”
“Maybe Mason should talk to him since they’re close.
Liam could be going through something personal and just hasn’t mentioned it, but he might tell Mason,” I suggest. “You didn’t talk to us when you were going through all that shit with Weston, so maybe Liam is shutting down, and we need to figure out what it is. ”
“I found something in his jeans five months ago when I was helping with his laundry. It was a casino receipt and a chip from Vegas. It was for a lot of money…”
“How much?”
“Sixteen grand.”
My eyes widen. “Wow. So you think he’s gambling?”
She shrugs. “I’m not sure if it was a one-time thing or not, but it could be why his moods change so rapidly.
When he’s ahead and winning money, he’s on a high, but when he loses, he’s angry and pissed.
I don’t know if that’s really what’s going on, but I have my suspicions.
He’s been traveling a lot more and says it’s for work, but I kinda wonder if he’s really going to Vegas instead. ”
I chew on my lower lip, shocked to hear this revelation. There’s no way he’ll confess anything to me, not yet at least. “Maybe we should snoop through his stuff…”
“Don’t, Maddie. That’s an invasion of privacy.”
Rolling my eyes, I exhale. “I was joking. But I’ll keep an eye out for any signs now that I know. See if I can get him to talk about work more or something.”
“Well, if you do, please tell me. I’m worried about him.”
I squeeze her shoulder, flashing a sincere smile. “I will.”