Chapter 13
Liam’s Arms
Falling Asleep against Liam’s chest
Liam’s Gym
Secret Kisses in the Locker Room
Chapstick that Hydrates
Sunless Tanning Lotion
Liam’s arms tightened around me as his phone rang.
Or was that my phone?
Someone’s phone was ringing…and it was loud.
“Liam.” My voice came out raspy and a little scratchy. Shit, how loud had I yelled last night?
His grip only intensified as he let out a low groan.
“Liam, someone is calling you.”
With a low curse, he let me go and turned over. Then I heard him clear his throat.
“Hello?”
“Where are you?” I could hear through the phone because the person on the other end was so loud.
Liam sat up swiftly and cleared his throat again.
“Shit, I overslept.”
I couldn’t hear the rest because Liam had moved away from me, but I had a feeling it was Colson on the phone.
“Yeah, I’ll be there in a few.”
I moved to sit up, realizing we’d fallen asleep after sex last night. My thighs were sticky, my breath was horrendous, and my hair was probably a rat’s nest.
“I have to go grab the girls,” Liam said, gripping the edge of the bed.
I stared at the outline of his back as light from the shades filtered in enough light to see by.
“Okay, do you still want to meet at the gym later?”
He turned, giving me a sly smile.
“You still want to meet after it opens?”
My core heated instantly, remembering how good he felt last night.
How different it was from the other two times I had sex.
Liam knew exactly what he was doing. He didn’t fumble or ask me what I wanted.
He told me, and it was so liberating. Sexy.
I wanted that again, but I also really did want to learn self-defense.
“Yes, apparently we need accountability.”
Liam scoffed and then reached for my ankle, dragging me closer to him.
“The only thing we need is more time like this, alone. I was hoping I’d be up in time for another round with you.”
Me too.
With his arms around me, it was easy to fall into a sense of peace and security. Liam’s arms felt like a band of steel, like the strongest force on earth that would protect me from anything.
“You know I’m not ashamed of this—of us, right?” he asked, kissing my temple.
I nodded, facing the wall, my back against his chest.
“But I think…” He hesitated, but I was already there. I knew and completely agreed with him.
“We should keep it private, get used to it.”
He hummed his agreement. “Just for the girls, and your brother…might be easier.”
I hated the way those words made me feel, even if I agreed with them.
“Yeah, I think so too.”
He let me go, and I moved to sit up.
“But every time we’re alone, you’re mine.”
My gut tightened, both loving and hating his words. A part of me wondered if this was how my mother had felt when she became my father’s dirty little secret. If she lived for the moments when he’d shed his family and became a different person, making her promises in the dark.
I tried to shake the feeling and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.
Liam kissed me one more time after he dressed then hurried out through the back door, watching carefully to make sure he wasn’t seen as he walked down the block to get his truck.
After he left, I took my time cleaning myself up and dressing.
The gym didn’t open for another hour, which would give me time to get coffee and maybe some breakfast from the cute coffee shop across town. I pulled on my coat and my boots, opened the front door, then stopped in my tracks.
Oh crap.
My car was still in McGrady’s parking lot.
Right as I was about to shut the door, my brother Colson walked out of his house and peered over at me.
“Missing something, sis?”
My face heated, but thankfully he couldn’t see that from here.
I called over to him. “Drank a little too much last night, had someone drop me.”
My brother started his truck then shut the door and rounded his hood. I shut the door behind me and walked down the porch steps.
“Well, if you’re ready, I can give you a ride.”
Shit. As much as I wanted to get to know Colson, and have a relationship, this morning was not one of those times I wanted to spend with him.
“Uh…I could wait for Nora if she’s heading out later?”
Colson was right in front of the steps now, his eyes bouncing around my frame like he was looking for any clue of something out of place.
“She’s taking the day to come up with design plans here at home. This weekend we’re planning to move her completely out of her house and into mine. If you’re around, maybe you could help?”
I nodded. “Yeah, of course.”
Turning back toward his truck, he waved me toward it. “You look like you’re ready to go, you have your keys?”
“Yeah.”
He got into his truck, and I crawled in next to him.
“So, you went to McGrady’s last night?” Colson asked, reversing out of his drive and heading down the street.
I tugged on the end of my ponytail and shrugged. “Yeah, for a little bit.”
“Seems random for a Wednesday night.” He peered over his shoulder then focused back on the road. Outside, there was an entire group of people in track suits, walking around the town square. They had on big puffy vests and thick ear warmers around their head.
“I was invited by Jeffery. We went as friends.”
Colson turned his head, giving me a surprised expression. “Really? You and Akers, huh?”
I kept my gaze out on the town, noticing how much snow had melted, revealing yellow grass and asphalt. I had just assumed no one knew how to park here, but maybe it was that all the parking lots were covered by ice.
“We’re just friends.” At least I thought we were.
I had no idea if he even wanted to talk to me again after last night.
I honestly had planned on standing my ground against Liam last night, staying with Jeffery at least until Liam left, but then he said that little thing about his warning against Liam and I snapped.
Colson didn’t respond, just kept his gaze straight.
Finally, we pulled into the parking lot, where my lone car was parked, frost-coated the windows.
“Maybe Jeffery could come help move this weekend,” Colson suddenly said, shoving his parking gear up and letting the truck idle.
I reached for my buckle, acting nonchalant. “Maybe. But if you have me, Rae and Davis, plus Liam. Doesn’t that seem like a lot?”
Colson’s expression didn’t change as he watched me, other than his finger tapping his knee.
“Wasn’t planning on asking Liam, unless you can watch the girls while he helps, but Nora asked if you wanted to be a part of the weekend since we’ll do lunch and hang out.
I think we were planning on not having the girls underfoot, so we didn’t have to worry about them getting hurt as we moved stuff around. ”
“I’m good with whatever you guys decide. I haven’t talked to Liam yet about whether he needs help with the girls or not, so I can just let you know.”
My brother nodded, tapping away at his leg.
“You and Liam getting along?”
I nodded, giving him a smile. “Yeah, he apologized for being a bit of jerk in the start. I like being around the girls a lot.”
“Yeah, they’re great,” he agreed, still tapping on his knee.
I wanted to tell him to come right out and say whatever was on his mind, but I had a feeling I already knew. He was making assumptions about Liam and me. He’d already warned me, and apparently warned Liam last night. If I mentioned it right now, it would just confirm his suspicions.
“You talk to dad recently?” I decided to change the conversation, even if it meant we changed it to something unpleasant.
My brother’s face transformed from open and agreeable to closed off and shut down.
“No, not since all the shit went down with Nora.”
I understood why. I hadn’t either, but I had heard through Blaire that they’d moved out.
“The house is empty, according to Blaire.”
Colson’s eyes expanded. “Vacation?”
I shook my head. “Trouble with taxes. I think they’re hiding.”
“They didn’t sell the house?”
I understood the hopeful tone he expressed, because that house meant so much to him. To his mother.
“Not that I know of. Have you talked to our brothers?”
Cole let out a sigh, shaking his head.
“Yeah, me either.” I looked outside, seeing across the street the gas station bustling with people.
“Life has been crazy…I’m just trying to get this Community Center open and Nora moved over. Then I assumed we’d figure it out.”
I grabbed the handle of the door and pulled it.
“Well, I’ll keep you posted on anything I hear…thank you for the ride.”
“No problem, and Haley?”
I waited, ass half on the seat, watching his blond hair shift as he dipped his head.
“This thing with Liam and the girls…just remember that you have your whole life in front of you. He’ll get along fine without you.”
I gave him a smile in response, but his words were as effective as a butterfly knife being shoved into my chest.
Exiting his truck, I walked around with my heart barely intact.
Once my car started, he finally drove off and I sagged into my seat.
Liam would get along fine without me. He had before I got here, and he would after me.
My being here didn’t make or break their life; they would just keep on living it once I moved on.
But me?
I already knew Liam and the girls would be an imprint on my soul that I’d carry for my entire life. Whether they wanted me a part of their lives or not, they’d be a part of mine.
I walked into the gym feeling relieved. When Liam put me on the bag and gave me a few drills, it felt so nice to release the pent-up energy in my system. I was hoping he’d allow me the same opportunity today.
I wore a different pair of leggings today with a scoop-necked tank and my hair up in a high ponytail. I kept my snow boots off this time and traded my coat for an oversized, zip-up hoodie. By the time I pushed through the door, the overhead speakers were blaring Three Days Grace.