Chapter 34
“Demi, I can walk you out to your car,” Tom offers as I’m fishing my phone from my bag.
“Oh, no, thank you, Tom. I actually saw some friends so I’m going to sit with them for a few minutes before leaving. Have a good night.”
He nods, and I head toward the ladies’ room.
It was a pleasant surprise seeing Liam’s friends earlier. Chase Hunt’s girlfriend, Summer, is one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. She started talking to me immediately, and I just hope I wasn’t awkward as hell at first just watching the three of them interact.
I found myself staring at Summer. Intrigued by her.
She’s beautiful, but she looks like the woman Brandon cheated on me with, and I hate that’s the first place my mind went.
I’d never been in the same room as that woman, but in looking at Summer they share a lot of the same physical features.
Though, I feel confident Summer isn’t a homewrecker.
Her long blonde hair, blue eyes, the curves that hit in the right places. I felt myself staring, and I just hope like hell she didn’t notice, because it isn’t Summer who deserves my look of disdain.
I head to where they said they were sitting and I spot the three of them at a high-top table in the bar area.
Abby’s in a black and white detail top with jeans, and Mia’s wearing the cutest light blue dress with a pair of sandals.
Summer’s back is to me and her blonde hair flows down her shoulders, and I admire the black outfit she has on.
They did say to come find them when I was through, but I still feel a tad nervous approaching these women I’ve really only interacted with a handful of times.
But they’re Liam’s friends, practically his sisters with the way he describes their relationship.
And that nugget of knowledge alone eases my body a little.
“Hi,” I say, coming up to the empty chair.
“Hey, oh my god, have a seat.” Summer smiles.
“I’m so glad you came over,” Abby says, beaming at me as she hands me a menu. “I know you probably already ate, but if you want to browse the drinks.”
“We know you don’t drink alcohol, though,” Mia rushes out.
“Right, yes. I meant, you know, something else,” Abby adds.
I chuckle as I take a seat. The bar area is much louder than the lounge where I was previously sitting with my colleagues.
The TVs are on and it looks like preseason hockey is on most of the screens.
It looks like Phoenix is playing, and I linger for a second on the screen.
Bri and I went to a couple Phoenix hockey games when we were young. The brief memory makes me smile.
“It’s fine. I’ll grab some water for now.”
The waitress pops over and the girls order some appetizers along with more drinks, and I put in my order for the water.
When I first decided to stop drinking alcohol, I used to feel embarrassed when I’d be out with people.
I don’t mind that people ask questions about why I don’t drink, but it’s when they would talk down about it.
I’ve dealt with that a handful of times, and I’ve since learned to be more direct in my response.
Thankfully there isn’t even a question about it tonight.
“So, you moved in next to Liam. I can’t believe he didn’t tell us!” Mia takes a sip of a Shirley Temple.
“I may have mentioned it to the girls,” Abby says, hunching her shoulders in her seat.
I smile. “It’s fine. Actually, I’m surprised he didn’t say anything. I mean, it isn’t groundbreaking news but…”
“But he’s obsessed with you so something like that is obviously eating him alive not being able to scream about it,” Summer interjects as she dips a tortilla chip into the queso.
“He’s a very good neighbor,” I admit.
All three of them exchange looks, and it’s painfully obvious they’re trying to hold back smiles as Mia pulls her lips together, Abby’s nearly biting a hole in her cheek, and Summer’s hand is strategically placed over her mouth.
Sitting with the three of them makes me want to open up. Not anything crazy, but having girls to talk to about things again would probably be fun and I’d bet slightly therapeutic. I’ve never had more than quick conversations with them, but they feel so easy to be around.
“What?” I finally ask, tilting my head as I sip my water.
“Have you guys hung out or anything since you live so close?” Summer is the one to ask and even with just the little bit I know about the group, that feels on brand.
It’d be easy to say yes. Easy to just give them some tiny details because truthfully I’m dying to talk to someone about this.
“We’ve hung out…” I pause. “Yes.” I smile down at the table, feeling their eyes on me.
“Liam’s a really great guy,” Mia says. Her eyes are soft and sincere as she smiles at me. “I know he gets kind of a bad rep sometimes because he can be wild and a little over the top. But he’s Luke’s godfather for a reason.”
I didn’t know Liam is godfather to one of her sons, and that small piece of information is enough to make me smile.
“Yeah, she’s right,” Abby adds. “For us, I think he’s like that brother who really knows how to push our buttons. Right?” She shrugs her shoulders toward Mia. “He’s like a sour patch kid with us.”
The girls both chuckle, and I look at Summer who isn’t laughing, but she does smile at me.
“He’s one of the good ones. I know you didn’t ask, and I have no knowledge of your personal life or your current intentions. Wow, I feel weird wording it that way.” She blinks, holding her glass in her hand. “But I just really want him to be happy.”
I’ve interviewed men about Liam as a football player many times.
I’ve talked to coaches, owners, other reporters, and even event organizers.
Every last one of them saying exceptional things about the person Liam is.
All those people had a professional and vested interest in him.
But words from the three women at this table with me mean more than any of it.
They’re in his personal life. They know him on a level most people don’t. Their lives are intertwined in more than just football, and I suddenly feel such an urge to talk to him.
Wanting Liam in the way I’ve grown to has been catching me by surprise. Sure, he’s good company and I’m so comfortable being around him, but it’s growing into something of a craving. And I have this thing about cravings.
My time with the girls goes by quickly, and I don’t let too many more details about my time with Liam slip, aside from the fact that we’ve been working on the same puzzle for weeks even though I’m absolutely certain he could finish it in an hour without me.
I like your friends.
Hotshot Quarterback
I like you.
His reply makes me blush as I read it walking through the lobby of our apartment building. It’s almost ten o’clock at night and I honestly don’t know the last time I was out this late if I wasn’t working. I’m sleepy, but I really needed that.
Another notification dings when I’m heading into the elevator, and I smile at the message. Summer and I exchanged phone numbers before I left.
Summer Kincaid has added you to GIRLS ONLY chat.
Summer Kincaid
Hey Demi! We loved hanging out tonight, hope to do it again soon.
also, if Liam’s ever annoying you this is where we lovingly vent about the guys so feel free to chime in at any time haha
I laugh at her second message, double clicking to add a heart to the first. I feel like I just made friends in the last two hours. Actual friends—and it makes my heart so happy.