Chapter 38
Silas never came back to the event after he followed Liv outside. Morella and the janitor had followed them out a bit later but Rafe and I were told to stay away so we did. Liv came back in and told her parents she was leaving. She said nothing to Rafe and I, didn’t even look at us.
That’s what has brought me out to my spot in the woods. I needed some fresh air. I couldn’t think inside my house. My mind was racing. Silas didn’t answer any texts or phone calls. When Morella got home, Liv wasn’t with her like I had expected.
I make my way into the clearing and my eyes automatically find Liv’s balcony. The door is open and light is flooding out into the night. A few breaths later and someone walks out onto the balcony, but not just anyone, the guy from the party.
I feel my blood begin to boil. Not just for Silas but because of how I feel about her as well. Whoever this guy is, isn’t good enough for her. The guy doesn't spend long on the balcony, he reenters her room, leaving the door wide open.
I don’t think, my feet just start moving. Down the hill, through more trees and across the open space between Liv’s back fence and the woods.
I stand there a moment, in the darkness staring at the large wrought iron fence that towers above me.
I’m not afraid to climb it. It would be quite easy actually.
The brick pillars made it a cake walk to jump this fence.
No, the thoughts in my mind were of what I would find when I climbed up to that balcony.
Would I be able to stop myself if I saw something I didn’t like?
Hurting this guy could hurt Liv. I don’t want to hurt her, but I also won’t see her with someone other than me or Silas…
Or Rafe. I scoff at that last thought. If he ever gets his head out of his ass.
I step up onto the barrier of bricks and start climbing.
A moment later I’m landing in the plush grass on the other side of the fence.
See? Easy peasy. Now to get onto that balcony.
I quietly walk over to the patio that is just below the balcony and smile.
Once again, too easy. There’s a trellis that goes right up to Liv.
One foot on, one hand grabbing between the slats of the trellis and up I go. Within seconds I’m climbing onto the balcony. I do my best to stick to the shadows because I want information before I go barging in there like the asshole that I'm about to become.
Peeking into the room I see Liv. She’s sitting on the edge of her bed.
She’s in a silk pajama set. It’s sage green in color and the shorts have lace trim along the bottom.
The neckline plunges low, revealing way too much and my stomach clenches.
She looks stunning. But also, why is she wearing that with him in the room?
I creep to the door and rest just outside of it, she's not facing in a way that she would see me but I can see her. All of her. I can also see the guy sitting in the corner of the room in a large, plush papasan chair that is surrounded by bookshelves, lined with books. Huh, she likes to read.
I shake my head. Stay focused damnit. I watch and listen.
“So, is that a new set?” The guy in the corner motions at all of Liv with his hand. “I love it. Looks perfect on you.” He says leaning forward in the chair.
My breath starts to become ragged. This piece of shit is here to get with her.
Liv looks down and pulls at her shirt gently. “Yeah, Morella got it for me. For my birthday.”
Fuck. Her birthday. I feel guilt for a split second then the guy speaks again.
“She did a good job. It really suits you.” He says as he stands.
I shift slightly back more into the shadows. What is he doing? I’m hoping he doesn’t come out onto the balcony again. I think I’m more shocked by what he actually does.
He walks over to Liv, and…this mother fucker kneels, he kneels in front of her. My heart is pounding as he places one hand on the bed, so close to her thigh that all it would take is one, tiny movement and he would be touching her.
Fuck this. I burst into the room.
“That’s enough!” I shout.
Liv jumps and screams. The guy continues to kneel. Doesn’t even look at me, he’s just watching Liv.
“What the fuck is going on here?” I question. Finally the guy looks at me and he has a shit eating grin plastered on his face. He tilts his chin up slightly and I see challenge in his eyes.
“Archer?” Liv gasps. “What are you doing?”
“What am I doing? What are you doing?” I question her.
I look back at the guy who is still kneeling.
“Get back in your fucking chair.” I bark at him. I then take the throw at the end of Liv’s bed and toss it over her. “Cover up dammit.”
“Archer what the hell?” Liv asks again. She pushes the blanket off her so I go to stand in front of her to block her from the view of the guy who has slinked back to the chair. He slumped low, legs wide open still looking at me with that stupid smirk.
“What is he doing here?” I ask her, eyes doing their best to stay on her face and not look over her body.
“More like what are you doing here?” She asks, crossing her arms.
I can’t help but look at the movement. I swallow hard. Her breasts have been smashed together between her arms.
“Archer.” She says sternly. “What are you doing here?”
My eyes return to her face and she looks upset with me.
“I saw him on the balcony. I wanted to know what he was doing here. I still want to know.”
The guy in the corner chuckles.
“Shut up.” I bark over my shoulder.
“Good thing your parents aren’t here.” He says. “So much noise for them to hear.”
I whirl around, my hands balled into fists. “Dude, I swear to god, shut it.”
He crosses his arms and looks to Liv, smirk and all. I step in front of her again.
“Liv, what is he doing here? That’s the last time I ask before I toss him over the balcony.”
“You can put your hands on me any time buddy.” I hear him say from the corner. Of course dude is willing to fight. Just look at him.
“Archer, he lives here. Why wouldn’t he be here?” Liv responds.
My mouth falls open. “He fucking lives here?!” I shout.
“Yeah. My dad didn’t want him living in a Motel. Neither did I.” She looks about as confused as I feel.
“So you just let any guy that you like move in with you?” I ask.
“Better than ones you don’t like.” Corner guy says.
I ignore him. “Liv, I'm so confused. This guy is in your room seducing you and you seem fine with it. I thought you and Silas were into each other?” My arms are crossed at this point. I want to punch that guy so bad.
It’s Liv’s turn to look shocked. Mouth wide. The way I want to brush her lower lip with my thumb and… Damnit. No.
She starts laughing. What the fuck? Why is she laughing?
“Liv come on. I’m serious.” I shift from one foot to the other.
“Archer, I'm not his type.” She says through her giggling.
“I know flirting when I see it. Plus you’re every guy's type.” I say.
“No, I promise you. I am not his type.” She actually flops on her bed laughing.
“Nah, she’s correct. I prefer my type, taller. Muscular. Masculine.”
I turn around at the last word and catch this guy eyeing me up and down. At first I’m confused and then it hits me. I swirl back around to look at Liv. Then back to the guy. Then back to Liv. Then back again.
“No shit?” I say in disbelief.
“No shit.” He says.
“So, California huh?” I ask Evan. I'm sitting on the floor leaning up against Liv's bed. She’s laying down behind me, head resting softly on her pillow. She’s trying so hard to stay awake.
“Yeah. Then I made my way here. Couldn’t spend another day without my best friend.” He says, giving Liv a crooked smile behind me.
“Fuck man. I’m sorry. I really thought y'all were sneaking around.” I say, shaking my head.
“It’s all good. You weren’t the only one.” He says.
“Yeah. We were all pretty pissed. Even Rafe.” I rub the back of my neck. Man we’re idiots. How many times are we going to do this? This girl has given us no reason to not trust her and yet here we are, not trusting her at every corner.
“So, she and Silas made up?” I check over my shoulder to find her sound asleep.
“Thankfully.” Evan says, plucking a book from a shelf and flipping through it.
“She really likes him, even if she’s trying not to.” He stops on a page and looks to be reading a scene. “Oh shit.” His eyes get wide for a moment then he snaps the book shut. “Good book.” He laughs. “He would text her and the way her face would light up. Pure happiness.”
Man do I feel like an idiot. She and Silas made up. Not only that but they kissed.
I smack my hand over my face. “I'm an idiot.”
Evan chuckles from his chair. “Nah, Idiot? No. In love? Definitely.” His head is tilted back and his eyes are closing.
Maybe he’s right. Maybe I am falling.