Chapter 45 Anna
Anna
I rub my eyes, painfully aware that yesterday’s mascara has migrated down my face, my hair looks like it could house a family of birds, and I’ve worn my thong for so long, my crack almost has a permanent indent.
I didn’t mean to fall asleep curled against Liam in the two-seater near Finn’s hospital bed, but the moment he slung his muscled arm around my shoulders, exhaustion hit me and I was out like a light. I woke up with a string of drool connecting my mouth to Liam’s shoulder.
I’m bloody mortified.
Plus, what the hell does Finn think of me still being here? What if he woke during the night to the sight of his teacher all but draped over his dad’s lap? My mind spirals and I pick at the hem of my jumper, watching Liam’s veiny hands complete the discharge paperwork.
Even his hands are hot.
Finn leans sleepily against his dad’s legs. Once everything’s completed and signed, we make our way toward the hospital entrance.
“Right, well,” I say, catching a whiff of my own morning breath. God, it’s bad. “I’ll let you two get home and rest.”
Before Liam can respond, Finn pipes up. “Can you come to our house?”
I blink. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m sure your dad wants to get you settled—” My stomach grumbles with the subtlety of a fighter jet.
Liam’s mouth curves into a grin. It’s not fair. Why does he look so good first thing in the morning? “You should come. I’ll cook breakfast.”
My gaze bounces between them, hesitating. “Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude if you’re both exhausted.”
Finn bounces up and down on the balls of his feet, looking much perkier. “Yes! Da makes the best sausage and eggs!”
“Don’t forget the bacon,” Liam says, ruffling Finn’s hair.
“Oh yeah!” Finn beams up at me. “And bacon!”
I chew on my lip as I consider. I think of what this will mean, going over to their house.
During the day. While Finn’s home. But then my mind replays Finn’s lips turning blue and fists clutching my shirt, desperate for air, and I tell myself that worrying about how Finn interprets our relationship is trivial compared to what happened yesterday. I’m not walking away from them.
“Anna,” Liam says, and my eyes snap to his. “Stop overthinking it.”
The corner of my lip twitches. “Let me go home and change first.”
“Yes!” Finn says, pumping his fist. “Da, let’s go!”
As if on autopilot, I step toward Liam but catch myself when I remember that we’re out in public. In front of Finn. My fingers itch to touch him, but my breath is Roger-worthy, and I force myself to pull back.
He gives me that lopsided smile where his dimple pops, and my stomach somersaults. “See you soon, then.”
I return his smile. “Yeah, see you soon.”
I watch them head through the hospital driveway, hand in hand as Finn chatters away, and something warm and terrifying blooms in my chest.
After the jump scare I get once I’m home and see myself in the mirror, I get to work making myself somewhat presentable.
I have a quick shower, run my fingers through my hair to tame the mess, and throw on a cream jumper and a pair of buttery soft leggings, before shoving my feet into plain white trainers.
I grab my laptop and settle onto my sofa for a moment.
After careful consideration, I shoot off an email to Cedric about Roger’s blatant disregard for allergen signs at interschool sports.
His carelessness and neglect almost cost Finn his life, not to mention the fright everyone in attendance got, and I absolutely will not stand for it.
I tap out my email and hit send before I can give it a second thought. Then I head for the Underground.
My stomach is a mess of knots as I enter Liam’s building. I count the floors as the lift ascends, until finally the doors slide open to reveal a very sexy Liam leaning against his doorframe. In those sinful gray joggers and a fitted white T-shirt, barefoot.
My ovaries throw a party.
“Hey,” he says, his tone even.
“Hey,” I reply, pausing in front of him awkwardly, unsure whether I can kiss him.
Thankfully, he answers for me, ducking his head and catching my lips with his own. It’s soft and tender and everything.
“Is she here?!” Finn calls from inside.
Liam’s mouth stretches into a smile over mine before he quickly plants another peck and pulls back, letting me in.
“Hi, Finn,” I say, approaching him on the sofa. His hand is weaving from side to side with the controller, as if he’s driving a car, and his eyes are fixed firmly on the screen.
“Hi, Miss Anna!” He beams, shooting me a heartwarming smile before turning his attention back to the screen.
I feel a presence behind me before Liam’s chest brushes against my back, vibrating against my skin as he speaks. “Breakfast is almost ready, bud, you’ll need to finish up that game soon and come eat with us.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he says.
Liam huffs a laugh and I follow him through to the kitchen—admiring his arse as we go—where there’s an impressive spread of eggs, butter, sourdough, baked beans, sausage, and bacon.
I lift my brows. “Are you cooking for the entire neighborhood?”
“I’m a big boy, Anna,” he says, winking at me over his shoulder.
Yes, you are.
“How do you like your eggs?” He flips open the lid of the cardboard container.
“Scrambled, please,” I reply.
He nods, cracking eggs into a bowl. I watch as he whisks, the corded muscles and veins in his arm popping. He seasons the eggs with salt and pepper, and adds a dash of cream before flicking a knob of butter into the skillet and setting it on a low heat.
I make myself comfortable, settling into one of the chairs at the small dining table pushed against the kitchen wall.
“Finn,” Liam calls out. “Breakfast, mate.”
A grumble comes from the living room before the video game sounds cease and footsteps pad across the apartment floor. His little cheeks flush when he enters the room, dipping his chin.
“Hi, Finn,” I say, shooting him a friendly grin.
“Hi, Miss Anna,” he replies, not quite meeting my eyes.
I bite back a laugh. I love it when he calls me Miss Anna. It’s so bloody cute. “You can just call me Anna when we’re not at school.”
He nods, testing it out. “Anna.”
“Perfect.” I smile.
“Bud, why don’t you grab some cutlery for us?” Liam asks over his shoulder as he folds the eggs.
Finn sets about rustling through the cutlery drawer and setting the table. His little fingers tremble as he sets a knife and fork in front of me—whether it’s from yesterday’s shock or regular jitters, I’m not sure.
“Are you feeling a little better today?” I ask, my tone careful.
“Uh-huh,” he replies, dropping into the seat across from me. “But I’m tired.”
“I bet you are. Are you hungry? Because your dad’s made enough food to feed his entire football team.”
The corners of his mouth quirk up and he plants his small hands against the table, leaning in to whisper-shout. “He always makes too much food.”
“I heard that,” Liam calls from the stove. “And there’s no such thing as too much food for growing boys.”
“I’m gonna have a big fat belly like yours,” Finn teases, pointing a finger at his dad’s midsection.
I choke on my laugh. Liam’s T-shirt fits snugly across what is very obviously a fit torso.
“Oi, cheeky,” Liam warns, amusement in his voice. “Less poking fun at your old man or you’ll be on wash-up duty.”
“But it’s true!” Finn giggles, clearly pleased with himself.
I can see Liam’s dimple pop as he finishes cooking breakfast. Once he switches the stove off, he turns around, advancing on Finn slowly. “Right, that’s it.” He drops the tea towel to the countertop and whirls at Finn. “Come here, you monkey!”
Finn shrieks with laughter and scrambles out of his chair, darting around the kitchen as Liam chases him.
Happiness zips through me as I watch them smiling and laughing together. As I watch everything I’ve ever wanted playing out right in front of me. Seeing Finn so helpless yesterday, and surrounded by so much love today, has my throat tightening until I can hardly breathe.
Liam catches Finn around the waist, and Finn throws his head back, releasing the most joyful sound. “Upside down!” he orders between giggles.
In one swift motion, Liam grunts, flipping Finn in his arms so he’s dangling upside down, his dark hair pointing toward the floor as tears of glee stream down his cheeks.
“Anna! Help me!” Finn shouts, watching me.
I can’t control my movements even if I try, standing and striding across the kitchen toward them.
“Tickle Da!” Finn yells.
A warning glimmer flashes in Liam’s eyes as he watches me approach, shaking his head.
“Oh really?” I say, focusing on Liam. “Is Dad ticklish?”
Liam shakes his head, almost frantically this time. “I’m holding my son, you can’t attack a defenseless man.”
“REALLY TICKLISH!” Finn yelps as Liam playfully pokes his ribs.
Only when Liam sets Finn right-side up do I strike. My fingers dance along Liam’s side while Finn wriggles from his arms, joining me. Both of us tickle Liam until he’s doubled over with laughter.
The sound booms through the room and I can’t help but join in.
“I can’t breathe,” he wheezes.
But we’re relentless, all three of us cackling so hard we can barely stand. Liam manages to snag both my hands, pulling me against his chest while Finn wraps his arms around both of us.
“Truce!” Liam says, still chuckling.
Liam looks down, his eyes bouncing between me and Finn, wrapped around each other tight. I flatten my hands over his chest, feeling his heart pounding.
We’re all red-faced and breathless, and I realize in this moment that they’re both what I’ve been missing. I clear my throat and start to pull my hands away, aware of how intimate this is, but his grip tightens, keeping me anchored against him. His eyes find mine, holding steady.
I’ve never belonged anywhere the way I belong right here. I feel it with my whole heart, my whole being.
“Anna, are you gonna stay?” Finn asks, still panting. His stringy arms are warm and fastened around both of us.
Liam’s heated gaze finds mine and holds fiercely. “She’s staying.”