Chapter 18
Eighteen
Teddy
Ms. Janet… she’s tough. I know this about her.
She’s not one to make rash decisions or say things she doesn’t mean.
She just has this commanding air about her; I suppose it may be because she’s always been a mother figure to me.
She has that same power over me, and she’s just used it like a blade.
I guess, the worst part is that I can’t truly tell how she was feeling—it’s unnerving.
Her and Liam both have impenetrable masks they put up with a snap of their fingers.
What I do know, though, is that reaction wasn’t a good one.
The outlook on her acceptance of me or us seems gloomy.
I heave a sigh, feeling myself deflate along with it.
“Here,” Liam says gruffly, handing me a lit cigarette. I take it thankfully and inhale a deep drag. “She’ll come around, T. There’s no way she won’t, and this doesn’t change anything.”
I peer up at the sun filtering through the palm trees. We’re at my special spot again. I skated away from that place as fast as I could with Liam following right behind, and ended up here. “Doesn’t it though? I mean that wasn’t the worst reaction possible, but it definitely wasn’t promising.”
“I don’t care what she thinks. I’m an adult, and I don’t need her approval,” he says evenly. It’s a lie. He might’ve convinced himself of that, but I know it would gut him.
“She’s the most important person to you.
Of course, her opinion matters, Liam, and I won’t blame you for that.
” I say, with my expression relaxed and calm, but I can feel a lead weight sinking into the pit of my stomach.
It’s nothing new though… everything about this situation has been precarious.
It doesn’t even feel real to me, it has to have been some kind of fever dream.
Liam wants me the same way I want him? It doesn’t even sound right in my head.
He stands, pulls his shirt over his head, and shoves his pants to the ground, revealing miles of rich brown skin covered in black tattoo ink.
“You can keep telling yourself that bullshit or you can come swim with me. This conversation is pointless. I said exactly what I mean, and that’s the end of it.
” He turns around and treks down toward the shore.
He’s so infuriating sometimes. He may mean whatever he says now, but things change.
A good thing never lasts, everyone knows that.
Something does stick out in my memory, though— he stood up for me back there.
A lot of guys would’ve ducked for cover, but Liam took a tone with his mom that I’ve never heard from him before.
I noticed how angry he was on my behalf; he’s always been that way—quick to stand up for me.
But I have to wonder if he’d keep the same energy if her reproach was aimed at him instead.
I scrub my hands against my eyes and rise from the sand, ditching my clothes before heading after him.
The water is warm enough as usual down here.
Liam’s already fully submerged, way out toward the middle of the waterway.
I dive under, slicing through the water gracefully and propel myself toward him.
When I rise through the surface, I smooth my hair back from face.
“Come here,” he demands, and of course, I obey instantly.
I throw my arms around his neck and wrap my thighs around his middle.
Unsurprisingly, he manages to keep us both afloat with little effort.
It’s impressive and only serves to make me admire him more than I already do.
I peer up at him through wet lashes. It’s breathtaking how much depth brown eyes have in the sunlight.
“I told you it’s you and me ’til the end, and I meant it,” he says, determination thickening his tone. “No matter how fucked up our path is, we will get there.”
I lean back and brush my thumbs over his eyebrows, clearing away the water droplets residing there. “You can’t blame me for being wary of things,” I respond softly.
“You’re supposed to trust me. I’ve never done you wrong— ever .”
He’s right as usual. “I do trust you,” I mutter, rolling my eyes.
“Then keep it together, and we’re gonna be just fine.
” The intense look he aims my way makes my breath shudder, and at that very moment, he seals his lips to mine.
His large hands press against my back, molding us together as he treads water beneath us.
His kiss is gentle but still claiming—nipping at my lips, teasing me.
Everything becomes fuzzy in my mind as I lose myself in him.
He breaks the kiss, burying his head in my neck. “Would it make you feel better if I just go ahead and get it out of the way. I’ll tell her right now. I don’t want this to come between us.”
My mouth falls open as the realization slams into me. He really would. If I said yes right now, he’d call her and tell her this very moment.
I squeeze him a little tighter. “I think we’ve had enough stress the past couple of days… we can hold off for now.”
Problems have been piling up around us lately, and I feel myself nearing yet another breaking point.
There’s no real reason to bring that on sooner.
The knowledge that he would tell her at the drop of a dime is enough for me.
There’s hope in that, and it settles firmly in my heart like a little seed.
Maybe, just maybe, things aren’t as hopeless as they’ve always seemed.