Chapter 5
HOLLY
"Are you sure about this?" Liam asked, brow furrowing as he glanced at the Dance Dance Revolution screen. The arcade games were my favorite part of Abbott’s.
This was the only bar in town that offered something to do besides dance or drink, and since I rarely did either of those, I thoroughly enjoyed both times I came here.
This game, in particular, was a favorite of mine.
"Positive," I said, tying my hair into a ponytail. "Why? Are you afraid of a little competition?"
"Afraid? No." Liam chuckled, stepping onto the platform. "Uncoordinated? Definitely."
The level started with an upbeat pop song I recognized from playing the game in the past but didn’t actually know.
After missing the first few steps and a split second of terror, I found my groove.
My feet moved like they were on autopilot, hitting the arrows with precision and I was killing it.
Liam, on the other hand, flailed like a fish out of water.
For every five steps he took, he only managed to hit two.
I couldn't help but laugh, my breath hitching as I doubled over. Despite my amusement, I kept up every step. “Liam, you’re awful!”
“No kidding,” he replied, sweat forming on his brow as he stumbled again. "I think this machine's broken."
“Uh-huh,” I teased. “Blame the machine.”
By the time the song ended, I was breathless. My chest heaved as I stepped off the platform. Liam followed, panting ten times harder, like he’d just run a marathon. He bent over, hands on his hips, and just breathed for a solid ten seconds.
“Well, that was humbling,” Liam said, standing upright. “I don’t know how you made it look so easy.”
“Growing up, Friday nights were spent at the mall, and let’s just say I wasn’t one of the popular kids in high school.
My sister would be shopping or out on dates and I’d be in the arcade.
” I flashed him a grin that was one-third apologetic and two-thirds wicked.
I had a feeling I would win the round, but I didn’t think it would be by over ten thousand points. “Still, you weren’t half bad.”
“Liar,” he shot back, a playful glint in his eyes. “But I’ll take the compliment..”
We found an open table in the corner of the room, far enough from the dance machines to escape the noise but close enough to the bar that we weren't ignored. A server swung by to take our drink orders, and for the first time that evening, Liam looked completely at ease.
“You know,” Liam said after a moment, swirling his drink, “tonight’s the most fun I’ve had in ages.”
I tilted my head, my curiosity piqued. “Really? You don’t seem like someone who struggles to have fun.”
“Let’s just say life’s been chaotic lately.
The bet has been more taxing than I thought.
Originally, it was all fun and games, but time is running out and…
” he trailed off, a faint shadow passing over his features.
But it disappeared as quickly as it came, replaced by his usual easygoing demeanor.
“What now? We’ve got about an hour left. ”
I leaned back, considering. Liam was a great loser, but I didn’t want to hurt his ego by wiping the floor with him again. I didn’t trust myself to go somewhere more private with him, either. What to do… “What about Truth or Shot?”
Liam raised a brow. “Truth or Shot? I don’t think I’ve played that since college.”
“Same, but it’s a classic. What do you think?”
“Alright.” Liam stood up. “Wait here. I’ll grab us something to drink.”
I watched Liam swagger to the bar. Amber barely glanced at him but the other girls, the single ones looking for a fun time, barely took their eyes off him. He came back to me moments later with a bottle of tequila, two shot glasses, and a small plate of orange slices. I eyed the setup warily.
“Are you trying to get me drunk?” I asked, laughing nervously. I’d already had one drink tonight. Two would push me to tipsy, but shots would be a terrible idea. “I was thinking we could play with beer. Or at least something less potent than tequila.”
“You’re only at risk of drinking if you’re terrible at answering questions,” Liam teased, pouring the first shots. “Ladies first.”
“Oh, how thoughtful,” I said, picking up my glass with a mock sigh. “What do you want to know?.”
Liam leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips. “What’s the worst date you’ve ever been on?”
“Oh, you’re going to love this,” I began, dramatically emphasizing the word love. “So, I once matched with a guy on one of those dating apps. That was my first mistake—letting my sister sign me up. The second was agreeing to the date.”
“So, why’d you go?”
I shrugged. “The guy was cute and I was in an epically long dry spell. At that point, I didn’t care who the guy was or how we met.
I just wanted a hook-up. Anyway, we had a normal dinner with way too many drinks and I didn’t see the blazing red flags until it was too late.
I let him take me back to his house, which turned out to be his parents’ house. ”
“Oh, no.”
“Just wait. It gets better. To which he decided to serenade me—and his parents—to the Youtube karaoke version of I Wanna Fuck You by Akon.”
“No!” Liam shouts, practically dying with laughter. “Please tell me you’re joking.”
“Sadly, I’m not,” I said, shaking my head. “Needless to say, I vowed never to go on one of those dating apps again, and I did not get laid. Your turn,” I added, twisting my glass in my fingers. “What’s one thing you’ve never told anyone?”
Liam hesitated, his easy demeanor faltering for a split second.
“Sometimes I wish I wasn’t tied to the family business.
Don’t get me wrong, I love our empire, but I wonder what life would be like if I wasn’t constantly trying to live up to all the expectations.
A part of me was grateful for the bet. My brothers have never taken me seriously, and really, I had nothing to lose.
But then Abbott’s deed was thrown into the pot, and well, you know the rest.”
I studied him, amusement softening into something deeper.
“I get that. There’s an expectation my siblings and I will follow in our father’s footsteps.
He… uh… has a unique job and he’s gone most of the year.
Growing up, I thought I wanted to be like him.
It was always the goal to get where he is, but I like my life.
I don’t know if I want that anymore,” I confessed, surprising even myself.
Liam leaned back in his chair, thoughtfully tapping the rim of his shot glass. “Alright, Holly, my turn. What’s the one thing you want you’ve never told anyone about?”
I paused, the question hanging between us like a dare.
I rolled the shot glass between my fingers again, my gaze slipping to the table.
“To be seen. Not as someone useful or convenient. Just… me,” I said softly and then swallowed the tequila.
It was strong but smooth. I let out a burning breath and met Liam’s gaze.
His brow furrowed slightly, but he didn’t press the matter.
Instead, he reached for the bottle and poured another round, keeping the mood light.
“Your turn,” he said, gesturing for me to fire back.
I smirked, feeling a little lighter thanks to the liquor. “What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you?”
Liam groaned, shaking his head. “Why do I feel like I’m going to regret this?
” He downed his shot and then sighed. “I needed that to tell this story. Let me set the scene. When I was sixteen, my brothers convinced me I was hilarious. So, for the high school talent show, I thought doing stand-up comedy would be a good idea. I figured it was no different than talking to our circle of friends, but when those spotlights hit me on the stage, I forgot all my jokes. In a moment of panic, I sang ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ instead.”
I burst out laughing, nearly spilling my drink. “You did not!”
“Swear on my life,” he said, holding up a hand. “And I was terrible. The crowd booed me offstage. My mom still brings it up every Thanksgiving.”
My laughter eased into a warm smile, and Liam’s gaze lingered on me a little longer than it should have. “Here’s a potentially less traumatizing question,” he said, his voice dropping just slightly, the playful edge giving way to something softer. “What’s the first thing you noticed about me?”
My cheeks warmed, the tequila making me bold. I met his eyes, my voice steady despite the flutter in my chest. “Your smile. It’s… disarming. It always has been.”
Liam’s lips twitched into that very smile, the one that seemed to light up the space between us. “Good to know.”
The air between us shifted, heating and crackling the longer we stared at each other. I picked up the bottle of tequila and refilled his glass, breaking the tension with a quick, nervous laugh. “Alright, your turn. What’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever done?”
Liam burst out laughing, the sound warm and unrestrained. “Oh, that’s easy. When I was fourteen, I jumped off a dock trying to impress a girl. Totally forgot I didn’t know how to swim. The lifeguard had to dive in and pull me out while everyone watched.”
I laughed so hard that I nearly snorted. “No way. Did it work? Did you get the girl?”
“Not even close,” he said, grinning. “She ended up dating some guy who knew how to paddleboard.”
“My turn.” Liam twisted the glass in his fingers. He seemed nervous, but he didn’t look away. “Why’d you reject me all those years ago? I thought there was something between us.”
There was. “Ouch. going deep with that one.” I took my shot but didn’t chase it with a slice of orange.
I wanted the fire in my throat to burn away these feelings.
Nervousness. Excitement. Nostalgia and… desire.
“Don’t take it personally. I haven’t dated anyone since I was seventeen, at least not anyone I could see myself with for more than one night. ”
“So, you rejected me because you liked me?”