Chapter 70
LONDON
As the sun rose over Miami the next morning, Liam and I flew out to Nashville to meet up with Lorelei, Jerry, and a bunch of our other friends. Even Abigail had been invited and I was super excited to see her.
The only thing that could’ve made the weekend better was if Olivia and Charlie had been joining us too, but they hadn’t been comfortable leaving Lizzie for two whole days just yet. We’d promised to send them lots of pictures though, and I got it. I wouldn’t have wanted to leave that cutie either.
“Are you ready for this?” Liam asked as we headed over to baggage claim to collect our things. He had a big grin on his face and his sunglasses hanging from the V in his shirt. “They should be out there waiting for us. Zach and Bryce got in about twenty minutes ago.”
“Yeah, Abi and Simon have already landed too. She said they were having breakfast while they wait for us.”
“I’ll tell the boys to track them down.” He pulled his phone out of the back pocket of his Levi’s and tapped out a quick text. “Jerry and Lorelei are dying for us all to get to the house. I’ve had, like, six messages from him this morning.”
I chuckled, stepping closer to the conveyor belt when I saw my suitcase emerge. “They’ve been looking forward to this for a long time. So have I, actually. It’s going to be a good weekend. Have you ever been barhopping on Broadway here?”
“Nope, you?”
“Nah, but I think it’s going to be an amazing experience,” I said, not surprised when Liam gently stepped into my way and grabbed my suitcase before I could reach it. “Thanks.”
“Always.” He dropped it down on our cart with a heavy thud, swiping his much smaller bag when that came out next. “Alrighty, then. Let’s do this.”
He walked around the luggage cart and wrapped his hands around the handle, motioning for me to precede him as we headed for the doors. Right on the other side, Zachary and Bryce were waiting with Abi and Simon next to them.
I felt my face practically split in half with a grin when I saw my sister and I raced over to her, throwing my arms around her neck and holding her tight. “I know it’s only been a couple weeks, but I already missed you something crazy.”
She chuckled against my hair and squeezed me back. “Same here. It sucks that we’re not all in walking distance from each other anymore.”
As I released her, I gave Simon a hug next, smirking. I let him go and glanced up into his eyes. “You’re still treating her well?”
He sighed and put his hands up in surrender, a lopsided grin on his lips as he jerked his head at my sister. “I don’t think you’re going to need that shiv, but you should probably ask her.”
Abi giggled. “It might be time for us to let the whole shiv thing go. I’ll just kick him in the shin if he tries shutting me out again.”
I laughed and looped my arm through hers, getting ready to head out to the shuttle bus we’d all be traveling in. I’d seen Liam give bro hugs to both Bryce and Zach and I smiled at them when they finally separated from him.
“Hey, guys. It’s good to see you. Long time.”
Bryce smiled and came up to pull me into a quick hug. “Good to see you too, Lo.”
“Yeah,” Zach said as he gave me a hug next. “It’s been way too long. When are you guys moving back to Houston already?”
Liam chuckled and clapped his friend on the back before he returned to our cart. “We’ll let you know as soon as we do, brother.”
As he started forward, they fell into step on either side of him, flanking him. They walked to the exit. Abi took my arm and held Simon’s hand on her other side, talking quietly to him while I watched Liam with his friends.
They’d both always been friendly, but I knew they had their reservations about me. They didn’t trust me with him. Never had. Not even as a friend.
As long as Liam was good, though, it didn’t bother me one bit. I understood why they had always been concerned about our relationship and I still liked them—even if I figured that Liam and I were both adults who could and should make our own decisions about our lives.
Determined not to start worrying about whether it bothered Liam even if it didn’t bother me, I spent the ride to the big house Jerry and Lorelei had rented catching up with my sister and her fiancé.
Liam and the boys were in the row behind us, and I heard them chatting about some video game they all played, the upcoming weddings, and everything going on with their friends in Houston.
When we finally arrived at the house, Lori was waiting for us outside with a big grin on her face. She dashed across the immaculate front yard of the rental and stood right outside the shuttle bus as our driver shut off the engine and came around to slide open the big door.
The faint strands of country music coming from inside the house drifted to my ears as we climbed out and I smiled. “This really is going to be fun.”
I said it to no one in particular, but a chorus of agreement rang out behind me as Lori pulled me in for a tight hug. “Finally! You guys are here. It took you forever!”
“Well, considering that we all woke up in different states this morning, I’d say we’re making good time,” Bryce joked, stealing her from me for a much warmer hug than I’d gotten.
“Snacks and drinks are inside!” Jerry called as he appeared in the front doorway, shaking hands with all the guys and hugging the girls as we made our way inside.
They showed us to our rooms, and Lori leaned over to whisper to me after we’d left Bryce, Zach, Abi, and Simon to unpack in their own bedrooms. “We don’t have you rooming with Liam, but he’s right next door. I thought you might want to know.”
“That’s very interesting,” I teased. “I did want to know. Even if only because it means I’ll have to drink myself into a stupor if I want to avoid lying awake while he snores like a buffalo next door.”
She laughed. “Yeah, of course that’s why you wanted to know. It’s got nothing to do with sneaking into his bedroom later.”
I winked. “I would never do that. Zach and Bryce wouldn’t approve.”
“Ignore them. They’re just protective of him, is all. Sneak to your heart’s content, my friend. I’m sure Liam won’t object.”
Giggling, I dropped my stuff in my small but beautifully appointed bedroom, then followed Lori to the main entertainment area in the backyard. Everyone else was already there, the guys already opening beers at a Tiki-hut style bar in the far corner of the yard.
A swimming pool sparkled under the Tennessee sunshine between us and them, lounge chairs spread out around it with a large gazebo on one side that partially shaded the pool as well. I let out a low whistle as Abigail came over to join us.
“Wow. This place was built for parties.” I popped my hip and arched my eyebrows, making eye contact with each of the girls. “What are we drinking, ladies? We can’t let the guys have all the fun.”
“Absolutely not.” Lori lifted her left arm to check her watch. “We’re expecting a few more people in about an hour, so let’s just keep the pre-gaming light for now.”
I chuckled and pretended to salute her. “You got it.”
Making our way to the bar, we took Jerry up on his offer to make us some mimosas and laughed with the boys while we waited.
Once we had our drinks in hand, Abi and I went back into the house to change into our swimsuits, heading out and spending most of the afternoon in the pool but under the shade of the gazebo.
More people arrived, some joining us in the pool and others preferring to spread out on the loungers. Every so often, I caught Liam looking at me from across the yard, where he, Zach, Bryce, and Jerry had taken up residence at the bar.
Early evening, we headed to Broadway for a night out on the town.
Liam stuck close to my side, but he didn’t take my hand or touch me much at all, except for his palm occasionally finding the small of my back.
It sent a shiver racing through me every time.
As the night wore on, I found myself searching for opportunities to seek him out.
All through barhopping, I settled for those occasional touches and our gazes locking every so often, but by the time we got to a huge nightclub where we were going to be spending the rest of the night, I desperately wanted to feel his arms around me.
Thankfully, I didn’t have to fight that instinct quite as hard as I had in the past and I went to grab him, taking his hand and literally pulling him away from his friends.
Country music blasted through the speakers and the dance floor was packed. There were great vibes in the club and I’d had fun so far, but relief spiraled through me when I wrapped my arms around his neck. He grinned down at me, so handsome and relaxed in his Levi’s and a clean white shirt.
I breathed him in, dancing closer to him than strictly necessary, but not interested in fighting the urge. Liam sure didn’t seem to mind, his blue-green hazel eyes were locked on mine, his hands in a firm grip on my hips.
As I looked up at him, I suddenly realized that things were starting to feel real.
Being with him was so easy and so fun, and I had no idea why I’d been so afraid of it before.
I smiled and moved my head closer to his, close enough that his lips grazed my forehead. A happy sigh worked its way out of me.
A few songs later, Bryce came up and tapped him on the shoulder, a strange expression on his face as he glanced at me. “Do you mind if I borrow him for a minute?”
I shook my head, letting go reluctantly, but I was parched anyway. “I’ll go get another drink. See you guys later.”
Making my way through the sweaty bodies in the club, I couldn’t stop smiling. I even got three extra beers so I had one for Liam, Zach, and Bryce as well. Maybe it’s time I start at least trying to earn their approval.
Obviously, I had very real, very big feelings for their friend and I didn’t want them doubting me forever. I caught a glimpse of them moving out onto the deck at the back of the club and I followed, still smiling until I overheard them talking just around the corner.
It was much quieter on this side of the club, which was more of a lounge area while most of the speakers had been aimed at the dance floor on the other side. Bryce’s voice was clearly audible above the sound of my music and what he said made me slam to an abrupt stop.
“She’s playing with you, bro. Did you even see yourself in there?”
“You’re playing her boyfriend again, man,” Zach said, backing Bryce up. “Don’t get me wrong, it looked pretty real on that dance floor, but you know it’s not. You know she doesn’t want the same things you do.”
“Relax,” Liam said and I exhaled slowly, even smiling a little again as I listened to him defend me. “We’re on the same page. She’s not playing with me. She’s been honest about how she’s feeling and I believe her.”
As they went back and forth for another minute, however, my smile started fading when I realized Liam’s voice was suddenly wavering. He kept sticking up for me, but he definitely wasn’t as sure as he had been a moment ago. “We’re taking it slow. It’s not… it’s not what you think.”
And then Bryce landed the final blow. “It doesn’t matter what I think, Jones. This is about what we know, and what we know is that you’ve always been all in with her, but she’s never even gotten on the damn board. You’re heading in that same direction now and we’re watching it happen.”
“I know,” Liam said, his voice cracking a little under the strength of all the emotion in it. “I know, okay?”
I froze, my heart in my throat, then I spun around and quickly slipped away. A red Exit sign glowed in a corner not so far away and I set the beers down on a cocktail table. I needed to get out of here. Now.
Their words swam around in my head, but I didn’t cry as I pushed open the door and stepped into the hot, sticky night outside. Cigarette smoke wafted through the air, muted music blasting in the buildings all around the alley I found myself in.
I dragged in a deep breath, barely even noticing the acrid scent of the smoke as I leaned back against the wall. For the first time ever, I wondered if Liam’s friends were right. In the dim light of that alley, I couldn’t stop my mind from racing and I covered my face with my hands.
Am I playing with him? Have I been hurting him somehow without even realizing it?
“Lo, are you okay?” Abigail asked, appearing at my side from out of nowhere. “What happened?”
I didn’t even move my hands away from my face, simply sighing and forcing myself to explain what I’d overheard. My heart was pounding, my insides achy as I sagged against the hot bricks behind me.
“What did he say?” she asked once I’d finished explaining. “Did he agree with them?”
I finally looked at her, feeling that familiar pressure behind my eyes but refusing to let the tears fall. “He said he knows. Like, he knows that what they’re saying is true.”
As the words left me, the exit door opened again and Liam came out, brow furrowed. He looked up and down the alley, his muscles tensed like he was bracing for a fight. Abi touched my arm, concern in her big eyes as she jerked her head toward the door.
“I’m going to give you two a minute, but I’ll be right in there if you need me, okay? I’ll tell Simon to pay our share so we can be ready to leave if you want to. We’ll be back, but maybe hear him out, Lo. Eavesdropping has never gotten anyone to anywhere good.”