“Will it be safe for Tyler to go home even then?” I ask while we’re watching TV.
They both shrug, but then Liam speaks up. “Actually, you should probably come with us to California,” he states. “If Eric told her what you did, she’ll know you were the mole and come after you. At least until the divorce is finalized in a couple of months. Then hopefully everything will be cleared, and you’ll be safe to leave.”
“Probably for the best,” he agrees. “Though if she wants to play that card, I have plenty of other shit on her I can use. I followed her for weeks.”
A bad feeling surfaces up my spine, and I hate that Tyler could be in danger because of me.
“Aww, Beanstalk. We’ll be roomies again!” I gush, knowing it’ll annoy him.
“On second thought, I’m willing to risk Victoria finding me.”
“Haha.” I lean over and punch his arm. “You love me.”
“This might be a good time to call Sophie,” Liam states, and I swear my heart stops.
“Really? We can call her?”
He grabs his phone from his pocket and hands it over. “Yeah, let’s put her out of her misery.”
I’m giddy as hell when Sophie picks up on the second ring. “Liam?”
“It’s Maddie,” I tell her. “I’m with Liam.”
“Oh my God!” she screams. “Where the hell are you?”
I swallow hard. “I can’t say right now, but I can tell you we’re both safe.”
“What do you mean? What’s going on?” She’s panicking, and I hate that we’ve had to lie and keep so much from her.
“Soph,” Liam intervenes. “We’ll tell you everything once we’re home, but for now, we just wanted to let you know I had Maddie and we’re in a safe place.”
“Meaning what? She wasn’t before?” she scolds.
Shit.
“We’ll explain when we can, okay?” I say. “I miss you guys.”
“When are you coming home?” she asks. “I’ve been going out of my mind.”
“I know, and we’re both sorry about that,” I tell her.
“If all goes according to plan, we’ll be back in a week,” Liam says.
I smile at him, then grip his hand. “Has everything been okay over there?” I ask cautiously.
“Besides me going nuts? Oh, yeah, sure.” She breathes out harshly. “Can I know this, did you really write that note and willingly leave?”
“No,” I confirm. “That was Victoria’s doing, which is why we can’t come home yet. So if she shows up, don’t let her in and call the police.”
“Is she really pregnant with twins?”
“Yeah.”
“Damn, so no kicking her ass.”
I snicker. “No.”
“Are they Liam’s?” she hesitantly asks.
“No,” Liam answers without explaining more.
I put the call on mute and tilt my head at Liam. “Let’s tell her about us at least.”
He waves his hand toward me. “Do the honors, baby.”
Smiling wide, I unmute the call and clear my throat. “Soph, there’s something else I gotta tell you.”
“What is it?” she asks wearily. “Should I be sitting?”
I snort at her dramatics. “No, well…maybe.” I laugh. “Liam and Victoria’s marriage was an arrangement, and we’ve been secretly seeing each other for the past two months.”
“I knew it! Oh my God, I so knew it!” she shouts. “Are you fuckin’ kidding me? Oh my God.”
“Stop freaking out!” I chuckle.
“I knew there was no way he’d marry that bitch. I hope you knew the truth when you two were…”
“Soph! Of course, I did.”
“Wait…” She pauses. “Did Liam touch you? Like…all the way?”
Liam and Tyler groan as I burst out laughing. Sophie would ask that.
“I can answer that for them…” Tyler interjects. “Yes.”
“Uh…who is that?”
“His name is Tyler. He’s a friend of ours.” Nervously, I ask, “How would you feel about another housemate when we return?”
“Where the hell would he sleep?”
“He can stay in my room,” Liam confirms.
“It’s a long story, and we promise he’s a good guy,” I assure her. “He needs a place to stay until Victoria and Liam’s divorce is finalized.”
“I better get a full explanation!” she warns. “Be home in a week, you said?”
“Yep. Text me on Liam’s phone, though, because mine is gone.” Which reminds me, I should cancel my service if Eric still has it and get a new one.
Sophie sighs. “Okay. I’m very confused, but I trust you’ll take care of my sister. Right, Liam?” Her voice grows louder with each word.
“Absolutely,” he says immediately. “I’ll protect her with my life, Soph.”
“Good.” She blows out a breath. “And for what it’s worth, I’m glad you finally came to your senses, Liam. But if you hurt her, I won’t think twice about kicking your ass, then throwing you to the wolves to let them eat you alive.”
“If I do that, I give you permission,” Liam says confidently. “Trust me, though, it’s the last thing I want to do again. I love her.”
“Aww…wow,” Sophie singsongs. “Never thought I’d hear that come from your mouth, Liam Evans.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He grunts at her playful teasing.
“I’ll text or call tomorrow, okay? We’re gonna get ready for bed,” I tell her.
After a few moments, we end the call, and I beam at Liam. “Well, she didn’t cuss you out, so that’s a plus.” I shrug.
“That was only one sister…” he says, breathing in through his nose as if he’s expecting the worse from Lennon. “Then I have to deal with the wrath of Mason and Hunter.”
I pat his hand like a child’s. “Don’t forget my parents too, eventually.”
Liam pales with a groan.
Tyler laughs. “I don’t envy you, man.”
“You ever bring a chick home to meet the parents?” I ask him.
Tyler’s lips immediately turn into a frown, and I fear I’ve hit a sensitive topic. “Hell no.”
“He has a hot sister, though,” Liam taunts, and I scowl at him. “Or so I’ve heard.”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, nice save.” Then I look at Tyler. “You didn’t tell me you had a sister. What’s her name? Where does she live?”
Tyler pushes his hands on his knees and stands. “And that’s exactly why I didn’t.”
“Oh come on!” I pout. “If we’re going to be roomies, I need some personal info.”
He contemplates it for a moment. “Six feet five, a hundred seventy-five pounds, brown hair, and brown eyes. Favorite color is orange, and I like spicy foods,” he rambles off, then gives me a shit-eating grin.
“That’s not what I meant!” I groan. “Wait. Your favorite color is orange?” I chuckle. “That’s cute.”