Chapter 9
Allison
“Did I just interrupt something?” Aiden asks me after Liam leaves for his run.
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “Why would you ask that?”
“It just seemed, I don’t know, tense in here.”
“Liam and I were just chatting. He’d only been up a few minutes, actually, before you came out.” I take a sip of my coffee. “I called Gran, she seems to be doing okay. I wanted to go home and see her today, but she says some ladies from church already planned to stop by and keep her company, so I guess I’ll just stick around the dorm and hang out.” I’m trying to change the subject. I’m not sure how I feel about what just happened with Liam. Something passed between us. I do feel this magnetic pull toward him, but I also meant what I said; I want it all, not just sex.
“Ash, I’m sure that Gran is fine. I’ll call Mom and have her go over later and check on her, which I’m sure she already planned on doing anyway.”
I nod and continue to drink my coffee.
“Listen, about Liam. He’s my best friend, aside from you. He isn’t the relationship type. I know he’d never hurt you intentionally, but be careful, okay?”
“I know he’s not the king of commitment, but there’s something about him.” I shake my head to clear my thoughts. “It’s like we’re drawn to each other. I can’t explain it.”
Aiden walks over to where I’m standing and places his now empty cup in the sink. “I can see the sparks coming off the two of you. Just be careful, I would hate to see get you hurt.”
“I will, and thank you for looking out for me,” I say as I lean up to kiss him on the cheek. “Now, I’m going to go wake Hailey so we can head back to the dorms.”
After several attempts and the promise of caffeine and bagels, Hailey finally gets out of bed, and we make our way back to our dorm. We’re both still worn out from the alcohol and not sleeping in our own beds the night before. My mind keeps wandering back to my conversation with Liam. I was honest when I told him I feel it too. What exactly ‘it’ is, I’m not sure. I was also honest when I said I want it all or at least the intent for more. I need to learn how to control myself around him. How to not get lost in those blue eyes of his. Ugh!
“Earth to Allison.” Hailey’s sitting on her bed, watching me.
“Sorry, I spaced out. What’s up?”
“I asked you if you wanted to come to my parents’ for lunch. I know you were going to go home and see Gran, but since your plans changed, I want you to meet my parents,” Hailey chirps as she bounces on her bed.
“I don’t know, I hate to intrude.”
Hailey waves her hand at me. “Not gonna happen. My parents are awesome, and they would love to meet my new roomie.”
“Well, okay, if you’re sure.”
“Absolutely. We need to leave here around noon,” Hailey advises me.
“Crap, that’s twenty minutes. I need to get a move on.” I grab some shorts, a tank, a matching set of my new undies and head to the shower. I rush through the shower and dress quickly. I use the blow dryer on my hair for a few minutes, then decide to let my natural wave air dry the rest of the way. I slap on some mascara and lip gloss, and I’m good to go. I walk out of our bathroom and Hailey whistles.
“Wow, you look amazing,” she gushes.
“These shorts aren’t as short as last night’s, but they’re close. Are you sure this is okay? I don’t look sleazy, do I?”
“Hell no, you look hot.” She grins.
I grab a pair of flip-flops from my closet just as there’s a knock on the door. Hailey looks at me in question, and I shrug my shoulders. She hops off her bed to go open the door, while I go back into the bathroom to grab the watch I’d left on the sink. When I step out, my eyes immediately meet his. Liam. We continue to stare at one another, like we’re the only two people in existence.
“Hey, Liam stopped to offer me a ride. He and Aiden are going to my parents’ as well.” Hailey smirks.
“Oh—um, well, I guess I’m ready.” I grab my phone and wristlet off of my desk and meet them at the door. Hailey’s out the door in a flash, yelling something about fighting Aiden for shotgun.
Liam smiles down at me. “Hey, you look beautiful today.”
I offer him a shy smile. I can feel my face blush. “Thank you.”
Liam bends down to whisper in my ear, “Now even more so. That blush on your face makes you even sexier.”
I turn my head, trying to avoid him seeing my face. I can feel the burn; I probably look like a damn tomato. Liam places his hand on the small of my back and leads me out. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I just want you to know how I see you.”
I simply nod my head and continue to walk to his SUV. I can feel the heat from his hand, not to mention, the after effects of his sexy voice when he whispered in my ear. I’m lucky I was able to nod. When Hailey asked me to join her at her parents’, I never thought about Liam being there, let alone him driving us. I need to get my hormones in check. When we reach his Pathfinder, Hailey is in the back seat and Aiden is in the front passenger seat; obviously she lost the shotgun battle. Liam opens the door for me and waits until I’m buckled in to close the door and take his spot behind the wheel.
Aiden turns to greet me. “Hey, Ash, how are you feeling?”
“I’m good to go, so next time out I’m getting the full experience.” I smile at him. Aiden just shakes his head and turns back around. I glance up to catch Liam looking at me in the rearview mirror. His gaze is intense. I turn my head to look out the window. I can’t look into those blue eyes a minute longer and not combust. My hormones are on overload, and I need to cool down, clear my head.
Hailey and Aiden begin talking about the new Three Days Grace song playing on the radio and I’m about to comment that “Chalk Outline” is becoming one of my favorites when I feel my phone vibrate. I look down to see a message from Hailey. I look over at her and she smiles. I swipe the screen to unlock my phone and open her message.
Hailey: Holy shit! My panties are wet just from being in the same damn car.
Me: What??
Hailey: You know what I’m talking about.
Me: It’s nothing just flirting.
Hailey: I know my bro he’s into you. He is NEVER like this.
Me: Come on we both know that’s not true.
Hailey: He opened your fucking door. Liam does NOT open doors!!!
I look over at Hailey and roll my eyes. She immediately starts typing on her phone.
Hailey: Wanna bet?
I shake my head no.
Hailey leans over and whispers in my ear, “It’s going to be so much fun watching you both fall. Loser treats the winner to a day at the spa.” She falls back against the seat giggling. Is it too late to request a new roommate?
This gets both Aiden and Liam’s attention. Aiden turns around. “What are you two up to back there?”
“Oh, nothing. Allison and I are just making a little wager, that’s all.”
“Really? What kind of wager are we talking?” Liam asks as he meets my gaze in his rearview mirror. I feel my face instantly heat.