Aiden senses I’m hanging by a thread and changes the subject as we make our way out to my Pathfinder. “So, what’s on the menu for today?”
I laugh. “Not sure, but you know Mom. Whatever it is, there’ll be an abundance of it and it’ll be delicious.” I hand him my phone. “Text Hales and let her know we’re coming to get them.” The plan was to surprise her and try to catch a glimpse of Allison. However, now that Allison is going, I need to make sure she doesn’t leave before I get there.
Taking my phone, he nods and proceeds to text Hales and let her know we’ll be taking them to Mom and Dad’s.
Aiden stays in the car while I go up to get the girls. I knock on the door and Hales answers. “Hey, you guys ready?” Before she can answer, Allison comes walking out of the bathroom. She’s wearing jean shorts and a tank top with flip-flops. I want her. She looks surprised to see me. Hailey must have seen the question in her eyes, so she starts explaining Aiden and I are also going to our parents’ for lunch and we’re all riding together.
Hailey’s already out the door, talking about who is riding shotgun. I can only hope it’ll be Allison. Although, I know, I’m not that lucky. Allison walks over to me, and, without even thinking, I lean down to tell her how beautiful she looks. I pull back as I catch her scent. Not able to control myself, I place my hand on the small of her back and lead her out to my SUV. I open the door for her and wait until she’s settled in before closing it.
I’m not lucky enough to have Allison beside me in the front seat, but she’s sitting directly behind me, and I keep glancing at her in my rearview mirror. She has her hair hanging loose over her shoulders. Yep, she’s beautiful. She doesn’t need makeup, she just needs to be Allison. I grip the steering wheel tighter and focus on the road. She wants more, I’ve never done more. Can I focus on her and football, not to mention, school? If there’s ever a reason to try, it would be for Allison, she’s intoxicating. This is the same question that has been running through my mind all day. I told Aiden I was going to see where this goes, and I want that. I also don’t want to hurt her. My head is a jumbled mess.
The conversation is flowing; I listen, trying to remain focused on the road and not on Allison. All of a sudden, I hear Hailey giggling like a school girl, which pulls me out of my thoughts. Aiden asks them what they are up to. Hailey says that she and Allison have a bet going. I’m intrigued.
Allison and Hailey are laughing and talking about some type of wager, and I’m fine until Aiden mentions it involving the male species, someone other than me. Then I’m instantly pissed off. I need to get a grip, but I can’t seem to control it when it comes to her.
Allison leans forward and punches Aiden in the arm at his teasing. I clench my jaw tight and turn my focus back to the road. It pisses me off beyond comprehension to hear the words male and sex mentioned with Allison. Just the thought of her with anyone else has me seeing red. The thought of someone else kissing those sweet lips, running their hands through her beautiful locks, touching her soft skin…Fuck.
We pull into my parents’ drive, and I hop out of the SUV. I open Allison’s door and offer my hand to help her out. She grabs my hand, and, in that instance, I feel all the anger I’m feeling fade. As soon as she steps out, Hales is dragging her by the hand up the steps to meet our parents. Thoughts of her being here with me as mine flash through my mind. I should be the one introducing my girl to my parents, not my sister. My girl? What the fuck is she doing to me?
I watch as my parents embrace Allison and welcome her to our home. She smiles her heart stopping smile, and I can tell they love her already. Aiden was right, she’s easy to love. Not that I’m in love with her, but she’s easy to like I guess that’s a better way of putting it. Hailey leads us all inside as Aiden talks to my mother about his love for her cooking and desserts.
As we gather around the table, Allison gets a faraway look in her eyes. Before I know what’s happening, Aiden walks over to her, whispers in her ear, and pulls her close as he kisses the top of her head. Why the fuck does he keep touching her? I slam the salad bowl down on the table, which causes me to be on the receiving end of questioning looks from both of my parents.
Aiden returns to his seat. “This looks great, Mrs. Mac, thanks again for having us.”
“You know you’re always welcome,” Mom tells him.
“So, can you believe Allison and Aiden grew up living next door to each other? Small world, huh?” Hailey says as she fills her plate with lasagna.
“Really, are you two dating?” This question coming from my mother. I happen to be taking a drink when she asks this and begin to cough, her question not sitting well with me. No matter how many times Aiden tells me they’re just friends, like siblings, he still touches her intimately. I hate every second of it. I want to be the one to wrap my arms around her.
Aiden laughs. “No, Allison and I are best friends.” He looks at me. “She’s like my little sister.”
My mom looks at Allison. “So, you’re Ash?” she questions. Aiden has pretty much been a permanent fixture at my house whenever I’m here. He has talked a lot about Allison or ‘Ash’, as he calls her.
“Yes, we call each other by our initials. It’s something we started when we were really young. I moved in with my gran when I was ten. I lost my parents in a car crash. I was scared and lonely.” She looks at Aiden and smiles. “Ace here made sure I knew my way around school and we bonded. We’ve been best friends ever since.” Allison discretely wipes a tear that’s starting to escape. It takes everything in me not to wrap her in my arms. The thought that she’s sad or hurt rips my heart out.
“I’m so sorry about your parents, dear,” my mom tells Allison. “I didn’t mean to pry.”
“No, it’s fine. It was a long time ago,” Allison replies. “May I use your restroom?” she asks softly.
Hailey speaks up, “Of course, it’s the last door down the hall on your right.”
Allison leaves the table, and I release the breath I’m holding.
“You alright, son?” my dad asks.
I nod, not wanting to get into the fact that Allison has me tied in knots. That the thought of her in pain is making my arms ache to hold her.
After a few minutes Hailey says, “I’m going to go check on her.”
“No.” I stand from the table. “Let me do it.” I quickly excuse myself and head down the hall. I know that I, as well as Allison, are going to be the topic of conversation, but I can’t bring myself to care. I want to be there for her.
I stop in front of the bathroom door and lean my forehead against it. I can hear her soft cries. I knock softly. “Allison, it’s Liam. Can you let me in, sweetheart?”
“Just give me a minute, I’ll be fine,” she chokes out.
“Please,” I whisper.
I hear her shuffling toward the door and then hear the handle turn. When she pulls the door open, her face is blotchy and her eyes are red and swollen. Without even thinking, I step inside and shut the door. I pull her close to me and wrap her in my arms. I kiss the top of her head, and as I do, she begins to cry harder. I’m not sure how long we stay like this, but while I’m holding her I lose a piece of myself to Allison Shay Hagan.