I sob harder. The sobs are due to the fight I just witnessed, not the pain. Liam assumes otherwise.
Liam looks over at Aiden. “Fuck, man, he was tugging on her trying to get her away from me.”
“Ash, we need to take you to get checked out.” He’s trying to soothe me, keeping his voice calm, but it isn’t working.
“Uh, guys, if we all show up at the hospital they’re going to get suspicious. Especially since my guess is Todd and Jason both need medical attention. Aiden, you have blood all over your shirt. I don’t want you guys getting kicked off the team,” Hailey tries to reason.
Liam speaks before anyone else has the opportunity, “I’ll take her. Aiden, can you take Hales back to our place? I’ll bring Allison back once we’re done.” He looks down to check to see if he is in the same shape as Aiden. Luckily, he is wearing a black shirt.
“It’s nothing. I don’t need to go to the hospital,” I interrupt them. “He just had a tight grip and it’s a little tender, nothing a few Advil won’t cure,” I try to reason. “I’ve just never witnessed anything like that before. My emotions are all over the place.”
Liam gently pulls my hand to his lips and places a tender kiss on my palm. “Allison, I’m not taking no for an answer. I’d never be able to forgive myself if it turns up broken and I didn’t make you get checked.” He lowers my hand and wraps his arm around my waist. “Please, let’s just let me take you and make sure you’re okay,” he pleads.
Aiden looks at me for reassurance. “Allison, are you okay with that?” He uses my first name, not my nickname. I know he’s trying to make sure I’m comfortable with Liam. I am. He would never hurt me, well, not physically.
I sigh with frustration. “Yes, it’s fine. I’ll see you guys in a little while. Just know this is not necessary,” I tell them.
“Liam.” I hear Aiden say, but there’s nothing but silence that follows. I look over to see Liam nod his head, then he places his hand on the small of my back to escort me to his SUV.
Liam leads me to his SUV and opens the door. He helps me in the passenger seat, then leans over and buckles my seat belt. He looks up and our faces are mere inches from each other. He brings his hand to my cheek and caresses it with his thumb. “I am so sorry.” He kisses me on the forehead, then shuts my door.
As I watch him make his way to the driver’s side, I release a frustrated breath. Liam and Aiden are overreacting. My hand doesn’t hurt that badly, and I have a feeling the emergency room doctors are going to think I’m vying for attention. Not that I mind Liam taking care of me.
Liam climbs behind the wheel, and then once he has his seat belt on and we’re on our way to the emergency room, he reaches over and places his hand on my thigh. The drive is quiet except for the sound of my heart racing. I’m sure Liam can hear it. The minor ache in my hand fades with the feel of Liam caressing my thigh. He goes back and forth from rubbing lazy circles to splaying his long fingers, like he’s afraid I’ll get away from him. He’s driving me insane from just a simple caress.
When we arrive at the emergency room, Liam helps me from the car and wraps his arms around me possessively while he cradles my hand to his chest. We sign in at the reception desk and take a seat in the waiting room. This is crazy.
“Let me see,” he says softly. He gently picks up my hand and brings it to his lips. He lifts his eyes, meeting with mine. “Baby, I’m so sorry he hurt you.” He swallows hard and looks away. “I can’t explain what it did to me to see you and Hales being with those two, their hands on you.” He turns back to me and his lips meet my forehead. He pulls away and puts his arm around me, pulling me to his chest. I sigh and relax against him.
“Liam, how many times do I have to tell you I’m fine? It’s just a little tender. We don’t need to be here.”
He places his finger over my lips to silence my plea. “Please,” he whispers, “for my peace of mind, can we wait for the doctor to see you?”
“Fine,” I grumble. I feel him kiss the top of my head as I close my eyes.
I wake up to Liam cradling me in his arms as we walk into an exam bay. He gently lays me down on the table, as he stands beside me, running his fingers through my hair. I open my eyes to look at him. “Hey.”
“Hey, you,” Liam says as he pulls the chair up next to the bed. He continues to run his fingers through my hair. “The doctor will be in to see you soon. Do you need anything?”
“No, thank you for waiting with me. I’m sure you’d rather be anywhere but here. Sorry.” I look away from him. I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes, and I don’t want him to see me cry. The frustration with tonight’s events are playing havoc with my emotions.
“Hey,” he says and I turn to face him. Liam runs his fingers down my cheek, wiping away my tears. “Allie, I would go anywhere with you, there’s nowhere else I would rather be.”
I would go anywhere with you… What I wouldn’t give for those words to be true. The only problem is they are true for me. I want him plain and simple. I know it’s wrong to want someone who has a relationship phobia. I’m setting myself up for heartache. Even though I know the outcome, I can’t control it. I refuse to act on it until he’s ready to give me more. Deep down I know that will never happen. Liam doesn’t think he is capable of more. However, the heart wants what the heart wants, and I’m slowly losing all of mine to Liam MacCoy.
Chapter 16
Liam
Seeing her tears breaks my heart. She actually thinks I don’t want to be here. When I tell her I would go anywhere with her, it’s with those words I know I want to chance it. I want it all. I want to be hers and her be mine. She’s the one and only person who’s ever made me want more than a few hours of sex, more than meaningless. For months I’ve fought this, and I know sitting here beside her it’s not going away. This need I have for her is real.
She focuses her big green eyes on me. “Liam…”
“Shh, baby, let’s get you taken care of, we can talk later,” I say as I kiss her forehead. As I’m pulling away, the doctor comes into the room.
“Hello, Allison, I’m Dr. Lansing,” the doctor says as he sits down on the edge of the bed. “And you are?”
“Liam MacCoy, sir,” I say as I reach out and shake his hand.
“Liam MacCoy from UNC?” he questions me.
“Yes, sir, that would be me,” I reply with a wink at Allie.
“I’m a big fan, big game next week versus OSU. Season opener.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Well, then, Miss Hagan, let’s get you fixed up. We can’t have our star quarterback worrying about his girl; he needs to focus on the big game,” he says, grinning at Allison.
“Um, he’s—” Allison tries to speak, but I interrupt her. I really like the sound of someone else calling her my girl.
“He’s right, baby. Let’s get you taken care of, so we can get you home,” I tell her.
She looks a little confused, but she smiles at me and nods her head.