Liam following my gaze, looks up to see everyone watching us. “What?”
The only response we get is laughter, throw your head back, tears streaming laughter. Before long, Liam and I are laughing right along with them. After breakfast we all pitch in to help clean up.
Once we’re done, Liam drives Hales and me back to The Warehouse to get her car. “So, I’ll see you in an hour?” he asks me as he draws me in for a hug. I can’t help but notice we’re a perfect fit as I tuck my head under his chin. Liam gives the best hugs.
I look over at Hailey. “What are your plans for the day?”
“I’m meeting some friends from high school for lunch, and then after that I got nothing.”
“So, can I pick you up at the dorm in an hour? I want to go shopping for a futon, and I thought we could just hang out, spend the day together?” Liam asks me. I had forgotten he said he was buying a futon.
“What the hell do you need a futon for?” Hailey asks him.
Liam smiles down at me. “Well, my little sister tends to spend the night a lot and so does my buddy Blitzen. In the past this hasn’t been an issue. However, things have changed; my girlfriend will be placing a permanent reservation on sharing my bed with me whenever she would like, so I need to ensure my little sister has a comfortable place to sleep, which does not include being curled up with either of my male best friends.” He says the last part with tension in his voice, like he can picture Hailey curled up with Aiden or Blitzen.
Hailey grins. When I say grins, we’re talking face-splitting blind you kind of grin. “You fell hard, huh, big brother?” Then she turns to me. “Can’t wait for my spa day.”
Liam kisses my forehead. “And still falling.” His simple statement seems to make sense to Hailey as she nods her head.
“Alright, future sister-in-law, get your ass in the car, so my brother can go shopping for his futon.” Hailey winks at Liam.
Liam leans down and kisses me soft, sweet, and slow. “See you in an hour, beautiful girl.” Her statement doesn’t seem to bother him in the least.
As soon as we’re in the car and driving away from Liam, Hailey is all over me. “Holy fucking shit, what in the hell did you do to my brother?”
I turn in my seat and gape at her. “Umm, I’m not sure what you mean?”
“What I mean is I’ve never, in my entire existence, seen him act all sweet and loving with a girl. I’ve never seen him show any public displays of affection. Hell, he was cuddling, and you two were feeding each other at the damn breakfast table.”
“Oh, that. Well, I’m not sure, I don’t know how Liam was with other girls, so I can’t say. I know what you’ve told me, and what Aiden and Liam, himself, has told me.” I shrug, like it’s no big deal.
“Allow me to enlighten you, my friend. Liam does not do PDA. Ever. He picks a girl up at a party, the bar, what have you, they do their thing and it’s done. No affection whatsoever. Never has he claimed a girlfriend and never has he practically begged a girl to spend time with him, like he did back there. You, my friend, have tamed the beast.”
I can’t help it, I laugh out loud to that one. “Tamed the beast, really, Hales?”
She nods. “Yes, the beast. Just wait, if he continues this way, you’ll hear that a lot.”
I really can’t comment, because I have no idea why Liam chose me over all the other girls he has been with or could be with. I just hope he doesn’t break my heart because one thing is for sure; I’m falling hard for Liam MacCoy, and he has the power to crush me.
Once we arrive back at the dorm, I call Gran. I tell her I’ve met an amazing guy, who’s my roommate’s brother, and he asked me on a date tonight. She understands, of course, and wants to hear all about Liam. I refrain from telling her that he is ‘officially’ my boyfriend. I don’t know why, but I want to keep that just for me, for the time being.
After talking to Gran longer than time allowed, I rush through a shower. I throw on a green sun dress, which Hailey says makes my eyes pop, and a pair of matching flip-flops. I braid my hair off to the side, add some mascara and lip gloss, and I’m good to go. Just as I’m unplugging my phone from its charger, there’s a knock at the door.
“Come in!” I yell. I know it’s Liam. I’m not expecting anyone else.
Liam walks through the door with a frown on his face. Great, it’s only been an hour and he’s changed his mind. Stay calm, don’t let him see you cry.
“Hey, you.” I try to sound as cheerful as I can.
“Why wasn’t your door locked, and why did you just yell for me to come in? I could have been anyone.” He scowls.
I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my head, in what I like to think of as my spot, right below his chin. His arms immediately crush me to him. “I knew you were going to be here any minute, and Hales just left; she must have forgotten to lock it on her way out.”
Liam kisses my temple. “I don’t want anything to happen to you or my little sister. You guys need to make sure you keep this locked, even during the day, and always make sure you know who’s at the door.”
I nod my head in agreement, trying hard not to smile. It’s been a long damn time since anyone other than Gran or Aiden and his family has worried about me. I’m overcome with emotion and afraid if I try to speak Liam will see, and I’m not ready to go there with him just yet. So, I lean up on my tiptoes and kiss him long and hard.
“You look beautiful,” he says as he pulls away. “You ready to go?”
“Yes.” I grab my phone and my wristlet.
“Where’s your bag?”
“Oh, I’m just going to take this,” I say, showing him my wristlet. “It can carry everything I’ll need, including my phone.”
Liam looks at the floor. “I thought you were going to stay with me.”
“Oh.” I knew we’re shopping for a bed, but I didn’t realize that meant I was staying there tonight. “You want me to stay with you tonight?”
“Every night, beautiful girl, but I’ll take what I can get. It’s just …” Liam rubs his hand on the back of his neck. “I really just want to fall asleep with you in my arms and wake up the same way. I promise nothing else will happen, I just want that, with you. Last night, I laid awake in bed, knowing you were sleeping next to Aiden. I need you with me tonight.”
Wow. “Okay, let me pack a few things.” I rush around grabbing clean underwear, a pair of shorts, and a tank. I throw in my cell charger, as well as my bathroom necessities. When I’m ready to leave, Liam’s by my side, taking my tote out of my hands, throwing it over his shoulder. He locks the door to my dorm, laces his fingers through mine, and we’re on our way.
The day is amazing. Liam buys the first futon he sees at the furniture store and arranges for delivery today at four. He claims when he tells his parents it’s for Hailey they won’t blink at the credit card statement. He calls Aiden to make sure he’s going to be home to accept the delivery. We go to Walmart and buy a new futon cover along with extra blankets and pillows. Liam insisted I pick up my brand of shampoo and body wash to keep at his place, as well as my own loofa. We also pick up some groceries and a few items Aiden asked us to pick up. We grab Subway for lunch and eat it at the park.