by Kaylee Ryan
“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.
Aiden chuckles. “From the blush on Ash’s face, I can only assume it involves the male species or sex. Maybe both.”
“Aiden!” I shout as I reach up and smack him on the arm.
Aiden and Hailey are both roaring with laughter while Liam stares at the road in front of him. I can see his jaw twitch in the mirror. Great, now he’s pissed off at me.
The rest of the drive is uneventful. I pretty much keep quiet, as does Liam. Aiden and Hailey continue their conversations about music and school. Liam and I answer questions, but both of us stay pretty quiet the remainder of the trip.
When we arrive, both of their parents are waiting for us on the porch. Liam, Aiden, and Hailey are all quick to get out of the car. I reach for my handle as the door flies open. Liam’s standing there, holding his hand out to me, offering me assistance. I take his hand as he helps me down. I smile up at him. “Thank you.”
Liam simply nods his head. Before I know what is happening, Hailey grabs me by the arm and starts pulling me to the porch. “Mom, Dad, this is my roommate, Allison. Allison, this is my mom and dad, Lisa and Rodney MacCoy.”
I’m expecting a hand shake, but Hailey’s mom pulls me into a hug. “It’s so nice to meet you. Welcome, and, please, call me Mom or Lisa,” she says as she releases me.
Their dad is just as friendly, he also gives me a quick hug. “Dad will work just fine for me as well.” He smiles at me.
“It’s nice to meet both of you. Thank you for having me.”
“You’re welcome here anytime. Now, I hope you all are hungry. I made homemade lasagna, salad, and garlic bread. For dessert I made dirt cake,” Lisa tells us.
“Did I hear dirt cake?” Aiden asks as he walks up on the porch. He goes straight for Mrs. MacCoy and hugs her. “You spoil me, woman.”
Mrs. MacCoy just laughs as she hugs Liam. “I just like to keep my family fed, and if it happens to be their favorite foods, so be it,” she says, smiling at the four of us.
Liam and Aiden shake hands and man hug with Mr. MacCoy as Hailey shuffles us into the house. Their home reminds me a lot of the Emersons’. Family pictures line the walls, throws thrown over the back of the couch. It feels lived in, happy. It’s been years since Gran’s house felt happy. The living room now houses Gran’s hospital bed, as it’s too hard for her to get up the stairs to any of the bedrooms. The kitchen counters are lined with bottle after bottle of her prescription medications. I feel an ache in my chest thinking about Gran. I just spoke to her this morning, and she says she’s doing fine, but I know her health is failing, and I feel like the worst granddaughter in the world being off at school while she’s home alone.
“Earth to Allison,” Hailey says as she waves her hands back and forth in front of my face.
“Oh, sorry,” I say as she pulls me out of my thoughts. “I was just thinking about Gran. I feel bad not being with her each day,” I explain.
Aiden walks over to me and pulls me into a hug. “I talked to Mom before we left, and she said Gran is fine and she’ll check on her again later today. Gran wants you to enjoy life, Ash. Please, try not to worry.” He kisses me on the forehead, and I hug him tighter.
Chapter 10
Liam
I have to get out of here. To see Aiden kiss her good morning, even though it’s just a peck on the cheek, irritates me. My annoyance is back full force. It’s bad enough I have to see her wearing his jersey, but to
see him touch her, it’s killing me. She feels it too, she told me that much, but she wants more. I’ve never done more. I’ve never had a girlfriend, I never wanted one. I have football. The draft is coming up in less than a year. My dream, since I was old enough to hold a football, has been to play in the NFL. I can’t lose focus on that now. However, my mind and my heart, yes, my heart, did not get the fucking memo. I’ve never had a girl hold my interest for longer than a few hours, how could I possibly give Allison more?
When I get back to the apartment, after my run, the girls are gone. I feel both relief and sadness. Thinking about how long it’ll be before I see her again, I get an idea in my head. I’ll surprise Hailey and pick her up for lunch at our parents’. Hopefully, Allison will be in their dorm room when I get there. It’ll be a quick glimpse, but at this point I’ll take what I can get. Checking the time, I rush through my shower, then I meet Aiden in the living room. “Hey, man, ready to go?”
He nods as he gets off the couch. “Little earlier than we usually leave?” He raises his eyebrows, questioning me.
I shrug my shoulders. “Yeah, I need to stop and pick up Hales, no sense in both of us driving there when we’re only minutes away from each other.” I try to sound as nonchalant as possible. Inside I’m screaming for him to hurry the fuck up. I need to see Allison.
He just stares at me. “Come on, man, what’s really going on?” he questions me.
“Nothing, it just makes more sense for me to pick her up, that’s all,” I reply as I continue tying my shoes.
“Did you know that Allison is coming today?”
I whip my head around to look at him. “She is?” I feel my heart rate pick up at just the thought of being able to be in the same car with her for any length of time. “Are you sure?”
He nods. “I’m positive.” Letting out a deep sigh he continues, “Please, tell me you aren’t going after her.”
I hesitate before answering, “She wants more.”
“She deserves more.”
“You think I don’t fucking know that? Don’t you think I would give her the world if I could?” I sneer at him.
Aiden stares at me as if he is trying to decipher what I just said. “She’s really gotten to you, hasn’t she?”
“Yes…no…hell, I don’t even know anymore.” I place my elbows on my knees and lean over with my hands covering my face. “What I do know is since I met her I can’t stop thinking about her. When I’m near her, I feel this intense attraction that I’ve never felt. I want to protect her. Hell, this morning I wanted to rip your fucking head off for kissing her on the cheek.”
“I really want to see where this goes, man. I need to work out these feelings.” I stand up and pace the floor. “I know she’s like a sister to you, and you’ve told me multiple times there’s nothing going on, but speak now, man, if there’s more. I plan on seeing where this attraction goes. And before you go ape shit, if you want her, I’ll back off, but that’s the only damn thing that will keep me from trying to work out these feelings I have for her.” The words are out of my mouth before I know what I’m saying. I realize I mean every word. Aiden’s words flash through my mind “She deserves better, she deserves respect and love.”
“Liam, you and Allison both mean a lot to me. Do.Not.Hurt.Her. I’ll support you as long as you agree she’s not a fuck buddy. She’s special and needs to be treated that way. Think about Hailey and how you would feel about her being treated like a quick fuck.”
I nod my head, understanding what he’s telling me. Allison really is like a sister to him, and he wants to protect her. Problem is so do I, and I’m not sure just how to deal with all of these emotions running rampant through me. Can I deal with giving her more? Can I deal with the close relationship they share? If I’m going to give her more, she’s going to be mine.
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.
