Page 75 of The First Time

“No,” I admit. “He was really cool about it.”

I look over at Asher who is talking with Charlotte and Layla by the pool table. He really has been great about everything. This entire week at work, he didn’t treat me any differently. He will never know how much it means to me that he trusts me with his sister.

“Told you,” Eric nudges my arm. “Don’t sell yourself short. You’re a good guy.”

“Uh, thanks. Anyway, did you catch the game yesterday?” I ask, desperate to change the subject.

I’m not sure why I’m so uncomfortable with any type of compliment. Probably because I never got any growing up. I don’t know how to take it.

It means the world to me that these guys, my family, think highly of me. When you have parents who never noticed youa day of your life, it fucks with your head. All these years I’ve thought it was something I did, but maybe it was them.

The entire Williams family is beginning to make me see that I’m more than what my parents told me I was. Part of me wants to call them up and tell them off for how they’ve neglected me, but I’ll probably just end up the one who gets hurt when they don’t show any remorse.

Eric and Liam get called over to play pool. I take a sip of my beer and feel a small set of arms wrap around my neck. My smile is instant.

I turn around and see her looking up at me with dreamy eyes. I can’t believe those are reserved for me.

“Hey, beautiful,” I wrap an arm around her waist.

“Do you know how many times we would be out at this bar, and I would do everything in my power not to stare at you all night? It would piss me off because I wanted to want anyone but you.”

“Each time you looked baby, it was after I forced myself to drag my eyes away from you. It would ruin my night if you spent the evening flirting with another guy. I would go home and be in the worst mood for days.”

My lips take hers in a searing kiss. I get to take her home with me tonight and hopefully every night for the rest of our lives.

“Hey, get a room, you two. None of us want to actually see your love,” Liam shouts across the room.

Layla covers her lips while she rolls her eyes.

“They’ll get used to it,” I tell her with a wink.

“So, you two…” a familiar voice interrupts, making my skin crawl in annoyance.

William is standing there in his stupid polo shirt with the collar popped up and far too much hair gel in his hair.

I tighten my grip around her waist. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve seen him, but I still want to punch him in the face. He just looks like a douchebag; never mind the way he acts.

“Yes,” I tell him with authority. “Us two.”

“Hi, William,” Layla says while tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear. A clear tell that she’s nervous right now.

“How are you doin’?” he asks Layla, ignoring me.

“I’m doing good. Same old. Just restaurant and hanging out with friends. What about you?”

He stands taller and adjusts his belt. “Just got promoted to president at my dad’s company. He’s retiring soon.”

“Wow. Congratulations,” she replies. “Sounds like exactly what you were working towards.”

“It is. You know, you’re too pretty to be slaving away in that restaurant. You should be with someone who can take care of you.”

He looks over at me the same way he always used to. Like I’m not good enough to be in their presence. I wonder if he ever even considered talking to her like a person and not some petulant child who’s being stubborn by working in a “restaurant.”

I squeeze her side when I feel her muscles tense. “I love working in my restaurant. That will never change, no matter who I’m involved with.”

“I’m sure once you have kids, that will change.”

Man, this asshole just keeps going. It’s like the idiot can’t take the hint. I’m literally standing here with my arm around her and he’s basically asking her to marry him. The nerve. But this time, she isn’t seventeen. He can’t hold that over my head, nor can he make me feel like he can provide more for her, not more of what really matters.

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