Page 30 of Demise

“I’ll lend you a hand,” Maggie says as she tosses a remote to Liam. “Don’t pick something stupid, Walcott.”

Liam scoffs like he’s offended as he picks up the remote and begins flicking through shows.

I walk into the pantry to grab a few bags of popcorn as Maggie grabs the milk, pouring several mugs full before reaching to put it away. When she does, the sleeve of her t-shirt rises, and something catches my eye.

What the fuck.

I reach out for her arm, stopping in her tracks as I push the sleeve up.

“Maggie, what happened?” I ask, my eyes taking on several round burn marks scattered under her upper arm. Just high enough to be concealed with the sleeve of a t-shirt.

She jerks at my touch, quickly yanking it down before she shakes her head.

“It’s nothing.”

“That’s not nothing, Maggie,” I argue.

“Drop it!” she snaps, a fierceness to her tone that I haven’t heard from her before.

She blows out a breath, all the panic and anxiety from her face washing away as she shakes her head and gives me a pleading look. “Please?”

Slowly, I nod, and she closes the fridge before grabbing the cups of milk, walking into the living room, and setting them down before coming back for the cookies.

I share a look with Liam, but when I look to Asher, he’s already back to doing something on his phone.

Once the popcorn is done, I pour the bags into a giant bowl and move into the living room. Asher and Liam are sitting together against the headboard of the bed. Maggie is laying on her stomach on the far left side and I crawl in between her and Asher before laying on my stomach too. Her eyes don’t leave thescreen, watching with rapt attention Santa Claus go down the chimney when I lean against her.

Slowly, her red hair shifts, and those green eyes come to me.

“I’m sorry,” I mouth.

She shakes her head like she’s telling me to forget it when I cover my hand with hers.

“No, I am,” I whisper. “I love you; if you don’t want to talk about it, we won’t.”

She gives me a weak smile, squeezing my hand as she nods.

“I love you too.”

I smile at her, turning back to focus on the movie when Asher reaches down and begins massaging my leg. I give him a sweet smile over my shoulder, and he shoots me a wink. His arm is around Liam’s shoulder, and it doesn’t take long for Liam to slump down. He rests his head against Asher’s chest, his leg intertwined with Asher’s.

They are so cute it makes me want to puke and melt all at the same time.

Chapter Twelve

Liam

The day I’ve been looking forward to is finally here. I’ve finally got the all fucking clear. No cast, no walking boot. I’m like a brand new man.

Skyla squeezes my hand as she looks down at me. I smile up at her before I turn to see Asher listening to the doctor’s instructions with rapt attention. He’s really adopted the Mr. Responsible role lately. At least when daddy Ronan isn’t around to do it for all of us.

The doctor asks if we have any questions, to which we all shake our heads before he leaves. I slide off the examination bed, surprised at how weak my leg is when I try to put my full weight on it. Fuck, it’s been a while since I’ve been able to do a full gym routine, and it shows. I’m practically itching to get back to it. Upper body is not enough for me.

“You okay?” Skyla asks in that sweet voice that makes my heart melt, and my cock twitch all at the same time.

I grin up at her before planting a slobbery kiss on her cheek.

“Couldn’t be better. Now I can finally fuck you standing up.”

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