Page 84 of The Tape Job
“Fine.” Liam moved to put the disk back.
“Actually, Lee, pass it here,” I snatched it from him, then made a grab for his laptop. “Let’s watch it. It’ll help me make my decision,” I lied.
He laughed, but as soon as I pressed play, the humour quickly died down. And before long, we were undertaking a re-enactment.
And nowhere it is.
I remember when we broke up the first time, Liam told me he’d got rid of it, and I was more disappointed than I thought I’d be. I thought about it, though. About how it made me feel and how much I wanted to re-live the moment.
I re-read his latest message, asking me if I’ve given in yet, but I know he’s just teasing me. Just like he was teasing me when he kissed me. I touch my lips absentmindedly as I dial his number because it’s been playing on my mind that I never thanked him for paying my cards off. My heart races when it starts ringing.
“Did you watch it yet?” he laughs as he answers his phone. The way he says it makes me rock back and forth on my bed, desperate for any sort of friction … friction that never materialises.
“No. I just called to say thank you. For paying my cards. I can’t tell you how grateful I am and I want to pay you back.”
“No way. I don’t want anything.”
“Liam, why are you being so nice to me? I put you through hell.”
“Do you really need to ask me that? End of conversation.” He goes quiet before I hear him take a breath. “Look, I know I shouldn’t have gone through your room. I know it was a breach of privacy.”
“Are you sorry for stealing my panties?” I smirk.
“Er—”
“I wish I could have seen what you did with them.” The words come out before I can stop myself.
“Vic—”
“Forget it. Anyway, I guess Danny, Jen, and Ryan had a lot to say when you went back upstairs?”
“I couldn’t think of a decent cover story. I told them you had some embarrassing footage of me falling over the boards onto the bench.”
“Well, that works.”
“No, Danny wants to see it now,” Liam says.
“Just tell him the disk is damaged,” I offer.
“I’ll figure it out. Don’t worry.”
But then a horrifying thought pops into my head. “Lee, does Ryan know?”
“No, he doesn’t. Nor does Johnny, because I know that’s what you’re going to ask next.”
The anxiety creeps away. And after I hang up, I put the disk in my closet, hoping to forget all about it. But over the next few weeks, it seems to take over my every waking thought. I even start pulling it out of the plastic case and turning it over in my hands before shoving it away again.
In fact, Liam seems to take over my mind completely. From the disk, to that kiss, to the constant wondering what he did with my favourite pair of panties—well, I can guess what he did, but I wanted to see. Instead, I had to settle for closing my eyes, working through a mental image of a scenario. Liam, with my panties wrapped around his cock as he stroked himself to orgasm. Liam, perhaps enjoying the scent of my pussy. That thought is enough to give me a shaking orgasm. I’m pretty sure most people do not think of their ‘friends’ like this.
Having to see him every single day doesn’t help either because he finds opportunities to flirt. Morning skate, pre-game photos, warm-ups. Every time we’re in the same space, he either winks at me or leans in really close and whispers something.
And I can’t help but seek him out more and more. In true Liam style, he embraces the attention that I give him. He even mouthed something as he caught my camera lens pointed at him; it was just before he leant in to take a face-off during yesterday’s game. I’m pretty sure it involved my panties, but I can’t be sure.
But the depth of mine and Liam’s relationship is on full display shortly after the face-off ‘mouthing’ incident. Bellabounces towards my desk just before the team’s mid-week practice.
“I need your help, Vicky. I pitched a marketing strategy to Mr. Lopez, and he loves it. But first, I need to get some footage of the guys telling the camera why they chose their number.”
My heart sinks. I’m not sure why, but I feel vulnerable—exposed, even. Bella explains what she wants help with, and I have no choice but to agree.
