Page 10 of Falling For Liam
“She keeps trying to convince me she is, but I don’t believe a word of it. What the hell’s going on with her?”
“I don’t really know.”
“You must know more than me,” he snaps. “She won’t tell me fuck all. But whatever it is, it’s bad. This isn’t who she is,” he says with such confidence I almost let out a sob. How can he be so convinced he knows me when we’ve only spent a few hours together?The same way you know him,a little voice in my head says, but I force it down.
“I know. I just don’t know what to do. She won’t talk, so how can we help her?”
“I’m not sure, but I’m going to find out, and I’m going to find whoever the fuck’s done this to her.”
My stomach turns over at Liam finding out the truth and getting involved. He’s more than capable of fighting my battles for me, but he shouldn’t have to. No one needs to get involved in my ugliness.
“You should go home and get some sleep,” Nic says, and I tense, already knowing it’s not a suggestion that’s going to go down well.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“Liam, please,” she breathes, probably trying to decide the best way to play it. “She needs sleep and probably needs a little space. She’s safe here, and she’ll be here in the morning. You can come back.”
Although I don’t really want him to go, my thoughts return from earlier about not getting too used to the feelings of comfort and safety he brings. I’m so grateful that Nicole can sense how I’m feeling, even if she has no idea why.
“I’m not—”
“Do it for Liv, yeah? Just give her a few hours to get some rest; then, you can come straight back.”
It takes another couple of minutes of convincing, but eventually, Liam concedes and I listen to him pulling his shirt back on and sliding his feet into his shoes. My stomach clenches painfully at the thought of him leaving, but I know it’s for the best. I just wasn’t strong enough to make it happen myself.
Before leaving the room, Liam’s footsteps get closer, and I put everything I have into keeping my shallow breathing consistent. His breath covers my face and instead of making me want to run, my muscles bunch with desire. It’s not long before the heat of his lips connects with my forehead. Tears once again sting my eyes as his kiss lingers. I feel everything he wants to tell me but is too afraid to say out loud in his kiss. I’m desperate to reach out, to pull his lips to mine, but I can’t. Instead, I stay stock still, hoping I’m pulling off this sleeping act.
“Whatever you need, Liv,” he promises, and I struggle to breathe through the lump in my throat.
He says goodbye to Nic and promises to be back first thing in the morning. All the while, I try to contain the sobs that are threatening to tear from my throat.
There are only a few seconds of silence before I feel the bed dip beside me and the heat of Nic’s hand lands on my shoulder.
“You’re not asleep, are you?” she asks, a little more in tune with my act than I hoped for.
Deciding against the heart to heart she inevitably wants I continue to pretend, keeping my breathing as steady as possible.
She’s silent for a long time. I expect her to get up and walk away, so it surprises me when she starts talking. “What’s going on, Liv?” She sounds totally defeated, and I feel awful for trying to pretend everything is okay when all she wants to do is help. “Why won’t you just tell us? We’re all here for you. You could have a great life here. I know it’s what Liam wants. Seriously, Liv, you should have seen him after you left—talk about lost puppy.” She lets out a long breath when I still don’t respond. She obviously can’t see the tears soaking her pillowcase beneath me.
“Okay, well, sleep well, and I’ll see you in the morning.” She leans down and softly kisses my temple before getting up, walking out and quietly closing the door.
The sounds of her and Dec talking below me drift up, but eventually, the sleep that I so desperately need drags me under.
* * *
The heat of his hand wrapped around my neck has my eyes as wide as they will go and I gasp for breath. I claw at his shoulders until I feel the warmth of his blood under my nails. His crazy eyes stare down into mine. He’s enjoying this, and the look in his eyes is telling me that the more I fight, the more he’s going to get off on it.
I wake with a start, my skin covered in sweat and my entire body shaking as fear and adrenaline race through me.
“Oh my god,” I whisper, dropping my head into my hands and slowly breathing in and out, trying to calm my racing heart. This is turning into a nightly occurrence. As if it’s not bad enough that I’m terrified to fall asleep in case I’m caught unawares, but once I do fall asleep, he’s right there, in my face, breathing down on me, reminding me that it’s only a matter of time.
With the memory of my nightmare still clouding my thoughts, I rush to get out of bed. I pull some clothes from my bag and drag them on, throwing the few things I have inside it, making the bed, and leaving the room.
I silently tiptoe down the stairs. Finding a notepad and a pen on the unit in the hallway, I make quick work of leaving a note for Nicole.
I’m so sorry I ruined your night. You’re all better off without me here.
Speak soon x
