Page 23 of Falling For Liam
“What’s wrong?” Nic asks, seeing my panic.
“It’s just…I’m not sure…I’m sorry.” Pushing the chair out behind me, I run from the room and up to the safety of my bedroom.
It’s only a couple of minutes before a soft knock sounds out around the room. “Liv, can I come in?”
“Yeah,” I breathe so quietly that she can’t have heard, but she lets herself in regardless.
Sitting myself up, I lean back against the headboard, hugging my knees to my chest.
Nic walks to the end of the bed before crawling up until she’s squeezed in beside me. She sits there in silence for the longest time. I don’t really want to talk, but I find the words falling from my lips, anyway.
“I’m scared.” My voice is barely a whisper.
“I know. But you’re safe here,” she says, not understanding what I mean.
“I know I am. I’m not worried about him finding me. I’m scared of Liam,” I admit.
“What, why?” She’s shocked, her voice giving her away before she turns to me, her brows drawn together. “Liam would never hurt you.”
“Not intentionally,” I whisper as I stare at the wall ahead.
“Liv?” The heat of her hand on my forearm forces me to look back at her.
“I just…I know he wants more, and…” I trail off. My head’s such a mess, I’m not sure I can vocalise my thoughts.
“You’re scared you won’t be what he needs?” Nic finishes for me.
“Yeah. How’d you know?”
“I can see it every time you look at him. Liam’s not David, Liv. He’s loyal, he’s determined, and most importantly, he’s got a massive heart. He doesn’t flaunt it around like BJ. He’s never told me why but I think he just wants the real thing, something a little more meaningful. He’d never push you into something you’re not ready for.”
“But it’s so intense.”
“Just tell him to cool it if it gets too much.”
“Not him. Us. When we’re together, it’s just…ugh…I don’t know.” I drop my forehead to my knees as I try to get my thoughts together.
“Just give it time, Liv. Stop worrying about what might happen and enjoy being here and not having to look over your shoulder every two seconds. If something is meant to happen with Liam, then it will. Stop putting pressure on yourself to be okay. You’ve just been through something massive; give yourself the time you need to deal with it all.”
“But what if I can’t trust a man again?” I ask the question that’s really been bothering me. Every night, I wake up in a cold sweat, my skin prickling as I remember what it felt like when he touched me. What if I can’t cope with a man’s touch? What if it always reminds me of his disgusting hands on me?
“If a man deserves your trust, he has to earn it. Whether that’s Liam or someone else you meet. You’re putting too much pressure on yourself to forget what happened. It’s only been a week. Just take each day as it comes. Let him in, let him be your friend. He won’t push unless you ask for it.”
I rest back against the headboard and let out a long breath as I try to put my thoughts aside and focus on what Nic’s just said. I know she’s right, but rational thinking isn’t my speciality right now.
“Okay. You’re right.”
“I know,” she states proudly. “So, how do you feel about moving to Dec’s house, really?”
I let the question roll around my head for a few minutes. I’ve only been there once, but the memories make my lips twitch into a small smile. The house is massive but so homely at the same time—not what you’d expect from a bachelor pad, but it’s definitely a place I can see myself living in.
“Good, actually. Plus, it’s time I got out of your hair.”
“This isn’t about us. You’re more than welcome to stay as long as you need. We just thought you might want the space. This room’s barely more than a cupboard at best,” she says with a laugh.
“Okay, let’s do this.” Jumping from the bed, I start grabbing the few things I have floating around the room.
“Now?”
