Page 27 of Falling For Liam
“It’s okay, I find it kind of relaxing.”
“Really?” she asks, like it’s the most absurd thing she’s ever heard. “I’m here for the rest of the night, so come down when you’re ready.”
Once I’ve finished, I head back to my bedroom and turn the shower on so hot that steam immediately starts filling the room, and I strip out of my clothes. My muscles ache from all my activities today, and I can’t help but groan as the water pounds down on my skin. I knew this house was big, but I didn’t appreciate quite how big.
Before I know it, I’m stood in front of the mirror in a floral print maxi dress and my favourite sandals. My hair’s straight and my make-up’s light. As I stare at myself, I almost feel a little of the old me beginning to creep back in. The version of myself who wasn’t always looking over her shoulder and feeling totally beaten down by the world. It’s an incredibly refreshing feeling.
“Did you do something to my bathroom? It smells like chick,” BJ asks suspiciously as I descend the stairs. “Whoa, girl. Look at you!” he exclaims when my foot hits the bottom step. He’s sat in front of the TV with a beer in his hand. “Hot date?”
“No, just going to hang out with Nic at the shack.”
“Sweet.”
“You got plans for the night?”
“I’m still weighing up my options.”
“That right?” I ask with a laugh.
“Yeah, bitches just can’t get enough of me. Gotta pick wisely, you know?”
“Wow, sounds like such a problem to have.”
“It’s a hard life, but someone’s got to do it. Now Dec’s been whipped, I’m the only one serving their needs.”
“Lovely. Well, I’ll leave you with that. Have a good night,” I call over my shoulder as I walk towards the front door. I can’t help but smile. BJ likes to think he comes across as a bad boy player, but I’m pretty sure that in reality, he’s anything but.
Liam
“Where are you going?” BJ asks the second I start to head up the stairs.
“To bed. I’m wiped.”
“Nah, fuck that. We’re going for drinks.”
“Can we go tomorrow?”
“No. Stop being a pussy. We’re going out. Go put on a pretty dress and your favourite shoes, and let’s go.”
Rolling my eyes at my best friend, I continue the way I was going, only it’s not to fall face-first onto my bed like I intended. I’ve been sleeping like shit since Liv arrived, and getting up before the bloody sun rises to get to the station doesn’t help. But I can’t say the idea of a cold pint isn’t appealing.
It’s not until I walk into the bathroom that I realise something’s different. It smells like fucking flowers. I don’t need to put too much thought into what’s happened, because it’s obvious it’s the same person who cleaned up the mess in the kitchen after I cooked last night. I didn’t intend on leaving it for her to do. I was going to go back down later, once she’d gone to bed, but I was too late.
I felt like a twat treating her the way I did, but she’s fucked with my head all week. I’ve spent every fucking second since she arrived worrying about her. What if she goes back? Will that motherfucker have another go and succeed next time? What if he comes here? Every inch of me wants to protect her, but that’s easier said than done when she’s keeping me at arm’s length.
After showering in the cleanest bathroom I think I’ve ever seen, I throw on a pair of dark jeans and a white polo shirt before running some wax through my hair and joining BJ in the living room, where he’s nursing another can.
“Finished doing your hair at last?”
“Fuck off,” I say at the same time as flipping him off and heading towards the front door.
I’m not surprised when we end up walking towards the shack. Since Dec bought the place, it’s pretty much our go-to. Not only do we get the occasional free drink, but it’s a hell of a lot better than most of the pubs in this little town. What I don’t expect is the familiar feeling that creeps up my spine whenever she’s around. I tried not to think about her sitting alone in her room while we went out; the thought of leaving her alone in the house was pushing my need to protect her to astronomic levels, but it seems she was here all along.
As if she feels it too, she turns and her eyes find mine instantly. The usual flicker of electricity sparks between us before her gaze drops in favour of taking me in. I can tell from her bright eyes that she’s already had a drink or two, and I can’t help hoping that the alcohol buzzing through her system will mean she’ll talk to me, maybe even forgive me.
“Whoa, Liv’s smoking.”
Growling, I turn to BJ, who just laughs at my reaction. I know he wouldn’t pursue Liv knowing I want her, but it doesn’t seem to stop him taunting me.
