Page 66 of Southie
She nodded in agreement.
Silence remained between us as we basked in the warmth of our lovemaking, but it was time I let her know what I expected from her if we tried to make this work.
“Camilla, if we try to make this work, when you don’t like something, say something. Don’t run. I can’t take you running away again. Next time, I won’t come after you.”
And that was the truth. I had a unique connection with Camilla. It was something primal. Otherworldly. Meant to be. If she wanted me to put my heart on the line again, she’d have to be all in. Take the good with the bad, just like I would with her.
“I understand. My feelings scared me and pissed me off, but I can’t be away from you anymore. I’m all in, Liam. No matter how crazy this is, I’m all in.”
I pulled back and gazed into her eyes, searching for any doubt. When I saw none, I released a breath and nod.
“This is the start of our new life together.”
* * *
Camilla
The excessive ringing of a cellphone brought me out of my sleep. The light filtering in through Liam’s bedroom window signaled it was another day. After we made love several more times and made our concerns and expectations about our new relationship known to one another, we finally crashed, and it was the best sleep I’d had since the last time we were together.
“Liam.” I pushed him, trying to wake him up. “Liam, wake up. Your phone.”
“They’ll call back,” he grunted and turned over, refusing to answer it.
“It could be important.”
He groaned and reached for the phone on the nightstand without sitting up.
“Daugherty,” he mumbled groggily.
I stepped into the bathroom to give him a little privacy while he took his call. Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I no longer looked lifeless, like I was going through the motions of life. When I left Liam, and even when I was going through things with Franklin, I never felt like myself. Now, everything was different. No worries were burdening me anymore. I was happy. Free.
Strong arms wrapped around my naked body and I relaxed into him, feeling the warmth of his skin.
“That was your father.”
I stiffened and my chest tightened. Did he know I was here? What if he found out? Would it be so bad?
“What did he want? Does he know?”
He rested his chin on the top of my head. “Relax, baby. He asked if there was anything between us. I fed him the same story you gave him about my non-existent fiancée. I’m not sure if he believed me but he dropped the subject.”
My shoulders sagged against his body in relief. I wanted to tell my father about Liam, but under the circumstances, that wouldn’t be the best thing.
Liam looked ecstatic. His smile was wide, and his eyes held excitement.
“If the call wasn’t about us, what did he want?”
“I fight in two weeks.”
I turned around and jumped in his arms. “Oh my God, Liam! That’s so cool. I’m so excited for you.”
“This is what I dreamed of. My first semi-professional fight. And guess what else?”
“There’s more?”
He nodded. “It’ll be on T.V.”
“Are you serious?”
