Page 4 of All Hallows Mate
“Not sure,” Liam says with a smirk. “I’m not used to talking to you while you’re sober.”
“You never speak to me. It’s like you are mute,” I say with a frown.
“I feel like I should be offended,” Liam says, tossing the shirt next to the bed and sitting back to look at me. “Have you never questioned why everyone thinks we’ve fucked?”
“I’ve got to go.” I don’t like where this is headed, so I get up and locate my other heel.
“Tori,” Liam says as he stands and faces me. I ignore him, so he walks around the bed toward me.
“I need to go,” I say quickly. I try to jump away from him, but he catches me and turns me to face away from him. I start to panic, but I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror he turned me to face. My hair is a mess. My makeup is smeared and running down my face. I look like a hot fucking mess. Liam slowly steps closer and sweeps my hair so it falls down my back. I stare at myself in shock as he runs his fingers through the tangles and braids my hair. He takes a hair tie off his wrist to secure the braid and then turns me to face him. He cups my cheek and seems to be lost in thought as he stares at me.
Liam is one of the guys who isn’t necessarily popular, but everyone stays on his good side. He’s incredibly quiet, which is disconcerting for some, but it’s oddly refreshing.
“I think you and I should talk,” he says. “You seem not to trust me.”
“I don’t know you,” I say. “I mean… I do. But…”
“Can I drive you home?”
“Just home?” I ask.
“Unless you want me to stop for tacos,” he chuckles like we are sharing an inside joke, only I don’t remember it.
“Uh… Okay,” I say.
“Can I show you something first?” he asks.
“Will it get me out of this house?” I ask with an attitude.
“Actually, yes,” he laughs.
“Fine,” I say with a sigh. I squeal and throw my arms around his neck when he abruptly sweeps my legs and scoops me into his arms. “What the fuck?!”
“Can you get the door?” he asks. I narrow my eyes at him, and he chuckles when I reach out and turn the knob. “This is so much easier when you aren't giggling.”
“I do giggle a lot when I drink,” I admit.
“Pretend you are drunk. I want you to see something,” he says. I sigh and lay my head on his chest. It’s admittedly comforting as fuck to be carried by him. I turn my face into his neck more to hide my face as we come up on people as we walk down the hallway. His scent is familiar, and breathing him in floods my brain with a calmness.
We get about halfway down the stairs when Jason’s voice makes me flinch. “That’s my boy!” Jason laughs.
“Damn, I wasn’t fast enough,” a guy remarks. “Set her down. We can get her home tonight.”
“Fuck off, Tyler,” Liam grunts as we walk.
“Damn. She’s already blacked out?” A girl cackles. There is chatter all around us that he is holding me, and I am realizing this is not the first time he’s done this.
Liam kicks the screen door open and walks us out, but I hear voices following us out. “Hey, man. I don’t know if we can just let you drive off with an unconscious woman like this,” Jacob says with a mocking tone.
“Yeah, man. How do we know you aren’t trying to fuck her while she’s passed out?” Tyler asks. “I think she needs to stay with us. We will take good care of her.”
“All of you are fucking sick,” Liam snaps.
“We are just seizing an opportunity, bro,” Jacob laughs.
“I’m going to set you down. Get in and lock the door,” Liam says to me when we stop. He sets me on my feet and pulls a truck door open. I quickly jump inside and hit the lock when he shuts the door back. I watch in shock as he turns and swings at Jacob, punching him in the face. Jason tries to hit him, but Liam shoves him back and turns in time to dodge Tyler throwing a punch. He shoves him back and says something as he points at Jacob, but I don’t know what it is. I crack the door open just enough so I can hear him.
“This bullshit you three are doing to her… It ends now,” Liam growls.
