Page 39 of Ward Willing
I don’t bother going back inside despite the cool, cloudy weather. I sit down on the front step and scroll through Instagram while I wait for him, but I don’t have to wait for long. After seven minutes, I hear the front door open and close.
“Ready?” he asks, walking past me to his parked Jeep Wrangler.
I follow him without responding, watching him as he climbs into the driver’s side. He’s wearing a black and grey flannel shirt and light grey jeans, his usual dark brown boots on his feet. His hair is still wet, and he runs a hand through it as I cross to the passenger side. Before I can open the door, Liam leans over the console and opens it for me.
“Come on,” he orders. “Don’t want to keep my brother waiting.”
There’s a bite to his words, and for a second, I wonder ifthat’swhy he’s coming. Is he jealous of Orion? Or worried Orion is corrupting me? I smirk when I think about that. I’m sure Liam has no idea the meetup tonight is a munch. They’re more common in LA, but once a week, I organize a munch at the local pub in Crestwood. There are larger munches in LA, and more of a variety of themes there, but this one is a free for all for anyone who is interested in the lifestyle. I try to go when I can. It’s nice to hang out with Orion and other like-minded people.
“I’m sure he’ll be surprised to see you,” I say as I hide a little smirk.
I fiddle with the car stereo until it connects to my phone, and I play one of my favorite songs from My Chemical Romance.
Liam is quiet for most of the song. When we get to the main road, he lets out a soft laugh.
“Your taste in music is interesting,” he murmurs.
“Are you insulting my taste in music or… praising it?” I ask, crossing my arms, my lips tilting up at the double entendre. As the words leave my mouth, the next song by Sum 41comes on.
He’s quiet for a minute before answering. “Because these bands were playing gigs before you were even born,” he says, ignoring my bratty remark.
“So? Pretty sure the Beatleswere around like eighty years ago.”
“More like sixty years ago.”
“My point is, I’m allowed to like music that precedes my time.”
“I never said you couldn’t,” he acquiesces. “It’s just an interesting choice.”
“My dad liked it.”
Liam chuckles. “I know he did. Who do you think got him into it?”
I look over at Liam. The smile that graces his lips is devastating and sensual all at once. His eyes flicker with amusement, and I see his hand twitch on the gearshift. It’s almost like he wants to move it—to my hand, or my fishnet-clad thigh, maybe? His eyes rake down to my thighs as I think about it, and something intense flares through his entrancement.
It’s only the honking of a horn from behind us that snaps him out of his stupor, and he clears his throat and keeps his eyes forward the rest of the drive.
I don’t miss the way his fingers tap to the beat of the songs, though.
Liam parks in the small lot behind the pub, and like before, he leans over to open my door.
I inhale sharply as his shoulder presses against my chest, as I get a whiff of licorice and smoke. I ignore the heavy throb of arousal that settles between my legs from the feeling of him pressing into me. When he pushes my door open, he doesn’t move away. Instead, he tenses, and it’s almost as if he can feel the heady, taut chord between us.
He moves away a second later, leaving behind a cold and empty void inside of me. I quickly climb out of the Jeep and march to the front of the pub. Liam’s footsteps sound behind me, and I push the door open for us.
Orion is sitting in one of the booths in the back of the pub, and when he sees me enter, he waves me over. I recognize a few of the others he’s sitting with, and I wave back. But then his gaze shifts behind me, and his eyes go wide.
I walk over quickly, hoping to explain that Liaminsistedon coming. “Sorry, he wouldn’t take no for an answer,” I growl into Orion’s ear when I hug him. “Plus, I forgot it was his birthday.”
“It’s fine. Miles and I are taking him out tomorrow to celebrate. When I talked to him yesterday, he told me he wasn’t free tonight.”
His words sink in.He said he wasn’t free? Yesterday?Why did he give up spending his birthday with his brothers to come with me to the show?
“Besides, it doesn’t surprise me that he’s here since he knows about the munches.”
“What?” I hiss, looking behind me to see an intrigued-looking Liam scanning the group of people seated in the large booth.
“He asked.” Orion shrugs. “Maybe he’ll find a nice, little sub to pleasure.”
