Anywhere With You (7 page)

“Did I just interrupt something?” Aiden asks me after Liam leaves for his run.

“No,” I say shaking my head. “Why would you say that?”

“It just seemed, I don’t know, tense in here.”

“Liam and I were just chatting. He actually had only been up a few minutes before you came out.” I took a sip of my coffee. “I called Gran, she seems to be doing okay. I wanted to go home and see her today but she says that some ladies from church already planned to stop by and keep her company, so I guess I will just stick around the dorm and hang out.” I am trying to change the subject. I’m not sure how I feel about what just happened with Liam. Something passed between us. I do feel this magnetic pull towards him, but I also meant what I said. I want it all, not just sex.

“Ash, I am sure that Gran is fine. I’ll call mom and have her go over later and check on her, which I am sure that she already had planned on doing anyway.”

I nod and continue to drink my coffee.

“Listen, about Liam. He’s my best friend aside from you. He is not the relationship type. I know that he would never hurt you intentionally but, be careful okay?”

“I know he is not the king of commitment, but there is something about him.” I shake my head to clear my thoughts. “It’s like we are drawn to each other. I can’t explain it.”

Aiden walks over to where I am standing and places his now empty cup in the sink. “I can see the sparks coming off the two of you. Just be careful, I would hate to see get you hurt.”

“I will, and thank you for looking out for me,” I say as I lean up to kiss him on the cheek. Now, I am going to go wake Hailey so we can head back to the dorms.”

After several attempts and the promise of caffeine and bagels, Hailey finally wakes and we make our way back to our dorm. We are both still worn out from the night before and not sleeping in our own beds. My mind keeps wandering back to my conversation with Liam. I was honest when I told him that I feel it too. What exactly “it” is, I’m not sure. I was also honest when I said I want it all or at least the intent for more. I need to learn how to control myself around him. How to not get lost in those blue eyes of his?
Ugh!

“Earth to Allison.” Hailey is sitting on her bed watching me.

“Sorry, I spaced out. What’s up?”

“I asked you if you wanted to come to my parents for lunch. I know that you were going to go home and see Gran, but since your plans changed I want you to meet my parents,” Hailey chirps as she bounces on her bed.

“I don’t know, I hate to intrude.”

Hailey waves her hand at me. “Not gonna happen. My parents are awesome and they would love to meet my new roomie”

“Well, okay if you’re sure.”

“Absolutely! We need to leave here around noon,” Hailey advises me.

“Crap that’s twenty minutes! I need to get a move on.” I grab some shorts, a tank, a matching set of my new undies and head to the shower. I rush through the shower and dress quickly. I use the blow dryer on my hair for a few minutes and decide to let my curls air dry the rest of the way. I slap on some mascara and lip gloss and I was good to go. I walk out of our bathroom and Hailey whistles.

“Wow, you look amazing,” she gushes

“These shorts are not as short as last night’s, but they’re close. Are you sure this is okay? I don’t look sleazy, do I?”

“Hell no, you look hot,” Hailey says as she winks at me.

I grab a pair of flip flops from my closet just as there is a knock at the door. Hailey looks at me in question and I shrug my shoulders. She hops off her bed to go open the door. I go back into the bathroom to grab my watch that I had left on the sink. When I step out, my eyes immediately meet his. Liam. We continue to stare at one another like we are the only two people in existence.

“Hey, Liam stopped to offer me a ride. He and Aiden are going to my parents as well,” Hailey smirks.

“Oh … um well, I guess I’m ready.” I grab my phone and wristlet off of my desk and meet them at the door. Hailey is out the door in a flash yelling something about fighting Aiden for shotgun.

Liam smiles down at me, “Hey, you look beautiful today.”

I offer him a shy smile. I can feel my face blush. “Thank you.”

Liam bends down to whisper in my ear, “Now even more so, that blush on your face makes you even sexier.”

I turn my head trying to avoid him seeing my face. I can feel the burn; I probably look like a damn tomato. Liam places his hand in the small of my back and leads me to out. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I just want you to know how I see you.”

I simply nod my head and continue to walk to his SUV. I can feel the heat from his hand not to mention the after effects of his sexy voice when he whispered in my ear. I’m lucky I was able to nod. When Hailey asked me to join her at her parents I never thought about Liam being there, let alone him driving us. I need to get my hormones in check, stat! When we reach his Pathfinder, Hailey is in the backseat and Aiden is in the front passenger, obviously she lost the shotgun battle. Liam opens the door for me and waits until I am buckled in to close the door and take his spot behind the wheel.

Aiden turns to greet me. “Hey Ash, how are you feeling?”

“Hey! I’m good to go, so next time out I am getting the full experience,” I smile at him. Aiden just shakes his head and turns back around. I glance up to see Liam looking at me in the rearview mirror. His gaze is intense. I turn my head to look out the window. I can’t look into those blue eyes a minute longer and not combust! My hormones are on overload and I need to cool down, clear my head.

Hailey and Aiden begin talking about the new Three Days Grace song that is on the radio and I am about to comment that “Chalk Outline” is becoming one of my favorites when I feel my phone vibrate. I look down to see a message from Hailey. I look over at her and she smiles. I swipe the screen to unlock my phone and open her message.

Hailey:
Holy shit! My panties are wet just from being in the same damn car

Me:
What??

Hailey:
u knw what Im talking about

Me:
Its nothing just flirting

Hailey:
I knw my bro he is n 2 u he is never like this

Me:
Come on we both knw thats not true

Hailey
: He opened your fkng door. Liam does NOT open doors!!!

I look over at Hailey and roll my eyes she immediately starts typing on her phone.

Hailey:
Wanna bet

I shake my head no.

Hailey leans over and whispers in my ear, “It’s going to be so much fun watching you both fall. Loser treats the winner to a day at the spa.” She falls back against the seat giggling.
Is it too late to request a new roommate?

This gets both Aiden and Liam’s attention. Aiden turns around, “What are you two up to back there?”

“Oh nothing, Allison and I are just making a little wager, that’s all.”

“Really? What kind of wager are we talking?” Liam asks as he meets my gaze in his rear view mirror. I feel my face instantly heat.

Aiden chuckles, “From the blush on Ash’s face, I can only assume it involves the male species or sex. Maybe both.”

“Aiden!” I shout as I reach up and smack him on the arm.

Aiden and Hailey are both roaring with laughter while Liam stares at the road in front of him. I can see is jaw twitch in the mirror.
Great now he’s pissed off at me.

The rest of the drive is uneventful. I pretty much keep quiet as does Liam. Aiden and Hailey continue their conversations about music and school. Liam and I answer questions, but both of us stay quiet the remainder of the trip.

When we arrive, both of their parents are waiting for us on the porch. Liam, Aiden, and Hailey are all quick to get out of the car. I reach for my handle as the door flies open. Liam is standing there holding his hand out to me, offering me assistance. I take his hand as he helps me down. I smile up at him, “Thank you.”

Liam simply nods his head. Before I know what is happening, Hailey grabs me by the arm and starts pulling me to the porch. “Mom, Dad this is my roommate, Allison. Allison, this is my mom and dad, Lisa and Rodney MacCoy.”

I am expecting a hand shake, but Hailey’s mom pulls me into a hug. “It’s so nice to meet you. Welcome and please call me mom or Lisa,” she says as she releases me.

Their dad is just as friendly, he also gives me a quick hug. “Dad will work just fine for me as well,” he smiles at me.

“It’s nice to meet both of you. Thank you for having me.”

“You’re welcome here anytime. Now, I hope you all are hungry. I made homemade lasagna, salad and garlic bread. For dessert I made dirt cake,” Lisa tells us.

“Did I hear dirt cake?” Aiden asks as he walks up on the porch. He goes straight for Mrs. MacCoy and hugs her. “You spoil me woman!”

Mrs. MacCoy just laughs as she hugs Liam. “I just like to keep my family fed, and if it happens to be their favorite foods, so be it,” she says smiling at the four of us.

Liam and Aiden shake hands with Mr. MacCoy as Hailey shuffles us into the house. Their home reminds me a lot of the Emerson’s. Family pictures line the walls, throws thrown over the back of the couch. It feels lived in, happy. It’s been years since Gran’s house felt happy. The living room now houses Gran’s hospital bed, as it is too hard for her to get up stairs to any of the bedrooms. The kitchen counters are lined with bottle after bottle of her prescription medications. I feel an ache in my chest thinking about Gran. I just spoke to her this morning and she says that she is doing fine, but I know her health is failing and I feel like the worst granddaughter in the world being off at school while she’s home alone.

“Earth to Allison,” Hailey says as she waves her hands back in forth on front of my face.

“Oh, sorry,” I say as she pulls me out of my thoughts. “I was just thinking about Gran. I feel bad not being with her each day,” I explain.

Aiden walks over to me and pulls me into a hug. “I talked to mom before we left she said Gran is fine and that she’ll check on her again later today. She wants you to enjoy life, Ash. Please try not to worry.” He kisses me on the forehead and I hug him tighter.

I have to get out of here. To see Aiden kiss her good morning even though it is just a peck on the cheek. My annoyance is back full force. It is bad enough that I have to see her wearing his jersey, but to see him touch her. It’s killing me. She feels it too, she told me that much, but she wants more. I have never done more. I have never had a girlfriend, I never wanted one, I have football. The draft is coming up in less than six months. My dream since I was old enough to hold a football was to play in the NFL. I can’t lose focus on that now. However, my mind and my heart, yes my heart, did not get the fucking memo. I have never had a girl hold my interest for longer than a few hours, how could I possibly give her more?

When I get back to the apartment after my run, the girls are gone. I feel both relief and sadness. Thinking about how long it will be before I see her again, I get an idea in my head. I will surprise Hailey and pick her up for lunch at my parents. Hopefully Allison will be in their dorm room when I get there. It will be a quick glimpse, but at this point I will take what I can get. Checking the time, I rush through my shower and then I meet Dash in the living room. “Hey man, ready to go?”

He nods as he gets off the couch. “Little earlier than we usually leave?” he raises his eyebrows questioning me.

I shrug my shoulders, “Yeah, I need to stop and pick up Hales, no sense in both of us driving there when we’re only minutes away from each other.” I try to sound as nonchalant as possible. Inside I am screaming for him to hurry the fuck up. I need to see Allison.

Dash just stares at me. “Come on man, what’s really going on?” he questions me.

“Nothing, it just makes more sense for me to pick her up that’s all.” I reply as I continue tying my shoes.

“Did you know that Ash was coming today?”

I whip me head around to look at him. “She is?” I feel my heart rate pick up just at the thought of being able to be in the same car with her for any length of time. “Are you sure?”

He nods. “I’m positive,” letting out a deep sigh he continues. “Please tell me you aren’t going after her.”

I hesitate before answering, “She wants more.”

“She deserves more.”

“You think I don’t fucking know that. Do you not think that I would give her the world if I could?” I sneer at him.

Aiden stares at me as if he was trying to decipher what I just said. “She’s really gotten to you hasn’t she?”

“FUCK! Yes … No … Hell, I don’t even know anymore.” I place my elbows on my knees and lean over with my hands covering my face. “What I do know is that since I met her I can’t stop thinking about her. When I’m near her I feel this intense attraction that I have never felt. I want to protect her. Hell, this morning I wanted to rip your fucking head off for just kissing her on the cheek.”