Treasured (Embracing Series Book 1) (9 page)

BOOK: Treasured (Embracing Series Book 1)
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~Chapter Eleven~

 

 

As I walk through the airport's concourse, I see my parents waiting for me. I can't wait to see everyone. Although it's only been months since I’ve left California, it seems like years.

Eric and Addison still haven’t made it back. As we pull in the driveway, I get a text from Addie saying they're on their way. My parents ask me millions of questions about school, my new friends, and my roommate, which they knew all along was my long lost best friend.

About an hour after Addie’s text, she and Eric arrive. I’m so excited to see her. She asks if I’ve heard from Liam since his visit, but I haven't and neither has she. Where’s my Liam? Why isn’t he here?

He finally calls and says he'll be here on Thanksgiving, which is tomorrow.

How the hell am I supposed to sleep? I can’t stop thinking about seeing his handsome face, kissing his lips, and lying in his arms.

 

***

 

Thanksgiving’s here and Liam is still nowhere to be found. Ashton sends me a text that says to go to my parents’ beach house. Why the hell does he want me to go there? Ashton and I are on speaking terms, but I'll never forget how he treated me.

I go alone and I’m glad I did because when I open the door, Liam is standing there with nothing but a towel on. I want to rip that towel off his sexy body and fuck him on the floor.

“Liam, oh my gosh! I’ve missed you so much. I was afraid you weren’t going to be here.”

“I told you, I’ll never leave you! I’m starving. After I get dressed, do you want to grab some food?”

“Do you want to come back to my parents’? Or go to the Ellis’s? They’ll have food,” I say.

“I don’t want to share your attention with anyone else, L.”

“Okay, then we’ll cook here.”

I go to the freezer and put some chicken out to thaw.

“Okay, Mr. Ellis, get your ass in that bedroom.”

“Damn, you can’t wait till we eat?”

I laugh and say, “Well, if you want to, we’ll wait, but I know Addison is going to be here soon.”

“Fuck, I forgot other people wanted to see me.”

Liam tilts my chin and stares into my eyes. He’s so hot. His eyes have a twinkle that makes my heart melt. He kisses me, picks me up, and carries me into the bedroom. This is the same bed where we made love for the first time.

He sits me on the bed and kneels down between my legs. I just want to rip my clothes off and jump on top of him. He undresses me and kisses me all over.

My body’s aching for him. I’m not sure if he forgot because we're so caught up in the moment, but I notice, as we flip over so I can get on top, that he’s not wearing a condom. I don't say anything. I like it better when he doesn’t wear one. I like feeling his skin inside of me.

“Damn, I forgot. I’m so sorry!”

“It’s okay. Remember, I’m on the pill. We’ll just have to be careful.”

“Of course I would love to make beautiful babies with you, just not now.” He laughs.

We lie in bed for hours. Addie sends me a text asking where we are.

“Liam, we better get up. Addison is on her way over.”

 

***

 

“So what? You two couldn’t give us some of your time?” Addie asks. Eric looks at Liam and laughs.

I smile. “Yes, we just needed alone time first.”

“Did he already turn you into a horny troll?”

“Shut up, Ads!” I say.

“You know I’m kidding. It's great to see you two together and happy.”

“It feels great, too,” I say. “You guys staying for dinner?”

“Lila, if you’re cooking, I don’t think I want to eat.” Eric laughs.

“Little brother, your big sister happens to be a great cook. Just ask Liam.”

“I have no say in this matter. I love you both,” Liam says.

 

***

 

We spend the next week with our friends and family shopping and eating. Liam and I play house at the beach house. I love waking up next to him every morning. Evan has texted me several times. I figure it’s time to tell Liam.

“Liam, I told you I met some new friends, didn’t I?”

“Yes, you just never told me who they were.”

“Well, there's Brody, who is now Nikki’s boyfriend. He has a friend…well, he's my friend too, I guess. His name is Evan and we hang out together, as friends. You know I love you and would never cheat on you.”

“You don’t have to explain yourself to me. I trust you with all my heart. I know you are mine and only mine, but you make sure he knows that friends will be all you’ll ever be.”

 

***

 

Our mini holiday vacation comes to an end. I’m going back to New York and Liam has to go back to the base. At the airport, I have a huge breakdown. Liam’s so understanding. He just holds me as I cry.

“We'll see each other soon. Please stop crying. You’re making this so hard on me. I wish I would have never signed up for the army. I had no clue that we were going to be together. I promise you, with everything that I am, that we will be together. No one will keep us apart for long, not even my job.”

“I know, I’m so sorry! I just hate leaving you. I feel so empty when we aren’t together. I think I may join the army just to be close to you.”

“I don’t think we would be in the same unit, but if that was possible, it would be fucking fantastic. You have to go back to school now, my love.”

As Liam kisses me goodbye, all I can do is cry. “Please stay safe and hurry back to me, Liam.”

 

***

 

I can see Evan from a distance. He kisses me on the cheek and tells me how much he missed me. He takes me back to the dorms.

“Evan, I need to explain some things to you. Do you remember me telling you about a guy named Liam?”

“Yes, Addison’s cousin, the one that was there for you when your ex cheated on you?”

“Yes, that’s him. Evan, he’s not my friend. He’s my boyfriend and he’s in the army.”

“Your boyfriend? I assumed you were single.”

“I’m sorry. I should’ve told you sooner.”

“It’s okay, I understand. Still friends, right?”

“Of course! We’ll always be friends.” I feel really bad for not telling him sooner. I hope he didn’t think I was leading him on.

After telling him about Liam, Even hasn't texted me much or taken me out for several days. I feel like I hurt his feelings.

One day at school, I finally work up the nerves to ask him if everything’s okay. He's with Alyssa when I find him in the hallway.

“Oh, hi Lila. You remember Alyssa, don’t you?”

“Yes, how are you, doll?” I say. Again, she doesn’t reach out to shake my hand. She kisses Evan on the cheek and walks away.

“Evan, can we talk?” I ask.

“Sure, what’s up?”

“I just want to make sure things are good with us.”

“Everything’s fine. Do you want to grab dinner?”

“I’m sorry, but I promised Nikki we would go out. Maybe the four of us can go?”

“Okay, sounds great. I’ll call Brody.”

I feel better knowing he’s okay. I’m glad the four of us are going out. I text Nikki to let her know the plans have changed. She’s okay with that. I haven’t told her that I told Evan about Liam yet.

 

***

 

I go back to the dorm to get ready and see a car in the driveway, but I’m not sure whose it is. I know Nikki’s here, but she didn’t say she had any company.

“Lila, this is my friend Cameron from Ohio. Cam, this is my best friend, Lila.”

“Very nice to finally meet you, Lila. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“All good I hope.”

He laughs. This is very weird. Nikki never told me he was visiting, nor have I ever heard of him.

“Nikki, can I ask your opinion on an outfit please? It’s in the other room.”

As soon as we get to my bedroom, I shut the door behind me and say, “Okay, what the hell is going on? Who is he? And what about Brody?”

“Damn, one question at a time. First, he is just a friend from home. He’s a sophomore at Ohio State University. He’s my friend, Rachel's, brother. I didn’t know he was coming, actually. He surprised me! And he knows I’m seeing Brody.”

“Well, is he going out with us all tonight?”

“Of course he is. I can’t just leave him here, alone.”

We meet Evan and Brody at the restaurant. I didn't expect the restaurant to be so fancy. I feel a little underdressed. I'm wearing a pair of jeans, a cardigan with a lace cami, and Ugg boots. My hair is in a messy bun.

Of course, Nikki looks amazing, as always. She’s wearing a halter top, a pair of knee boots and a mini skirt. I'll never understand how Nikki and Addie look so good wearing outfits like that. My boney legs would have looked terrible.

I notice that Brody and Evan aren’t alone. I see a female with long hair, but I’m not sure who she is. When we approach the table, she turns and faces us.

“Hi, Lila, nice to see you,” Alyssa says.

“Hello, Alyssa, nice to see you too, doll.”

Nikki gives her a snotty look and introduces Cameron to everyone.

Alyssa keeps rubbing Evan’s arms and leaning on him. She eats off his plate. Every time he goes to the bathroom, I'm almost afraid she'll follow him in there so she can fuck him already and get it over with. I lose my appetite watching this hoe bag.

When Evan comes back, it gets worse. Alyssa makes me so uncomfortable, but Cam seems to fit right in with us. The way she's all over Evan makes me a little nauseous. I want to tell her just take him and get a room. I know that Evan and Nikki can tell I’m agitated with her behavior.

“I had a very nice dinner with you all, but I’m gonna get back to the dorms. I have a test in the morning,” I say.

“I can take you back,” Evan says.

“No, that’s all right. I can catch a cab.”

“Evan, let her catch a cab. We have plans, right?” Alyssa says.

“Yes, Alyssa, I hope you take Evan back to where ever and finally fuck his brains out like you've been trying to do all night.”

Nikki’s mouth drops to the ground. Alyssa just keeps batting her fake eyelashes at me. Oh my! Did I just say that? Keep walking, Lila, just keep walking. The look on Evan’s face makes me feel even worse. I can’t believe I said that, but I can’t stand her skank ass and her hands all over my Evan. It makes me sick.

 

***

 

I hope Cam isn’t sleeping over because I don't know this guy at all. Of course, the moment I lie in bed, Nikki informs me that Cam’s sleeping on the couch.

“Be completely honest with me,” Nikki says. “Do you like Evan?”

“Of course, he’s my friend.”

“No, you know what I mean. You looked at Alyssa like you wanted to strangle her every time she touched Evan. And then what you said as you were leaving…”

“I just thought it was very rude and disrespectful of her, and I was tired of seeing it. I just figured I was saying what she was thinking.”

“Okay, if that’s all it is, I apologize for thinking differently. But we've been best friends since kindergarten, and I can tell when you're upset.”

“Thanks, Nik, I’m fine. I just want to go to sleep.”

 

***

 

I try to avoid Evan in class, but it doesn’t work. He can tell something is bothering me.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, just tired.” I lie. I have so many mixed feelings about him and Liam.

“Want to grab lunch after class?” he asks.

Hesitantly, I reply, “Sure that sounds great.”

“Just so you know, Alyssa and I aren’t involved. I want to apologize for her behavior. She wants to get back together, but I keep turning her down.”

“No, I should apologize. I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did.” I really hope he isn’t bringing her to lunch.

I haven’t heard from Liam since I've been back to the dorms. I’m not sure if I want to go back home for Christmas or not. I figure I’ll wait and go after the New Year. I know Addie and Eric are spending Christmas in Boston. Nikki’s going back to Ohio. I could just stay in the dorm, catch up on some reading, and watch all my favorite Christmas movies. This is my favorite time of the year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~Chapter Twelve~

 

 

Evan is staying on campus and going home after the New Year. Nikki has taken the month off and is already in Ohio. I decide to stay at the dorms so I can go back when Liam does. I receive a letter from Liam on my birthday, December 22.

 

Hey Beautiful,

I miss you more than I can express. I can’t wait till next month to see that sexy smile of yours. I hope you are ready to spend every minute with me. I can’t stop thinking about our last time together. Lila, you truly are the woman of my dreams. I hope you get this before your birthday. I’ll try to call you, but if I can’t, I hope you have a great birthday and we will celebrate next month. I love you!

Always, Liam

 

Evan doesn’t want to leave me alone on Christmas, so he stays with me and we celebrate Christmas together. Even though we've become really close, he seems a little off. Maybe he doesn't like that I keep jumping around with my jealousy when I see him with other girls.

“I love spending time with you. I hope you understand how much your friendship means to me,” Evan says.

“I do. I enjoy your company as well, as long as you understand I’m still with Liam. Aren’t you going to spend any time with Alyssa?”

“No, she went home for the holidays. Come on, let’s open our gifts!”

“You didn’t have to buy me a gift!”

“I wanted to.”

“Okay, if you insist. I got you one also.”

We exchange gifts. He bought me a pair of Ugg boots and a beautiful Coach scarf. He knows my obsession with Coach and how much I love Ugg boots. I don’t get to wear them much when I’m home. I love the fact that it’s cold in New York and I can actually wear winter clothing. I bought him a recorder for his notes. He always seems to lose his.

After gifts, we have a cozy dinner at a little café in town. We talk and share stories from our childhood. He tells me about his first love and how she broke his heart.

“Alyssa isn’t your first love?”

“No. We started seeing each when I came to NYU. It just really didn’t seem like it was going anywhere. Don’t get me wrong, she’s a nice girl, but we are two different souls.”

“So who was your first love?” I ask.

“Her name was Brynlea. We met when I moved from Alabama. We started dating in middle school. We never really thought it was serious at first. She was a cheerleader and I was a football player. Things were always good. We shared the same friends and enjoyed all the same things. We had plans to eventually go to the same college and maybe someday get married. We’d fallen madly in love with each other and we were pretty inseparable.”

“Where is she now?”

Evan sighs. “I don’t know.”

“I’m sorry. We don’t have to talk about this anymore.”

I can see he’s getting upset over this conversation. I wonder what happened to her.

“The reason I don’t know where Brynlea is…is because her parents sent her away.”

“What do you mean sent her away?”

“We were young and she got pregnant. I wanted to take care of her and the baby. Her parents had other plans once they found out about the baby and us.

“They made her have an abortion, although she told me she lost the baby. Then they sent her to live with her grandparents. I haven’t heard from her since and that was almost four years ago.”

“I’m so sorry. I know you would have been a good father. Did your parents know?”

“Yes, they were on my side. They said they would help us with the baby and we could live with them. Her parents even moved after that. I finally gave up on looking for her.”

 

***

 

I can't stop thinking about Evan and his story. I feel so bad that he had to go through that. I decide to make him dinner and dessert at his place the next day. Evan and Brody live in a loft close to campus.

“I normally don’t cook, so this is your lucky day, my friend.”

“You aren’t going to poison me, are you?”

“Ha, ha, you're a funny man, Mr. Martin,” I say as I pat his back.

Evan plays video games while I cook. Once dinner is done and we finish eating, we watch a movie and talk some more.

“So what’s your story, Miss Carls?”

“Well, what would you like to know?”

“Everything and anything you are willing to share. When did you and Liam start dating?”

“Funny story. Liam and I had been friends for a few years. His cousin Addie is my best friend. I’ve told you about her. Well, I was dating her brother Ashton and I caught him cheating on me. Liam had been telling me for months that I deserved better. I didn’t listen and well…I found out the hard way. I wanted to knock the shit out of that skank and Ashton when I saw them.”

“So you started dating his cousin for payback? Nice!”

“No, Liam and I fell in love. He's a great guy. I can’t wait for you to meet him.”

“What does he think about you and me hanging out all the time?”

“He knows we're just friends and he trusts me. It’s getting late; I better get back and finish packing. I’m going home in a couple days.”

“Why don’t you stay here? You can sleep in my room and I’ll stay in Brody’s.”

“I don’t think that would be a good idea. I should go to my dorm.”

“Come on, just tonight. We've both had a few glasses of wine; we shouldn’t be out.”

Damn, he does have a point; maybe I should just stay. I trust him and I know I would never cheat on my Liam.

“Okay, I’ll stay.”

Evan fixes his bed for me, then he goes off to Brody’s room. As I lie in bed, looking at the ceiling, I think of Liam and how he would freak if he knew I was here. I hear the door open.

“Evan, is that you?”

“Yes. I’m sorry, I just wanted to check on you.”

“I’m fine. Are you okay?” I ask.

“Yes, I am. Can I stay in here with you? I just want to talk some more. I promise I’ll keep my hands to myself and stay on my side of the bed.”

“You want to sleep in the same bed as me?” Crap, what the hell did I get myself into? I hope he doesn’t try anything. “Come on Evan, lie down. What do you want to talk about?”

“I just wanted to be close to you. I know you're with Liam and I would never try to ruin that. I really like being with you and talking to you.”

We talk for what seems like hours.

I awake with Evan snuggled up to me, his arms wrapped around my body. He’s still asleep. Even in the morning, he smells good.

Fuck! Liam, Liam, Liam
. “Evan, wake up!”

“Well, good morning to you to, pretty lady.”

“I’ve got to get going,”

“Okay, I’ll take you to the dorms. What about breakfast?” Evan asks.

“Breakfast, then to the dorms.”

“Sounds good. Let me shower really quickly.”

While Evan’s showering, I wash dishes from the night before and clean up the dining room. I walk back into the bedroom, thinking he's dressed, but it turns out he isn't. Good God! His body looks like heaven.

“I’m so sorry.”

He laughs and says, “Well, do you like what you see?”

Hell yeah, I do; he has a beautiful body. I’m practically drooling. Damn, I didn’t think a man's body could get any better than Liam’s, but Evan proved me wrong.

I stare at his crotch, so amazed by what I see that I drop my purse. His package is um…oh my God…I don’t realize I’m staring so much until he asks if I’m okay.

Damn, that thing is huge! Close your mouth, Lila! Thinking about him gets me so moist, I feel like I’ve wet my panties.

The drive to the dorm is kind of awkward. Evan laughs nearly the whole way back.

“Dinner when you get back, darlin’?”

“Sure, Evan, that sounds great!”

He walks me to the door and kisses my cheek. I smile and go in to pack. Why is Evan so charming? I really enjoy hanging out with him, but I feel like he wants more.

When I get back, I think I’ll reiterate that friends are all we will ever be.

 

***

 

Eric and Addie are already back in Boston. I really wish we could have spent Christmas together, but I wanted to be here with Liam. He should arrive anytime now.

I get a text from Nikki saying she and Brody are having issues. Brody is a great guy; I just don’t think my friend is ready to settle down the way he is.

My phone chirps with a text.
It’s Liam
, I think.

 

Evan: Hello pretty lady, hope you had a safe flight and are enjoying your time. Text me when you are back in NY. I miss you already!

 

I don’t reply. I call Addie to see how she and Eric are doing. They sound so happy and so much in love. Liam still hasn’t arrived.

I hear my dad walking through my bedroom door. I smile at him.

“Hey Lila, how are you doing?” he asks, hugging me.

“Hey Dad, I’m good. School is going great and I love New York so far,” I say, loosening our embrace.

“That’s great, pumpkin. I hope you are staying away from those guys out there.”

“You know me, it’s all about studying. You also know my heart is with Liam.”

“Speaking of Liam, where is that fellow of yours anyway?”

“He should be here soon.”

I decide to go to The Ellis’s to see if they've heard from Liam.

“Hello, Ashton!”

“Hey, Lila, what brings you here?”

“I’m looking for Liam. Have you heard from him?”

“No, I haven’t. Did you check with Ads?”

“She hasn’t either. I’ll just go to the beach house to wait for him, so if you hear anything please let him know I’m there.”

Sometimes it's still odd talking to Ashton after everything that happened.

 

***

 

The beach house looks dark and empty. My parents don’t come here a lot. I decided to pick up some groceries on my way there. As I try to unlock the door, it opens. I jump back and a familiar face steps out.

“Liam! You scared the shit out of me!”

“I’m sorry, beautiful. I went home and Ash said you were here. Lila, I've missed you so much.”

“I've missed you more,” I say. “I’m going to make steak and baked potatoes for dinner, okay?”

“I’m sure whatever you make will be fine.”

“Okay, I’ll get the grill ready.”

“Umm, let’s not worry about that right now.”

“Liam, what are you up to?”

He leads me to the bedroom and kisses me.

“I've missed your touch so much,” he says.

“I missed yours more,” I say.

He takes my clothes off, then lays me on the bed and explores my body.

He kisses and licks every inch of me. I undress him and run my hands up and down his body. I love touching him. I want to feel him in my mouth again.

“Baby, please, I want to be inside of you. Please let me love you.”

He enters me as soon as I roll over.

“I've missed feeling you inside of me,” I say.

Good God, I love making love to this man.

“Faster, Liam, faster.” I want to come all over him.

“I can’t hold it any longer, I’m going to come baby.”

“Wait one more second. I-I-I…Now, now!” We come together. Holy shit! That was fucking amazing. He kisses me with more passion than he ever has.

“I love you, Lila.”

“I love you more, Liam.” I say.

We make love again, then shower. Finally, I make dinner.

“When did you start drinking wine?” he asks.

“I just bought it in case you wanted some.”

I've been drinking that shit every night since being in New York City. It makes my thoughts clear. I didn’t want to tell Liam that, though. How do you tell your future husband you are having wet dreams about another man? Wine will work just fine to keep my mind clear.

“So, how is school going?”

“Good. I just wish you and Addie were there with me.”

“I’ll be with you soon, my love. I only have eight months of basic training left.”

“After that, are you going to relocate to New York with me?”

“Are you asking me to?”

“Hell yes! I’m not asking you, I’m telling you.” I laugh.

“Yes, ma’am. I love you more than I ever imagined I would.”

I kiss his neck. “I love you more than life itself!”

“You make me one happy man, Miss Carls. Well, someday that will be Mrs. Ellis.”

“Is that a promise?”

BOOK: Treasured (Embracing Series Book 1)
4.39Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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