Chapter 124 I was so stupid in love with him.
The car goes quiet. Awkward quiet. He waits for me to talk, running his fingers through my hair.
I know I can not get out of this. He is not going to let it go. So after a long minute, I finally speak.
"I just think the timing is weird. You and James showing up at the beach house like that." My voice comes out low. "And I thought you were done with me after that night. So what made you change your mind? You know."
That is it. That is my choice. I am not telling him the truth.
I know what the experts say. They say you should be open with your partner. Honest. Share things. But I am not doing that. Liam is the most manipulative person I have ever met. I have to keep my guard up around him, even if I do not want to.
God, I wish I could just fall into his arms and tell him everything. But something about him stops me. Something I can not quite name. It keeps me from giving all of myself to this.
And there is Alex. I need to protect him. I can not drag him into more drama.
Liam frowns. His green eyes move over my face, like he is searching for something. Trying to read me. After a moment, his voice sounds tight.
"So that is what has been eating at you? You think I am planning something?"
"Liam." I sigh.
"Who put these dumb ideas in your head?" His voice gets sharp. Then he makes a rough sound. "Do not bother answering. I already know. Fucking Alex."
The way he says it gets under my skin. Like I am too stupid to think for myself.
"Just admit it, Liam! You are the one who is messed up! One minute you act all cold and heartless, like you do not care if I walk away. The next minute you are sweet and gentle, kissing me in the rain and saying you love me! Which one is actually you?"
He curses and slams his fist against the steering wheel. When he looks at me, there is fire in his eyes.
"You call me messed up? What about you? One minute you are under me letting me fuck you senseless. The next morning you say you want to leave. Did you ever think about how I felt? You really thought I was okay with that?"
I breathe in shaky and have nothing to say.
But he is not done. His voice gets louder.
"No girl has ever done that to me. So I let you go that day. But did you really think I was going to let you leave for good? No fucking way. I am not losing you. And I am definitely not losing you to that fucking Alex."
I shrink back some from his anger. His chest is heaving. His nostrils flare.
He is really pissed.
For a few minutes, neither of us says anything. The only sound is him breathing hard.
"Liam." I bite my lip and sigh. "This is too much. Do you really think this is a good idea to - "
"Do not ask me that." He cuts me off, his voice harsh. "We are good together. Perfect. If someone would just stop sticking his nose in our business."
The way he says it, all childish and jealous, almost makes me laugh. Before I know it, I am smiling.
He looks at me and the anger on his face finally softens. He takes my hand in his and his lip pushes out a little.
"So. Are we okay?"
I look back at him. I search his eyes. All I see there is love. Real feeling.
I think about it for a few more seconds. Then I ask carefully.
"Answer this one thing. And I will trust you. Have you ever planned anything against me?"
His face goes dark. "So you still do not believe me."
"Liam. Just answer me. Please."
He does not hesitate. "No. My feelings are real. Every part of them. Believe that or do not."
I bite my lip again.
Call me crazy. Call me stupid. But I really think he loves me.
And I am accusing him of something with no real proof. What Alex told me does not actually mean anything.
That sentence - Liam has everything under control. It probably just means James trusts him in the water. Or maybe James is just a shitty friend who does not care if Liam is safe.
And yeah, Liam was a fuckboy once. But he has never hurt me. Not really. And I know for sure he would never come after me for money. He is not that kind of person.
After a long silence, I lift my head and look at him.
"I believe you."
I have trust issues. I know that. But that is my problem to fix.
His whole face lights up. He grabs the back of my neck and pulls me in for a kiss.
"Thank god," he murmurs against my mouth.
My heart feels full. I lift my head and kiss him back.
"Do not disappoint me," I whisper. "Please."
I can not get my heart ripped apart again.
He grins and sits back in his seat. "Stop thinking stupid stuff. Our relationship will be way smoother if you just stay away from Alex."
I roll my eyes. "How about you stay away from Rossi first?"
He snorts and shrugs. Does not say anything. Just starts the engine again.
That bothers me. I thought he would say something. Explain things with her. Promise to end it. But no. Nothing.
I hesitate, then decide to let it go for now.
We just had a huge fight. No need to make it worse. If his feelings are real, I have time to figure out his past.
The rest of the drive is calm. Nice. He puts music on and rolls the windows down. Summer breeze fills the car.
We talk about random stuff. He says he wants to take me to Switzerland this winter. Teach me to ski. Then fly to Paris for fashion week. Hit some galleries he thinks I will love.
The way he talks about it is so natural. Like he has planned it all out a hundred times. I can not stop smiling and nodding.
For the first time, I can see a real future with him. Clear as anything.
A few hours later, he parks in front of the townhouse. I sit there in the passenger seat, not wanting to get out yet. If I could, I would stay with him all day.
He takes my hand and kisses it. "I wish you did not have to go."
"Me too." I sigh.
But if I spend another night here, my mom will get suspicious.
"Are you free tomorrow after class?" he asks. "I want to take you to dinner. Our first real date."
My heart jumps. I want to say yes, but then I remember.
"I would love to, but I can not. I have an interview."
His eyebrow goes up. "Interview for what?"
"A part-time job. I need to start saving for college." I watch his face. "You are not going to stop me, right? I know your dad would probably pay for school, but I do not want to keep taking his money."
I leave out the part where Alex set up this interview. That would send him into another spiral.
But he seems calm. "Why would I stop you? You are independent. Strong. I am proud of you. But I am still taking you to dinner. I will pick you up after."
I smile and agree. Kiss him goodbye, get out of the car, head for the door.
I am so excited about tomorrow. Our first date. I do not notice the way his face goes dark the second I turn away.
If I had noticed. If I had been more careful. Maybe I could have avoided so much of what came next. But nobody can see the future. And I was so stupid in love with him.