Chapter 46 Bad Time
Ava Reed
Liam’s lips were on my neck, his hands gripping my waist, and my body was practically molded against his when…
The world had narrowed to heat and breath and the low, dangerous hum of need pooling between us. My thoughts were scattered, floating somewhere just out of reach, like everything sensible had been shoved aside to make room for him.
We froze.
The shift was immediate, like someone had flipped a switch and snapped reality back into place. He let out the slowest, most agonized groan I’d ever heard, his forehead dropping to my shoulder.
It wasn’t just frustration in the sound. It was disbelief. The kind that came from being robbed at the worst possible moment. Talk about a dramatic man, one i could definately relate to in this moment
“You have got to be fucking kidding me.”
My heart was still racing from the way he had just whispered "I need you again" in my ear before we were rudely interrupted. The words echoed in my head, settling low and warm, refusing to fade. I sighed and playfully tugged at his hair, unable to stop myself from smiling despite the interruption. “Maybe if we stay really quiet, they’ll go away.”
Hopeful. Delusional. Worth a try.
“Ava, Liam! I know you're in there!”
The voice outside the door shattered any remaining fantasy.
“Fucking Kyle.” his whole body sagged with defeat.
The way he said it, like a curse and a prayer all at once, made me snort.
“You gonna get that?” I snorted.
“No,” he deadpanned.
There was no hesitation in his answer. Not even a flicker of doubt.
“I swear, Liam, if you don’t open this damn door, I will break in”
Grumbling, Liam pushed off me, running a frustrated hand through his already-messy hair. The sight of him like that, annoyed, flushed, barely holding it together, did something dangerous to my insides. I reached for my hoodie and pulled it on while he stomped toward the door like a man forced to leave a five-star dinner just before dessert.
I bit my lip to keep from laughing.
The moment he yanked it open, Kyle strolled in like he owned the place, dropping his bag near the door and scanning the room. His gaze landed on me first.
There was a beat of silence. One slow, assessing glance.
“Ahh,” he said, nodding like he had just confirmed a long-standing theory. “So that’s why my dear brother has been ignoring my calls.”
“Hi, Kyle. Nice to see you too.” I rolled my eyes.
I could already tell this was going to be exhausting.
“What the hell do you want?” Liam scowled, arms crossing over his bare chest.
Kyle smirked, completely ignoring his question as his eyes flicked between the two of us. Then, his expression turned almost mockingly sincere.
“You know, I just love being right.”
“I already hate this conversation.” Liam groaned.
“I knew there was something going on,” Kyle continued like he hadn’t heard him. “For weeks. The lingering stares, the subtle tension, the way you two hovered around each other like magnets trying not to touch.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “But look at you now! All grown up and finally getting laid, I should be thanked.”
Liam launched a throw pillow at his face.
The speed and accuracy suggested this was not the first time.
“So, is this a ‘we’re official’ thing, or?” Kyle caught it with a grin.
“What do you want, Kyle?” Liam clenched his jaw.
Kyle sighed dramatically. “Coach sent me. He wants to make sure you’re in the right headspace before the big game. You know, focused? Disciplined? Not…” he waved a hand toward me “distracted.”
I stiffened.
Not distracted.
The word hit sharper than I expected, digging under my skin in a way I didn’t like.
Liam noticed immediately. His expression darkened as he turned to his brother. “She’s not a distraction.”
The certainty in his voice sent a quiet ripple through me.
Kyle held up his hands. “I’m just saying, if the media finds out, they’ll turn it into a headline. ‘Liam Carter’s Secret Romance: Is She the Reason He Loses the Big Game or won the last one?’”
The room felt smaller all of a sudden, the weight of his words settling heavily in the air.
Liam’s jaw flexed, but before he could say anything, I spoke up.
“We’re keeping this under the radar,” I said smoothly, forcing a casual smile. “At least until after the game.”
I didn’t miss the way Liam glanced at me then, surprise flickering across his face before something softer took its place.
“Smart. Guess you are the brains of this operation.” Kyle looked impressed.
“Are you done?” Liam rolled his eyes.
Kyle smirked. “Not quite.” He turned his attention back to me, and his eyes twinkled with pure mischief. “Liam’s not usually this patient, you know. He must really like you.”
Heat crawled up my neck, equal parts flustered and pleased.
I bit my lip, feeling a heat that had nothing to do with embarrassment crawl up my neck.
“Kyle, get out.” Liam groaned.
Kyle snickered but took the hint. “Alright, alright. I’ll leave you two lovebirds to it. Just don’t do anything too reckless, okay?”
“Goodbye, Kyle.” Liam shoved him toward the door.
Kyle turned back at the last second, a cocky grin still plastered on his face. “See you at practice, lover boy.”
The door slammed shut, and Liam exhaled through his nose, pinching the bridge of it like he was physically restraining himself from chasing after his brother and strangling him.
The silence that followed felt different now. Charged. Anticipatory.
I was still giggling when I felt Liam’s eyes on me. He was watching me intently, his head tilting slightly, his lips twitching into a smirk.
That look alone made my stomach flip.
“Where were we?”
I barely had time to react before he was on me again, his hands gripping my hips, pulling me onto his lap, his lips crashing against mine.