Anywhere With You (6 page)

“I need the ladies room,” Hailey announces. “Allison, come with me?”

I nod my head as Liam and Aiden let us both out of the booth. Aiden looks at both of us. “Be careful, if you are not back in ten minutes I am coming to look for you.” I try to focus on what he is saying, I really do but Liam has his hand on the small of my back again as we were waiting for Aiden to lecture us on safety.

Hailey winks at them and pulls me away to the ladies room. Once inside she smiles at me. “My brother’s into you.”

I feel my face flush. “He’s just being friendly,” I manage to reply.

Hailey giggles, we are definitely feeling the drinks. “He’s different with you.”

I shrug, “Let’s do our business and get out of here. I don’t want Aiden coming to hunt us down.”

As we exit the ladies room, “Country Girl Shake It For Me” comes blaring through the sound system, so that’s exactly what we do all the way back to the guys. Once we reach our booth we continue doing what Luke asks us to, and continue our onset of shaking and grooving. I watch as Aiden and Liam stand up from the table. I am excited thinking that they are going to join us on the dance floor. Before I realize what is happening, Aiden has me by the waist and is leading me to the exit. I look back to see Liam following with an angry expression, pulling Hailey with him.

“Hey! We aren’t ready to leave,” Hailey slurs.

“Too damn bad,” Liam growls and pulls her tight against him. “We need to get you two home so that you can sober up.”

Aiden helps me into the passenger seat of my car before turning to Liam. “I’ll meet you back at the house. I’m just going to bring Ash with me; I don’t want her being alone in case she gets sick.”

“Hey, what I am shopped liver,” Hailey slurs.

Aiden laughs, “That’s chopped liver, Hales, and no offense, but you are in no shape to take care of anyone.”

Aiden helps me into his apartment and leads me to the kitchen table. I plop down in the chair and put my head down. I am starting to really feel the after effects of the alcohol. The excitement of the bar kept me going but now that things are quiet and calm, I can feel my head pounding.

Aiden touches my shoulder. “Here Ash, drink this and take these.” He hands me a bottle of water and two Advil.

Hailey dumps herself in the chair beside me and groans.

“Here Hales, take these and drink up.” He hands her the same regimen. Apparently, Aiden is trying to prevent us feeling like a dog’s ass the next day, or so I think I hear him say.

“Ash, you need to drink all the water,” Aiden scolds me.

“Too tired,” I mumble.

Aiden chuckles, “Just drink it all and then you can sleep, Allie girl”

I pull my head up from the table to scowl at him but it hurts too badly. I am sure whatever expression I am pulling off is rather amusing, considering their smiles. Aiden and Liam are both leaning against the kitchen counter with their legs crossed, smirking at us.
Assholes.

I am tired and just want to sleep, so I do as I am told and finish off the water. I go to stand up and lose my balance. Aiden and Liam both reach for me, but I grab onto Aiden. “Now can I sleep, Ace?” I whisper.

“Yes, you can sleep. Let’s get you to bed.”

“Shhhh,” I whisper. “There is no need to yell.”

Aiden just laughs as he leads me down the hall and into his room. I plop down on the bed and he hands me one of his old football jerseys to sleep in. “Get changed I’ll be right back,” he tells me.

Drunk Allison is adorable. I stand in the kitchen beside Aiden waiting for her and Hales to take Advil and drink the bottle of water that Aiden has given them. I glance at my sister, I have seen her in this state before. She usually stays over and either sleeps on the couch or with me depending on what is going on. Tonight however, Blitzen is passed out on our couch. Apparently, his roommate is using their room. He had texted earlier and asked if it was cool. I mentioned it to Aiden and he was cool with it. Blitzen knew where the spare key was. However, when we agreed we didn’t know that we would have the girls to deal with. Aiden insisted that we bring them here since they are both three sheets to the wind and in no shape to care for themselves or each other. I agreed, but now that we are here, it hits me.
Is she going to sleep with him?

I get my answer once Allison finishes her water; Aiden helps her out of her chair and starts guiding her down the hall to his room.
What the fuck!
I assist Hailey to my room and step out into the hall while she changes. She keeps spare clothes in my closet just for such an occasion. Aiden steps out into the hall at the same time. I scowl at him.

“What’s up man?” Aiden asks confused.

“Are you sleeping in the bed with her?” I growl at him.

Aiden laughs out loud, “Dude, she’s like my sister I’ve told you this.”

I just stare at him. Deep down I know that I am being irrational, but the thought of her in another man’s bed pisses me the fuck off, even it is her “brother”. “Maybe we should let the girls take my room and you and I can bunk together. I’ll take the floor.” I want Allison in my bed, even if it is Hailey that she shares it with. I also don’t want her curled up with Aiden.

“No, man it’s cool. Ash and I have shared a bed before just like you and Hales. She’s changing now and then we’re just going to hit the sack.”

Before I can reply, I hear Allison, “Ace I’m done.”

With that, Aiden walks back into his room and shuts the door. I stand there for several minutes before Hales steps out into the hall. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing.” I stomp back into my room and slam the door.

Hailey joins me a few minutes later and climbs into bed. “Liam, are you okay?” she whispers.

I roll over and ignore her.

“Liam,” she places her hand on my arm.

I look over my shoulder and she is sitting up in bed. I sigh and roll over. “What it is Hales, I’m tired.”

She studies me, “What happened to get you so pissed off all of a sudden?”

I stare at her debating on what I should say. Should I tell her that I am mad as hell that Allison is sleeping in Aiden’s bed? Do I tell her that Allison is all that I can think about since yesterday when I met her? Do I tell her that I feel like my world is spiraling out of control? No, I can’t tell her any of that. I am not so sure that she would believe me anyway. Hell, I am having a hard time wrapping my head around it.
I’m losing my fucking mind!

“I’m fine Hales, go to sleep.”

“Liam, come on, I’m your sister. I know you better than that.”

“Hailey,” I warn her.

“I’m not ten any more, Liam. You don’t intimidate me. What the hell happened between the kitchen and now?” she continues to question me.

“Drop it Hales, I mean it.”

“No! Tell me what’s up with you? We were all having a great time, and now all of a sudden you’re Mr. Pissed off and I want to know why,” she insists.

“Fine, you want to know what’s wrong? Allison, that’s what’s wrong, okay? Now. Go. To. Sleep.”

Hailey looks confused “Allison? Why, what did she do to you? She’s the nicest person that I know.”

“Fuck! She won’t get out of my head,” I growl as I pull my pillow over my head.

There is complete silence following my outburst and I think that maybe I am lucky and Hailey has decided to leave well enough alone and has fallen asleep. I pull the pillow from my face and look over at her. She is staring at me. “You like her, don’t you?”

“No … yes … Fuck, Hales, I don’t know, okay?”

Hailey is grinning. “Hot damn, I knew when you finally fell, it would be hard. I never dreamed I would have a front row seat in the action.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“You dumbass. You refuse to get serious about anyone. All that matters to you is football. You hook-up. You get a reputation as a player and you keep at it like it’s no big thing as long as you get yours and have football.” Hailey nudges my shoulder. “Until now that is,” she adds still grinning like the cat that ate the fucking canary.

She isn’t done. “Not only do I get to witness this wondrous revelation take place, but since it just so happens to be with my roommate, I will get an up close and personal viewing of my big brother, the player, falling for a girl.”

“What, that’s crazy. I am not falling for her. I’m just extremely attracted to her that’s all. It’s been a while since I’ve hooked up. I just need to remedy that and all will be back to normal. So don’t go spouting off crazy shit like that. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Whatever you say big brother, whatever you say.” Hailey smiles as she rolls over and falls asleep.

I lay there for what seems like hours staring at the shadows on the ceiling. My mind keeps drifting back to Allison and her gorgeous dark brown hair, and those big beautiful emerald green eyes. I also think about her being wrapped up in Aiden’s arms and feel resentment sweep over me. It is almost four in the morning the last time I look at the clock before I fall asleep.

A few hours later, my internal clock wakes me up. I am used to getting up early to either run or hit the gym. I slip out of bed, careful not to wake Hailey. I will let her sleep a little longer, but we have to be at our parents’ house for lunch at one.

I walk down the hall to the bathroom to relieve myself before heading to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. I peer over at the couch and seen that Blitzen has already left. As I walk into the kitchen I have to blink to make sure that my eyes are not deceiving me. Allison is standing at the sink with her back to me looking out the window. She is wearing nothing but Aiden’s football jersey. My feet are fixated to the floor. I feel the thunderous beat of my heart. Allison is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. She has to hear my racing heart because she turns around and offers me a shy smile.

“Sorry, I hope I didn’t wake you up. I couldn’t sleep. Aiden’s a bed hog,” she smiles and holds up her cell phone. “I took the opportunity to call and check on Gran.”

And just like that my lust turns to annoyance. This beautiful wonderful girl was sleeping in my best friend’s bed, wearing his jersey. He says she’s like family but let’s face it, they are not related. What if he tried to touch her and she’s just blowing it off to protect him.
Aiden would never do that, would he?

“Did he hurt you?” I ask her, concern lacing my voice.

Allison’s mouth drops open in shock, “What? No of course not. Aiden would never hurt me. He just likes to hog the bed that’s all.”

I walk over to the sink and lean up against the counter facing her. Damn, this girl has a hold on me. I reach out and tuck a few loose stands of hair behind her ear. “It kills me to think of someone hurting you,” I whisper to her.
What the fuck am I doing?
I questioned the morals of my best friend, I know Aiden would never lay a hand on a woman, my mind is all over the damn place. I need to get my shit together.

“H … He didn’t hurt me, Liam. He wouldn’t ever hurt me.” She looks into my eyes and I am again lost in her. “Why would you think that?”

“I just … I feel like I need to protect you. I cup her cheek with the palm of my hand. “Do you feel this, Allison? This pull that I’m feeling,” I ask her softly. “Please tell me that I am not alone in this … this overwhelming need to be close to you,” I beg her.

Allison leans her face against my hand that is holding her. “I don’t really know what this feeling is, Liam. I …” she stops as to collect her thoughts.

“Talk to me,” I plead.

“I’m not as experienced as you. I’ve never been in a relationship, never been on a date.” She laughs softly. “Unless you count Aiden at his family functions. I don’t know what this is.” She brings her hand up to cover mine against her cheek. “I know that I can’t be just a hook-up. I know that even though I don’t have the experience, I want more. You can’t give me that.” She closes her eyes. It almost seems like it pains her to say that to me.

“Allison,” I breath and rest my forehead against hers. “You deserve love and commitment, and nothing less,” I swallow the lump in my throat.

“I want that. I want to love someone with all that I am. It would be nice to have those feelings returned,” she whispers to me. “I feel it too, Liam. I just don’t know how to explain it or what to do with it. I can’t settle for meaningless.”

“I know baby, and I don’t want you to.” I kiss her forehead and back away. I immediately feel the loss of being so close to her. This girl is wreaking havoc on my senses and my emotions. No sooner than I pull away, Aiden walks into the kitchen. He walks straight to Allison and kisses her cheek.

“Morning, Ash,” he mumbles as he makes himself a cup of coffee. “Mac, you headed out for a run?” he asks me.

“Yeah, I’ll see you guys later.” I gulp down the rest of my coffee, burning my tongue and head out the door. I am turned on beyond belief, I am pissed off that he got to be close to her, and I am pissed off because I can’t have her for myself. I don’t have time for a relationship and she deserves nothing less.