I break down the last box to take it out to the garage. Two days and I’m finally unpacked. It would have been sooner, but we spent the majority of the day yesterday at the store. We needed everything. Food, dishes, all that shit. We left everything back in Chapel Hill for Hales. Hales…I miss her. It’s weird to be here knowing that she’s not with us, that she’s not going to just pop around the corner. She and Allison made plans for her to come down in a month. Four f*cking weeks before I see her again. F*ck my life!
I finish putting my empty boxes in the garage and join Liam and Allison in the living room. I get there just in time to hear Allie tell someone to have a good time and be safe. Is she talking to Hales?
“What’s she up to?” Liam asks.
“Not much. She met a girl in her assisting class today that invited her over to her house for a small get together. She just wanted someone to know where she was, you know, just in case.”
“What the f*ck! Does she not feel safe there? Why is she going then?” I blurt before Liam can even respond.
“Yeah, what he said,” Liam replies.
“Yes, she feels safe. It’s a new place and new people. Hales and I made a pact when we started college that we would never go to a party alone. I left her,” she says quietly. “I’m really proud of her for being responsible.”
“Text her and tell her that we need to know that she makes it home safe,” Liam says.
“Already done, papa bear,” Allison says, patting his cheeks. “She promised to text me as soon as she’s home.”
Liam grumbles, but I’m not sure what he’s saying. My mind is racing with the thought of Hales not being safe. I stalk off towards my room. I can’t let them see me lose my shit.
Once in my room, I begin to pace. My every instinct is telling me that I need to go to her now. I need to go to that damn party and make sure she’s okay, make sure all those f*ckers know that she’s mine.
No, I know I can’t do that, but I want to. I continue pacing and running my fingers through my hair. I need to learn to deal. This was my choice to not pursue a relationship with her. My f*cking choice that is driving me in-f*cking-sane!
“Ace?” I jump at the sound of Allison’s voice. She is standing in the doorway of my room.
“Knock much?” I spit. I immediately feel like shit for snapping at her. “Sorry, Ash. What’s up?” I try to act calm when I’m anything but.
She smiles at me knowingly. “We ordered pizza. Liam and I are too tired to cook, and I assumed that you would be too,” she tells me.
“Thanks, that sounds fine,” I say. Not really thinking about food. I sit down on the edge of my bed and rest my elbows on my knees. Focusing on breathing in and out, in and out.
I feel the bed dip beside me as Allison rubs her small hands up and down my back trying to sooth me. She knows. “You know, Ace, she’s going to be fine. Hailey is a smart girl. She did the right thing by calling and texting me the address.”
My heads pops up at her words. “You have the address. You know where she is?” I ask, standing up.
Allison is shaking her head no. “You are not going after her, Aiden Emerson. You made your choice, now you have to deal with it,” she says sternly.
“But…What if…” She holds her hand up stopping me.
“She’s fine. What are you gonna do? Drive three hours to drag her from a party to leave her there alone again. She has to live her life, Ace,” she tries to reason.
“F*ck!” I sit back down on the bed and place my hands behind my neck. “If anything ever happens to her...” I can’t say anymore. I can feel the emotion building in my throat.
Allison leans in for a hug. “Everything is going to be fine, just relax. She promised to text me when she gets home.” With that, she walks out of my room.
I lie back on the bed and stare at the ceiling. Allie’s right. Hales has to live her life, but it tears me up inside to think about it. To think about her being alone and all those guys falling all over her. Even if we were together, she would be there in school and I would be here. Without her. I’m flipping the f*ck out now. I can’t imagine how it would feel if she really was mine.
I must have been lying there for a while because Allison knocks on the door yelling that the pizza is getting cold.
I make my way to the living room and see Liam and Allison are curled up watching a movie. The pizza boxes are on the coffee table. I sit down and begin to eat. Allison smiles. “There’s a bottle of water for you on the table too,” she says.
“Thanks.” I resume eating without conversation. I just finish my last piece when I hear Allison’s phone ping notifying her of a new message. My heart begins to race. Is she home, is she okay?
My eyes bore into Allison as she reads the message. “She’s fine. She just got home, says she going to take a shower then go to bed,” Allison tells us.
I feel myself relax a little, but I need more. I need her to tell me she’s fine. I clean up the mess of the pizza boxes and tell the lovebirds goodnight, before heading to my room. I make a beeline for my phone and send her off a quick text.
Me: You’re home safe?
I hold my phone to my chest, willing it to notify me that she has replied to my message. I wait three minutes and no reply. That’s not like her. What if someone has her and they sent the message to throw us off. I send another message.
Me: Angel?
I wait another three minutes and still nothing. My heart is pounding in my chest. I pick up my phone and tap her name in my favorites list. It rings four long agonizing rings, before I hear her sweet voice.
“Hello?” She says breathlessly.
“Hey, angel,” I whisper. She answered. That’s a good sign.
“Hey,” she says softly.
“You’re home safe?” I ask, getting right to the point.
“Yes, I was in the shower,” she tells me.
We both sit in silence listening to the other breathe. I turn off my light and crawl into bed. Hales will be the last thing I hear before I fall asleep.
“I was worried about you,” I finally say.
“I’m fine,” she whispers. “Macie, she’s a girl in my assisting class who is also in the RN program, she and her twin brother had a party. There were only about thirty or so people.”
“Did you have a good time?” I ask her. I just want to keep her talking.
“Yeah, it was fun. We danced and just hung out really.”
“Danced? Were you drinking?” I ask.
She laughs softly. “No, Aiden, I wasn’t drinking. I’m smarter than that.”
I release a ragged breath. “I know you are, angel. I just worry about you. So how many guys did you dance with?” I ask, trying hard for my voice to show no emotion at the question.
“Just Miles, he’s Macie’s twin. His best friend Kaden tried to get me to dance as well, but he was drinking pretty heavy and I just met them all, so yeah. I just didn’t want to get myself in an uncomfortable situation.”
“I’m proud of you, angel,” I tell her.
“Thanks,” she says in her soft sweet voice.
Again, silence but it’s not uncomfortable. It’s like neither one of us want to hang up. We stay quiet for several minutes before Hales says three little words that penetrate my heart.
“I miss you,” she whispers across the line.
The ache in my chest is there, beating like a drum. How am I ever going to survive this?
“I miss you, too, angel,” I say. What I really want to say is, I want you here with me now. I’m on my way to get you. You can transfer schools or just quit, I don’t give a f*ck as long as you are with me every day!
Hailey yawns and I realize I’m keeping her up and she has class tomorrow. “I’ll let you get some sleep. I just needed to hear you tell me that you were home safe and sound,” I say.
“I’m here, tucked into bed, in my new room.”
I chuckle. “That’s right. I was picturing you on the futon, but I guess you have upgraded with the place all to yourself. You know you have your own room here now too,” I tell her. “So are you living it up having Liam’s room all to yourself?” I ask.
“Uh, well, I um…I’m not in Liam’s room,” she says softly.
She’s not? “You’re not?” I asked, stunned. “That’s the bigger of the two rooms.”
“I just wanted to feel close to you,” she mumbles sleepily.
Holy Shit! “I miss you so much, angel. Sweet dreams,” I tell her. This girl has me by the f*cking balls and she doesn’t even know it. I can’t believe she’s sleeping in my room just to feel close to me. I remember her sweet words at the beach house when she told me she loved me. Does she want me the way I want her?
There’s silence on the other end of the line, no reply from her, but I can hear her gentle breaths through the line. She’s fallen asleep. I smile and burrow under the covers and let Hailey’s soft breathing lull me to sleep.
I wake the next morning to my hand vibrating. I open my eyes and see that I have my cell phone clutched tightly in my hand. It all comes back to me. Hailey. My hand vibrates again. Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes I swipe the screen and see that I have a new text from her.
Hailey: Sorry I fell asleep on you last night. In class all day, will call later. XOXO H.
I ended and began my day with Hailey. The only thing sweeter would be if she was here in my warm bed, in my arms.
After a quick stop at the bathroom, I head to the kitchen for some food. I find Liam and Allison already awake and sitting at the table eating pancakes.
“Morning,” I say, my voice still rough with sleep.
“Good morning. I made pancakes,” Allison says, pointing to a plate piled high.
“Thanks,” I say as I sit down at the table.
“So, we could do June,” Allison says to Liam.
“No, beautiful, I told you I can’t wait that long,” Liam says, shaking his head. “Here, let me see the calendar.”
Allison hands him her phone and he scrolls through the dates. He begins tapping on the screen before he hands it back to her with a smile.
Allison looks down at her phone and then back up at Liam. “That’s the Saturday after the Super Bowl.”
“Yes, it is. That is as long as I’m willing to wait. The only reason I agree to that is because I want to be able to take you away on a honeymoon.”
Allison looks back down at her phone. When she lifts her head, she is grinning from ear to ear. “So we’re getting married on February 8th?” she asks as if she can’t believe it’s really happening.
I can’t help but grin right along with her. She deserves happiness, they both do.
“We’re getting married,” Allison screeches as she jumps out of her chair and launches herself at Liam.
He throws his head back laughing as he catches her. He gently places his hands on her cheeks. “I love you, beautiful girl,” he says before he kisses her.
I smile before I say, “Uh, guys, I’m trying to eat here.” They break away laughing.
“I have to call Hales,” Allison says, reaching for her phone.
“She’s in class all day,” I tell her.
She and Liam both turn to look at me. “How do you know?” Allison asks.
I shrug my shoulders, like it’s no big deal. When really it’s a big f*cking deal. “I called her last night to make sure she was okay. She mentioned being in class all day today. Well, the next two weeks eight to five, she will be in class and then clinicals.” How do they not know this? Hailey mentioned it before we left also.
“All right, well, I guess I’ll be calling her at five,” Allison says.
“Let’s go call my parents and tell them,” Liam says.
I finish my huge stack of pancakes and then clean the kitchen. I decide to go out and pick up a few things. Training camp starts next week, and even if I’m able to find the time, my ass is gonna be dragging.
The first two weeks of class have flown by. I’m really enjoying it, which has me even more excited to start the nursing program in a few weeks. Life is crazy as well. Liam and Allison set a wedding date, so Allie and I have been spending our evenings on the phone and FaceTime starting to make plans. She is setting up appointments for when I come and visit at the end of the month. Just two more weeks.
I have also been spending a lot of time with Macie, Miles, and Kaden. We have hung out at their place a few more times as well as going out to dinner, a dance club, and a frat party. The guys are great and remind me a lot of Liam and Aiden. Kaden is head over heels for Macie and she him, but they’re fighting it. Well, not completely. When they are both drinking, they usually end up hooking up, but neither one of them are ready to make it official. Miles treats me just like Macie. He has even gone as far as trying to hook me up with a friend of his. I declined. This, of course, led to an intense conversation about Aiden.
“Who is he,” Miles asks me one night at a frat party after I turn down all of his suggestions of male companionship. When I don’t answer, he continues. “Hailey, you’re hot as f*ck. Any guy would be lucky to have you. You have every guy in this place panting after you and you couldn’t care less. Who is he?” Miles asks again.
“He’s no one,” I say, not meeting his eyes. I can feel the blush creep up my face just at the thought of Aiden.
“Come on, Hales. Let’s you and I take a walk,” Miles says, placing his arm around my shoulders and leading me outside to the back deck. The frat house sits on what they refer to as “frat row.” There are several fraternities who live on the street, and there is even what they refer to as “Frat Park” which is located at the cul-de-sac at the end of the street. Miles and I walk to the park and find it’s deserted. No alcohol is allowed at the park; the cops patrol it regularly. They would love to get a group for public intoxication. So really, it doesn’t get much use. Well, not at nighttime anyway.
Miles leads me to the swings and we each take one. “Okay, girl. Spill it. Who is he and what the f*ck is wrong with him that he’s not with you right now?” he says blatantly.
“It’s…complicated.”
“Explain it to me,” Miles prods.
I run my shoe through the sand, moving back and forth. Maybe getting a guy’s perspective would help. Miles doesn’t know Aiden, so he can be objective. I take a deep breath and words just start spewing out of my mouth.
“His name is Aiden. He’s my brother’s best friend. Hell, he’s one of my closest friends as well. I have loved him for as long as I can remember,” I say in a rush.
“Okay, so how does Aiden feel about you?” he questions.
I shrug my shoulders. “He doesn’t know,” I mumble.
“What? Did you just say that he doesn’t know? As in, he has no clue that you’re in love with him?” he asks, shocked.
“Yes,” I whisper.
“Why? Is it your brother? What’s keeping you from telling him?” Miles is determined to understand.
I decide to unleash it all. I tell him about all the “little” moments, the touches, the few kisses that we’ve shared. I tell him about how good Aiden is to me and how he has told me several times since he left that he misses me.
“I just don’t know if he feels that way about me. It’s like one minute he does and the next he’s backing away. I think we’re just really good friends and he likes to flirt,” I explain to Miles.
“What are you afraid of, Hales?” Miles asks quietly.
“What am I afraid of? I’m scared to death that he’s going to reject me. That I will lose one of my best friends because I need more. The four of us, Allison, Liam, Aiden, and I, we’re a tight group. If I pursue him and he rejects me, that’s all going to be jeopardized. I can’t be the one to break up our group. I want him. I’m in love with him, but I can’t risk losing him and what we have. I won’t. Besides, I’m just his best friend’s little sister, he doesn’t want me.”
“Maybe he’s afraid of what your brother will say,” he suggests.
I laugh. “Liam has no leg to stand on with that one. Allison was my best friend and roommate before she got with my brother. Aiden also considers her to be his little sister, so Liam can’t be angry.”
“Do you want to hear what I think?” he waits for my reply. I simply nod my head. “I think you’re making excuses. You have yourself convinced that you are and will always be just a little sister to him, and as a guy, I can assure you that he sees you. I don’t know what’s holding him back, but it’s my guess that it’s the same thing that’s holding you back. He’s probably afraid to break up the group if things don’t work out. I think you’re both letting fear of the unknown run your life.”
“I need him to be a part of my life,” I whisper into the night.
Miles is off his swing and crouched down in front of me in no time. “You can’t live life in fear. You have to live and take chances. I suggest you tell this Aiden character how you feel. Tell him that if he doesn’t feel the same way, you can go on as if the conversation never happened. He could be it for you, and you for him. You have to take the chance, Hales.”
“Maybe…maybe I will. I need to think about what you’ve said. It makes sense, but I’m still scared shitless to lose him,” I tell him, fighting back tears.
I stepped out of my comfort zone that night and opened up to Miles. Since then, I have also talked to Macie about Aiden, and because Kaden is always around, he knows as well. They all say I need to “take the chance”. Of course, I throw Macie’s words right back at her. All I ever get in return is a smile and an eye roll.
Tonight I’m venturing a little further out of my comfort zone. Macie, Miles, and Kaden are coming over to the condo to watch movies. It’s Friday night and it’s been a long ass week. Macie and I want to unwind, and Kaden usually ends up where Macie is, and Miles where Kaden is, so…I invited all three of them. Actually, all three of them have become really close friends and I would have invited them anyway. I just like to make the guys think that they are lucky to be included.
“So, what do I need to bring tonight?” Macie asks me as we walk to the parking lot.
“Just yourself, unless there is something specific that you want. I am just going to order pizza. I have chips and dip as well as pop and water. If the guys or you want alcohol, you will need to bring that. There needs to be a designated driver, otherwise, you all have to spend the night,” I tell her.
“We would never drink and drive. That’s cool of you to offer us to stay. I’ll let the guys know. So we should be there around seven, sound good?”
“Yes, that’s perfect,” I say as I climb into my Fusion.
I rush home to straighten up and take a quick shower. I stopped at the store last night so that snacks are here. All I need to do is put them out and order the pizza. I miss Allison’s call while I’m in the shower, but I don’t have time to call her back. Everyone will be here in fifteen minutes. I have spent too much time online looking at wedding decorations. I think I’m just as excited as Allie and Liam. I have some ideas for her so I will call her back when we have time to talk.
At seven o’clock on the dot, I hear a knock at the door. I yell for them to come in. Immediately, my mind flashes to Liam and Aiden scolding Allie and I for doing that in our dorm room last year. I guess now that I live alone, that was not exactly the best decision. Note to self, always see who is knocking before saying come in, and keep the door locked.
I’m walking into the living room as they come through the door. Miles has a scowl on his face, as does Kaden.
“Hey, guys!” I say happily. I really am excited to see them.
“Hales, what the hell? You can’t just yell for people to come in, and why the f*ck was your door unlocked? You live alone, you need to keep that shit locked and always see who it is first,” he scolds me.
I smile.
“This is not funny. What if it was some madman at the door,” he asks angrily.
“I’m sorry, Miles. I’m not laughing at you. Liam and Aiden yelled at me for that same thing. You just reminded me of them, that’s all,” I say, sliding my arm through his and leading him to the couch.
I push Miles down onto the couch and Kaden plops down next to him. “Nice pad, Hales.”
“Thanks. Here are the movies, or we could play Bullshit? Not sure if you guys are into cards?” I ask them.
“I also brought Battle of the Sexes,” Macie says, sitting down on the recliner.
My cell phone rings, causing me to jump. I reach for it at the same time as Miles. I end up losing my balance. Miles reaches out, grabs me, and pulls me onto his lap, breaking my fall.
“He-hello?” I say, laughing.
“Hales? What’s so funny?” Allison asks on the other end.
“Nothing,” I say, still laughing. “Miles, stop it,” I scold him.
“What? I’m not doing anything,” he says, laughing at me.
“Hales, who is that? Is there a guy there?” she asks, surprised.
“What? No, I mean yes. It’s just Miles. He Macie and Kaden are over just hanging out. I think I’m going to kick their asses in a game of Bullshit,” I tell her.
“Bullshit!” Kaden yells.
All four of us bust out laughing. For some reason, we are all slaphappy tonight.
“Well, it sounds like ya’ll are having fun. Call me tomorrow. I have some appointments booked I want to tell you about,” she says.
“You can tell me now, we’re just hanging out,” I reply.
“No, you have company and it sounds like this Miles character is torturing you.” She laughs.
“He won’t stop tickling me,” I say as I try to squirm away from Miles.
“Miles, st-stop it. Please, I have to pee,” I cry.
Allison laughs. “Call me tomorrow, girl. I love you.”
“Love you too, Allie. I’ll talk to you in the morning,” I say before hitting end on my cell.
I finally have both hands free to maneuver myself out of Miles’s grasp. “You’re evil,” I say, running down the hall. I really have to pee!
Two weeks. It been two f*cking weeks since I’ve seen Hailey. Two weeks without her smile, her silly jokes. Two long f*cking weeks.
It’s Friday night and the official end of our first week of training camp. My ass is dragging and so is Liam. Allison has been great. She is taking care of our tired asses. I’m stretched out on the loveseat while Allie and Liam are on the couch. Liam and I both decided that it hurts to move, so we don’t.
I hear Liam chuckle. “What’s so funny?” I ask him.
He laughs. “I feel like an old man. Here we are just graduated from college, and a night in on the couch is what we’ve been longing for,” he tells me.
“F*ck, don’t I know it. I don’t want to move until I have to,” I reply.
“Oh, you two, you’re not old. Training camp for the NFL, that’s huge. Of course you’re going to be tired,” Allison reasons.
“Did you get any appointments scheduled today?” Liam asks her. He has been hounding her every day to get the wedding planned. He told her to make it her dream wedding. All he needed was her. She and Hailey have been talking every night, planning. It’s good to see her happy.
“Yes, actually I did. Crap! I forgot to call Hailey.” She reaches for her phone on the coffee table.
I’m missing Hailey so much that I tune in on her conversations with Allison just to get a glimpse of what’s going on in her life. She and I have texted a lot over the past two weeks and even talked a time or two, but nothing like the night I fell asleep with her. I haven’t slept good since that night.
I can only hear one side of the conversation, but my interest is piqued when I hear Allison ask Hailey if there is a guy there with her. I sit up straight on the loveseat and stare at Allison. She has a smile on her face, so Hales must be okay with this guy being there. Who the f*ck is he? Why is he with Hales? There are a million questions and scenarios running through my mind.
Allison calls the guy Miles. Who. The. F*ck. Is. Miles? She tells Hales to call her tomorrow and she loves her, and then hangs up.
“What’s up with Hales?” Liam asks her.
Thanks, buddy, I owe you one. It’s easier for him to ask the questions than me. They are both already suspicious of me and my feelings for Hailey.
Allison smiles. “Macie, the girl she met in class, and her brother are there. Miles was tickling her so much she couldn’t stop laughing.”
“Does she know these people that well? She must trust them if she’s letting them come over and he’s tickling her to death,” Liam says calmly.
How the f*ck is he calm about this? We don’t know this dude and neither does Hailey. How do we know she’s safe? I stand up because sitting just isn’t working for me. My temper and my emotions are on high alert.
I’m pacing back and forth behind the couch and running my fingers through my hair. I look at my watch. It’s seven thirty. If I leave now, I can be there before eleven. I stalk to my room, grab my keys, wallet, and phone. I make my way to the front door and have just slipped my shoes on when I feel a heavy hand land on my shoulder.
“What’s up, man? Going somewhere?” Liam asks me.
Shit! How do I explain this? This need to keep her safe. How do I explain the ache that resides in my chest that grows more prominent each day that I’m away from her? How do I tell my best friend that I’m head over heels for his little sister?
“She doesn’t know them, Liam. What if they try to hurt her? We’re not there. We just left her alone. I’m going to drive up there and make sure she’s okay,” I tell him. Hoping he doesn’t see right through me.
“Aiden, Hailey is smart. She would never intentionally put herself in that position. Allison said she was laughing and having a good time,” he tries to reason with me.
“What if-” he cuts me off.
“Look, why don’t you call her first. That way you can hear her tell you herself that she’s okay,” he suggests.
I don’t answer him. I turn around and track back to my room. I close myself inside and hit speed dial for Hailey.
It rings twice before I hear her voice. “Aiden?” she says in question.
I suck in a breath at my name on her lips. “Angel.”
“What’s wrong? Is everyone okay?” she asks me, concern lacing her voice.
“Yeah. I was…” I clear my throat. I feel like I can’t breathe. “I was just worried about you,” I croak out.
“Worried about me? Why?” Confusion evident in her tone.
I gulp a couple deep breaths and try to calm down. “Allison said there was a guy over, and well, that’s not like you and I was worried…I’m worried about you, angel,” I say softly.
Hailey doesn’t say anything, so I keep going. “I have my shoes on, keys in hand, and Liam stopped me. I was coming to you. Liam said that Allie said you were fine and I should call you and hear for myself,” I pause. She still says nothing, but I can hear her breathing on the other end. “Do you need me, angel? I can be there tonight,” I say, willing her to say yes, she does need me.
She clears her throat. “Aiden, I’m fine really. Miles and Kaden are great guys. They would never hurt me,” she says quietly.
Two guys! What the f*ck? I struggle to remain in control of my emotions. “Miles and Kaden?” I question.
“Yes. Miles is Macie’s twin brother and Kaden is his best friend. They actually remind me a lot of you and Liam,” she says.
If she’s trying to make me feel better, she’s not. If they are anything like me, they want her. Want her so much that it hurts to breath when she’s not around. I don’t feel like I have truly taken a breath in two long weeks.
Trying to reel myself in, I ask again “You’re okay?”
“I’m fine,” she whispers.
“Okay, but if you change your mind, if you need me, I’ll be there. Please, call me before you go to sleep. I need to know your safe,” I tell her honestly.
“Okay, I will. I really am fine.”
“All right, then. Have a good time, be safe. I’ll be waiting to hear from you.”
“Talk to you soon,” she says and the line goes dead.
I sit there on the edge of my bed and replay our conversation. She really did sound fine to me. It hits me that I totally freaked out in front of Liam. He has to be wondering what the f*ck is wrong with me. At this point in the game, I don’t really care if he knows. I’m ready to risk it all just to be with her. I know for a fact, with everything in me, that if Hailey ever truly becomes mine, I will make damn sure that she never wants to leave me. I will do whatever it takes to keep her in my life. The question is…am I too late?
There is a knock on the door. “Hey, man, you okay?” Liam asks through the door.
I stand up and pull the door open. Liam’s standing there with his hands in his pockets looking at the floor. “Come on in,” I say, sitting back down on the bed.
Liam enters and sits in the chair in the corner of the room. “How long have you been in love with my sister?” he asks.
At first, I don’t answer, weighing my options. I think about the ache in my chest that gets heavier every day, the way everything is brighter when she’s around. I look up at Liam and the look on his face tells me that I can’t lie my way out of it this time anyway. “I don’t really know when it happened. There isn’t really an exact moment that I realized it,” I tell him honestly.
“Are you going to do something about it?”
His question catches me off guard. He doesn’t sound pissed, just curious. F*ck it, I’m all in at this point. “I don’t know. I’m scared as hell to lose her, man.”
Liam raises his eyebrow. “What do you mean lose her?” he asks.
“What if we get together and things don’t work out. I can’t imagine us being able to be just friends. I would never be able to handle another guy with her. Hell, look at me know. I’m a f*cking mess because she has a guy at her place. She’s says they’re all just friends, but f*ck, what if I’m too late?”
Liam doesn’t answer right away. He seems to be thinking about how to say what he wants to say. Or maybe he’s just thinking about how he’s gonna kick my ass. “I know I struggled for weeks about pursuing Allison. I knew in my gut that she was special, that she would be different from anyone else. I fought that because I was scared. Scared that giving up the freedom of being single would somehow ruin things for me. Man, I was so f*cking stupid. Life with Allison is amazing. I know that every day for the rest of my life I get to wake up next to her. I know that if my day sucks, all I have to do is see her and it’s suddenly better.” Liam chuckles.
“What’s so funny?” I ask him.
“I was just thinking about Gran, and her letter to Allie. The one that inspired her tattoo. Live and Love Fearless,” Liam says.
I don’t respond, because really, what else is there to say? I’m letting my fear of losing Hailey completely control what I really want. Her.
“Listen, man. I can’t think of anyone that I would rather see my baby sister with. If it’s me that’s keeping you from seeing where things go, then you have my blessing,” he says as he stands up and holds his fist out to me.
We fist bump and he leaves me alone in my room, my head swirling with our conversation. Liam was a big part of the reason as to why I never pursued anything with Hales. He just gave me his blessing. Holy shit! I never thought that would happen. Now I just need to decide if I can risk losing her if things don’t work out between us.