Page 9 of Anywhere with You
“Ican’t believe that your Ace is our Aiden. What a small world,” Hailey says to me. Aiden and Liam are at the bar getting our drinks.
I simply nod my head, I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact I’d told Aiden I thought my roommate’s brother, who also happens to be his roommate, is hot! I hope he keeps his mouth shut.
“Here we go, ladies,” Aiden says as he places our drinks in front of us.
“Where’s yours?” Hailey asks Liam.
“One of us needs to be the designated driver.” Liam shrugs his shoulders.
Hot isn’t really an accurate description of Liam. He’s tall with broad shoulders and defined muscles. The faded blue jeans and black dress shirt he’s wearing with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms shows off his body perfectly. As usual, when I am in his presence, I need a distraction, so what do I do? I chug my strawberry daiquiri.I’m sure Aiden had them make it weak. However, when chugging, I can still feel the effects.
Hailey grabs me by the arm and pulls me out of the booth. “Come on, roomie, let’s get our dance on.”
I laugh as I let her pull me to the dance floor. Big and Rich are singing about saving a horse and riding a cowboy. I try to clear my thoughts of Liam and just feel the music. I’ve never been dancing. My only slow dances have been with Aiden and his father at their family functions Gran and I would attend if she was feeling up to it. Gran and I would dance around the house. There were many times Aiden would catch us and join in the fun. That about sums up my limited experience. I have my eyes closed, feeling the music when I feel strong hands grab my hips. I open my eyes to see a blond-haired guy about six foot, maybe. He’s built, but Aiden and Liam both put him to shame. He’s obviously drunk and keeps trying to pull me to him. I place my hands on his chest to push him away, but he’s not taking no for an answer. I’m starting to panic, I’ve never been in this type of situation before.
Suddenly, I feel warmth on my back, and strong arms come around me at the same time I see Aiden come up behind Hales. I glance over to see Liam’s striking blue gaze. He leans down and kisses my neck while whispering in my ear, “Work with me, sweetheart, so we can get rid of your friend.” I nod my acceptance. That is all that I can do. The warmth of him wrapped around me and the feel of his kiss on my neck mix with his soft words in my ear.I’m a flippin’ mess!Butterflies take over my stomach. Speech isn’t something I’m currently capable of. Mr. Drunk and Grabby takes the hint and backs away.
I continue swaying my hips, and Liam pulls me closer to him. The song changes to “Dancing While Intoxicated”, and I smile.I most certainly am, or starting to be.I know I’ve only had one drink, but chugging my first alcoholic beverage wasn’t the best choice on my part. I’m feeling pretty relaxed, otherwise, I would’ve never had the courage to grind against Liam. Hailey winks at me as she places herhands behind Aiden’s neck. I decide to take that as advice and mirror her actions with Liam. I’m nervous as to how he’ll react, but I shouldn’t have been. He leans down further and places his face in the crook of my neck. He’s so close to me, and I can hear him breathing me in. I’m trying not to freak out. Liam is so sexy, and I know he’s just being nice to me because of Hailey and Aiden, but for this one moment, I want it to be real. I want him to want me. So, I block out my racing mind and just feel him close to me.
As the music turns slow, I sigh. I know my time with Liam is up, so I release his neck and begin to walk away. Before I can take two steps, Liam has me twirled around and pressed tight against his chest. “Dance with me, sweetheart,” he whispers in my ear. I’m still unable to speak for fear this moment isn’t real, and I’ll wake up from this amazing fantasy to find I’m no longer in his strong arms. I clasp my arms around his waist and lay my head on his chest.
I feel Liam sigh as he pulls me in tighter and begins to softly sing along with the song. My heart feels like it’s about to beat out of my chest. Liam holds me like I’m his lifeline, and the words he sings…I know he has no idea about my past, or my fear of always being alone, but in this moment I feel safe and… cherished. I feel the words deep in my soul, as though he’s singing them just for me.
The song ends, and I refuse to be the first to let go. I won’t let go of him until he pulls away. I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders. I need to feel that a little longer, so I hold him tighter. I feel Liam lean down and kiss the top of my head, then he rests his cheek there. We slowly sway to Kenny Chesney telling us the love of his life had him from hello.I know the feeling. Liam’s slowly rubbing my back, and I feel my heart shift. In the arms of this man, I can see the future I want, a family, someone to love me. I know it could never be Liam, but I realize that’s my dream, I think about Gran and her words to me,“Life is a giant canvas, Allie, and you should throw as much paint on it as you can.”My dream is to have a family, a husband, kids, in-laws. Yes, in-laws. I’ll take all the family I can get, anyway I can get it. It’s just been Gran and me for so longnow. Aiden’s family has adopted me into theirs, and I love them dearly, but I want more. Selfish, I know, but it is what it is.
The music changes again back to a fast tempo, and I lift my head to chance a look into Liam’s baby blue eyes. He rests his forehead against mine. “Thank you for the dance, sweetheart,” he whispers. I’m worried he can hear the thunderous beat of my heart. He kisses my forehead, laces his fingers through mine, and directs me through the crowd back toward the booth. Hailey and Aiden are there now, sitting beside one another with fresh drinks for all of us. Liam lifts our entwined hands to his lips and kisses the back of my hand, then places his hand on the small of my back and guides me into the booth.
The four of us continue to sit, laughing and talking. Aiden and Liam keep us supplied with drinks. Liam’s still sitting next to me with his arm draped over the back of the booth. He’s lazily making circles on my shoulder. He’s driving me insane. The attraction I feel for him is like nothing I’ve ever felt. It scares the shit out of me. Liam isn’t exactly what you would call a player, but Hailey has told me multiple times he doesn’t date and is never serious about anyone. Football is his life. As much as I want the college experience, I also want the love and connection. One-night stands and hookups aren’t my thing, and never will be. I want more. Dancing with Liam tonight confirmed that for me. I can never be a hookup for him, and he can never be committed to anyone. I know nothing will go beyond innocent flirting, no matter how sexy he is. I’ve just confirmed to myself, I’m an all or nothing girl, and I vow to stay true to that.
“I need the ladies’ room,” Hailey announces. “Allison, come with me?”
I nod my head as Liam and Aiden let us out of the booth. Aiden looks at both of us. “Be careful, if you aren’t back in ten minutes, I’m coming to look for you.” I try to focus on what he’s saying, I really do, but Liam has his hand on the small of my back again as we were waiting for Aiden to finish lecturing 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’re 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” by Luke Bryan 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’m excited thinking they’re 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’re 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’m starting to really feel the 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 into the chair beside me and groans.
