Page 11 of Forever Yours
“I do,” he replies. “In fact…” he bows at the waist. “Would you do me the honor of letting me have one dance?”
I giggle. “There’s no music, silly.”
He pulls his phone out from his pocket. “That’s easily fixed.”
A moment later, the sounds of Taylor Swift’s Love Story fill the room.
Tears spring to my eyes, for a very different reason this time. “My favorite,” I whisper as he holds out his arms again.
“Of course,” he says and takes me in his arms. “I know my girl.”
That night, we dance, and I fall in love. I fall so deep into that chiasm that I know I’ll never dig my way out. He’s mine and I’m his.
Just wish he knew that.
Chapter Thirteen
Seeing her in pain makes it hard for me to breathe. I never wanted to be the one to cause her anything but happiness. -Liam
Liam
My heart hammers in my chest as I walk over to the door to open it. I know what I have to do, but it doesn’t mean I’ll enjoy it. I take a deep breath and place my forehead against the door. I don’t want to hurt her. I’ve always been the one to soothe the hurt, just like I did that night when she was fifteen and that asswipe Ivan cancelled on her. I beat the ever-living shit out of him the next day for causing her pain. Now, I’m about to be the one to let her down. If it wasn’t for her own good, I don’ think I would be able to do it.
“Sophie, come on in,” I say in a low voice as I straighten up and finally answer the door.
She nods and steps in. I try not to look at her, but it’s impossible. My eyes shift to the messy kitchen and the couch, but then I find I can’t be in her presence and not look at my girl.
Her blonde hair is pulled back in a bouncy ponytail with those pink streaks of hers twining throughout. Her cheeks are flushed from the cold outside and she’s wearing a Crestwood sweatshirt and yoga pants. Her outfit isn’t designed to be sexy, but my cock stirs nonetheless.
I wave her over to the couch. “Let’s sit.”
She wipes her palms on her pants. “I think I’d rather stand if it’s all the same to you.”
I clear my throat. “Sure, whatever you want. Do you want some water or something? I think I have orange juice. I know you love orange juice. And I think I might have some donuts if the guys didn’t eat them all. Maybe even chocolate frosted. That’s still your favorite, right?”Shit, I’m rambling.
Her blue eyes don’t waver as she glares at me. I’m not used to the steel in her bright blue gaze. She’s always looked at me with such adoration before. Now, she looks at me as if I’m her worst enemy. I guess, she’s preparing herself to hate me. I should be happy about that. Instead, my stomach roils with disgust. I want to be hers. I want to be worthy of her adoration. I just can’t be.
“Liam, I don’t need anything. Let’s just talk so I can go.” She folds her arms and shifts her stance. She’s ready for war, but I’m not. I just want to hold her.
I shove my hand through my hair. “So, um, I wanted to talk to you about what you said the other day. We could pretend you didn’t say it. That would probably be easier. Or maybe you didn’t mean it?” I ask hopefully, praying that she’ll lie to me so we can just move past the words.
“Nope, I meant it.” She gives a brittle laugh. “I’m guessing that’s not what you wanted to hear, though.” She stands up straighter and studies me. “I know you don’t want to hear it, but I’m in love with you, Liam. I’ve been in love with you for a long time. For years, since I was fifteen, to be exact.” She glances down at her feet as if she’s tired of being brave. Her shoulders fall. “I assume you don’t feel the same way though based on your expression.”
My heart lifts and soars at her words, and then falls to my feet. I wish I could tell her how I felt. I wish I could be hers. I stuff my hands deep into my pockets and shift awkwardly. “You think you’re in love with me, Sophie. You’re not, really. You can’t be.” My words sound desperate because I am. Just agree with me so we can move on, I silently beg.
Instead, her head snaps up and her eyes blaze with fire. “You don’t get to tell me how I feel, Liam. And I’m in love with you. Not some stupid puppy love, but the kind of love that lasts forever. If you don’t want me, if you can’t think of me that way, then be a man and tell me. Don’t draw this out. Just tell me you don’t want me. Tell me you’ve never wanted me, and I’ll walk out this door. It will all be over.” She glances towards the door. “If you can tell me that, I’ll leave and the next time you see me, we’ll be back to being old friends. I’ll never mention my feelings again. You’ll be off the hook.”
She’s offering me exactly what I wanted. She’s giving me a way out. But my heart burns and everything feels wrong. I open my mouth to say the words. Just say you don’t want her. Just say it and everything will go back to the way it was.
She looks so lonely hugging herself and waiting for the words that will break her heart.
“I…” I shake my head. I can’t say it. I can’t do it. I can feel myself wavering.
“Fuck it,” I stalk to her and take her in my arms.
“Liam,” she gasps. “What are you doing?”
“I can’t let you leave here thinking I don’t want you,” I growl.
