Page 40 of Break Point
Easing out of the laughter, I look away with a frown. As much as I never want to see that movie, it’s all pretend. But Liam taking that girl to my tennis match was real.
“Tell me what’s wrong.”
“I saw photos of you at the Open,” I say. “With a pretty redhead.”
“You mean Billie?” He snorts and shakes his head twice. He seems to be a second away from rolling his eyes at me. He better not.
“I don’t know her name, but I’m sure you do.”
I’m annoyed by it all over again. But I take a deep breath, trying to remain vigilant of my feelings and careful not to let them take control over me. I’m trying to communicate them to him without reacting.
“Billie’s a good friend,” he says, drawing a line down my back with a finger. I try hard not to react to his touch, but I can’t help it. “She broke up with her boyfriend during the summer. It was a pretty serious relationship, and she was struggling with that and other personal stuff, so I wanted to cheer her up and invited her to come with me.”
“And how do you know she’s not misinterpreting your friendly gestures for something else?”
“You haveno ideawho I’d be competing against,” he scoffs. “Not that I’m interested in doing so. Besides, one of the first things I told Billie the day I met her was that I’m into brunettes.Abrunette.”
I lift my chin and look away as I gnaw my lower lip. I like his answers, but I want him to keep convincing me because it’s fun.
“Fuck it. I’m calling her.” Liam pulls his phone from his pocket and taps his screen.
“Wait. What for?” I ask with a nervous laugh. “Liam, don’t. That’s not necessary.
He ignores me and puts the call on speaker.
The phone rings a few times, and I secretly hope it goes to voicemail. But it doesn’t. A sweet, sleepy voice answers the phone.
“Liam?” She clears her throat.
“Hey, Red! You’re on speaker with Belén,” Liam clues her in.“Please tell me you’re not sleeping. It’s bloody eight in the evening.”
“Hi, Belén,” she whispers. “I was asleep, you dumbass. It’s three a.m. over here.”
“Baby, is everything okay?” a grave, husky voice coos in the background. Liam widens his eyes at me and covers his gaping mouth with a hand, his shock unmistakable.
“Yes. It’s Liam,”Billie replies to the man. “I’lltake the call outside on the balcony. Go back to bed, baby. You haven’t slept in two days.”
Liam mouthsOH, MY GOD, and I don’t understand two shits of what’s going on, but I can’t deny that I’m intrigued.
“I’m sorry about that,” Billie says casually. Too casually. “So, what’s up, guys?”
“Was … that … a bluefin tuna talking in the background?” Liam asks with a laugh. “Wherethe hellare you, and why hasn’t Tobias called to fill me in with the deets?”
“Oh, shut up, Liam,” Billie says with a laugh. “Belén, I’m sure you’ve been introduced to Liam’s busybody tendencies. But wait until you see Tobias and Liam together. It’s like being on one of those live talk shows.”
I laugh. I know who Tobias Sjöberg is, of course. He’s a famous actor like Liam. Gemma is obsessed with him. But I’ve never met him. Liam talks about him often. They’re close. But I still don’t understand who Billie’s with or why it’s such a big deal for Liam.
“You either tell me yourself, or I’ll call Tobias right now and get his version of the facts,” Liam warns her. “I’d rather give my version if I were you. You know how Tobias tends to … embellish things.” He laughs.
“I came after the bluefin tuna,” she whispers again. “I’m in South Africa.”
“Noooooo!” Liam shouts and cracks into a full belly laugh. “My, my, my. This is … wow. Marvelous! I’m still calling Tobias, though. I’m sure you’re expecting that anyway.”
Billie laughs and says, “Do whatever you have to do. Just … try to be discreet.Please. Few people know I’m here.”
Liam presses the mute button and says, “That voice you heard on the background belongs to William Sjöberg.”
Wait … Is this girl dating William Sjöberg?
