One Last Shot

[42] Wet Sweatshirts

   Liam

Sitting in my bed, I haven't moved in a day. I feel sadder than I expected, getting friendzoned. Then again, she is the first girl I've ever loved, so maybe that's why it hurts so much. The guys keep bringing me food, and just talking to me, but I'm skipping practice today. I can't see Marcus. I need a few days. Grayson offered to tell him I have food poisoning, so he shouldn't suspect anything. I'm flipping through one of my law textbooks, doing some light reading, when my phone rings. I hesitate, then pick it up.

"I need you." She's sniffling, and I can hear the rain in the background.

"Where are you?"

"Um..." I hear shuffling. "The event hall in the Marriott, the one ten minutes from your house."

"I'll be right there. Do you need me to bring anything?"

"You."

"I'm on my way." Driving as fast as I can to the hotel, my mind races. Why am I doing this? Why am I letting her string me along? Why do I care about her so much?

Pulling up in front, I see her, shivering, tears streaming down her face. I jump out of the car, rushing over.

"What happened?" I ask, looking all over her face for a reason for her tears.

"I need to go home," she chokes out.

"Okay," I nod, not pressing any further. She steps out in the rain, toward the car, me following behind her. She stops suddenly, turning to look at me. I look down at her, my eyebrows furrowed. "What's wrong?" I ask, confused.

She suddenly pulls me down by my hoodie, enclosing her lips with mine. She pulls me closer to her and I wrap my arms around her back. It's a gentle kiss, I don't try to slip my tongue in, simply giving her what I think she needs. Her hands wrap around my neck, and I feel rain dripping down my hair, face, and clothes. It doesn't matter to me. I'm here, with the woman I love.

We aren't fighting, at least not at the moment. We're here, the only two people on this earth, nothing can disturb this peace. She pulls away, looking up at me, her face soaking wet from the rain.

"I love you." She doesn't pull away from me, her eyes fixed on mine as she talks. "That kiss meant everything to me, this kiss means everything to me. I didn't say it before because I thought I was ruining you, but I've realized I don't do that. I was scared to hurt you, I still am scared I'll hurt you, but I can't live like this. I can't not speak to you. I can't not be there by your side every day. I can't live without you."

"Listen to me sweetheart," I cup her face in my hands, "you won't hurt me. I was made for you. We were made for each other. If something goes wrong, we'll make it work. I can't see my life without you in it, and intend to keep you in it, for as long as you'll have me." She looks up at me, smiling, new tears flowing down her face. I wipe them away, before gently lifting her chin, leaning down once more, and kissing her again. I feel her smile against the kiss, and my heart does a little jump. Holding her by her waist, I pull her closer, intending to never let her go.

"Can we get into the car now?" she laughs. "I'm freezing." I laugh, before opening the passenger door for her. Sitting in the driver's seat, we don't move. I notice she's shaking, and tug my hoodie off. She pulls it over her head, snuggling into it.

"Sorry, it's kind of wet."

"It's yours, so it's comforting no matter what." I can't help but smile. "So, can we talk about whatever just happened?"

"I think we need to go one some dates now," I chuckle. "Iris Cara."

"Yes?"

"Would you like to go on a date with me?"

"I would love to, pretty boy. I have one request, though."

"Yes sweetheart?"

"Can we not tell anyone? I would rather we navigate this by ourselves, without everyone else looming over us."

"That sounds like a great idea," I smile, before leaning over and kissing her. I love that I can do that now.

Driving her back to her house, I keep my hand interlocked with hers, and we drive in comfortable silence. Dropping her off at her house, I give her hand a sweet kiss before she gets out of the car, still wearing my hoodie. I know she wants to keep it a secret, but it'll be her own fault we get found out. Halfway up the steps to her house, she realizes she's still wearing it, before she scampers down the steps, tugging it off, and walking over to my window. I roll it down, a smug smile on my face.

"Forget something?"

"Your hoodie," she smiles, handing it to me.

"I think you forgot something else."

"Hm?" She hums, looking confused. I lean out the window, kissing her once more before she leaves, a smile creeping on my own face. "I love you sweetheart, sweet dreams."

"Goodnight pretty boy, I love you." She smiles walking into her house, and I've never felt happier. Back home, the guys don't ask where I was, or why I'm sopping wet, or why I'm smiling considering I've been a gloomy mess recently, they're just happy to have me back and present.

"So," Lix taps his fingers anxiously on the counter. "Marcus wants us all to go out for dinner tomorrow night. A fancy place. Are you okay with that Liam?"

"Yeah, don't worry about me."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm a tough guy, I'll work through it," I smile, knowing my smile is from pure happiness. 

A/N: Hehe ah so excited to publish this chapter! I'll be posting one chapter at a time from now on, maybe to keep the suspense of the coming chapters, or just so I can really edit these ones, since they're important to me and I want to put my all into them. Thank you guys so much for reading, I love you all so much :-)