The Enemy Lives Next Door (bxb)

Part Nineteen - Part Two

Part Nineteen - Part Two

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My palms sweat as I clutch my phone, my heartbeat echoing in my ears. Each step toward the locker room feels like a mile, and my breath comes in shallow, uneven bursts.

I push open the locker room door, and Liam's voice cuts through the air. "Right, so it's happening today!" He's grinning like a Cheshire cat, rubbing his hands together with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I can't wait!"

I arch an eyebrow at him, trying to keep my voice steady. "This could wait, right? Come on, Liam, we're moving too fast. You know it."

Liam shakes his arms dramatically, his frustration palpable. "No, definitely not," he insists, stepping closer and placing his hands on my shoulders. His grip is firm, but his eyes twinkle with amusement. "You've got this because I'm in it. Touchdown, baby."

He can't be serious...

I run a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of my anxiety pressing down. My heart pounds so hard I'm sure it might just explode. I want to believe that this will turn out fine, but my gut tells me otherwise.

I glare at him, the tension making my voice sharp. "This isn't football. My future is on the line here, so I can't mess this up."

Liam pulls his hands away and crosses his arms over his chest. "Then act like it's a matter of life and death. You can't keep running, Dalley. That's not how it works."

"Watch me!" I spring from the bench, but Liam grabs my wrist with a surprisingly tight grip.

I look down at our connected skin and then back up at his eyes. He meets my gaze with a smirk that only fuels my frustration. I yank my hand free, sighing as I sit back down.

I don't know if Liam knows what he's doing, but I'm a bundle of nerves, convinced this will end in total disaster. The thought of public humiliation haunts me.

"You've spent a lot of time with him, Dalley," Liam says, his tone surprisingly gentle. "I'm sure he gets it by now. You want this, so now you have to act."

"Isn't he supposed to ask me out?"

Liam rolls his eyes. "You like Adam, so you have to ask him out. Just go up to him and ask if he'd like to go on a date. It's really that simple." He waves his hand dismissively. "I know you can do it. Come on, ask me out."

I blink, then gag a little. "Dude, no," I say, shifting to the end of the bench. "I'm definitely not asking you out."

Liam's umber eyes narrow in mock irritation. "Not like that, you idiot. Pretend I'm Adam and ask me out."

I almost have a stroke at the thought. Liam sits down next to me, and I close my eyes, trying to form the sentence in my head. I open them again and turn slightly, staring into his face—smooth and unblemished, a small mole on his jaw.

I focus on those troublesome eyes and take a deep breath. "Adam Castle, this might come as a shock, but I like you and... uh, I was wondering if you'd like to go out on a date with... me? We don't have to call it a date. We could just hang out—maybe even attend my imaginary funeral, in spirit."