Settling Slowly

Chapter 20 - Aftershocks

We got to my house just then and I hopped out calling bye to Joy. I hurried inside and crashed into Liam on my way into the kitchen. I wanted a hot chocolate and I wanted it now, damn it.

"Whoa, Zoey!" he exclaimed and steadied us. "What are you running – " He forgot how to talk and his eyes went wide.

"Are... you ok?" I asked him and took a step back.

Nothing. Not even an eye blink.

"Liam?"

Still nothing. I waved my hand in front of him. Nada.

"Liam?"

He jumped a little. "I... um, yeah. I've –" he cleared his throat. "Dan and I are going to Brandon's to help him catch up with physics. He was at the doctors today so... yeah. See you later, Zoey." He quickly walked passed me.

He yelled up the stairs to Dan saying that he was going to wait in the car.

"Is Zoey back yet?" he called.

"Yeah!" I yelled and busied myself getting my drink.

"Zo, we're going over to Brandon's to – Oh man," he said when he saw my hair. "That's... weird."

"Thank you. That's exactly what I wanted to hear," I snarked. "It's just what I needed on top of not liking it already."

"I mean, it looks good," he said and I could see truth in his eyes. "Really good. It suits you. I just thought Camilla was joking when she said you got trigger happy in textiles."

"Really?" I asked.

"Zo, one thing you never take chances with is your hair."

"Calling me vain?" I snapped.

"No," he snapped back.

I sighed. "Sorry. But today hasn't been great, hair aside."

"Yeah... Dean Templehurst dragged me and Evan into his office. He asked me to keep an eye on you and I think he just wanted Evan to know why you might be off with him over the next couple of days."

I shook my head. "I'm not going to be off with him. He came over earlier and we had a chat."

He nodded and walked over. "The Dean was pretty upset with how things went. And was surprised as hell when you walked out. I didn't think you had it in you, sis." He said it jokingly and lightly punched my arm.

I sighed. "I wouldn't have before what happened with Danny."

"I like Zoey after what happened with Danny."

I looked up at him. "Really? I've punched him, nearly punched Harriet, threatened Danny with that thing I told you about the prostitute... What I've done is horrible!"

"But done for all the right reasons and with Danny it's the only thing you could have done. Trust me. He wouldn't have stopped."

"But you said I'm more unicorns and rainbows."

He smiled. "Yeah. But who says unicorns and rainbows can't be mixed in with kickass protectiveness and strength?"

"I suppose," I grumbled.

He pulled me into a hug. "No suppose about it. And even before all that I always felt a little safer when you were about."

I looked up at him with a frown. "Why?"

"Because I know you've always got my back. No matter what."

I smiled. "Always."

"Me too." In a softer tone he said, "I can skip out on Brandon if you want me to."