Ready to Run Part 2

Chapter 22

Liam

Who the fuck does Niall think he is? Trying to tell me what to do? And how I feel? God damn. Ever since he's gotten with Lexie he tries to act like he's so much better than me and everybody else. Because he's so secure and in love and mature. Fuck him. And fuck Louis too. I know he's been keeping an eye on me all week. It's the reason I've been such a complete asshole since I got here. If he's gonna act like he needs to watch me I'm gonna give him something to watch.

When I reach the guestroom I've claimed as mine I throw the door open and pull Sophia inside. She looks exceptionally good tonight. She always looks good. But I can tell she put some extra effort into her appearance tonight. Even though we've been hanging out all week nothing has happened. I know she wants to go there. It's obvious she still loves me. But every time I try, she pushes me away. But I know she's losing her willpower. Tonight is the night. When I shut the door I turn back to her, grab her face almost roughly and press my lips against hers.

"Liam. You don't have to do this. You don't have to prove anything." She says placing her hands gently on my chest and pushing me back.

"I'm not trying to prove anything. I just want to be with you Soph." I tell her before moving my lips to her neck. It's a good thing I still remember all the right spots to hit.

"No you don't. You want to be with Liv. But that didn't work out so now you're back to me." She's still trying to convince herself this is a bad idea but the way she's melting under my touch completely cancels out her words.

"That's not true. It's you I want to be with. It's always been you."

"Even if I believed that, which I don't, I can't do this while you're this drunk."

"I'm not even that drunk!" I say, finally pulling back to look at her.

"Liam..." She warns.

"Ok I am." I admit with a goofy grin that makes her laugh. She just rolls her eyes and pushes me back towards my bed. Not in a seductive way though. In a 'get your drunk ass into bed' way. I can't even resist at this point. I know I'm completely pissed. When I finally make it to bed I flop back. She just laughs again and starts unlacing my boots.

"I never thought I would be the one to take care of you." She says almost to herself.

"It's not right is it? I'm supposed to be taking care of you." I tell her, sitting up so I can look her in the eye. I hold her gaze for a few minutes before she turns her head and starts to get up.

"Go to sleep Liam." She says when I grab onto her wrist and pull her back.

"Stay with me." I beg.

"I can't." She argues but her face is conflicted. She wants to stay.

"Please? I don't want to be alone." I press.

"I can't. I can't be your rebound Liam."

"You're not my rebound. We're Liam and Sophia. This is how things are supposed to be." I tell her before pressing my lips against hers again.

"Liam. I can't." She says against my lips, still trying to make a choice. Stay with me and open up her heart again or leave and wonder what could have happened.

"Just promise you won't leave me." I plead, almost desperately. I pull back to look her in the eye and gauge the situation. I can almost see the exact moment when she decides to throw caution to the wind. This time she leans forward to kiss me.

When I wake up the next morning I have no idea what the hell happened last night. But I'm not alarmed. I've gotten used to the feeling of a pounding head and fuzzy memories this week. What I haven't gotten used to is the absolutely relaxed, calm feeling I have this morning. A feeling that only comes after sex. When I roll over I wrap my arms around Liv's naked, sleeping body and bury my face in her long dark hair.