Under the Bridge

chapter fifty three-"i like your priorities"

"HOPE, I HAVE NEWS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS," I tell my best friend, keeping my voice as steady as possible. We always promised we'd tell each other things like this, and even though we haven't been as transparent as we've always been, I have a million feelings I want to share with her, and I know we'll want to listen. 

"Is it about Liam?" She asks. "If so, should I be worried?" 

I bite my lip. "It is about Liam, but actually, things are great between us," I admit, hearing the running water from the shower in my ensuite bathroom. 

"What happened?" 

I lean back against my headboard, knowing well that this is going to be an awkward phone call. "Last night, some stuff happened," I say, quietly, feeling my voice lose its stillness. "We might have uh, done some things." 

"Such as...?" 

"I lost my virginity," I admit, feeling a smile, but also a cringe fill my expression. 

Hope squeals over the phone, so loud that I have to move it directly from my ear. "OLIVIA! THAT'S FREAKING WILD! HOW WAS IT? WAS HE GOOD TO YOU? WAS IT PLANNED? I NEED DETAILS." 

I blush. "It was good. I had a nice time," I say meekly. 

"Should I punch him in the face?" Hope asks. 

"Please, don't," I smile. "That might discourage future attempts." 

She squeals again. "I remember when you were innocent. I miss those days." 

At that moment, Liam comes out of the bathroom drying his wet hair with a towel and wearing a black tee shirt and grey sweats. I think about my conversation's topic and blush, knowing exactly what he looks like under those clothes. 

"Hope, I have to go," I tell her, knowing Liam saw me check him out. He winks, throwing the towel at my head. "Do you mind?" I hiss, tossing it back at him. 

"Do I mind what?" Hope asks. 

"Not you, Liam," I smile, and he jumps onto the bed across from me, smelling like his usual cologne and my soap. A hand travels up my thigh and lips touch my cheek. I push his head away, and we both burst out laughing. "I have to go Hope, sorry." 

"Bye Olivia, bye Liam!" She calls out, hanging up before I can. 

Liam raises his eyebrows at me. "My hair smells like flowers," Liam comments, referring to my peony shampoo. 

I brush my fingers through the near-dry strands. "It's a lot softer now," I smile, setting my other hand on his warm chest. "I like it."

I swear, his cheeks become a little redder. "I'll keep that in mind the next time I buy cosmetics," he grins, a hand moving to the small of my back and pushing me closer, encouraging me to get into his lap. I oblige, closing the space between us by scooting forward and wrapping my legs around his waist. "Can I tell you something?" He rasps. His voice still sounds like he just woke up, all gravely and sexy, and everything I like. 

I nod. "Go for it." 

"I was just thinking about you and last night," he says, drawing a circle on my back underneath my shirt. "And I was wondering if we should talk about it." 

I bring the hand in his hair down to his jaw, brushing up against the rough stubble he's developed there. "What is there to say?" I ask, blushing, keeping my eyes away from his. 

"I don't know, it was your first time. It wasn't unexpected, I mean, there were condoms in your drawer, but I don't want you to feel pressured or uncomfortable with anything," he admits.