The Challenge | BOOK 2

35 - Before The Storm

Here's a little Liam and Alison chapter for you guys. I hope you enjoy. Let me know!!!
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When I woke the next morning, it was to a knock on my bedroom door. I shuddered, blinking as I remembered where I was, feeling Liam's warmth beside me. He hadn't woken at the knock. He'd been so tired, so sad.

I cleared my throat softly, gently and slowly prying myself from his body, slipping out of bed. He didn't stir - body still with exhaustion. I crept over to the door, opening it slowly.

Alfie stood at the door. He smiled at me and then peeked past my shoulder, spotting Liam in the bed. I stepped outside the room and shut the door.

"How are you feeling, girl?" He asked. I nodded at him, a cold whisper creeping down my back at the thought of the night before.

"I'm okay," I told him. I meant it. I could be okay, and I would be okay.

"Good... I know this is shit timing and I know he won't want to do it. But we've got a group that needs to be trained. It falls on his schedule and there's no one else available," Alfie told me lowly. I led him down the hallway, not wanting to wake Liam while we still had time for him to continue sleeping.

"You're right. He won't want to do it," I breathed as he descended the stairs. Alfie hummed, following behind me.

"Is there some way you could convince him? I know damn well that he'd bite my head off if I tried to get him away from you," Alfie asked. I could hear the concern in his voice. He didn't want to ask me either.

But he was certainly smarter to ask me instead of Liam.

"Possibly. Maybe... maybe I could go with him. How long until he has to start?" I asked. I looked around the living room, finding Lila and Charlie curled up on the couch together, and Cass and Leon on a mattress on the floor.

I knew Lucas had stolen the mattress up stairs in the guest room. He'd definitely schemed his way into having that one.

"Maybe thirty minutes?" Alfie checked his watch as I sauntered into the kitchen. I began to brew myself some coffee.

"Alright. I'll get him to do it," I said with a nod. Alfie softly thanked me, nodding his head in appreciation.

"I better get going myself. I don't want to be late either," he said. I smiled at him and nodded.

Alfie surprised me when he came towards me and engulfed me in a tight hug. He wrapped his arms around me and I realised how small I truly looked in comparison to him.

"I'm glad you're alright, kid," he mumbled. I smiled as I hugged him back before pulling away and offering him a goofy grin. Alfie nodded his head at me and then headed for the door.

With the sound of the door clicking shut, Leon stirred on the mattress. I watched him rise, rubbing his eyes and yawning as he leaned down, kissing Cass' forehead before getting up.

He joined me in the kitchen and offered a smile. "Glad to see you can still get up nice and early," he commented. I stifled a laugh and nodded at him.

"No use staying in bed all day," I said. He nodded in agreement.

"I have to ask Liam to train a group today," I told him. Leon winced, mimicking the reaction that any sane person would have. Anyone would know that Liam wouldn't like that.