Only Fools

Chapter 3

"Harry," Liam huffs and slouches against the cushion "this is Nell." He introduces me and my nerves are back in full force. I muster a smile and wave, but Harry doesn't even seem to acknowledge me.

"I'm going to bed," he says and climbs up the stairs. Shocked at how rude he is, I furrow my brows.

"He's a delight, huh?" Liam jokes and we share a laugh.

The rest of the night we spend talking, drinking more wine, and eventually agreed to watch a movie. Since were both off on the weekend, I decided staying up past eleven for something else besides Say Yes to the Dress reruns was acceptable. I've learned so much about Liam in one night, and I'd be lying if I said that I haven't thought about what it would be like to date Liam. I've learned that he's a great cook, but a terrible baker. His mum is a baker, however, and makes the most scrumptious batch of snickerdoodle cookies you'll ever taste. His sister is live in Los Angeles, and that's why he wants to open a restaurant so far from Texas. She's also visiting for Christmas and staying a whole week with him, which he is very excited about. He loves to travel and he could do it alone, as long as he got to see new things. Nothing in this world makes him happier than the water. Lakes, oceans, rivers- they're his happy place. Liam has an aggressive side when it comes to family, he's always been the one to take care of them, the man of the house for so long.

I could make a ten mile list of the little things Liam has told me tonight, and I would stay all night and listen to him talk about his life before his grandmother was diagnosed. He's so intriguing, and seems so level-headed and he's such a gentleman.

As I sit next to Liam, barely paying any attention to the movie, I remanence on nights like these with Dillion. I'd lay in his lap while he stroked my hair, twisting the ends with his fingers while we watched probably Star Wars or some action-packed movie for the thousandth time.

Subconsciously, or so I assume, Liam's arm snakes around me and rest on the back of the couch. I lean into him, resting my head on his shoulder. He doesn't expect it, I can tell because his body stiffens up before it relaxes, and he positions himself to where we could both comfortably support one another.

As the movie plays, my eyes grow heavier and heavier. I don't want to ask Liam to take me home, but I can't stay here. Not yet. I've already pushed one boundary by kissing him, I'm not ready to stay the night at his place. So I fight my sleep, doing everything I can to try and stay awake.

However, I lose the fight and before I know it my eyes shut and I feel my body drift into sleep.

***
I jolt awake, still resting on Liam who is also asleep. Sunlight peeps through the curtains, blinding me. Careful to not wake him, I slowly sit up and lay the blanket that was over me on top of him. He might be a heavy sleeper because he hasn't budged.

I shoot a text to Tara, asking her if she'll come pick me up before I search for a restroom. Opening random doors, I come across closets and empty bedrooms. Maybe it's on the top floor? It's a little strange for a restroom to not be on the bottom floor but who am I to judge ?

I make my way up the stairs, taking in more of this beautiful house. By the decals and little decorations in the walls and the wood, there's no doubt that it's old. Liam takes such good care of it though, it's so clean.

Opening more doors, I still can't seem to find a bathroom and I'm growing annoyed. Where the hell do you take a piss? Out the window?

I open one more door, coming across a room I assume to be Liam's. There's white carpet in here, and everything is neatly in a proper place. The house is clean, but this room? Spotless. It feels so much more like a home than the rest of the house does, there's even a chair in here, however, it's covered with papers and a laptop. Must be for Liam's school
work, he must work-

"What are you doing?" I jump at the sound of Harry's deep voice, spinning around immediately. He's takes a bite out of a piece of toast, no expression on his face.

"I-I, I'm sorry." I stutter, at a loss for words.

Ask for the bathroom, Nell.

"Your boyfriend is downstairs, get the hell out of my room." I furrow my brows at the walking asshole.

"He's not my boyfriend," I protest, but he doesn't seem to care. He pushes past me and slams the door, and it would have hit me if I didn't take a step back.

I roll my eyes and check my phone to see if Tara has texted me back, which she hasn't. Growing more annoyed, I groan and knock on the door.

"What?" He snaps, now shirtless. My eyes widen, raking over his exposed skin. Goodness, he's hot. If it wasn't for my own self control I'd probably be slobbering at the mouth right now.

Speak!

"Where's the bathroom?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

He points me in the direction to the bathroom and I nod instead of thanking him because he's a jerk.

After finishing my business I take a look at my appearance and wipe the sleep from my eyes. For a while they've been a dark blue color, but today they're lighter. Not quite back to normal, but lighter.

As I make my way back down the stairs I hear banging of dishes in the kitchen. Liam's awake.

"I thought you left," he said. He wraps an arm around me and kisses my forehead. "Good morning."

"Good morning," I retaliate and take a seat on the barstool.

Liam makes me a quality breakfast that consist of an omelet and bacon. We sit at the table, something I haven't done in a while, with our breakfast and a big glass of orange juice. Thankfully, Harry doesn't join us for breakfast. He'd probably take one bite and spit it back on the plate and tell Liam it's disgusting, even though it's far from disgusting. My phone lights up with a text from Tara telling me she's on her way and I retaliate to Liam. He tries his best to hide the disappointment on his face, to no avail.

The morning is quiet and comfortable. I help Liam clean up the kitchen (even though he told me multiple times I did not have to help) and even folded our blankets from the night before. Being with him is like have a warm blanket in the middle of Antarctica, comfortable and necessary. For a minute, a sting of guilt flashes through me but I push it away, telling myself he would want me to be here. I love Dillion, and I always will and any man who decides to court me must respect that.

Tara shoots me a text when she's here and Liam walks me to the door. Placing my hand on the door handle, I pause, spinning around to a confused Liam standing inches behind me. I wrap my hand around the back of his neck, pulling him towards me and resting our foreheads on each other's. I'm aware of my chest heaving up and down, my palms sweaty and my heart racing. Lightly, I lay my lips on his, letting him take control of the kiss. At first it's slow, our lips moving along with each other's. Liam runs his hands along my side, stopping at my hip and resting my body against his. His tongue creeps into my mouth, deepening the kiss. Liam is so gentle, even when his tongue is down my throat, he's so careful like I'm a porcelain doll that's holding on by gorilla glue. One wrong move and I'll break at any second.

Tara honks the horn and I giggle, pulling away from Liam's lips.

"I wanna see you again," he says. I smile, my heart swelling.

After we exchange phone numbers I tell Liam to call me and we can meet up again. He agrees, and kisses me quickly before I leave the house and get in the car with a shocked, and eager Tara.

"Tell me everything!"