face twisted in a way that looked like shear agony.
'Liam,' I said. I reached out and threaded my fingers with his.
'There are worst ways to die, Charlotte,' he said, squeezing my hand. 'The more you know about me, the more I chance others knowing about you.' He winced as if what he said, told too much. 'You already said you're being followed.'
'That's probably all in my mind, Liam.'
'What if it's not?'
'It is,' I said, surprising myself at the confirmation of my tone.
Liam glared at me and the car swerved. 'I don't want to lose you.'
'Then why does it feel like you're breaking up with me?'
'We're together?' he asked. A small smirk tickled the corner of his lip and I groaned.
Liam leaned over and kissed me. 'I love you, Charlotte,' he whispered, then pulled back. His gaze fixated out the windshield.
I stared at his profile in shock. 'Liam, I...'
'Don't say anything,' he said, interrupting me. 'Please, not now. Just don't.'
'But...' I tried to protest, when he pulled to a screeching halt in my driveway. My dad's car sat in front of the large green two car garage. The incident had kept us out later than I thought. I fiddled with my pocket and pulled out the watch head. Past nine.
'Are you going to be okay?' Liam asked.
'What should I tell my Dad?'
Liam shrugged. 'Just tell him you were studying late with your blonde friend. There's no need to let him know about the other stuff. He'll just worry. Besides, the fewer questions, the better.'
I nodded, Liam's words bringing reality back. How were they getting out of this? Wouldn't there be a police investigation? What if the gunman tells everyone about Liam?
'Lou, the gas attendant, is taking care of everything' he said, reading my thoughts. 'You don't need to worry. He's a friend of mine, remember? He's gotten us out of tight spots before.'
'Does he know what you are?'
'Yes.'
I was confused. 'But you said it was dangerous.'
'It is,' Liam said tightly. 'But it's different with Lou.'
'Why?' I asked.
'Because he's human.'
Chapter 10
'Of course he's human, Liam. What are you implying?' My stomach twisted. 'Are you saying I'm not?'
The expression on Liam's face told me more than I wanted to know. 'You're crazy, Liam. Seriously, that is not funny. I'm not a...werewolf,' I said, barely getting the word out. 'I'm human and always have been, so just...stop that.'
Liam didn't say anything nor did he look in my direction. His gaze remained fixated on my house through the windshield. It made me uneasy and I swallowed hard.
'Yeah, joking,' Liam said in a very unconvincing tone.
'What are you looking at?' I asked.
'Your dad. He's been watching us the entire time. He's in the upstairs window to the left with a pair of binoculars.' Liam pointed.
'Oh, my god. This is so embarrassing. I'm going to kill him. I'm so dead.'
Liam chuckled, shaking his head at my conflicting words. 'Should I go say something?'
'Your shirt,' I said, reminding him of the nice dried blood stain across the front. 'Might not be best.'
'Right, the shirt,' he said, giving an apologetic shrug.
'It's okay. Trust me, confronting my dad is nothing compared to what we just went through.'
He didn't look convinced, but he'd have to deal. I started to get out, when he leaned over, placing his hand on my cheek. 'I can't,' I said, knowing that look. He wanted to kiss me. 'My dad.' My gaze lifted to the bathroom window. It tore at me. He just said he loved me and I couldn't give him a good night kiss, not even a 'thank you for saving my life,' kiss.
I wanted to.
Looking at him sitting there like that, drove me crazy.
He threaded his fingers through mine and I felt his warm breath on my neck. I started to protest, when he rested his head against my shoulder. 'I really do love you, Charlotte.' He said.
I didn't know what to say, but I no longer cared that Dad watched. Leaning into him, I ran my fingers through his hair and down his jaw.
We sat speechless in each other's arms. Words seemed too frivolous to intrude. The porch light started to flicker on and off.
'I better go,' I said.
'I don't want you to,' Liam whispered, squeezing my hand.
I touched his cheek and he closed his eyes. Despite everything I had seen and feared, I ached to stay there. The lights flashed again, and I saw Dad standing on the front porch.
'I can't,' I said. Dropping my hand, I opened the door. As I stepped out, I turned to him. 'Can I see you tomorrow?'
The corner of his mouth lifted. 'Definitely.'
I bit my lip and skipped towards my impending fate. My own giddiness surprised me. Dad stood there with the most reality-grounding scowl I had ever seen. My smile waned.
'Hey Dad,' I said, avoiding eye contact. I heard Liam take off in the car behind me.
'Inside right now.'
My stomach clenched up and I went in with Dad following.
'Who was that boy? Do you know what time it is? Where have you been and what were you and that boy doing in that car?'
'Dad, please. It's not what you think. I'm really tired. Can we talk about this in the morning?'
I knew it wouldn't make any difference what I said. My head hurt. I just wanted to disappear up to my room.
'No, you are not getting out of this Charlotte Olivia. Who was that?'
'Dad, please. Not tonight. I can't deal with anything else right now.' My voice broke. Buried emotions from the afternoon flooded through me.
Dad's face reddened. 'Did that boy do something to you?'
'What? No.' I couldn't believe he would draw such a conclusion. 'Liam's a good guy. He just gave me a ride home from school. That's all.'
'School ended six hours ago. It's quarter after nine. Where were you?'
I took a deep breath, giving in. I couldn't do this. I wouldn't lie to him. 'I was at his house,' I said. 'It's not what you think. We were just hanging out. Liam's a good guy, Dad.'
Dad's lips pursed. 'You said that already.' He sighed with a groan. 'So, you really like this guy, huh?'
I nodded, feigning a blank face. 'Yes.' Please, please be okay with this.
'What's his name again?'
I couldn't believe it. He was giving in 'Liam.'
'Liam,' he said. 'Well, okay. I'd like to meet this Liam. I want to be aware of any visits to his place before they happen. Do you understand me? I'd also like to talk to his parents.'
'Dad, I'm not twelve.' His look of death shot through me. 'I understand.' Did Liam even have parents? My head hurt.
'Alright,' he said. 'Get some sleep.'
