***
Later that night, I’m seated in the back of the car Liam sent for me on the way to his place. Tugging down the hem of my dress, I stared out the window. Sometimes I forgot how rich he was. But times like this when a car service comes to pick me up for our date I’m reminded all over again.
I still remember when he casually mentioned wanting to buy me a car a little over a week ago. That hadn’t gone over well at all.
Shaking off the thought we pull up in front of his building. The driver comes around to open my door.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he says shutting the door behind me.
I’m surprised to see Liam standing waiting for me.
He’s dressed in a pair of jeans and long sleeve black t-shirt that hugs his muscular arms.
“Well you look handsome.”
“And you look beautiful,” he says placing a kiss on my lips.
He helps me into his car and we’re halfway to the restaurant when his car phone rings, the name Levi flashing across the screen.
“Hello.”
“Hey, where are you?” the deep voice comes through the speaker.
“On my way out to eat with Ava.”
“Are you near the restaurant?”
“Yeah, why?”
“I need you to stop by for a minute.”
“For what?”
“I need to give you something.”
“This can’t wait until tomorrow?”
“No. Asshole. I need you to stop by now. I’ll see you soon bye.” He says hanging up.
“Asshole.” Liam mutters under his breath. “Sorry babe, this won’t take long.”
“I don’t mind.”
Five minutes later we pull up in front of Tempest. There are no paparazzi outside thank goodness.
“Do you want to come in or wait in the car?”
“I’ll come in with you. I want to say hi to Natalie.”
“Okay.”
We get out and it’s then I notice that there is no valet.
Actually I don’t see any cars. It’s deserted. Liam’s brow furrows. “What the hell?”
We make our way inside. All the lights are off and then suddenly they flicker on.
“Surprise!!!!”
A large group of people shout.
“Holy shit!” Liam shouts and I can tell he’s surprised.
An older man and woman step forward and I know immediately that they must be his parents. He looks just like his father. Nerves slam into me and I smooth the fabric of my dress down.
Holy crap I’m about to meet his parents.
“Hey sweetie. Are you surprised?” his mother says giving him a big hug.
“Yeah, you guys got me. When did you plan this?” he asks returning her hug and kiss of the cheek.
“Oh a few weeks ago” she says as Liam goes to hug his father.
“Happy Birthday, son.”
“Thanks Pops.”
And the way they smile at each other I can tell that his parents are extremely proud of him. Just then five other extremely tall guys and a few women join the group taking turns hugging Liam. I recognize Levi, Gavin, Natalie, Sarah and her husband Jeremy. The camaraderie and love that they have for each other is awe inspiring. It makes me long for the family that I never had.
Through the greetings Liam never let’s go of my hand and suddenly numerous pairs of eyes swing in my direction.
Nerves tighten my belly. The hand that’s holding Liam’s starts to sweat.
“Everybody this is Ava my girlfriend. Ava, this is my mom, dad, the one with the glasses is Grayson. Next to him is Lincoln. The one with the curly hair is Gabe and you’ve met Sarah, Gavin, Levi and Natalie.”
“Hi, it’s nice to meet everyone.” I give a blanket wave not sure who to focus on.
It’s unnerving having all these people staring at me.
“So, you’re the woman that has my son so wrapped up he can’t see straight” Liam’s father says.
I feel a blush stain my cheeks.
“Hey Ava. You’re looking mighty fine tonight.” Levi says winking at me.
Liam says “Watch yourself” at the same time the woman standing next to Levi smacks him upside the head.
“Ow! What was that for?” he asks staring down at petite woman next to him. She has long black hair that hangs halfway down her back and black glasses perched on the edge of her nose.
“Don’t hit on your brother’s girlfriend. It’s rude” she says.
“Aww don’t be jealous, Mia, you’re still my best girl” he says throwing an arm around her shoulder.
“Whatever” she says rolling her eyes. But I don’t miss the blush that stains her cheeks or the way she looks up at him from under the arm he has around her.
“You better listen to her. It would be a shame if you couldn’t model anymore because I had to knock you on your ass for flirting with my girl.” Liam says wrapping a possessive arm around my waist
“Oh please, you couldn’t whoop me if you tried” Levi says.
“Really, are you forgetting our last sparing match. I seem to remember somebody getting knocked flat on their ass.”
Levi’s eyes narrow. “That was a fluke. Grayson, Gabe and Linc you all were there. Wasn’t that a fluke?” he says looking to his other brothers.
Grayson shrugs a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Nah, he got you pretty good on that right hook.”
Lincoln nods in confirmation “I agree.”
Gabe raises a hand “Same, bro. He damn near knocked you out.”
Levi’s mouth drops open in shock. “You’re all a bunch of assholes, you know that?”
They all start bickering and talking over each other at once.
Sarah rolls her eyes “Here we go again. Come on, Ava let’s go get some food and drinks. They’ll be a while.
Sarah links her arm through mine on one side and Liam’s mother links her arm through mine on the other.
“I don’t believe we were introduced probably. My name
