“Some documentaries…and I’m pretty addicted to Dexter,” I said, peeking over at him.
He smiled a beautiful smile. “Oh, yeah? If you like that kind of stuff, I’ll make you a list of shows you’ll love.”
“Deal,” I said, grinning back. My cheeks were burning with all the clichéd giddiness. “I have a question.”
“I have an answer,” he quipped.
“Why are you up here? The party is downstairs.”
“I hate parties,” he said, not elaborating.
“You and me both,” I said. We had more things in common than I’d originally thought.
“Then why have I run into you at two parties…at my house?” He watched me quizzically.
“Why do you sneak me into your bedroom every time?” I cocked my brow, daring him to ask another question like that.
“Touché,” he laughed.
“I’m asked to come…I don’t do it on my own,” I said, and he was quiet for a moment. “Were you always this way?” I asked, pushing my limits.
He shook his head once. “I’ve changed.”
“Why?”
“Ask me again in a few months.” I let that float around in my mind. First, why did he assume I would be around then? And what the hell was he waiting for?
“Okay.”
“I haven’t figured that out yet,” he said honestly.
The rawness in his answer left me speechless. My head was fuzzy as I tried to figure him out. He was searching for something, and part of him hoped I could help. My eyes are zoned in on my hands in my lap.
I glanced at him. I shouldn’t have done that. I never realized he had such kiss me lips. His eyes watched mine, waiting for me to make a move. He leaned in slightly, but I stayed put. His sights were set on my lips. Mine were on his eyes. I aged ten years by the time he looked up at me. One look was all it took. I leaned in, almost closing the gap between us.
There was a loud knock on the door, followed by it slowly creaking open. Gabby came in, shielding her eyes.
Shit. What was I doing?
“Is everyone decent?” she asked. I’d never been so glad to see her. I couldn’t do this. I barely knew him.
“Yes!” I laughed at her antics. I stood, trying to not look guilty, and pulled her hands from her face. Tyler came in behind her. My eyes bounced between the two of them with curiosity.
“Are you ready?” she asked. I tried to hide the disappointment on my face.
“Whenever you are,” I said.
“It’s way too packed now. I want to get out before there’s trouble,” she said. I nodded, knowing what she meant. Cops, fighting, and drama usually happened at these parties, and we wanted no part of them. Although, I probably just added to the drama in my life. I looked at Liam. He looked…strange. He was probably drunk. I bet he would forget about it by tomorrow.
“See you tomorrow,” Tyler said, looking at Gabby. He walked off and was replaced with a curious Liam. His face was lit with hope as he looked between the two.
“What are you guys doing tomorrow?” he asked.
“Just having lunch,” she said, a blush creeping up her face.
“Mind if we join. If Autumn wants to…” He looked at me, willing me to say yes.
“A deal is a deal,” I said.
“You’re right. I stick to my word.” His eyes said much more than his words. He was very aware of what just happened.
“Good,” I huffed, annoyed that he was so smug at his answer. Like he thought I would come running back, begging him to hang out with me.
“What’s your deal?” Gabby asked. Her eyes bounced between Liam and me.
“I’ll tutor him if he’ll leave me alone,” I said, and Liam frowned.
“Wow Autumn, that’s kind of rude,” she said. I must admit, as soon that left my mouth it sounded worse than what it is.
“At the time, he was bothering me.” I tried to defend myself but, honestly, I sounded like a bitch. There was no explaining myself this time. Well, there was a perfectly good explanation. But I couldn’t explain to them that I couldn’t have people getting too close to me, and Liam was on the fast track to doing that. It was the only way I could keep him at arm’s length.
“At the time?” Liam asked. His eyes were lit with amusement.
“You know what I mean.” I rolled my eyes.
“For now. You’ll change your mind,” he said. He was always so confident in front of people.
He smirked at me, not saying another word. Part of me wanted to say yes; the logical part knew I did the right thing. The last thing I needed was to fall face first into a world of more drama. It was clear we both had issues we needed to work on.
I followed Gabby out to her car, listening to her chatter about Tyler. I didn’t hear anything she said. My head was completely fuzzy from the almost incident I had with Liam. I must pretend like it never happened.
“I didn’t really know him in high school, but I’ve never actually seen Liam hang out with the same girl more than once,” she said.
“I’m sure he did,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“That’s not what Tyler said.”
“You did not talk about us!” I was stunned. My jaw hung open, waiting for her to explain.
“Look, I didn’t bring it up. He just asked about you,” she said, trying to calm me down.
“Sorry…I overreacted,” I mumbled.
“I’m just saying we both see something happening there.”
“Well, that makes two of you. Liam and I are just friends,” I said matter-of-factly.
She looked at me for a second, studying me. “Okay, Autumn. I won’t bring it up again.”
She pulled up to the dorm, and I hesitated. I shouldn’t have overreacted, and I wanted to apologize for the millionth time, but she was smiling when I turned.
“I’ll tell you everything after our
