Total pages in book: 14
Estimated words: 12485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 62(@200wpm)___ 50(@250wpm)___ 42(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 12485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 62(@200wpm)___ 50(@250wpm)___ 42(@300wpm)
It's a slap in the face, but I try not to let it show. "Okay."
Brody looks relieved. "Good." He stands up. "I'm gonna grab a beer and head out. See you later."
"Bye."
When he's gone, I sit in my room for a while, trying to process what just happened. So Brody doesn't want to see me with Liam, which means I basically can't stay here anymore. That's fine, I guess. I wasn't planning on staying much longer anyway.
But it does mean that I won't be able to see Liam anymore.
I feel like crying. How could I have fucked everything up so badly? I didn't mean for this to happen. I didn't mean to fall for Liam. I just wanted to have some fun, to finally get a chance with my crush. But now everything is ruined.
I pack my bags and text Liam to let him know that I'm going home early. He doesn't respond, and I try not to take it personally. I leave a note for Brody and head out to my car, not wanting to stick around longer than necessary. I know Brody will understand. He's already mad enough at Liam, and if he sees me crying, he'll only get more upset.
It's a long drive home. I put on some music and try not to think about Liam. I fail miserably. I can't stop replaying the past two days together.
When I finally pull into my parents' driveway, I'm exhausted. I drag my bags inside, say a quick hello to my surprised mom and dad, and collapse on my bed, finally letting the tears come. I cry until I can't cry anymore, and then I fall asleep, hoping that when I wake up, things will be better.
At 7 AM, my mom pounds on my bedroom door. "Get up, Anna! Someone is at the door for you!"
Groggy, I sit up, rubbing my eyes. "Huh?"
"Downstairs," she huffs. "Come on, you've kept him waiting long enough."
Him?
"Who is it?" I ask frantically, all signs of sleepiness gone, but I can already hear Mom going downstairs.
I throw on whatever clothes are at the top of the pile, then check my hair in the mirror. My eyes are bloodshot, and my face is blotchy, but it'll have to do. Whoever's downstairs can deal.
When I get to the kitchen, I see Liam leaning against the counter, sipping a cup of coffee. "Morning," he says, his expression guarded. But there's something mischievous in his eyes he's trying to hide.
My parents are nowhere to be seen, which is a relief, but Mom has to know something is up if Liam is here to see me at the crack of dawn.
"Morning," I reply cautiously, taking a few steps towards him when he crooks a finger towards me. "Why in the hell are you here, and why haven't you been answering my messages?"
When I'm close enough to grab, Liam does just that, snatching my hand and pulling me against his body. I inhale sharply, surprised, and look up at the face I've been crying over since I left Brody's apartment.
Liam, of course, doesn't answer any of my questions but asks his own instead. "Truth or dare?"
I blink. "What?"
He smiles. "Truth or dare, Anna?"
"I…" I'm so confused. "Truth."
"Do you want to try and make this thing work between us? Semi-long distance, mostly weekends together. Do you want to give it a shot?"
My heart leaps in my throat. I don't know what to say. I didn't expect him to ask that. "I do, but—"
"But what?"
I shrug helplessly. "Brody?"
Liam pulls me in for a kiss. "We'll figure it out." His lips brush against mine. "He's reached some peace with it, but we're forbidden from being in his apartment together until further notice. Good thing I've got my own."
His hands slide down to cup my ass, and I almost jump out of my skin, making him laugh.
"So," I whisper, "are you saying that we can do this?"
He laughs. "Hell, yes, we can do this. If you'll have me."
"Of course, I'll have you," I say. "But Liam, are you sure about this? It won't be easy, and I don't want to mess up your friendship with Brody."
"I'm sure." He kisses me again. "I want this, Anna. I want you. We can make it work."
I can't help but smile. "Okay."
Liam pulls me in, setting his cup of coffee down on the counter so he can properly cup my face. I melt into him, my hands gripping his shirt as we lose ourselves in each other.
EPILOGUE
LIAM
Five Years Later
Even in the NFL, football isn't all that different. I'm still good as hell at it, and the game is the second-biggest love of my life.
The first is her, walking onto the field after the team's big win, wearing my jersey, a smile on her face brighter than any arena light.
It's chaos around us, but none of it matters. Today, we've been dating for five years, and we've accomplished everything Anna had on her list for us to do before we got married. She's graduated, I've gone pro, and last week, we signed on our first house.