Friend Zone Series Box Set Page 5

  Chapter Seven

  Liam

  We must have fallen asleep in the back of my dad’s old truck because when I cracked open my eyes what felt like seconds later, it was morning and I was fucking freezing, despite the blanket. Charlie had curled into a ball beside me, and at some point during the night, I’d wrapped myself around her to keep warm. I wished I could blame my baser human instincts for what happened next, but I’d be lying to myself if I tried.

  Her forehead was braced on my chest and my nose was buried in her hair. At first, I didn’t realize where the scent was coming from. I got excited thinking my mom was baking apple pie first thing in the morning until I remembered it was a Sunday and she was probably more interested in sleeping in than cooking.

  Then Charlie shifted a little in her sleep and the green apple scent met my nose, nearly causing me to groan out loud. Not that she would have noticed, as she was still snoring softly, her hands tucked in between our chests. But I certainly still wasn’t asleep. Nope. Every single part of me had woken the hell up and was ready to go.

  Head still cloudy with sleep, veins full of spiky adrenaline and the sweet, seductive call of lust, I didn’t fully realize what I was doing at first. It’s never been in my nature to curb my instincts and I’ve always been affectionate. So it didn’t occur to me to resist the urge to pull her closer, pressing her soft curves to me. She shivered and made a little sound in her throat that I felt all the way down in my dick.

  “Liam!” my grandma shouted from somewhere back in reality.

  The sound of her voice was too close, and it jerked me so thoroughly back from the sex-fueled haze I’d been under that I threw myself backward, knocking my head on the toolbox and causing me to see stars.

  “Fuck!”

  I rolled to my side and away from making what could possibly be the biggest mistake of my life and was grateful for the pain spearing through my head. It kept me from thinking about how goddamn good she’d felt in my arms. It also quelled the raging morning wood.

  But it didn’t help the craving for her.

  My whole body was still screaming that she fit so perfectly against me. I’d spent all weekend trying to forget the moment of insanity that had caused me to kiss her. Waking up wrapped in her brought back every second of how it felt to have her tight little body against mine. How, for just a split-second, she’d responded to me in a way that made me want to taste and take until we were both spent from it.

  I forced myself to get up and slide down the tailgate. I waved to Grandma, who was on the back porch not too far from the barren field where I’d parked us for the night. She waved back and went inside the house, the screen door slapping shut behind her.

  “Are you okay?”

  The sound of Charlie’s rusty morning voice had all of my muscles clenching down to keep from reaching for her and pulling her back against me. The groping, fumbling jerk wasn’t what she needed right now. She’d opened up to me and I’d be damned if I’d be another Andrew who used her for what she was willing to give and then dropped her as soon as they were done. She meant more to me than that. It was just my dick who couldn’t seem to get with the program.

  Remembering that she was waiting on my answer, I composed myself long enough to nod and say, “Yeah, I’m fine. Just forgot where I was for a second, I guess.”

  “Did you have a nightmare?” I could tell from her tone she was smiling. Even though my head was pounding and I was mired between confusion and annoyance, I smiled back.

  “No, I didn’t have a nightmare, Charlotte. Grandma Dorothy scared the shit out of me.” I pushed my fingers into my eyes, then rolled my shoulders.

  “I can’t believe we fell asleep out here,” she said as she sat up. The blanket fell to her lap and my mouth watered at her rumpled state. It made me want to push her back against the blankets and kiss her ‘till the sun was high in the sky.

  “Me either.” Though falling asleep in my truck was the least of my worries.

  She began picking through her dark hair with one hand as she yawned. She didn’t look any different, which confused me more than anything because when I looked at her, all I could think about was how much I wanted to see if there was anything else I’d missed about her over the past twelve years. I couldn’t even count how many times she’d been close enough for me to catch the scent of her hair, but it had never hit me like it did this morning, and it only made me want to find out what other secrets she’d been hiding.

  It must have been the kiss. Knowing what she tasted like, how she felt under my hands. It was driving me crazy wanting to do it again.

  “What?” she asked, jerking me from my thoughts. “Do I have something on my face?”

  She started rubbing at her cheeks. I cleared my throat and started cleaning up the blankets, folding them as though I had a clue how to fold shit. If I didn’t keep my hands and mind busy, I was afraid I might do something really fucking stupid, like bury my face in her hair for another whiff of her shampoo.

  “Nah,” I said once I was certain I could control myself. “Just need some coffee and a shower. Which do you want first?”

  Charlie brightened at the mention of her addiction. “Coffee,” she demanded. “Like you even have to ask.”

  She climbed over the side of the truck and reached out for me. I took her in my arms out of habit and helped her down. Minutes later we were pulling into the garage. A shower would help get my head on straight. Then we’d be driving back to campus and I’d have applications, deadlines, and papers to fill the spaces in my brain that were fixated on her.

  “Don’t even mention how short I am before I’ve had my first infusion.”

  I snorted, relieved to find that whatever the hell had happened this morning hadn’t made shit even more awkward. As long as it never happened again, we’d be okay.

  “Then I won’t mention that you should come with your own footstool,” I told her as I held the front door open for her.

  “Not. Another. Word,” she growled. Her nose twitched as she followed it to the happily bubbling coffee pot. She’d been to my parents’ house so many times, she went right to the cabinet with the coffee cups, dove into the fridge for creamer, and sat herself at the kitchen table.

  “I’ll leave you to it and take the first shower then. Once you’re sufficiently caffeinated you can have the next.”

  She waved me away as she snatched the fresh pot of coffee to fill her cup and I shook my head. She’d wouldn’t be fully coherent until she had at least two cups in her, which would only serve in my favor.

  I checked on Grandma Dorothy, who was happily clicking away at the TV as she crocheted a God-awful fluorescent orange blanket. “For your house,” she announced cheerfully when she saw me standing in the doorway.

  “I can’t wait,” I told her after pressing a kiss to the papery-thin skin of her cheek. “It looks awesome.”

  “I’ll make one for Charlie, too. That girl is always cold. A woman shouldn’t be living alone like that, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. She needs a nice boy to look after her.”

  The reminder of her engagement to Andrew put a sour taste in my mouth. “Don’t worry, Grandma. I take good care of her.”

  “Of course you do, dear,” she said, then squealed. “Wheel of Fortune’s on. Spin that wheel!” I chuckled as I ascended the stairs to the bathroom, leaving Charlie to her caffeine fix and grandma to her TV shows and crocheting.

  Twenty minutes under the warm spray hadn’t been the best idea. The erection I’d tamed sprung back to life and I’d closed my eyes and wrapped my hand around my dick, trying and failing, not to think of her as I rubbed one out. The hot water cleared my head and jerking off at least kept me from fantasizing, but I doubted either would keep me sane for long.

  It occurred to me as I got dressed that I was being a fucking chick about it. We got along. We had a good time. I was obviously attracted to her and based on the way she’d kissed me back, even if it was only for a second, she had to
be at least a little attracted to me, too. Why couldn’t we date? I’d spouted bullshit the night before, but Charlie wasn’t just some one night stand. She was…Charlie.

  The thought of asking her out made me nick myself as I was shaving. I cursed underneath my breath and tried to make myself see reason.

  Just because I wanted to kiss the hell out of her didn’t mean I should.

  With that in mind, I finished shaving, but a call interrupted my thoughts. “Walsh,” I answered.

  “Liam, it’s Matthew from the bar. Look I hate to do this, but you left me short Friday without notice.”

  My stomach sank, and my head filled with the memory of my bare kitchen cabinets and the stack of bills on my desk that I had due. “I know, I’m sorry. I had Tripp cover for me.”

  “I’m sorry, Liam, but I’m gonna have to let you go. There are a hundred other kids who’d kill to have your job. I need someone more reliable.”

  I sighed. I wanted to argue, but I could tell by the tone in his voice it would be no use. I’d simply have to find another job. Besides, it had been worth it to make sure Charlie was okay. I might have to survive on microwavable dinners for the next few weeks, but I’d make it work. “Alright, Matt, I understand. Thanks for letting me know.”

  After hanging up with my former boss, I found Charlie in the kitchen, watching my parents cook breakfast. I paused in the doorway as I observed her studying them. The naked longing on her face punched me in the gut and obliterated any lingering traces of disappointment from getting fired. I’d known her parents for most of my life, and when her mom left and her dad died, it was the first time someone I knew had passed away. It didn’t compare to what she went through, but I knew I’d do anything I could to take away her pain.

  Even if it’d put my future in jeopardy.

  My mother turned and smiled. “Just in time for breakfast.”

  “As if that’s something new,” Dad said.

  “Something smells good,” I told her.

  “Charlie said you two were outside all night watching the stars like we used to.” She turned to my dad and narrowed her gaze. Then said, “I figured ya’ll probably worked up an appetite.”

  Charlie eyed the plate of scrambled eggs, sausage, and toast my mother sat down in front of her. “You’re a goddess, Mrs. Walsh.”

  My dad wrapped an arm around mom’s waist and kissed her cheek. “That’s what I try to tell her every day.”

  Mom bumped him with her hip, but she was blushing. “You both eat up now,” she said to us, even though her eyes were on my dad the entire time.

  They left together, my mom’s giggles trailing behind. I shook my head as I sat down at the table across from Charlie.

  “You’d think they were the ones in college instead of us,” I said.

  Charlie had thrown her hair up into a haphazard bun while I was in the shower. The sun shone in through the kitchen window and caught all the different colors, turning them into spun gold. It glinted in the light as she cocked her head to the side and sighed.

  Without thinking, my mouth opened and I started to ask her if we could maybe take a chance. See where that kiss would take us.

  Then she said, “I guess we better hit the road if we want to get back on time,” and I lost my nerve. I had the drive back to campus to think about it.

  Part of me already knew I was going to ask her. It was just a matter of getting up the balls to do it.

  Chapter Eight

  Charlie

  I couldn’t put my finger on it, but something was off with Liam. I chalked it up to the patchy sleep he must have gotten from snoozing outside in the truck and resolved to make it up to him the first chance I got. I really couldn’t ask for a better friend. It was starting to wear on me how much I had to remind myself that’s all he was, all he could be. What excuses I did have didn’t seem to carry much weight anymore. Not when I spent the night wrapped in his arms. At first, I thought I’d been dreaming, but there was no denying how turned on I’d been when I’d woken up.

  “Is everything okay?” I peered over at him since we were nearing our exit and he’d barely said more than one-word answers in response to my questions. “Is it about your parents having to sell the farm? I didn’t want to push, but I’m here if you need to talk.”

  He scowled at the mention and I instantly regretted bringing it up. “It’s that and some…other things. It’ll be alright, shortstack. I don’t want you to worry about it.”

  “C’mon, don’t go all strong and silent on me. Talk to me.”

  His scowl turned into a grin. “Since when did we become girlfriends? ‘Cause I sure as hell don’t talk like this with Tripp.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Don’t deflect. I know something’s bothering you.” My left foot was already tucked under my right thigh, so it was merely a matter of twisting my upper body to direct all my attention to him.

  “I don’t know, Charlie. I didn’t want the family business, you know that.” I nodded, even though his eyes were on the long stretch of road in front of us. “But it’s still where I grew up, it’s all my sisters have ever known. I hate that I could have saved it if I hadn’t been so determined to do my own shit.”

  “Don’t say that. You can’t sacrifice yourself for something your heart’s not in. That’s the difference between you and your dad. He gets up every day and works his ass off because he does love it. If you were to quit school and help him, you’d resent him and hate yourself within six months. That’s no way to live.” I lifted a shoulder. “Life is just too short.”

  He reached over and wrapped his hand around my knee, squeezed then released. I could feel the heat from his palm shoot straight to my belly. I swallowed hard.

  “In my head, I get all that. I don’t know, man.”

  “You hate to disappoint him.”

  “Yeah, I guess I still do,” he said with a snort. “I guess some things you just never grow out of.”

  I nodded, but I didn’t think that was all that was bothering him, but I didn’t want to push too much. He’d tell me the rest when he wanted to. He always had. What I didn’t want to do was smother him. He’d done enough this weekend, whisking me away when I needed space and time to regroup after the blowup with Andrew.

  “I know you probably have work to catch up on or something. I texted the girls last night and they wanted to get together to bash men and have a drink. Would you mind dropping me off at The Georgetown on Tennessee?”

  His head snapped over to me, his gaze intense. Had I said something wrong?

  “You don’t want to stop by your place?”

  “If you don’t mind leaving my stuff in the back of your truck, I’ll get it after. Unless you want to leave it in my place on your way home?”

  He was quiet for a few long seconds. Something else was definitely going on. Whatever it was, the mood inside the cab of the truck had gone electric. I shifted in the seat and pulled at the thin material of my jersey top.

  Finally, he said, “If you’re heading out, I can get some studying done at the library. I’ll pick you up when you guys are done so you don’t have to get an Uber.”

  “Are you sure?” I’d never wanted to back out of meeting my friends before, but they’d been begging for the low-down on what had happened with Andrew and I couldn’t keep putting them off, despite how much I wanted this weekend with Liam to never end.

  He gave me a look that said don’t be crazy as we left the I-10 and began driving into the heart of town. In no time at all he was pulling into The Georgetown’s parking lot.

  For a moment it looked like he might ask me to stay, then he said, “Of course I’m sure. I can’t keep you all the time, can I?” He said it lightly, but was there a hint of wistfulness in his tone or was that just wishful thinking on my part?

  I spotted Layla and Ember by the entrance to the restaurant and sighed. I loved my friends, but all I wanted was my bed and maybe some ice cream. Wine would be a good substitute in the meantime, I decided. Lots and lots
of wine.

  “Call me when you’re done and I’ll come get you,” he said as he came to a stop in front of the entrance.

  “I will. Don’t study to hard, Dr. Walsh.” I hopped from the cab and turned to give him a smile.

  “I like it when you call me that, Nurse St. James.” He waved to Layla and Ember, who’d come up behind me. “Ladies,” he said with a killer grin before driving off.

  “Boy have you got some ‘splaining to do,” Ember said, and she tucked mine and Layla’s arms into hers and marched us to the door. “But first, wine.”

  I couldn’t argue with that.

  Normally we’d all meet in Layla’s apartment for a Tequila Tuesday game night, but this week we all had cramming to do for papers or tests and even though we’d been around the block a time or two none of us could risk failing. I followed the girls and the hostess through the dimly lit restaurant to a seat in the back. After taking our drink orders, a sangria for me, white wine for Layla, and a margarita for Ember, the waitress left us, and I almost called her back to save me based on the way both of their stares honed in on me.

  “What?” I said and resisted—barely—the urge to cross my arms over my chest.

  They shared a look.

  “Don’t ‘what’ us,” Ember said as her dark green eyes sparkled with attitude. Her dark red hair came to life in the wash of the flickering candlelight despite the messy topknot she wore it in. She was a knockout, but she didn’t have time to fuss with it much considering she cared for her two younger siblings and still managed to save lives as an EMT.

  Layla’s beauty was quieter, subtler. Her dark hair fell in soft waves around her pixie face. She wore thin-framed glasses that accentuated her big blue eyes and despite her aversion to makeup, she was a dab hand with eyeliner. “Yeah, what the hell happened?” she asked.

  I snatched one of the napkins from the dispenser and began ripping it to shreds. It wasn’t the memory of what happened with Andrew that had me nervous. Honestly, he was barely a blip on my memory. It was Liam.