Page 10 of Anywhere with You (With You #1)

Liam

I have to get out of here. To see Aiden kiss her good morning, even though it’s just a peck on the cheek, irritates me.

My annoyance is back full force. It’s bad enough I have to see her wearing his jersey, but to see him touch her, it’s killing me.

She feels it too, she told me that much, but she wants more.

I’ve never done more. I’ve never had a girlfriend, I never wanted one.

I have football. The draft is coming up in less than a year.

My dream, since I was old enough to hold a football, has been to play in the League.

I can’t lose focus on that now. However, my mind and my heart, yes, my heart, did not get the fucking memo.

I’ve never had a girl hold my interest for longer than a few hours, how could I possibly give Allison more?

When I get back to the apartment, after my run, the girls are gone.

I feel both relief and sadness. Thinking about how long it’ll be before I see her again, I get an idea in my head.

I’ll surprise Hailey and pick her up for lunch at our parents’.

Hopefully, Allison will be in their dorm room when I get there.

It’ll be a quick glimpse, but at this point I’ll take what I can get.

Checking the time, I rush through my shower, then I meet Aiden in the living room. “Hey, man, ready to go?”

He nods as he gets off the couch. “Little earlier than we usually leave?” He raises his eyebrows, questioning me.

I shrug my shoulders. “Yeah, I need to stop and pick up Hales, no sense in both of us driving there when we’re only minutes away from each other.” I try to sound as nonchalant as possible. Inside I’m screaming for him to hurry the fuck up. I need to see Allison.

He just stares at me. “Come on, man, what’s really going on?” he questions me.

“Nothing, it just makes more sense for me to pick her up, that’s all,” I reply as I continue tying my shoes.

“Did you know that Allison is coming today?”

I whip my head around to look at him. “She is?” I feel my heart rate pick up at just the thought of being able to be in the same car with her for any length of time. “Are you sure?”

He nods. “I’m positive.” Letting out a deep sigh he continues, “Please, tell me you aren’t going after her.”

I hesitate before answering, “She wants more.”

“She deserves more.”

“You think I don’t fucking know that? Don’t you think I would give her the world if I could?” I sneer at him.

Aiden stares at me as if he is trying to decipher what I just said. “She’s really gotten to you, hasn’t she?”

“Yes…no…hell, I don’t even know anymore.

” I place my elbows on my knees and lean over with my hands covering my face.

“What I do know is since I met her I can’t stop thinking about her.

When I’m near her, I feel this intense attraction that I’ve never felt.

I want to protect her. Hell, this morning I wanted to rip your fucking head off for kissing her on the cheek. ”

“I really want to see where this goes, man. I need to work out these feelings.” I stand up and pace the floor.

“I know she’s like a sister to you, and you’ve told me multiple times there’s nothing going on, but speak now, man, if there’s more.

I plan on seeing where this attraction goes.

And before you go ape shit, if you want her, I’ll back off, but that’s the only damn thing that will keep me from trying to work out these feelings I have for her.

” The words are out of my mouth before I know what I’m saying.

I realize I mean every word. Aiden’s words flash through my mind “She deserves better, she deserves respect and love.”

“Liam, you and Allison both mean a lot to me. Do.Not.Hurt.Her. I’ll support you as long as you agree she’s not a fuck buddy. She’s special and needs to be treated that way. Think about Hailey and how you would feel about her being treated like a quick fuck.”

I nod my head, understanding what he’s telling me.

Allison really is like a sister to him, and he wants to protect her.

Problem is so do I, and I’m not sure just how to deal with all of these emotions running rampant through me.

Can I deal with giving her more? Can I deal with the close relationship they share?

If I’m going to give her more, she’s going to be mine.

Aiden senses I’m hanging by a thread and changes the subject as we make our way out to my Pathfinder. “So, what’s on the menu for today?”

I laugh. “Not sure, but you know Mom. Whatever it is, there’ll be an abundance of it and it’ll be delicious.

” I hand him my phone. “Text Hales and let her know we’re coming to get them.

” The plan was to surprise her and try to catch a glimpse of Allison.

However, now that Allison is going, I need to make sure she doesn’t leave before I get there.

Taking my phone, he nods and proceeds to text Hales and let her know we’ll be taking them to Mom and Dad’s.

Aiden stays in the car while I go up to get the girls.

I knock on the door and Hales answers. “Hey, you guys ready?” Before she can answer, Allison comes walking out of the bathroom.

She’s wearing jean shorts and a tank top with flip-flops.

I want her. She looks surprised to see me.

Hailey must have seen the question in her eyes, so she starts explaining Aiden and I are also going to our parents’ for lunch and we’re all riding together.

Hailey’s already out the door, talking about who is riding shotgun.

I can only hope it’ll be Allison. Although, I know, I’m not that lucky.

Allison walks over to me, and, without even thinking, I lean down to tell her how beautiful she looks.

I pull back as I catch her scent. Not able to control myself, I place my hand on the small of her back and lead her out to my SUV.

I open the door for her and wait until she’s settled in before closing it.

I’m not lucky enough to have Allison beside me in the front seat, but she’s sitting directly behind me, and I keep glancing at her in my rearview mirror.

She has her hair hanging loose over her shoulders.

Yep, she’s beautiful. She doesn’t need makeup, she just needs to be Allison.

I grip the steering wheel tighter and focus on the road.

She wants more, I’ve never done more. Can I focus on her and football, not to mention, school?

If there’s ever a reason to try, it would be for Allison, she’s intoxicating.

This is the same question that has been running through my mind all day.

I told Aiden I was going to see where this goes, and I want that.

I also don’t want to hurt her. My head is a jumbled mess.

The conversation is flowing; I listen, trying to remain focused on the road and not on Allison. All of a sudden, I hear Hailey giggling like a school girl, which pulls me out of my thoughts. Aiden asks them what they are up to. Hailey says that she and Allison have a bet going. I’m intrigued.

Allison and Hailey are laughing and talking about some type of wager, and I’m fine until Aiden mentions it involving the male species, someone other than me. Then I’m instantly pissed off. I need to get a grip, but I can’t seem to control it when it comes to her.

Allison leans forward and punches Aiden in the arm at his teasing.

I clench my jaw tight and turn my focus back to the road.

It pisses me off beyond comprehension to hear the words male and sex mentioned with Allison.

Just the thought of her with anyone else has me seeing red.

The thought of someone else kissing those sweet lips, running their hands through her beautiful locks, touching her soft skin… Fuck.

We pull into my parents’ drive, and I hop out of the SUV.

I open Allison’s door and offer my hand to help her out.

She grabs my hand, and, in that instance, I feel all the anger I’m feeling fade.

As soon as she steps out, Hales is dragging her by the hand up the steps to meet our parents.

Thoughts of her being here with me as mine flash through my mind.

I should be the one introducing my girl to my parents, not my sister.

My girl? What the fuck is she doing to me?

I watch as my parents embrace Allison and welcome her to our home.

She smiles her heart stopping smile, and I can tell they love her already.

Aiden was right, she’s easy to love. Not that I’m in love with her, but she’s easy to like I guess that’s a better way of putting it.

Hailey leads us all inside as Aiden talks to my mother about his love for her cooking and desserts.

As we gather around the table, Allison gets a faraway look in her eyes.

Before I know what’s happening, Aiden walks over to her, whispers in her ear, and pulls her close as he kisses the top of her head.

Why the fuck does he keep touching her? I slam the salad bowl down on the table, which causes me to be on the receiving end of questioning looks from both of my parents.

Aiden returns to his seat. “This looks great, Mrs. Mac, thanks again for having us.”

“You know you’re always welcome,” Mom tells him.

“So, can you believe Allison and Aiden grew up living next door to each other? Small world, huh?” Hailey says as she fills her plate with lasagna.

“Really, are you two dating?” This question coming from my mother.

I happen to be taking a drink when she asks this and begin to cough, her question not sitting well with me.

No matter how many times Aiden tells me they’re just friends, like siblings, he still touches her intimately.

I hate every second of it. I want to be the one to wrap my arms around her.

Aiden laughs. “No, Allison and I are best friends.” He looks at me. “She’s like my little sister.”