Page 12 of Between Secrets and Obsession

“So I’m on house arrest? Think you can handle me alone for that long?” She waggles her brows.

I groan, already regretting this whole damn day. I should’ve gone to Vegas when I had the chance.

“Change of plans. You stay at the house. I leave.”

She frowns, narrowing her eyes. “They said they don’t know how long it’ll take to restore everything from the smoke damage. All the extra housing on campus is full, so a large group of us is shit out of luck. One person said they’d send us to a motel temporarily but we’d be on our own getting to and from campus, which means I’m shit out of luck unless I want to pay for a ride share twice a day.”

“You’re not shit out of luck,” I tell her, unable to stay mad at her.

“Why?” She beams. “Because I have you?”

I snort, but grin at her eager tone. “I’m always here for you if you need anything. You should know that by now.”

Considering Maddie’s my kryptonite, I’m tempted to break all my damn rules for her.

“Oh really?” She tilts her head at me, brows raised. “Anything?”

Sparkling blue eyes peer up at me, and for a moment, I get lost in them but pull myself out of her dangerous trance.

“Don’t start.” I glare, pulling into the driveway of the house.

She bites her bottom lip, then bursts into laughter. “I’ll give you a free pass because you picked me up and saved the day, but next time…” She taunts me further by waggling her brows, and I groan as the sudden image of her underneath me flashes into my mind.

“Get the hell out of the truck,” I demand, grinning.

Maddie flutters on her toes as she follows me toward the house.

“I’m so excited I get to spend the rest of the weekend with you,” she drawls as I unlock the door. “All alone.”

Walking in, I chuckle at her attempts to spike my blood pressure although I’d never admit it’s working.

“There’s food in the fridge and you can sleep in Sophie’s room for now.” I walk to the kitchen, needing a beer to numb the inappropriate thoughts that come with her being here with me all weekend. “Also, Maddie…I’m not babysitting your ass while Sophie’s gone, so stay outta trouble. Okay?”

She plops down on the couch, then crosses her ankles on the coffee table and. “We’ll see about that, Hulk. We will see.”

CHAPTER TWO

MADDIE

After Liam givesme his babysitting speech, one I’ve heard from him several times, I make my way to Sophie’s room. It looks as if she hasn’t stepped foot in here in weeks.

I rummage through my duffel bag and grab some clean clothes before heading to the bathroom. I practiced my ass off today, something I like to do during my long school breaks, and I’m sweaty and sore. After I shimmy out of my tights and leotard, I step into the shower and hope the hot water melts away the stress and anxiety that quickly built when I smelled the smoke.

Though I’m still unnerved, I’m safe and have a bed to sleep in for the rest of the weekend. The two girls who lived next door to me went home for Thanksgiving, but I can’t imagine being told that all my belongings were destroyed. If I were home visiting my parents, they’d try to coax me into staying. They mean well and love us with all their hearts, but I need my freedom. Moving to Sacramento was one of the best decisions I ever made. While it hasn’t always been easy to live on campus, I have zero regrets. Liam being here is just a bonus.

After I’ve washed my body and hair, I dry off and get dressed. When my foot hits the last step of the stairs, Liam’s staring with wide eyes, which only causes me to smile. His reaction says more than it should, and his attention only encourages me more. Booty shorts and crop tops will be worn all weekend.

“Take a picture. It’ll last longer.”

He nearly chokes on his beer when I plop down next to him. “What the fuck are you wearing?”

Tilting my head at him, I narrow my eyes. “This is what we call clothes.”

I hurry and grab the remote, and while I’m flipping through the channels, I noticeSave the Last Danceis on. The movie’s almost over, but it’s at the best scene, the one where Sara auditions for Juilliard. I remember memorizing the choreography in my bedroom until I nailed it when I was a kid. Standing up, I bust out a few moves, and Liam glares at me.

“You know the entire dance, don’t you?”

I step up on the coffee table in sync with Julia Stiles as she pops up on the chair. “You know it.”