Page 108 of Raise Me Up

He runs the tip of his nose along my neck. “I’m sorry for the way I’ve been acting. For my failures. As much as I want to say that terrified man who witnessed your seizure isn’t me, it is. I’ve worked hard to hide him.”

I scoff. “You telling me Liam Beckner’s human?”

“Human as fuck.” He kisses my jaw.

Chest tightening, I dare to ask, “So… how long are you staying?”

Easing back, Liam glances over at Stasi perched on one of the suitcases. “Stas has to fly back in two days for work.”

A needy pain blooms in my chest. I just got her back. I don’t want to let her go again.

But where would I stay if I followed them back to Dallas? I can’t continue bumming off Liam. I can’t juggle a house paymentandrent. Not when I have no set future income.

Liam pinches my chin between his fingers, turning my head to him. “I’m here for as long as you want me.”

“But your studio—”

“Runs flawlessly under Emma’s reign. I need to be better about taking time off.”

He slides his hand up my neck and into my hair, stroking fingers over my scalp.

“Fine. You both win,” I say weakly.

“No more running away.”

“Too tired.”

Sucking in a breath, I straighten up and look over at Stasi, still sitting on a suitcase, waiting to be invited inside my house.

It’s not going to be easy balancing relationships with two people, but I can’t imagine this working any other way. I’ve always been quick to hand out love. I have enough for both of them.

And for once in my life, I think I might be loved in return.

“Do I need to cancel hotel reservations for you?” I smile smugly at Liam.

“Figured we’d mooch off you for a change,” he replies.

Liam retrieves the suitcases, pecking a kiss to Stasi’s temple. I hold out a hand for her. “Come on, sweetheart.”

Without instruction, Liam goes on the hunt for the main bedroom when we enter my house. I have to appreciate him taking charge. I don’t have the energy to make decisions or entertain them with a tour.

“I’m curious. How did you know where I live?” I ask Stasi, leading her down the hall.

“Liam reached out to his previous band manager, and she contacted your band manager, who had a guy named Noah call him.”

My stomach rolls over. “Liam talked to Noah.”

“Yeah. Noah mentioned calling you…”

Irritation prickles under my skin. Did Liam tell Noah about my health?

Regardless, he hasn’t called. I guess years of friendship don’t mean anything to him.

Stasi’s eyes move to my sandwich graveyard on the counter. “Should we order something to eat?”

I tug at the roots of my hair, burning with embarrassment over the fact that I couldn’t do one small thing on my own while fighting off an emotional breakdown.

“Chinese food sound good?” Liam’s deep voice carries through the house. His phone is already in his hand when he walks out of my bedroom.