Page 133 of Vicious Little Snakes

I let my feet drag, making him tug me because I can never just go easy. It would ruin my rep.

“If you throw me in the pool again, it won’t end with you getting laid this time.”

He’s laughing, letting me pass through the door before he puts his hands on my waist, directing me from behind me as we walk from the deck to the sand. A flicker of orange catches my attention, so I crane my neck as we take the sandy path, passing through tall grasses on either side of us until the flickers I saw of orange and red reveal themselves as a bonfire.

I look back over my shoulder. “What did you do?”

He spins me around, bending closer to my face.

“I made us a New Year’s Eve party. I thought we could redo our redo.” His arms wrap around me, kissing my lips.

I pull away, truly surprised. “Wait, what time is it?”

It’s funny. I didn’t even check when Liam woke me up. I was too busy thinking about him to even check my phone.

Liam chuckles. “We have about ten minutes, and this time, we’re together, and I love you, and”—he leans in conspiratorially—“I have sparklers.”

My hand shoots over my mouth, squeaking out between my fingers, “Sparklers.”

He nods. Only him, only Liam, would remember that night at the lake house.

“Come on,” he offers, taking my hand, so I follow him to the warmth of the fire and the blankets he’s set out.

It’s perfect. Liam takes out his phone, setting the alarm, so we don’t miss our countdown, and scrolls through his playlist before settling on a song.

“When did you do all of this?” I say, lifting my voice enough over the sound of the tide for him to hear.

“While you snored in your coma.”

Liam reaches inside the bag he brought down, pulling out my favorite champagne. My shoulders jump as he twists the cork, hearing a loud pop. He laughs again, and my body warms, even though it’s cold outside, maybe because I’m already hot watching him from over the fire.

My mouth pops open, mainly because I’m ogling him, but I play it off countering, “Take it back. I don’t snore.”

He shakes his head, pouring two red cups, extending one to me. “You absolutely snore—like a fat old man. It’s fucking adorable.”

My head shifts to the darkness of the ocean as I take a sip, giggling as the bubbles tickle my lips before I turn back to him.

“This is kind of amazing. You’re kind of amazing.”

He takes a much bigger gulp than he should of champagne, licking his lips after narrowing his eyes at me.

“Kind of? How can I make that a statement of certainty?”

I give him a look likeduhas I say, “Sparkler me, Brooks.”

He grins, reaching back into the bag and pulls them out, saying, “Do you remember that night at the lake house? When we were sixteen, and you drew my name over and over.”

Of course, I remember. I wanted him to tell me that he liked me too, so badly, that I sat up all night contemplating sneaking into his room. But I’ll never admit that, so I roll my eyes.

“You’re so full of yourself. I was writinglame, notLiam.”

He lets his eyes drift over my body as he mouths, “Liar.” I shrug, pretending to be unfazed, but this game is the most fun one we play. Liam lights a sparkler for me, walking around the fire to give it to me. I dart my hand out, excited for my present, but he draws it back as it crackles and flickers.

“Carebear…” He draws it out like it’s a reprimand. “Use your manners. What do you say?”

I stare up at him, my palm coming to his chest. “I love you.”

His lips press to my forehead handing it to me, adding, “Now be a good girl and go draw my name again.”