Is it possible to know you would give everything for your baby but also know you have no idea what you will need to provide or do?
I was fifteen years old when the virus hit, and the most education I had had about babies was a five-minute sex ed talk that had a primary emphasis of don’t get pregnant and gave out free condoms after the bell rang.
And I couldn’t even listen to that. How will I be able to look after an entire little human being when I have no idea what I’m doing?
My chipped nails scrape against the sensitive skin of my scars. Hell, I have no idea what I'm doing with my life, never mind how I'm going to look after—
‘Hey,’ a gentle hand rests on my lower back. The comforting kind, placed for support.
I turn, my sight slightly hazed from my spiralling thoughts.
A bushy blonde beard and untamed hair shine in the golden sunlight and Liam’s kind smile comes into view as I shake off my lingering thoughts. New, just as unhelpful, ones come to mind as I remember everything that sinful mouth did months ago.
‘Princess?’
‘Hmm.’
Liam chuckles, the sound deep and gruff whilst his palm still rests on my lower back. ‘I said are there any questions you have about the stadium? Maybe I could answer them if you do?’
Oh, he had been talking… to me… and I’ve still not answered.
‘Erm..’
Why can’t I fucking think?
All I can focus on is his hand on my back and how good it feels having it there.
Shut up, Isla. You do not need a man.
‘Where does everyone sleep?’
Wrong question. Clearly that was the wrong fucking question because Liam’s grin is even wider, his straight white teeth fully on show.
‘Have something on your mind?’ His tone is teasing, but I've had enough.
I step forward away from his palm, quickening my pace to catch up with the rest of my group a couple of metres ahead.
Liam’s at my back, not waiting a second to follow.
‘I’m sorry, princess.’ He whispers, his voice like chocolate. ‘It’s just I’ve dreamt about you every night since we met and a lot of those dreams have involved a bed.’
Oh God damn I’m hot. Where his breath fanned across my sensitive neck feels like it is scorching from his confession. And as much as I’d like to deny it, most of my dreams have involved him and a bed, too.
‘We have our own rooms.’ He answers, the seductive tone no longer there. Instead, he’s all business as he explains that a lot of the suites had been turned into rooms of all different kinds. ‘Some like to have their own space and others prefer to stay in a group. You all can do that if you would prefer, we have space for whichever you would feel more comfortable with.’
A room to myself, what a thought. I never considered it would be possible again.
‘You don’t need to make any decisions right now. There is plenty of time to try different options out and see which one you prefer.’ His hand is there again, soft and supportive at the base of my spine.
Could he tell that the thought of me being alone at night for the first time in forever is terrifying?
Liam continues, his voice gentle. ‘Some of the last group that joined us still share a room.’
‘They’ve got bunk beds and everything!’ Vish hollers from further up, clearly hearing our conversation.
I bristle, not liking that our group can hear us. I’ve always been private and it makes me feel uncomfortable having someone butt into my conversation with Liam. Which is weird because the girls do it all of the time. Then again they also know when to keep quiet and I’m silently thankful that none of them join in with Vish’s comments.
Chapter eleven
