Liam opens his mouth, but before he can utter something, someone pushes his shoulder jokingly. “As much as you wanna keep giving heart eyes to Harrison, the guys are trash-talking. We got Jamie, the badass captain—”
Jamie sits next to me. “No, I’m out.”
Chase looks at her. “What, why? You’re the only reason we’re even winning. We need you on the team, Becks.”
She rolls her eyes. “Swap me with Liam.”
He groans. “I need you both.” He’s basically begging Jamie to keep playing, but she’s stubborn. “Back to you, then, come on, you owe me.” Liam looks appalled before Chase smirks.
“I mean, Ididconvince you to—”
“Fine, I’ll play,” Liam interrupts, standing as he looks at me. “I’ll be right back.”
I nod and Chase gives me a small smile before he follows Liam, who is currently dragging his feet in the sand. I look down at Jamie as she’s grabbed her notebook, sketching something along the lines of a cute swimsuit.
“How was beach volleyball?” I ask.
She continues to draw as if the inspiration is oozing out of her. A small smirk comes on my face as she rolls her eyes at my implication. “Fun. I had fun, okay?” she finally admits.
“I saw, and by the looks of it, I think Chase likes you,” I whisper, and she flashes me a deadpan stare.
“He’s the type of guy who likeseveryone.” I shrug at that, and we turn around to watch them play.
Did I think volleyball was hot before? Not particularly.
But now . . .Wow.
Liam’s muscles flex with every hit and his beautiful ink travels down the length of him. A hand covers my mouth, and I cough, embarrassed. Pretending to be looking at Jamie drawing while taking occasional glances, I don’t miss when they finally finish.
He instantly makes his way back, but doesn’t make it far before Vanessa stops him. My heart tugs painfully once again, but I ignore it as I’ve done so far.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
LIAM
Imotion for Chase to follow me, walking across the street, opening the villa Mom and Dad bought a while back. Pushing through the kitchen doors, he raises his hands in surrender. “I know what you’re gonna say. I swear I didn’t invite her to tag along.”
Ever since Chase and I got a little close, I’ve told him more about Vanessa—including her swinging by the tattoo parlor and coming to every single event the frat has.
“Tommy has a thing with her, I couldn’t say no.” I understand this, but hate how it’s making me feel, and I hope Bianca doesn’t realize anything. I want her to hear it from me. Vanessa and I slept togetheronce, and I wasn’t in the right headspace. I was stupid, and thought that was the only way I could forget Bianca, the only way she wouldn’t show in my mind. I consented, I wanted to forget her, but I didn’t.
I never have.
Looking up, I catch Chase staring at me, feeling the decency to be somewhat remorseful. “Look, I get that this is extremelyuncomfortable.” He sighs and I raise an eyebrow, urging him to continue. “Liam, man, Bianca already knows about you and Vanessa.” Something passes over me and my heart drops at that statement.
“What, how?” For a moment, I look at him, but deep down, I know Chase wouldn’t do that.
He raps his knuckles on the counter. “Vanessa asked her to the frat party saying she wanted her to wingwoman for this guy she had hooked up with once. She’s a smart girl, I know she’s probably put two and two together.” My body almost recoils in disgust at Vanessa’s words before guilt overtakes me. No wonder Bianca had a weird look when Vanessa approached me earlier.
“Great,” I grumble before leaning against the kitchen counter. “Ijustgot her back, and even now ... We’re fragile.” He nods thoughtfully and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but he’s actually a good listener. I chuckle sadly. “I feel like we’re making some type of progress, and now...” I put my head down, my forehead connecting with the cool marble, my heart stuttering at the words that can’t even come out. “Maybe this will be the thing that keeps us from moving forward.” A frown stretches over my face as I look out the window and spot her laughing with Jamie. “And I wouldn’t handle it well if it were.”
I look back out the window and see them coming toward the villa. I give Chase a look to be done with the conversation. As I start to walk out, he stops me. “Look, knowing Bianca, she’s probably the type to appreciate honesty. Just get everything out there.”
I nod, pushing open the French doors, finding Vanessa on the other side. I step back, shocked, given I thought she was still on the beach. “What do you want?”
She looks up at me with glazed eyes and I pinch my nose when I notice that she’s a little tipsy.
“Have you seen Tommy?” she asks.
