Admitting to me.
To himself.
To Jayden.
To both our families.
That’s not why I’m in Los Angeles.I haven’t traveled here to get my man.Liam has never reached out to me or given me the impression that there is hope.
He’s a controlled military officer.Technically, I think he was a second lieutenant.I don’t know, I got confused by all their titles and promotions.All I know is that one of my dreams was Liam taking me up in a plane, wearing his uniform, reaching out and taking my hand as we smiled at one another.One of those madly in love images...and he snuck a diamond ring on my finger.
I cried when I woke up.
Pathetic, I know.
I guess that childhood crush has never vanished.
Well, now, I need him in a different way.
I had to leave Texas.I’m running from a rich and powerful man.A well-known and successful producer whom I should never have trusted.
He hurt me, and if there are two people on this planet I know will protect me with their lives, it’s Jayden and Liam.
God knows any boy I wanted to date had no luck.
So I figure Frank Bonito won’t get past them.
I hope.
From what I understand, Liam owns the house and Jayden is planning to buy his own next year.Things I’ve overheard Mom and Dad talking about.And that Jay thought his corporate job would pay more than it does, but the commission isn’t working out.
Not like the big salary Liam is on with the private security company that recruited him.Six figures and more.
The house is large but modest, and I thought there would be a spare room for me.
I was wrong.
But let me take a step back.
When I arrived, the two of them were lounging in leather seats in the second living area, which I’ve named Gaming Hell—not a fan myself—with headphones on and snacks.
Regardless, Liam clearly spends more time at the gym than he does in the armchair because his biceps were threatening to escape his T-shirt, and I didn’t need to lift it up to take in his ripped, flat stomach.
Although given the chance, I would have.
Alas, I’ve seen him shirtless by the pool many times growing up.
Sigh.
I remember the last day he and Jay were at home before enlisting.He climbed out of the pool, grabbed his towel and then went to say goodbye to my parents.
His mom was there, having become an extended part of our family since the boys became friends, and even more so when her husband died.
Aunt Silvia.
“See ya, Squirt.Be a good kid while I’m gone.”Liam pinched my cheek, taking a detour on the way out.
“I’m not a kid,” I’d replied softly.
