CHAPTER NINE
JESSIE
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You’re fucking gorgeous.If you weren’t Jayden’s sister....
Why does that matter?Surely if two people are interested in one another when they are grown up, shouldn’t they...
Then I realize my error.
Liam wants to have sex with me, that’s clear.Whereas I’ve been in love with him for as long as I can remember.
I’ve tried not to be, I really have.Not seeing him for periods of time when he was in the Air Force, I did think I was cured.But his sexy ass would walk into my parent’s house and, boom, all that lust and a barrage of emotions would knock me off my feet.
Then he’d wink at me and say, “Hey, Squirt,” as if he was unaffected and we’d only seen one another yesterday instead of six or nine months.
Repeatedly, over the years, I’ve had this faux conversation with Jayden.I love Liam.I want to be with him.Give us your blessing.
I can guarantee, not for a second, has Liam considered talking to him about how he feels.
Because he just wants a fuck.
Well, at least I can respect that he hasn’t tried, showing he has some respect for me.
What about the other times you and Liam have found yourselves privately together?
Ugh, stupid brain.
It’s true, he hasn’t always avoided me.When we were younger, he’d pat the sofa and invite me to watch a movie.Or he’d carry my popcorn if we went to the theater’s saying, “You always drop it, Squirt.I’ve got it.”
Squirt.
I used to love that nickname; now I hate it.
It’s a kid’s name.
When Jayden was old enough to babysit me, Liam would come over and sneak me an extra cookie after dinner.
One night I couldn’t sleep.I snuck downstairs and found Jay crashed out while Liam scrolled through the channels.
“You okay, Squirt?”he looked up, lowering the remote.
I’d been thirteen.Old enough to know Liam was seriously good-looking and notice all the girls in the neighborhood crushing on him.He and my brother, which was gross.
I was also old enough to know I was way too young for him to be interested in me.He was seventeen and already looked like a man.
“Just need some fresh air.”I pointed to the kitchen, which led out to the yard.
Without a word, Liam climbed off the sofa and followed me outside.For the next two hours we sat talking and staring at the stars.
