“What’s wrong?”I half sit, but his hand is firm holding the inside of my leg.
“Who did this?”Liam growls.“Who fucking did this to you?”
Oh.
Standing, he runs a hand through his head and paces the room, and that’s when it clicks.
My bruises.
It’s been well over a week now, but they’re still there.I stupidly didn’t think about it.Damn alcohol.
Sitting and covering myself, I watch Liam simmer in fury as I seek an explanation.I can’t tell anyone, especially Liam or Jayden.They’ll lose their goddamn minds.
A little like what’s happening now.
“Nothing.No one.”I climb off the table and straighten my clothes.“Liam, it’s nothing.Just bruises from the gym.”
He spins.
“Stop.Stop lying, Jessie.Who did that to you?I want a name.”
Wrapping an arm around myself, I shake my head.I can’t.I just can’t.He’ll want to know what happened, and I’d rather just forget about it.
Just fucking forget it.
“Christ.I shouldn’t have touched you.I fucking saw—” He walks to me, takes my shoulder and lifts my chin.“Forgive me.Jesus, Jessie.Get your bags, I’m taking you home.”
My eyes fly open.“To Texas?”
“Yes, to Texas.Your mom and dad are worried about you.Why didn’t you tell anyone you were coming here?”
Because I needed you.
“Jayden is worried, everyone is worried.You can’t be so irresponsible—”
I push him away.
“Stop.Stop it Liam,” I cry, tears pouring down my cheeks.“You just had your tongue in my pussy.Stop treating me like a child.”
He wipes a hand over his mouth, and all I see is regret.A crack in my heart begins.
“Who did that to you?Please, Jess.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“It fucking matters to me,” he growls, closing the gap again.“Do you think I’m going to just accept some guy hurting you and not do anything about it.”
Whispering, I shake my head and slowly lift my eyes to his once more.“You have no choice.”
Pulling out of his hold, I walk softly down to my bedroom and sit on the end of the bed.
Liam has been my north star all my life.
I always thought when we finally found our way together it would be magical and passionate.That I’d see the love in his eyes.That he’d quickly propose, because why wait, we’ve known one another forever.
I believed we belonged together.
Now, I just feel dirty.
