The One For Me(7)

She nods and walks into the kitchen, out of hearing distance. As soon as I know that she can’t hear us anymore, I step off the bottom stair and walk toward him. He has an amused look on his face. I push his shoulder. “What the hell are you doing at my house, Liam?”

He stands up, a smile curling on his lips. His long arms cross over his chest and he laughs. “We have a project to do, don’t we? That is why you came to the party last night.” He grins, it’s dark and greedy. He is hinting at it. My entire body is shivering. I’m not sure why.

I throw my arms in the air. “Go ahead and say it, Liam.”

He shrugs his shoulders and leans back on his heels. “Whatever do you mean, Katy?” He asks, wide eyed.

The image flashes in my head. Liam’s lips on mine, placing me on the counter and widening his mouth to touch his tongue to my bottom lip. I clench my fist and fight the urge to slap him. I can’t believe I kissed him. “I kissed you, Liam.”

A smile crawls up his face. “Indeed you did, Katy. It was quite a kiss, too. Didn’t know you had it in you.” He scoffs when I place my head in my hands. “Oh, stop it. I know you were just trying to make that asswipe jealous. It’s not a big deal.”

I sigh. “Sorry, he just makes me so mad.” Liam cocks an eyebrow. “Anyway, let’s get this done. I have plans.”

“Are we going to the library?” he asks.

“No, I have a laptop. Let me go get it.” I turn to go get it.

“Should we go to your room?” he asks. He is smiling. Yeah, like I want you in my room, alone with me.

My stomach flips and turns. “Hell n--,

“Of course you should,” Mom says. “I’ll bring you both some lunch soon.” What! What kind of mother suggests we go to our room?

“Mom, we can just stay down here--,”

“Nonsense,” she says, waving me off. “There isn’t enough space on the living room table and your desk is huge. Get up there and do your work. It’ll be just fine. Now, get on up there,” she says, pointing her finger toward my room.

“Thanks, ma’am,” Liam says. He starts toward the stairs and it’s the first time I’ve really looked at him since I got up. His high tops are unlaced and his jeans are ripped. I can see his skin between the fringed jeans. His white t-shirt is tight to his chest and he is smiling when my glare gets to his face. “See something ya like, Katy?”

“No. Just go,” I say, pointing up the stairs. I pass Liam once we get to my room and open the door. My bed is unmade, I have clothes scattered around my floor and books are open all over the place.

“Yikes, Katy, I thought you’d be cleaner than this? Ms. Perfect Grades, Goody Goody,” Liam says, closing the door behind me. He is standing close and I’m aware of his every move. I have Liam Erickson in my room. I never thought this would happen. This shouldn’t happen. This is how he uses his trickery on girls to get them in bed.

“I was woken up by my mother in my face because someone doesn’t know how to come to someone’s house at a descent hour. I came right down. Let me get things cleaned up really quick.”

Liam bends and picks up a purple lace bra. “Need some help? Believe me, I don’t mind.”

I snatch it from him and point to my desk chair. “No, no help. I can get it.”

I hurry and pick up my clothes and make my bed. I never realize how many embarrassing things I have lying around. It’s ridiculous. I really need to start putting my underwear up. “Okay, let’s get started,” I say, placing my notebook on my desk and turning in my chair toward Liam. He is leaned against my desk, smiling. “So, what are your goals in life?” I ask.

Liam purses his lips and then lets out a snort. “Wow, going for the nitty gritty, huh? Let’s see,” he says, stroking his chin with his long index finger. “I want to own my own bar when I get out of school.”

I write Bar down on my list. “So, you’ll go to business school to do this?”

“Do I look like the college type, Katy?”

Hell no. “Um, miracles happen. You are going to go into it blind then?”

He rolls his eyes. “My uncle owns a bar. Next question,” he says, crossing his arms.

“Any siblings?”

He shrugs.

Oh. “How do you not know?” I ask.

Liam shakes his head. “Next question,” he snaps.

“Liam, you have to answer some of these questions, so I will have something to work with.”

“I did last night,” he whispers, his voice low. “I think you enjoyed it.”

“Shut up you--,”