Friend Zone (Friend Zone Series Book 1) Page 5

  She began picking through her dark hair with one hand as she yawned. She didn’t look any different, which confused me more than anything because when I looked at her, all I could think about was how much I wanted to see if there was anything else I’d missed about her over the past twelve years. I couldn’t even count how many times she’d been close enough for me to catch the scent of her hair, but it had never hit me like it did this morning, and it only made me want to find out what other secrets she’d been hiding.

  It must have been the kiss. Knowing what she tasted like, how she felt under my hands. It was driving me crazy wanting to do it again.

  “What?” she asked, jerking me from my thoughts. “Do I have something on my face?”

  She started rubbing at her cheeks. I cleared my throat and started cleaning up the blankets, folding them as though I had a clue how to fold shit. If I didn’t keep my hands and mind busy, I was afraid I might do something really fucking stupid, like bury my face in her hair for another whiff of her shampoo.

  “Nah,” I said once I was certain I could control myself. “Just need some coffee and a shower. Which do you want first?”

  Charlie brightened at the mention of her addiction. “Coffee,” she demanded. “Like you even have to ask.”

  She climbed over the side of the truck and reached out for me. I took her in my arms out of habit and helped her down. Minutes later we were pulling into the garage. A shower would help get my head on straight. Then we’d be driving back to campus and I’d have applications, deadlines, and papers to fill the spaces in my brain that were fixated on her.

  “Don’t even mention how short I am before I’ve had my first infusion.”

  I snorted, relieved to find that whatever the hell had happened this morning hadn’t made shit even more awkward. As long as it never happened again, we’d be okay.

  “Then I won’t mention that you should come with your own footstool,” I told her as I held the front door open for her.

  “Not. Another. Word,” she growled. Her nose twitched as she followed it to the happily bubbling coffee pot. She’d been to my parents’ house so many times, she went right to the cabinet with the coffee cups, dove into the fridge for creamer, and sat herself at the kitchen table.

  “I’ll leave you to it and take the first shower then. Once you’re sufficiently caffeinated you can have the next.”

  She waved me away as she snatched the fresh pot of coffee to fill her cup and I shook my head. She’d wouldn’t be fully coherent until she had at least two cups in her, which would only serve in my favor.

  I checked on Grandma Dorothy, who was happily clicking away at the TV as she crocheted a God-awful fluorescent orange blanket. “For your house,” she announced cheerfully when she saw me standing in the doorway.

  “I can’t wait,” I told her after pressing a kiss to the papery-thin skin of her cheek. “It looks awesome.”

  “I’ll make one for Charlie, too. That girl is always cold. A woman shouldn’t be living alone like that, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. She needs a nice boy to look after her.”

  The reminder of her engagement to Andrew put a sour taste in my mouth. “Don’t worry, Grandma. I take good care of her.”

  “Of course you do, dear,” she said, then squealed. “Wheel of Fortune’s on. Spin that wheel!” I chuckled as I ascended the stairs to the bathroom, leaving Charlie to her caffeine fix and grandma to her TV shows and crocheting.

  Twenty minutes under the warm spray hadn’t been the best idea. The erection I’d tamed sprung back to life and I’d closed my eyes and wrapped my hand around my dick, trying and failing, not to think of her as I rubbed one out. The hot water cleared my head and jerking off at least kept me from fantasizing, but I doubted either would keep me sane for long.

  It occurred to me as I got dressed that I was being a fucking chick about it. We got along. We had a good time. I was obviously attracted to her and based on the way she’d kissed me back, even if it was only for a second, she had to be at least a little attracted to me, too. Why couldn’t we date? I’d spouted bullshit the night before, but Charlie wasn’t just some one night stand. She was…Charlie.

  The thought of asking her out made me nick myself as I was shaving. I cursed underneath my breath and tried to make myself see reason.

  Just because I wanted to kiss the hell out of her didn’t mean I should.

  With that in mind, I finished shaving, but a call interrupted my thoughts. “Walsh,” I answered.

  “Liam, it’s Matthew from the bar. Look I hate to do this, but you left me short Friday without notice.”

  My stomach sank, and my head filled with the memory of my bare kitchen cabinets and the stack of bills on my desk that I had due. “I know, I’m sorry. I had Tripp cover for me.”

  “I’m sorry, Liam, but I’m gonna have to let you go. There are a hundred other kids who’d kill to have your job. I need someone more reliable.”

  I sighed. I wanted to argue, but I could tell by the tone in his voice it would be no use. I’d simply have to find another job. Besides, it had been worth it to make sure Charlie was okay. I might have to survive on microwavable dinners for the next few weeks, but I’d make it work. “Alright, Matt, I understand. Thanks for letting me know.”

  After hanging up with my former boss, I found Charlie in the kitchen, watching my parents cook breakfast. I paused in the doorway as I observed her studying them. The naked longing on her face punched me in the gut and obliterated any lingering traces of disappointment from getting fired. I’d known her parents for most of my life, and when her mom left and her dad died, it was the first time someone I knew had passed away. It didn’t compare to what she went through, but I knew I’d do anything I could to take away her pain.

  Even if it’d put my future in jeopardy.

  My mother turned and smiled. “Just in time for breakfast.”

  “As if that’s something new,” Dad said.

  “Something smells good,” I told her.

  “Charlie said you two were outside all night watching the stars like we used to.” She turned to my dad and narrowed her gaze. Then said, “I figured ya’ll probably worked up an appetite.”

  Charlie eyed the plate of scrambled eggs, sausage, and toast my mother sat down in front of her. “You’re a goddess, Mrs. Walsh.”

  My dad wrapped an arm around mom’s waist and kissed her cheek. “That’s what I try to tell her every day.”

  Mom bumped him with her hip, but she was blushing. “You both eat up now,” she said to us, even though her eyes were on my dad the entire time.

  They left together, my mom’s giggles trailing behind. I shook my head as I sat down at the table across from Charlie.

  “You’d think they were the ones in college instead of us,” I said.

  Charlie had thrown her hair up into a haphazard bun while I was in the shower. The sun shone in through the kitchen window and caught all the different colors, turning them into spun gold. It glinted in the light as she cocked her head to the side and sighed.

  Without thinking, my mouth opened and I started to ask her if we could maybe take a chance. See where that kiss would take us.

  Then she said, “I guess we better hit the road if we want to get back on time,” and I lost my nerve. I had the drive back to campus to think about it.

  Part of me already knew I was going to ask her. It was just a matter of getting up the balls to do it.

  Chapter Eight

  Charlie

  I couldn’t put my finger on it, but something was off with Liam. I chalked it up to the patchy sleep he must have gotten from snoozing outside in the truck and resolved to make it up to him the first chance I got. I really couldn’t ask for a better friend. It was starting to wear on me how much I had to remind myself that’s all he was, all he could be. What excuses I did have didn’t seem to carry much weight anymore. Not when I spent the night wrapped in his arms. At first, I thought I’d been dreaming, but there was no den
ying how turned on I’d been when I’d woken up.

  “Is everything okay?” I peered over at him since we were nearing our exit and he’d barely said more than one-word answers in response to my questions. “Is it about your parents having to sell the farm? I didn’t want to push, but I’m here if you need to talk.”

  He scowled at the mention and I instantly regretted bringing it up. “It’s that and some…other things. It’ll be alright, shortstack. I don’t want you to worry about it.”

  “C’mon, don’t go all strong and silent on me. Talk to me.”

  His scowl turned into a grin. “Since when did we become girlfriends? ‘Cause I sure as hell don’t talk like this with Tripp.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Don’t deflect. I know something’s bothering you.” My left foot was already tucked under my right thigh, so it was merely a matter of twisting my upper body to direct all my attention to him.

  “I don’t know, Charlie. I didn’t want the family business, you know that.” I nodded, even though his eyes were on the long stretch of road in front of us. “But it’s still where I grew up, it’s all my sisters have ever known. I hate that I could have saved it if I hadn’t been so determined to do my own shit.”

  “Don’t say that. You can’t sacrifice yourself for something your heart’s not in. That’s the difference between you and your dad. He gets up every day and works his ass off because he does love it. If you were to quit school and help him, you’d resent him and hate yourself within six months. That’s no way to live.” I lifted a shoulder. “Life is just too short.”

  He reached over and wrapped his hand around my knee, squeezed then released. I could feel the heat from his palm shoot straight to my belly. I swallowed hard.

  “In my head, I get all that. I don’t know, man.”

  “You hate to disappoint him.”

  “Yeah, I guess I still do,” he said with a snort. “I guess some things you just never grow out of.”

  I nodded, but I didn’t think that was all that was bothering him, but I didn’t want to push too much. He’d tell me the rest when he wanted to. He always had. What I didn’t want to do was smother him. He’d done enough this weekend, whisking me away when I needed space and time to regroup after the blowup with Andrew.

  “I know you probably have work to catch up on or something. I texted the girls last night and they wanted to get together to bash men and have a drink. Would you mind dropping me off at The Georgetown on Tennessee?”

  His head snapped over to me, his gaze intense. Had I said something wrong?

  “You don’t want to stop by your place?”

  “If you don’t mind leaving my stuff in the back of your truck, I’ll get it after. Unless you want to leave it in my place on your way home?”

  He was quiet for a few long seconds. Something else was definitely going on. Whatever it was, the mood inside the cab of the truck had gone electric. I shifted in the seat and pulled at the thin material of my jersey top.

  Finally, he said, “If you’re heading out, I can get some studying done at the library. I’ll pick you up when you guys are done so you don’t have to get an Uber.”

  “Are you sure?” I’d never wanted to back out of meeting my friends before, but they’d been begging for the low-down on what had happened with Andrew and I couldn’t keep putting them off, despite how much I wanted this weekend with Liam to never end.

  He gave me a look that said don’t be crazy as we left the I-10 and began driving into the heart of town. In no time at all he was pulling into The Georgetown’s parking lot.

  For a moment it looked like he might ask me to stay, then he said, “Of course I’m sure. I can’t keep you all the time, can I?” He said it lightly, but was there a hint of wistfulness in his tone or was that just wishful thinking on my part?

  I spotted Layla and Ember by the entrance to the restaurant and sighed. I loved my friends, but all I wanted was my bed and maybe some ice cream. Wine would be a good substitute in the meantime, I decided. Lots and lots of wine.

  “Call me when you’re done and I’ll come get you,” he said as he came to a stop in front of the entrance.

  “I will. Don’t study to hard, Dr. Walsh.” I hopped from the cab and turned to give him a smile.

  “I like it when you call me that, Nurse St. James.” He waved to Layla and Ember, who’d come up behind me. “Ladies,” he said with a killer grin before driving off.

  “Boy have you got some ‘splaining to do,” Ember said, and she tucked mine and Layla’s arms into hers and marched us to the door. “But first, wine.”

  I couldn’t argue with that.

  Normally we’d all meet in Layla’s apartment for a Tequila Tuesday game night, but this week we all had cramming to do for papers or tests and even though we’d been around the block a time or two none of us could risk failing. I followed the girls and the hostess through the dimly lit restaurant to a seat in the back. After taking our drink orders, a sangria for me, white wine for Layla, and a margarita for Ember, the waitress left us, and I almost called her back to save me based on the way both of their stares honed in on me.

  “What?” I said and resisted—barely—the urge to cross my arms over my chest.

  They shared a look.

  “Don’t ‘what’ us,” Ember said as her dark green eyes sparkled with attitude. Her dark red hair came to life in the wash of the flickering candlelight despite the messy topknot she wore it in. She was a knockout, but she didn’t have time to fuss with it much considering she cared for her two younger siblings and still managed to save lives as an EMT.

  Layla’s beauty was quieter, subtler. Her dark hair fell in soft waves around her pixie face. She wore thin-framed glasses that accentuated her big blue eyes and despite her aversion to makeup, she was a dab hand with eyeliner. “Yeah, what the hell happened?” she asked.

  I snatched one of the napkins from the dispenser and began ripping it to shreds. It wasn’t the memory of what happened with Andrew that had me nervous. Honestly, he was barely a blip on my memory. It was Liam.

  I don’t know when it had happened, but he’d shifted from a support role in my life to the leading man and I wasn’t sure what to think of it.

  “I thought he was going to propose—”

  “What?!” They screeched simultaneously.

  “Whoa, wait a second,” Ember said, holding up a hand. “Rewind and start at the very beginning.”

  By the time I finished relaying what happened, we were on our second round of drinks. “And then, um, Liam got him to leave me alone and brought me back to Nassau so we could visit his parents for the weekend.”

  Layla leaned back in her seat and drank deeply from her glass. She gestured in my direction. “There’s something you’re not telling us. Did you want to say yes to his proposal?”

  My head shot straight up. “No! Of course not.”

  “Then why are you on your fifth napkin?” Ember asked.

  Shocked, I glanced down at my lap and found a veritable mountain of shredded paper. I forced myself to knot my hands on the table. “Look, it’s not a big deal.”

  “I call bullshit,” Layla said primly.

  Ember nodded emphatically. “So do I. Spill.”

  “Well, Liam came up when Andrew was saying all these awful things,” I had to take another long draw from my glass of sangria to keep from choking up. “Anyway, Liam was working that night and he must have heard or seen Andrew come up to me. The next thing I know, he’s kissing me and then Andrew left.”

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Ember said. “Liam. Liam kissed you?”

  “Wow,” Layla added, adjusting her glasses. “I definitely didn’t see that coming.”

  “You and me both.”

  “Then Lay, you may need to get your glasses checked because you’re blind. They’re perfect for each other.”

  I carefully gathered up the mess of napkins and rolling them in another to keep from spilling everywhere. “It doesn’t matter. He just did it to g
et Andrew to go away. It didn’t mean anything.”

  “Honey, a man doesn’t kiss you and then take you on a weekend getaway if he doesn’t want it to end up with more kissing,” Ember said. She’d been in a relationship since high school, not a serial dater like I was or a dater-avoider like Layla, so we mostly deferred to her when it came to the opposite sex.

  But she was wrong about this. “Not Liam. He didn’t try anything else afterwards and we talked about it.”

  Layla jabbed her finger in my direction. “You’re in complete denial, but we’ll circle around to that.” Her face fell and I reached for her hand on the table.

  “What’s wrong? Here I am blathering on and I haven’t even asked how you guys have been.”

  “My mother. I can’t believe I still let her get to me, but you know I’ve been applying to the internship at Thornhill? Well she called to tell me the other day if I insist on keeping my major in education that I can forget any financial assistance for senior year and not to even think about asking her for help with graduate school.”

  Layla’s mom was a straight bitch. She was a living testament to why I never bothered looking for my own. Whereas mine abandoned me, hers never lets up. My phone rings, but I don’t recognize the number, so I send it to voicemail and shift my attention back to Layla.

  “Now you’re the one who needs to listen. You don’t need to live your life according to what she wants. She doesn’t get a do-over. You deserve to be happy,” I told her.

  Layla took a deep drink from her wine and signaled for another. “I hear what you’re saying, but that’s a whole lot easier to say than to do.”

  “One step at a time, sweetheart. You have to cut those strings at some point,” Ember said.

  “And just when are you going to realize when you don’t have to take care of your brothers and that it’s your parent’s job?” I asked Ember.

  “Not up for discussion,” Ember said. “Besides, my twin terrors are a hell of a lot less of a pain in the ass than Layla’s mother and Liam put together.”