Page 28 of Just Between Us

“I was a teacher’s worst nightmare,” Liam continues. “Sandwiched between a sister and brother who were basically perfect.”

“And now as adults. Are you close to your brother and sister?” I’m trying my best not to therapize Liam, but it’s hard not to pick and prod at the emotion I detect simmering just below the surface, pin point its source.

“My sister and I mostly talk in the group chat. It’s not that we’re not close, but Madison is busy in Atlanta. She and her wife are accountants for a huge firm.” He pauses and takes a long sip of beer. My eyes betray me, tracking the movement down his throat, the bob of his Adam’s apple as he swallows. By the time I drag my gaze back to his face, he's already watching me, wearing a smug smile. Thankfully, he doesn’t call me out. He just picks up where he left off.

“And Ryan is my best friend. We’re like night and day, but…” He shakes his head. “Damn, he’s the best.”

Liam stands to flip the steaks, goes inside to check something in the oven, and he’s back, lowering into the chair.

“What about you? Is it just you and Austin?”

I tuck my hair behind my ear, twisting my hoops, but after a heavy pause, I answer.

“Austin and I moved in with our aunt, uncle, and cousin when we were kids. Our cousin Tyler is our big brother in every sense of the word.”

I leave it at that because no way do I want to dive into that story. I’ve already told him all about my breakup. He witnessed Austin’s total breakdown. Tonight is not the night for childhood trauma.

“So,” I say, ready to change the subject. “You ready forThe Conjuring?” I wiggle my fingers, making a spooky woo sound.

Liam heaves a sigh and shakes his head. “If I get too scared, you’re holding my hand like you promised.”

I laugh through my nose and shake my head. “Come on, you big baby. Let’s eat. I’m starving.”

“Nooo.”Liam groans, dramatically covering his eyes with both hands. “Don’t go any closer. She’s right fricking there.”

He wasn’t kidding when he said he hates scary movies. Here we sit, Mutt between us on the couch, Liam watching through his fingers. The movie has hardly kept my attention; I’ve been so entertained by Liam.

“Agh!” he squeals when Bathsheba launches herself onto Andrea. “I can’t watch this. Tell me when it’s over.”

Deciding to put him out of his misery, I turn it off. Slowly, Liam’s hands lower and he breathes out a sigh resting his head on the back of the couch.

“Thank you,” he whispers. “I need something wholesome after that.”

“Got any board games?”

Liam tilts his head my way, his mouth shaping into a smile. “I have something even better.”

He stands and walks to a cabinet beside his mantel. I can’t see what he’s pulling out, but when he turns, I gasp. In his hands is a Nintendo Wii, and a pair of controllers.

“Tennis?” Liam holds out a remote and I take it. Within minutes we’ve got our Mii characters on the screen, hissomehow looking just as cocky as the real man standing next to me.

Turning, Liam flashes a wicked grin. “Hope you’re ready for a beat down.” He rolls his shoulders, doing some arm and leg stretches while I watch on with amusement.

“Yeah, well. I haven’t played this since college, so you’re probably right.”

“It’s like riding a bike, Cassie. It’ll come back to you.” Liam presses start and launches his first serve.

It did not, in fact, come back to me.

He’s laser-focused, precise swings and foot placement, making it clear I will very likely lose every set. Our Mii characters sprint back and forth across the screen as we chase the ball, and I quickly break a sweat. I’m doing a half-decent job until the next volley, when my return lands several feet past the line.

“You’re over swinging,” Liam says, pausing the game, leaving my Mii frozen mid-stumble.

I plant my hands on my hips. “Okay, well, show me how to swing correctly.”

Liam crosses the distance between us and moves behind me, his front to my back and I swallow hard. He encircles my wrist with one hand while the other goes to rest on my hip, adjusting my stance. Every rational thought drops straight out of my head.

“Relax,” Liam murmurs—no,purrs—against the shell of my ear, and the word itself does the opposite of what it should. The calloused pad of his thumb brushes the bare skin where my shirt doesn’t quite meet my waistband. Back and forth. Just once. Like he doesn’t even know he’s doing it. But oh, my body knows. Every nerve ending from my head to my toes lights up like a Christmas tree.