The Road That Leads to Us (Us 1)

Cold water landed on my body, followed a moment later by raucous laughter.

I sat straight up, spluttering and shaking from the frigid water.

“LIAM!”

I blinked my eyes open, shook off the water and looked around blearily to see Liam standing over me with an empty pitcher of water, and Willow storming into the room.

She was a force to be reckoned with as she barreled forward, blonde hair billowing around her shoulders, and lifted her hand to smack the back of Liam’s head.

“Ow!” He groaned, reaching up a hand to apply pressure for the spot. “What was that for?”

“The fact that you’re asking that question is proof of your stupidity,” she huffed, hands falling to her waist.

Liam was unperturbed by what Willow said and simply glanced down at me lying soaking wet in bed. I was still in shock from the iciness of the water.

“Get up,” Liam said u

nnecessarily. “We’re going to swim with sharks.”

“Pretty sure I’m already swimming with them,” I muttered, and climbed out of bed.

Liam was forced to step out of my way.

“There’s no time for a shower,” Liam said, heading towards the door.

“Of course there’s not,” I grumbled, rifling through my bag for a pair of swim trunks.

“I’m so sorry,” Willow mouthed, before backing out of the room and closing the door behind her. A moment later I heard her war cry and a loud thump.

I ran to the door and slung it open, bursting into much needed laughter when I saw that she’d tackled Liam to the ground.

“That’s my girl,” I crowed. “She’s a lion.”

Liam grumbled on the floor and Willow extracted herself from the mess of limbs.

“You better leave him alone!” She called back to Liam before slamming the door closed to the room she was staying in. I knew she didn’t slam it to make a point or be dramatic, because Willow always slammed doors. She couldn’t help it.

Liam sat sprawled on the floor. “She’s crazy, that one. You sure you can keep up with her?” He raised a single dark brow.

Liam and I had known each other forever, but we’d never been close. Still, growing up together he knew that where Willow was loud, I was quiet. While Willow blurted her thoughts and feelings, I thought through what I was going to say. We were as opposite as day and night. The moon and the sun. But you can’t have one without the other. That’s why we worked.

“I’m sure.”

Liam grinned from his spot on the floor. It was a genuine smile too. The first one he’d thrown my way since we showed up.

“Good luck.” He finally said before coming to his feet. “You’re gonna need it with that one.”

He disappeared down the hall and into what I assumed was his bedroom.

I finished changing and met them downstairs.

I couldn’t believe I was about to swim with sharks.

I’d never had the daredevil gene that Willow had. Her parents were the same way though, so it made sense that she had an adventuresome spirit as well.

Liam drove and I got stuck in the back. That was fine though. It gave Willow a chance to talk to Liam.

We arrived at a dock and Liam parked his Jeep in the lot.