“Stop. I hate having my feet tickled,” I complain and sit up as the aroma of the coffee she was speaking of hits my nose. “That smells delicious.” I take the cup and blow over the opening on the lid.
“How was your night? Did Killian get you here in one piece?”
I groan and roll my eyes at his name.
“Oh my God. What did he do? I warned him not to mess with you.”
“Nothing.” I shake my head. “There was this race.”
“He took you to a race?”
I nod and sip my coffee.
She jumps up off the bed. “I’m going to kill him. Did anything happen? I mean did he race?”
“Yeah he won gas.”
Hayley’s hand goes to her mouth. “He fucking bet you?!”
“Not technically, I guess. I mean, I was in the car with him…” My cheeks flush remembering the thrill of being in the passenger seat when he was driving like a bat out of hell.
She’s not even listening to me now. She has her phone pressed to her ear and is pacing back and forth across the small room. “I’m going to strangle Killian,” she gripes. “He took her to a fucking race…” she pauses. “No, but I told him he better not pull his shit with Liri. She’s my family, Liam. You better handle him, or I will.” She tosses her phone on her bed. “Killian is well he’s Killian, but he won’t bother you anymore,” she promises, and my heart sinks to my stomach.
“I’m fine. He’s not that bad.” I don’t know why I feel defensive of him. I mean, he called me a nerd and bet me in a race without my knowing. I know he’s a jerk, but he is a cute jerk. I look up and catch Hayley gawking at me with an open mouth. “What?”
“Wow. He works fast. He’s already made a pass at you, hasn’t he?”
“No. Only if you count him calling me a nerd yesterday.” I don’t know why I don’t tell her about him kissing me. Probably because I am embarrassed that I am a terrible kisser. I don’t want anyone to know or for him to retaliate and tell everyone. I decide it’s a secret to take to the grave.
“Okay. If you say so. Are you sure you’re okay? I know he can be intense.”
Intense is one word for him. “I’m totally fine.” I place the coffee on my desk and start gathering my stuff for a shower.
“When you get ready, we’ll head to the cafeteria for breakfast,” Hayley announces and lifts her shirt over her head switching it out for a new one.
I leave her to do her thing and grab a much needed shower. The water pressure feels good on my skin as it pelts down on me. While I’m getting dressed, I can hear voices and figure Hayley is watching something on her laptop. I decide on my smiley face leggings and a black tee that doesn’t have any noticeable paint stains on it paired with my black high-top Converse. After blow-drying my hair as good as it will get, I sweep my hair into a ponytail and brush my teeth.
When I leave the bathroom, I am surprised to see Liam laying across Hayley’s bed, and Killian is on mine. Holy shit. He’s on my bed where I sleep. There’s a guy on my bed. I know how dumb that makes me seem, but I’ve never had a dude in my room before.
“There you are. I’m starving,” my cousin says as she touches up her makeup in her mirror.
Liam pulls a pillow over his face, but I can still hear his muffled laughter. Killian squints at me. “Do I know you?”
“Real funny,” Hayley says and pins him with a glare. “You hung out with her last night, and I should still kick your ass for taking her to that race.”
His eyes widen and he looks at me again. “Liri?”
“Don’t you mean nerd?” I roll my eyes and grab my stuff. I look to Hayley. “I actually have a few errands to run, I’ll catch up with you later.” I don’t wait for her to protest. I have to get out of here and away from Killian. I had also better call my mother before she starts calling the local hospitals.
I dial her number and hit the button for the elevator but decide at the last minute to take the stairs, so I don’t lose cell service. She picks up on the first ring. “Are you alive?” She teases.
Barely. “I survived my first night.” If she only knew what I was doing and who I was doing it with. My thoughts flash to Killian. All-consuming and broody in his black leather jacket smelling too good.
“How’s Hayley?”
“Good. I think we are going to be great friends.” I grab the locket hanging around my neck and decide now isn’t a good time to mention my birth father. It is a very sore subject for Mom, and I don’t want to fight with her.
“I’m glad to hear it. I don’t want to keep you. I am sure you are busy making friends and such.”