Always Yours (Roommate Duet 6)

Liam and Tyler groan as I burst out laughing. Sophie would ask that.

“I can answer that for them…” Tyler interjects. “Yes.”

“Uh…who is that?”

“His name is Tyler. He’s a friend of ours.” Nervously, I ask, “How would you feel about another housemate when we return?”

“Where the hell would he sleep?”

“He can stay in my room,” Liam confirms.

“It’s a long story, and we promise he’s a good guy,” I assure her. “He needs a place to stay until Victoria and Liam’s divorce is finalized.”

“I better get a full explanation!” she warns. “Be home in a week, you said?”

“Yep. Text me on Liam’s phone, though, because mine is gone.” Which reminds me, I should cancel my service if Eric still has it and get a new one.

Sophie sighs. “Okay. I’m very confused, but I trust you’ll take care of my sister. Right, Liam?” Her voice grows louder with each word.

“Absolutely,” he says immediately. “I’ll protect her with my life, Soph.”

“Good.” She blows out a breath. “And for what it’s worth, I’m glad you finally came to your senses, Liam. But if you hurt her, I won’t think twice about kicking your ass, then throwing you to the wolves to let them eat you alive.”

“If I do that, I give you permission,” Liam says confidently. “Trust me, though, it’s the last thing I want to do again. I love her.”

“Aww…wow,” Sophie singsongs. “Never thought I’d hear that come from your mouth, Liam Evans.”

“Yeah, yeah.” He grunts at her playful teasing.

“I’ll text or call tomorrow, okay? We’re gonna get ready for bed,” I tell her.

After a few moments, we end the call, and I beam at Liam. “Well, she didn’t cuss you out, so that’s a plus.” I shrug.

“That was only one sister…” he says, breathing in through his nose as if he’s expecting the worse from Lennon. “Then I have to deal with the wrath of Mason and Hunter.”

I pat his hand like a child’s. “Don’t forget my parents too, eventually.”

Liam pales with a groan.

Tyler laughs. “I don’t envy you, man.”

“You ever bring a chick home to meet the parents?” I ask him.

Tyler’s lips immediately turn into a frown, and I fear I’ve hit a sensitive topic. “Hell no.”

“He has a hot sister, though,” Liam taunts, and I scowl at him. “Or so I’ve heard.”

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, nice save.” Then I look at Tyler. “You didn’t tell me you had a sister. What’s her name? Where does she live?”

Tyler pushes his hands on his knees and stands. “And that’s exactly why I didn’t.”

“Oh come on!” I pout. “If we’re going to be roomies, I need some personal info.”

He contemplates it for a moment. “Six feet five, a hundred seventy-five pounds, brown hair, and brown eyes. Favorite color is orange, and I like spicy foods,” he rambles off, then gives me a shit-eating grin.

“That’s not what I meant!” I groan. “Wait. Your favorite color is orange?” I chuckle. “That’s cute.”

“Can I go now?”

I groan, narrowing my eyes. “At least give me your sister’s name!”

“Fine. Her name is Everleigh.” He gives in, and I grin victoriously.

“Maybe I’ll get to meet her someday.” I smile hopeful, but he doesn’t take the bait to give me more information.

He nods firmly at me with tight lips, and I know he gets uncomfortable talking about himself. That part was genuine while at the cabin. When he avoided telling me anything personal, it wasn’t just an act. “Alright, lovebirds. I’m gonna shower, then go to sleep.”

“I think that’s code for get off the couch,” Liam says, grabbing my hand and pulling me up.

Tyler walks toward the bathroom, then turns and smirks. “Well, I’m definitely not sleeping in that bed. I’ll be wearing the headphones, though.”

The past six days have all been long and repetitive. It’s felt like Groundhogs Day except Liam’s been too paranoid to let any of us out of the condo, so we have food delivered, and Tyler’s friend who owns the place dropped off some other supplies for us. Condoms included this time.

I can tell Liam’s been on edge the past couple of days as he waits for Victoria to make the next move. I also know he hates sitting around and is probably eager as hell to get back to work. Sophie and I text every day, and I even called Lennon to give her the same updates. Once we’re home, we plan on sitting with everyone and telling them the whole story. Now that Victoria isn’t playing puppet master, they need to know everything in case anyone in Victoria’s world tries to talk to them.

Then Liam has to talk to his father and give him a brief summary of why he’s no longer staying married to her and how the babies aren’t his. I know he’s super stressed about the fallout of having an arranged marriage and now having to apologize to everyone for lying.