Always Mine (Roommate Duet 5)

He’d been attached to my hip since we left, and though I enjoyed the closeness, things abruptly changed the moment we got home. Liam did a load of laundry, repacked his bag, then flew out the next day. He claims it’s for a job, but I saw the email reminder on his unlocked phone when he walked away to grab a beer. I’d say I didn’t mean to snoop, but I absolutely did. Something’s up, and I’m determined to find out what the hell he’s hiding.

Liam’s flight notification was for Vegas. We suspect he’s traveling so much to gamble, but I’m worried there’s more to this than just playing slots. He’s tenser than usual and drinking more often. When we’re in public, he doesn’t take his eyes off me unless it’s to scan the area. Honestly, it’s unnerving.

Sophie picked me up from school, and after Mason got home, they made dinner, and we ate together. The moment I started a movie, those two party poopers bailed, claiming exhaustion, but I know what it’s code for.

Their loss. “Step Up” is one of the greatest dance movies ever. I’ve seen all the movies in the series dozens of times, but the first one is my favorite. You can’t go wrong with Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan, even if they broke up in real life and made me lose all faith in true love.

Just as the final dance begins, I hear the familiar sounds of Liam’s truck, and a moment later, the front door whips open. Finally. He left two days ago, and I was starting to wonder when he’d be back.

“Liam, quick. This is the best part!” I steal a glance over my shoulder before focusing back on the screen.

He shuffles over, dropping his bag, and plops down next to me. “What is it?” he asks, his voice gruff with exhaustion.

“I swear, you were sheltered as a child.” I snicker, then peek over at him.

Then I do a double take. What the hell?

“Oh my God, Liam!” I turn toward him and study his face. The living room is dark except for the glow of the TV. Reaching out, I palm his cheek and tilt it closer. “What happened?” I whisper. He has two black eyes, his nose is busted, and his cheeks are swollen and red.

“The fugitive was a fighter. It’s no big deal.”

“Really?” I pop a brow, not believing a word of his shit. “Was he twice your size? Or get you when you weren’t looking? I’ve never seen you look this bad before.” Worry coats my voice as I examine him in shock. He’s been in fights before, but this looks like a one-way brawl. “Did you even get a punch in?”

He shrugs, wincing when he shifts on the couch.

“What hurts?” I ask. “Let me get you some ice or something. Did you take anything for the pain? I have some Icy Hot.”

“Maddie, stop.” He grabs my wrist, rubbing the pad of his thumb over my butterfly tattoo—that he’s mentioned a few times he loves—to keep me close. “I’m okay. I just wasn’t as prepared as I normally am, and he got a couple of swings on me. I handled it.”

My gaze follows to where he’s holding me, and then I let it wander down his body and back up to the little smirk planted on his face. “Well, you kinda look like shit.”

“I know.” His shoulders slump as he releases me. “So tell me what I missed the past couple of days.”

Settling into the couch, I rehash school and how intense our rehearsals have been since the recital is this weekend. We stayed late Monday and Tuesday and will have to be there tomorrow and Friday to run through the show from beginning to end. Considering the stage crew still needed to fix a few technical issues, all of us were let go early, so I’m glad Liam came home.

“Think you’ll make it Saturday? I got everyone tickets,” I say.

“Yeah.” He looks at me and smiles. “Wouldn’t miss it.”

The back-to-back rehearsals over the past few days have been exhausting, but I think we’re ready for tonight. I’ve been looking forward to the jazz recital all semester, and as it’s the final one of the school year, it’s a bit bittersweet. Joel and I have been practicing hard, pushing ourselves to the max to make sure every move is timed perfectly. The jazz dancers will perform three routines after the ballet and contemporary pieces. Then the seniors finish with a huge showcase finale, and I’m excited that I’ll be a part of that next year.

“Maddie!” Joel shouts before wrapping his arms around my waist. “We’re gonna kill it.”

“Hells yeah!” We high-five. “Do I look okay?”

He makes a big show of eyeing me up and down, then tilts his head from side to side and twirls his finger to have me spin around. “Really?” I laugh.