Always Mine, page 6
She smiles at my determination, then wraps her arm around my shoulder and squeezes. “I have no doubt that you will.”
Operation Break Liam Down has already been activated. I just hope he doesn’t break me first.
Chapter Three
Liam
The holidays are always hard for me and have been since my parents got a divorce. Being shipped from one household to the other got old fairly quick. Eventually, I decided that I never wanted to see my mother again after what she did. She had no problem giving up custody and forcing my father to raise me alone. While she was busy gallivanting around with her boss—a man twice her age who was also married with children—my father worked his ass off as a single dad. I’m convinced that some people aren’t meant to be parents, but I still don’t get how she could be so selfish.
I understand the concept of falling out of love with your spouse—not personally because my relationships have never lasted longer than a weekend—but what she did to my father and how she treated us is unforgivable. No child should ever feel like they’re an inconvenience or not wanted, and she did, single-handedly destroying our family without apology. Thanksgiving and Christmas are always a reminder of that time in my childhood.
While my friends had their cheery family gatherings, I was left wondering why Santa Claus didn’t come to my mother’s house. Some wounds cut so deep they never heal. My father was livid. He’s the only one who ever cared about me and still does.
My mother is the main reason I don’t do relationships or trust women. Who’s to say the same won’t happen to me? If she could abandon someone as amazing as my father, then I believe it could happen to anyone—even me. Losing her love nearly destroyed my father. Hell, it destroyed me too. Being uncommitted is easier, especially with how demanding my job is and how much I travel.
After I decided to cut ties with my mother, I stopped caring about this time of year. My father eventually moved on, and his new wife is as sweet as pie and tries her hardest to make him happy. It gives me a little hope and shows me that maybe all women aren’t evil bitches, but I’d rather not test my luck. Most of the women I’ve met have no desire to actually get to know the real me anyway. They want what they can see, and it’s enough for me. My dad and my friends are all I’ll ever need.
Over the years, Hunter and Mason have become my family, and considering we all have parent issues, there’s a mutual understanding not to discuss them. It’s easier. The three of us have spent countless drama-free holidays together. Friends are the family you choose, and we’ve chosen each other time and again. They’re my brothers.
The day after Christmas, I get a lead on a guy I’ve been searching for and end up staking out for three days before I find him hiding in an abandoned building in Oklahoma. I managed to unexpectedly tackle his ass to the ground.
Late last night, I stumble in after a red-eye flight and sleep like a rock. The only thing that wakes me is my stomach grumbling. Though I feel as if I could lie in bed for a week straight, I go down to the kitchen. It’s just past eleven, and I’m not fully awake yet, but I manage to pop two pieces of bread in the toaster.
“You gonna eat that?” Maddie asks—standing way too close to me—as I spread peanut butter on one side and then smear jelly on the other. The girl has never heard of personal space. Over the past month that Maddie’s been living here, she’s gotten in mine more times than I can count, regardless of me openly ignoring her advances.
I look at her like she’s crazy, but it doesn’t faze her. “Yeah,” I grumble.
In one swift movement, she snatches the piece of toast from my plate and takes a huge bite. The peanut butter sticks to the roof of her mouth, but it doesn’t stop her from speaking. “Thanks a billion!”
Taking two steps toward her, I close the gap between us and yank it from her grip, not giving two shits that she ate some. Going back to my other piece covered with jam, I smash them together and walk to the living room.
“Make your own, freeloader.”
“But I’m the guest!” she whines and follows. I roll my eyes as I sit on the couch. She’s pulled that card more than once too. Considering she’s on winter break, doesn’t have a car, and no longer lives on campus, she spends all her time cooped up in the house. It’s made things difficult for me because she intentionally shows off her body by practicing her routines, doing yoga, or walking around half-naked in booty shorts and a sports bra. When she pushes the couch back to dance, I can’t seem to keep my eyes off her. And she fucking knows it too.
“Anyone who stays over two weeks has worn out their welcome,” I say, but the truth is I’d rather have her here and know she’s safe. Without a doubt, there are guys on campus who look at her like a piece of meat, and she’s so careless about her surroundings that I worry about her. I’m not the only one who’s protective of her. Sophie is too. Maddie’s sweet but too friendly at times.
Chuckling, she sits in the recliner, looping her legs over the side, and watches me. “So does that make us roommates now? Because you know what that officially means,” she teases, waggling her brows suggestively.
I glare at her, not wanting to discuss this.
“Just ask Hunter and Lennon. Or Mason and Sophie. So it’s just a matter of—”
“What are you talking about?” Sophie asks as she walks downstairs.
“Nothing,” Maddie singsongs like she’s innocent.
“Quit giving him a hard time. He looks exhausted.” Sophie narrows her eyes at Maddie, then turns and smiles at me sympathetically. “Ignore her.”
“Easier said than done.” I’ve tried to avoid Maddie, but it’s nearly impossible. Before she moved in, I purposely kept my distance. While I make jokes about her being here, it’s not all fun and games. The attraction is undeniable, always has been, but she’s waiting for me to crack so my guard is constantly up.
She’s a beautiful woman, and any man would be lucky to have her as his, but it can’t be me. I can’t cross that line with her again. Trusting anyone of the opposite sex is hard enough, but knowing she’s younger and still hasn’t experienced life in her own way gnaws at me. Plus, I wouldn’t want to fuck up anything between us. If I hurt Maddie—which I inevitably would because I can’t give her the kind of relationship she deserves—Sophie and Lennon would track me down and chop off my balls. I can’t risk hurting anyone. They all mean too much to me.
“I heard you won’t be here for New Year’s Eve tomorrow,” Sophie says, taking a seat on the couch. “Sad you’ll miss the party.”
Maddie’s eyes widen, and her jaw drops. I haven’t mentioned it to either of them, only Mason. And of course, he blabbed.
“What? Where are you going?” Maddie asks as if she’s offended I didn’t tell her.
“Out of town.” I keep my response short, but she’ll try to pry anyway.
As Maddie opens her mouth, Sophie intervenes and points a finger at her. “Stop.”
Maddie ignores Sophie and smirks. “Now who am I gonna kiss to ring in the new year then? Guess I better update my dating profile.” Pulling out her phone, Maddie swipes her screen. “In search of New Year’s Eve hottie to kiss at midnight and possibly more.” She types frantically as she speaks aloud.
Though I know she’s purposely trying to get under my skin, I go to the kitchen and set my plate in the sink. Once it’s rinsed, I grab a bottle of water from the fridge before returning to the living room. I open and chug half when I overhear Maddie’s conversation.
“I doubt anyone will buy my virginity because my boobs are too small,” she states so casually as if she’s talking about the weather, and I choke loudly on my drink. Everyone turns and stares at me.
“What do you think, Liam?” Maddie looks up at me with a smirk as I wipe water off my chin. She knows damn well I’ve seen her tits and enjoys putting me on the spot in front of Sophie and Mason.
I clear my throat. “Uh…I’m walking away now.” I return to the kitchen and throw my now empty water bottle in the trash.
Sophie comes in, puts a K-cup into the Keurig and looks at me with worried eyes. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, I just need a vacation, I think. Main reason I’m getting away. Wanna clear my mind.” This time of year always gets to me, but I don’t go there. Some things are better left unsaid.
Sophie smiles sweetly as grab her creamer from the fridge. “I understand that more than you know.”
I chuckle. “I’m sure. All that banging must be exhausting, Soph.”
“Hardy, har har. You all have so many sex jokes these days. Hopefully, it will get old, and you can start picking on someone else,” she says with a grin.
“Probably won’t.” I shrug. “It’s fun watching you chew rocks, though.”
“You deserve to be slapped for that one,” she teases. “So what time are you flying out?”
“Bright and early. Five a.m.,” I tell her, and she gives me a look but doesn’t say anything. I already mentioned to Mason that I’d miss our New Year’s get-together.
She shifts on her feet and lowers her voice. “Is it to see a lady friend?”
I laugh so hard I nearly stop breathing. “It’s not like that at all, but I find it more than hilarious you’d even ask, considering how well you know me.”
Sophie shrugs and shoots me a wink. “I know you don’t kiss and tell, but I thought I’d check, you know, considering my little sister thinks you two are destined to get married someday.”
I suck in a deep breath and exhale slowly. “I’d like to keep my balls intact, thank you very much.”
“Perfect response, because you know I’d rip them off,” she states before leading the way back to the living room. Before I go to my room to pack a bag, Maddie speaks up, stopping me.
“You’re really going out of town again?” She pouts, searching my face.
“I’ll be back in a few days. Not a big deal.” I shrug it off. I’m gone most of the time.
She chews on her bottom lip and narrows her eyes at me. “What are you really up to, Hulk?”
“I should be asking you the same question,” I throw back, but she doesn’t respond and looks at me as if she’s trying to read my mind. Time briefly stands still before I force myself to walk away. Though I slept most of the day, I wanna try to get to bed at a decent time because I have to wake up at two, and I’m still exhausted from the past four days of traveling. At this rate, I won’t be surprised if I fall asleep before the sun sets.
Grabbing a small duffel bag, I put a few pairs of jeans and a few nice shirts inside but not anything too fancy. All I want to do when I get to Vegas is hang out in the casino, let loose, and enjoy my days off. Gambling is a fun way to pass the time and maybe win some money. While I don’t have a problem walking away when I need to, I’ve lost quite a bit, but I’ve also won close to thirty grand in poker tournaments. Winning first place was the moment I realized how lucrative a sport it is, and I’m good enough to beat some of the top players. Tomorrow, there’s a game to qualify to play in the New Year’s Eve tournament, and it’s big money. As soon as I got the invite, I booked a flight even though it was last minute.
After I pack, I go to the gym to pass some time. I work out hard, lifting heavy weights, then find a mat in the back corner and stretch. A smile touches my lips when I think about kicking Maddie’s ass at yoga last month. The shock on her face is something I’ll never forget, along with the satisfaction of her cooking for me. Considering she’s competitive by nature, I knew she’d take the bait. Hook, line, and sinker. Once I’m done, I take a shower, then stop to eat before heading home.
I drive the long way back to give me more time to get my mind straight. During the holidays, fugitives tend to let down their guard and show their faces. I’ve tracked down more than my fair share over the past several weeks, and I can’t complain too much because it’s given me bigger paydays. That, combined with it being my most hated time of the year, has left me in a shit mood.
Once I pull into the driveway, I park, then walk inside. The house smells amazing, and I immediately follow the scent into the kitchen where Maddie and Sophie are baking. Christmas carols are playing from one of their phones, and they’re grinning ear to ear. Just because I’m a scrooge doesn’t mean I want to ruin their time, so I put on a happy face to appease them.
“Whatcha up to?” I ask, snatching a sugar cookie from the cooling rack. It’s still warm when I take a bite.
“It’s Hallmark movie night!” Maddie cheerfully says. “And don’t you dare steal another cookie.”
I reach for another one, and she swats my way while Sophie scolds me. “I told Mason he couldn’t have one, and neither can you. The only way to get any of these cookies is to watch a movie with us. It was a hard no from him.”
“Seriously?” I ask, popping the rest of the warm gooey deliciousness in my mouth.
“He can’t handle it,” Maddie says to Sophie, who’s pouring a large glass of milk.
“Is that a bet?” I glance at her, smirking.
She arches a brow. “Maybe it is.”
“What are the stakes?” I ask as Sophie grabs her cup and a plate of cookies. I follow them into the living room. Though Christmas is officially over, an outsider looking in would think it hasn’t even started yet. The tree is still lit, and the nativity scene and all the décor Sophie put up weeks ago are still sitting out. They plop on the couch and turn to the Hallmark Channel.
“Two hours of watching the movie we want, and I’ll bake you a dozen cookies for yourself,” Maddie says.
“And if I don’t make it?” I ask, knowing there’s another side to this.
“Then you can’t leave to go out of town tomorrow,” Maddie states confidently.
“Damn,” Sophie says around a mouthful. “Not a bet I’d take.”
Maddie’s beaming, knowing she’s backed me into a corner. If I take the bet and lose, I’ll be forced to stay here, and if I object to it completely, she’ll hang it over my head forever, not letting it go. But if I survive one movie, I get delicious cookies and another win to gloat about.
“I want two dozen, twelve for every hour I have to sit here and be bored to death.”
I hold out my hand, ready to shake on the deal. She looks as if she’s contemplating this, wondering if it’s a trick or not. “Nah. You’re up to something.”
I chuckle, then shrug. “Guess you remember the lesson you learned last time.”
Sophie’s eyes go wide. “Last time? What are you guys talking about?”
“Nothing,” Maddie hurriedly says.
Muting the TV, Sophie turns, giving me her full attention. Sometimes when she gives me that look, it’s scary, and right now is one of those times. “Someone better spill it, or I’m gonna kick some asses.”
I pretend to be annoyed, but happily tell Sophie what happened, and she’s almost as shocked as Maddie was.
“Are ya gonna show me some of these poses?” she asks with a smirk as if she’s holding back her laughter.
“So you can use them in the bedroom?” I tease, and she glowers at me.
“I actually might kick your ass for that!” Sophie says, but all I can do is chuckle.
As soon as the couple who spent the entire movie in a fake relationship almost kiss for the tenth time, and Maddie and Sophie both let out awws in unison—when the kiss finally happens—I’m out, but at that point, it’s over. When I stand, they start talking shit, but the credits run immediately after, so I start walking toward the staircase.
“If you would’ve shaken on it, you’d be baking me twenty-four cookies right now,” I tell Maddie, and she snorts.
“But I didn’t have to waste a bet for you to watch it with us,” she says.
I tell them good night, then go to my room. I fall asleep regardless of the excitement of flying out in the morning. When I wake up, the house is quiet, and because I’ve given myself some wiggle room, I make a cup of coffee and notice a Ziploc bag full of cookies with a note on the kitchen counter.
Just for you, Hulk. See you next year.
-Mads
A smile touches my lips as I grab a pen and write a thank you with a smiley face on the paper. Sometimes she’s too damn sweet for her own good. I take them, load my bag, then drive to the airport. The flight is quiet because it’s so early, and I surprisingly even get some sleep on the way there.
After we land, I pick up my rental car and make it to the Bellagio without any issues. My room for the next two nights is fully comped because of the number of games I’ve played over the past year. That’s the thing about casinos; if you sit there for hours, cashing in money for chips, they give you free shit to encourage you to come back and lose what you won. Free rooms, massages, food and drinks galore, and sometimes they’ll even offer you suites and Cuban cigars.
After I check in to my room, I go downstairs and grab food from the breakfast buffet and drink another cup of coffee. I finally feel awake and ready to play some poker, even if the sun just rose. Vegas is a city that never sleeps—the booze, gambling, and parties last as long as you can handle it.
To warm up, I pull out a few hundred-dollar bills, exchange them for chips, then sit down at a blackjack table. There’s an older couple who smiles at me as I buy in. Each hand is twenty bucks, and I play some rounds. I win a few and lose others, and after an hour, I break even. Taking my chips, I get up and find my way to the poker room. It’s extremely elite and home to the World Poker Tour tournament.
I pay my fee for the two p.m. no-limit hold ’em game that’s hosted every day, then get on a waitlist for a low-stakes cash game. As I’m standing around, one of the guys who played in the Five Diamond tourney with me a few weeks ago makes his way toward me.
“Liam!” JJ shouts with a grin. “Didn’t know you’d be in town this weekend.” JJ O’Leary has more money than he knows what to do with and always plays at the high-stakes tables. He’s risky, makes bets when he shouldn’t, and tries to bluff his way through each hand. Meanwhile, every move I make is calculated, and I take the game seriously. The bottom line is never taking a bet I don’t think I’ll win.
