I chuckle, amused by his offended expression, and finally take the helmet. As I can’t help but smile, Liam seems to relax a little too. He suddenly grabs my hand, making me all nervous again, and gently pulls me closer. I feel the chills go up my spine, and sure enough, our lips finally meet for a kiss.
It’s a very simple short kiss, but it sends some delicious heat waves throughout my whole body. Liam’s leather glove around my neck is driving me crazy… When we part, I’m definitely blushing and hotter than I should be. However, seeing him smile softly is all that I need. I put on the helmet with my shaky fingers and hop on behind him in a hurry to hide my inner turmoil. I can’t calm down just like that, though. Too close for comfort, as they say. Although I like being the one to drive, hugging Liam from behind isn’t too bad…
“Where are we going?” he asks, suddenly bringing me back to reality.
“Oh, uh, the university pool.”
He freezes and turns his head to me with a frown.
“The pool? …Are you sure?”
“I know, but yeah. I’ll explain once we get there.”
He nods and starts his bike, apparently already knowing where to go. The powerful roar of the engine excites me a little, although we’re not going far. Plus, holding on to Liam’s leather jacket is a bit… enticing. I missed his warmth. As we ride across the campus, I’m shamelessly holding on to him as close as I can. Moon Goddess, I really missed him.
The ride is almost too short, and soon, he stops in front of some old white building.
Wow, the university pool is about as old as Kelsi had said. The blue letters are even fading a bit, and for a minute, I’m afraid it’s going to be closed. A bit reluctantly, I get down from the bike as Liam turns the engine off.
“Haven’t you had enough water already?” he asks with a sigh while I take the helmet off.
“I... got an unexpected clue earlier,” I admit.
“…The voices again?”
His frown reminds me that I already told him about that too. I shake my head.
“No… I mean, I did hear them today, but it’s okay, I think I can control them now. No, I think I found a way to get in contact with… Mara.”
Liam doesn’t hide his surprise. He stays speechless for a second, but then he gets off his bike and puts the chain on quickly before turning to me.
“You said, Mara?”
“The other Mara,” I explain. “I think she’s… still inside me somewhere.”
“Ma-… I mean, you do understand how complicated and fucked up that is?” he sighs.
“Well, we can just add that to the list,” I retort, pushing the helmet to him. “Liam, honestly, I still don’t have all the answers and it may get weirder from here on out. So, if you don’t feel ready for this shit…”
“No, no, Mara, wait.”
He grabs my hand again, sending butterflies to my stomach. I look at his eyes, quite blue today. How does he ride a bike with one of them being blind…? I have a hundred stupid thoughts coming to my mind but really, I’m just crazy about the touch of his hand on mine. It’s like I can’t focus when he’s this close.
He looks down at our hands touching, and takes a deep breath.
“I’m… sorry about how I reacted yesterday,” he says. “I didn’t mean to hurt you or anything. I… I’m just… My father was a fucking jerk, and to think that you’re… maybe… another victim of his in some way, and… my…”
“Liam, I’m not your half-sister,” I retort. “I know I’m not!”
“Alright, alright,” he says.
He pulls me in for a hug, taking me by surprise again. Moon Goddess, he smells so alluring… I feel his strong arms wrap around me, and his large hand on my nape.
“I trust you, okay? I’ve decided, I… I’ll trust you. It’s just that I can’t help being scared of the answers we’ll find, how much dirt we’re gonna have to dig up. I’m… I don’t want to lose you, and I’m afraid one of us is going to regret it once we find the answers.”
I take a deep breath and hug him back.
I understand his concerns, but I just… I don’t know where I get this faith from. In Mara and in Clarissa. I don’t really care about his father, I just need my answers, about everything.
