A flicker of self-pride sparked to life in my heart. Which was a very rare feeling I couldn’t help but grapple onto, to carry me through this moment.
Trey’s stare intensified, but his face softened at my confession. His hands that clenched in my dress tightened and tugged me closer. One of his hands left my thin dress to grasp around the back of my neck with his thumb caressing my cheek. He tilted his face down to me so his forehead could rest against mine as he whispered, “This is not a game, May.”
I wanted to fall apart in this wonderful fever dream. There was no way that this was reality. The way he held me. The way his emerald gaze pierced my very soul. The way his lips parted. The way he smelled of spicy cinnamon. The way his head lowered to me; his breath minty sweet. The way he was about to gift me my first kiss, on a beach in the moonlight.
This could not be real.
But it was…
Because just as his breath mingled with mine. His other large hand now pulled and splayed across the smallof my back. His lips briefly lightly met with mine, Trey halted.
“What the fuck?”
Huh, weird how the voice in my head sounds just like Liam.
Trey lifted his face from mine, peering over my shoulder. He filled in the confused silence with one word, “Liam.”
I understood then.
I slowly turned from him to face my twin, who had a bottle in one hand, the redhead his tongue was assaulting earlier under his other and pain in his eyes. Like a knife were in his back and the blade kept twisting the longer he took in the scene before him.
The girl under his arm looked at me. Her intelligent eyes took in the scene, obviously trying to make sense of Liam’s reaction.
Panicked, I glanced at Trey. He was staring at Liam, but he was holding onto the back of my sweater, still keeping me close, keeping me safe. My panic ebbed with that discovery. I let out a quiet, relieved sigh, thankful that it was too dark for anyone to notice the blush that now invaded my cheeks.
“What the hell is going on here?” Liam bit out.
My joints threatened to lock up in response to his anger, but I internally reminded myself that this was Liam. Liam wouldn’t hurt me. He may be upset, but he would never hurt me.
“Nothing’s going on, Liam. We’re just enjoying our night, same as you,” I answered, hoping to douse his rage with cool and collected responses.
He shook his head defiantly. “No, no, no, absolutely not.” He removed his arm from around the redhead. His beer sloshed as he shoved his drink into her hands before he closed the distance between me and him. “It’s time for you to go home, May.”
Without warning, Liam sloppily grabbed my forearm and yanked for me to follow him. I was floored. Sostunned, I didn’t know how to function for a split second.
Liam had left me. He abandoned me after he promised to watch out for me. Now, he was angry I was with someone who had followed through with the promise he made. And he forcibly grabbed me—he laid his hands on me when he knew… He knew.
Against every nerve in my body trying to lock up against the aggression, I tore my arm free from his hold. “Get off of me, Liam!”
My demand held no sway as Liam instantly turned back and reached for me again. But Trey was a wall separating us.
“Liam, let’s calm down and talk,” Trey tried to coax as he extended a hand toward him, but my brother smacked it away.
“No, there is no way I’m leaving you alone on a dark beach with my sister.”
Trey stopped, taking a step back toward me. “You know she’s safe with me; I would never hurt her.”
“Nope, you’ll hook up with any girl that shows the least bit of interest. And my sister is not about to be added to that list as a high school finale or some shit like that.”
Trey scoffed. “And what are you doing right now?” he accused, eyes darting to the forgotten girl still holding Liam’s beer.
Before Liam could answer, the redhead shook her head and handed him his drink back. “Find me when you’re done with the family drama.” Without another word, she stomped off, back toward the fire, leaving the three of us alone.
Liam raked his hands through his hair and paced. Trey rubbed an exasperated palm over his face. I folded my sweaty fingers together, nervous from the tension. I was pretty sure that this was their first fight ever. These boys never fought over trivial things like sports, girls—but now—they fought because of me.
I really could do nothing right.
Hoping to fix what I broke, I held to that barely lit up confidence that had spurred to life in me. I stepped out from behind Trey and closer to my twin. “Liam, I understand you’re just trying to look out for me, but we’re good. And I can look out for myself.”
