“Hey, brat.”
She ignored the jab. “In a bad mood?”
I guess you could say that. “I’m just frustrated.”
“About what?”
“There’s this girl…” It was such a long story I didn’t even want to explain it.
Liam cocked an eyebrow. “Scotty is having trouble in paradise? I’ve never heard of that before.”
“She’s just…different.” I couldn’t explain it better than that.
“Different how?” Keira asked.
“She doesn’t want to go out with me,” I said bluntly.
Liam smirked. “I think you just don’t like to be rejected.”
It was more than that. I didn’t know why, but it was. “I don’t think so.”
“The girl from the library?” Keira asked.
“Yeah,” I said sadly.
“She’s too smart for you,” Keira said bluntly. “Not your type at all.”
“I’m smart,” I argued.
“Maybe book smart, but not street smart,” she said.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I snapped.
“You live a promiscuous lifestyle, not knowing the quality girls from the trash. If she was reading in the library, I can guarantee she’s nothing like that. You guys are from different planets. She probably knows about your reputation and is smart enough to stay clear.”
That got under my skin. I wasn’t sure why. “Liam was the biggest playboy I ever knew and now he’s settled down with you.”
“Your point?” Liam asked.
“I can be that way too.” Why did I just say that?
Keira cocked an eyebrow. “Wow. You really like this girl.”
“Do you even know her?” Liam asked.
“Not really,” I admitted. “We had our first conversation today. But she’s really cool, and she’s unbelievably gorgeous. I’m not sure why I’m so obsessed with her. I haven’t stopped thinking about her since I first saw her.”
Keira’s eyes softened. “Don’t give up on her if you feel that way.”
I shook my head. “She made it crystal clear that nothing was going to happen. We’re just friends.”
‘Then be friends,” Liam said. “Be the best friend you could possibly be.”
I cocked an eyebrow when I looked at him. “What?”
“Does she have a boyfriend or something?” he asked.
“No,” I answered.
“Why won’t she date you?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” I said with a shrug. “She just said she isn’t dating.”
“Then be her friend, like I said,” Liam said. “Make her trust you first.”
“That’s a long shot,” I said bitterly.
“If you really like her, try. If not, move on,” Keira said.
Now I just had to make that decision.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Livia
A knock on my door on Saturday morning made my eyes pop open. I wasn’t an early riser. I preferred to stay up late and paint then sleep until the afternoon. As an artist, I had a different internal clock than everyone else.
I groaned then walked to the front door. When I saw Ash on the other side, I sighed.
I opened the door. “What?”
“Aren’t you supposed to be somewhere?”
It was eight in the morning. “No.”
“Everyone is playing baseball today and I want you to go.”
“Baseball? Everyone? What are you talking about?”
“Bran and his buddies are playing a match. You’re going.”
Why was he bossing me around and making me socialize with other people all of a sudden? “Just leave me alone, Ash.” I tried to shut the door but he caught it.
“No, you won’t tell me what your problem is but I’m determined to fix it.”
I glared at him. “I’m a pathetic loser. That’s what my problem is.”
He met my attitude with his own. “No. I don’t accept that.”
“My life is a series of bad decisions. I accept that so why don’t you?”
His eyes furrowed. “Bad decisions? Name one bad decision. Because I can’t.”
“I decided to paint.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “And…? Your point?”
“It’s a stupid passion.”
“No, it’s not,” he snapped. “Don’t let Mom and Dad make you think ill of yourself. You’re very talented at what you do. If you just told them how successful you are, they would be supportive.”
“But I don’t want them to be supportive just because I’m successful. They should be proud of me anyway.”
He couldn’t argue with that. “I agree. But that doesn’t make it a bad decision.”
“I’ve lost all my friends…”
“Then go get them back.”
And I let something much worse happen. But I could never confess that to Ash.
“You’re playing ball with everyone,” he said firmly.
“No. If you aren’t going, why do I have to go?”
“I have to study.”
“Oh, you actually do that?” I said sarcastically.
“Come on. Bran and his friends are nice. And a girl will be there too.”
“Ash, no.”
He stood closer to me, his height dwarfing me. “You can just do as I ask, or I can force you to do as I ask. What’s it going to be?”
I knew he wouldn’t stop pestering me about this. “I’m not even dressed.”
“Then go get dressed,” he snapped.
I sighed then walked into my room and changed. I put on my Padres baseball cap, my jean shorts, a loose top, and my running shoes. I didn’t wear make up because I never did.
I walked back out then put my hands on my hips. “Okay. I’m ready.”
“Let’s go.”
When we pulled up to the field, I saw Scotty. He was wearing a cut off shirt that showed his lat muscles. The lack of sleeves showed his toned and defined arms. I could see his prominent calves and thick thighs through his running shorts.
After our last meeting, I realized he was a good guy. He backed off like I asked, and even wanted something from me that no one else ever did. He wanted to be my friend. That was a nice change.
“Now get out and have fun.” Ash practically pushed me out of his truck.
I rolled my eyes. “When are you going to pick me up?”
“Have one of the guys take you home.”
“No,” I hissed. “Pick me up.”
“Fine. Just go.”
“Just walk over there…by myself?”
He shook his head then killed the engine. “Am I taking you to kindergarten for the first time?” He jumped out then walked with me to the diamond.
“Hey, Ash.” Bran spotted him first. “Come to get your ass kicked?”
“Actually, my sister came to get her ass kicked.” He nudged me forward. “Hope you don’t mind babysitting for a while.”
Bran eyed my legs then looked back at his brother. “Not in the least.”
Creep.
“Well, I have to run,” my brother said. “I’ll see you later.” He turned and walked back to his truck.
I couldn’t believe he was ditching me like this. I barely knew any of these people and I had to socialize with them like we were friends? Where do I even begin?
Bran smirked at me. “So, you like the Padres, huh?”
“Yeah.” I really disliked this guy.
“I have a baseball card collection. You should come to my place and take a look.” He winked at me.
Ugh.
Scotty came to my side, a serious look on his face. “Hey. Glad you could join us.”
“Yeah…but I admit I was forced.”
He laughed lightly. “I can tell.”
Bran kept staring at me.
Scotty picked up on it. “She’s off limits.”
He played dumb. “What are you talking about?”
“Leave her alone,” he threatened. “I mean it.�
��
Bran rolled his eyes and walked away.
Scotty was my hero. “Thank you.”
“No problem.” He kept a foot between us. “But he really is a good guy. He just makes an idiot out of himself in front of pretty girls.”
He thought I was pretty?
“Let me introduce you to everyone else.” He walked in front of me, and I noted his back muscles when he swung his arms. “This is Tony. We met in high school.” Then he moved to the fighter I recognized. “This is Liam, my cousin-in-law.”
“Not yet,” the big guy said.
“Whatever,” Scotty said. “Same thing.”
Liam extended his hand and shook mine. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You too,” I said quietly.
A petite girl handed Liam a water bottle.
“This is my fiancé, Keira,” Liam explained.
They were an adorable couple. “It’s nice to meet you,” I said as I shook her hand.
“So, who are you here with?” Keira asked.
I didn’t know how to explain that. My brother dropped me off because I was a hermit.
“She’s my friend,” Scotty said. “We’re working on a project together.”
Liam and Keira’s eyes both flashed with something. They looked at him then turned away.
What was that about?
“Let’s get started,” Bran said.
I counted the number of people. “We don’t have enough players.”
Scotty smiled. “We play a different version of baseball. The batter will hit the ball as hard as they can and try to run around the bases as many times as possible. Every time they hit home plate, it’s a point.”
“Sounds like a lot of running,” I said with a laugh.
“Which is why Keira usually wins,” Liam said while he looked at his fiancé affectionately.
I wish I had someone like that. But I never would.
When I looked at Scotty, he was watching me closely.
“Let’s get this game started,” Tony said.
We separated into two teams of three. Bran was the first one to bat. After Keira pitched the ball to him a few times, he finally hit it across the field. Then he took off at a run.
Scotty ran into the outfield then threw it at home plate.
I scooped it up then got Bran out before he could make the first point. “Out.”
Bran sighed. “Damn.”
Liam was up next. He gave Keira a dark look while he held the bat. She didn’t seem intimidated by him at all. She pitched the ball and he hit on the first try.
“Shit, that went far,” Tony said.
Scotty sprinted then got the ball. He threw it hard across the field, and I scooped it into my glove while it rolled across the ground. When I went to tag Liam, he already passed home plate.
I tried to tag him out but he made it to home plate again.
“Two points, baby!” Liam held up his arms in victory.
Keira rolled her eyes. “Wait until I bat.”
“And I can’t wait to chase you down and get you out,” Liam threatened.
Damn, they were so cute.
Tony came up next then scored two runs. Now their team was already four points ahead of ours. Hopefully, we could catch up.
Scotty handed me the bat. “Good luck.”
“Thanks,” I said with a smile.
He stepped away then crossed his arms over his chest.
When Liam pitched the ball to me, I hit it on the first try. Using my entire body in the swing, I hit it hard across the field. It soared high in the sky then went further back than anyone else’s hit.
“Damn,” Bran said. “She knows how to hit.”
“Livia.” Scotty looked at me.
“Huh?” I kept eyeing the ball.
“Run,” he said with a laugh.
“Oh.” I laughed to myself then sprinted around the bases.
Scotty stood on home plate and started to count every time I circled the bases. “One…two…three….come on, Livia. Make it four.”
I slid into home plate before Liam could tag me.
“Four!” Scotty clapped his hands then laughed. “Wow. You’re good.”
I got to my knees then wiped my hands on my shorts.
Scotty extended his hand to help me, but then took it away suddenly, the fear in his eyes. He stepped away and gave me my space.
It was like he was scared of me. Now I felt worse for the way I yelled at him in the library. He knew I was a ticking time bomb. I got to my feet then walked behind the mound.
Scotty crossed his arms over his chest while Keira took the bat.
I suddenly felt self-conscious standing next to him. His natural scent came into my nose, and I inhaled it automatically, loving the smell.
Keira took the bat and hit the ball out of the field and over the fence. She put her hands on her hips and smiled. “Well, looks like we won.”
Liam gave her a dark look with a small smile.
They had their own silent language, something the rest of us couldn’t decipher.
“Pizza?” Bran asked.
“I’ll eat anything,” Tony said.
“We noticed,” Bran said sarcastically.
Scotty turned to me. “Do you like pizza?”
I already spent the afternoon with them. Should I eat with them too? The anxiety was taking a hold of me.
Scotty was in tune with my thoughts. He recognized my distress automatically. It was like he could read my mind. “I could drop you off at home on the way if you don’t want to come.”
“No, come,” Bran said. “I’ll show you my high score on Pac-Man.”
Scotty rolled his eyes. “Ignore him. His score wasn’t even that high.”
“It was higher than yours,” Bran snapped.
“I never played,” Scotty snapped back.
“Because you know you’ll lose.” Bran stuck his tongue out at Scotty then walked away.
“Anyway…” Scotty chuckled then looked at me. “Some of my friends are a little immature.”
“I noticed.” A smile stretched my face.
“I don’t mind taking you home. But I think you’d have a good time if you came. We usually play pool when we’re done.”
The reassurance in his eyes made me want to say yes. Even though I hadn’t known Scotty for very long, I was warming up to him quickly. Ever since he said we could just be friends I felt closer to him. The pressure was off. I wasn’t a piece of meat he was trying to sink his teeth into. “Okay.”
A smile spread across his face, and his eyes brightened noticeable. “Cool. And I’ll make sure Bran leaves you alone.”
“That would be appreciated,” I said with a laugh.
We headed to our cars, and when we reached Scotty’s truck, he opened the door for me.
I stared at him like he was crazy. No one ever opened my door for me.
He waited for me to get inside. “Ladies first.”
I grabbed the dashboard for balance then climbed in. He shut the door then walked around, getting into the driver’s seat. He started the engine then turned on the radio.
“What do you like to listen to?” he asked.
“Anything but rap.”
He laughed. “Do you like alternative music?”
“Sure.” He turned on Mumford and Sons. “My favorite band.”
“Really?” I wasn’t sure why that surprised me.
“Yeah.” He pulled onto the road. “Do I look like a guy who listens to country music?”
I laughed loudly. “No, definitely not.”
“And for the record, I don’t like rap music either.”
“At least we have something in common.”
“I have a feeling we have a lot more in common.” His voice came out barely a whisper.
He stared straight ahead and kept one hand on the wheel. The other rested on the windowsill. His arms were large and toned, and I knew he worked out often. “You’re really good at baseball.”
�
��Thanks…I used to play when I was younger.”
“Cool. Did you play anything else?”
“Soccer and basketball.”
He seemed impressed. “Now I understand why you’re so fit.”
Was that a compliment? “Did you play any sports?”
“Wrestling and football.”
“Cool.” He seemed athletic. “So, how was work last night?”
“Actually, I quit.”
“Oh…that was sudden.”
“I found something better.” He kept his eyes glued to the road.
“May I ask what?”
“You may ask me anything.” His voice was calm. “I want to be a fighter like Liam. I’m starting to train.”
I wasn’t expecting that. “Why are you interested in the sport? It seems violent and dangerous.”
“It’s something I think I’ll be good at.” He turned into the parking lot then squeezed into a parking space. “And it’s a good way for me to release my anger and emotions.”
Anger? “What are you angry about?” Shit, I shouldn’t have asked that. It was too personal.
He killed the engine but didn’t move from his seat. “My parents died when I was seventeen. I guess I’ve never really gotten over it.” He sounded defeated and lifeless.
It was so unexpected I didn’t know what to say. He shared something so personal with me, and that was amazing in itself. I felt so sorry for him. To lose both parents at such a young age was…horrible. “I’m sorry….” I didn’t know what else to say.
“Thank you.” He didn’t move from his seat, staring at his hands.
Without thinking, I reached my hand out and grabbed his. Our fingers intertwined together, locking. I felt his strong pulse underneath my fingertips. He was warm, like a personal heater.
He stared at our joined hands then squeezed mine gently. “It’s been hard, but I have good friends and Keira to get me through it.”
If Keira wasn’t a friend, what was she? “Is she your sister?”
“No. Cousin.”
Oh. “She seems nice.”
“She is. I tease her a lot but I love her.”
I smiled. “Reminds me of Ash and I.”
“Except Ash actually hates you.” The teasing look was in his eyes.
I laughed. “Yeah, he does.”
Scotty dropped my hand and opened the door. “I’m starving.”
“Me too.”
We walked inside and spotted everyone in a booth.
Unstoppable (Forehead Kisses #4) Page 5