Read Always for Free Online Page B

know it was you right away. When I asked who it was, she wouldn’t answer. She just stood there with a smile on her face. So I looked out the window, and that’s when I noticed you walking away. I panicked, Teeg. I wasn’t sure how to explain the situation to you. So I told you it wasn’t a good time, hoping I would get a little more time to figure out how to explain now that you’d actually met her.”
    “Wow,” she said, shocked. It wasn’t the answer she expected or a very good excuse.
    “What?”
    She shook her head. “Nothing, Liam.”
    He sighed. “I left after you did, you know. Lucy got me mad. She watched you walk away from me and thought it was funny.” He shook his head too. “I drove around for a bit, thinking about some things, then I came to your house, hoping you’d be there. You weren’t, so I waited.”
    “I went to Claire’s. I’m surprised you didn’t figure that out. If I wasn’t home or with you, where else would I be?”
    “I should have known.” He shrugged.
    “Yeah, you should have.” She finally smiled, too tired to fight with him and not really wanting to. At least he was being honest with her. Right then, he seemed to know the worst part was over. So he apparently decided he might as well push his luck by kissing her, and she didn’t fight him. His lips were soft, plump, and familiar. She moaned, wanting nothing more at that moment than having him and loving him. The need to trust him overpowered her, because not doing so hurt too much.
    When the kiss finished, she leaned her head against his. Smiling, she then kissed him quickly once more. “I want to believe you, Liam, because I love you too. I truly do.”
     
    ***
     
    “Why didn’t you tell me she was back?” Susan hissed, and James looked flushed. She, James, Liam, and Teegan had just arrived at the abandoned waterfront, hoping for a day of relaxation and fun when they noticed they had company.
    “Yeah, James, I know what Lucy is to Liam, but what exactly is she to you?” Teegan’s curiosity had gotten the best of her.
    “Oh, I can answer that,” Susan snapped. “She’s the slut he slept with when we began dating.”
    “James,” Lucy called from the other side of the beach. She ran toward them and rudely walked into Susan, pushing her to the side. “It’s so good to see you again. Did you get my message?”
    Liam, Susan, and James all spoke at once, “What message?”
    “Must have slipped my mind,” Teegan butted in. “Lucy here apparently was hoping to see you again before she left.” She narrowed her eyes and could hear Susan grinding her teeth.
    When Lucy tried to get closer to him, James sidestepped her and wrapped his arms around Susan. “The message was unnecessary, Lucy. I love Susan and have no interest in what you have to offer me now, or ever again, for that matter.”
    “Is that right?” She laughed. “Isn’t that too bad.”
    “Listen you—” Susan lunged for her, but James caught her in time and hauled her back.
    Lucy turned to Liam and laughed as he mimicked James and moved behind Teegan. He wrapped his arms around her the same way James had done with Susan.
    “Liam, don’t be like that, lover—”
    “Cut the shit, Lucy. We haven’t been anything for over a year, so don’t start with me. I’m with Teegan now, so back the fuck off.”
    Lucy laughed again before narrowing her eyes. “Oh, is that how it’s going to be?” she said, laughing again. Eyeing Teegan over her shoulder, Lucy began to walk away. “It’s over when I say it is, got it?”
    “Whatever,” Liam muttered before turning to look at his girlfriend again. “I’m sorry about that. I didn’t know she’d be here today. Are you okay?”
    Teegan nodded. “I really don’t like that girl, but I’ll be all right.” After sighing, she forced herself to smile for him. “Thanks for putting her in her place, though.”
    “Anytime, Sunshine. Have I told you how much I love you today?”
    “Why, I don’t