Liam & Maddie Duet

Chapter 3-1

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 a*s 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 a*s 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-n***d in booty shorts and a sports b*a. When she pushes the couch back to dance, I can’t seem to keep my eyes off her. And she f*****g 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 c***k, 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 s*x 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 f**k 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 t**s 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 she grabs 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 s*x 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 a*s 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 s**t mood.