Scum (Book 1)

40. Crossed

Liam’s POV

Last night was interesting, especially after everyone left and I tried to explain to Chey why she should stay away from Riker and Phoebe. She didn’t quite understand, and I didn’t want to spell it out, so I left it at, ‘they want to date you at the same time,’ which successfully warned the woman.

I didn’t think Chey was aware of certain stigmas, but she is, and by her own words, she didn’t want people to start thinking that she was 'open to anything.'

I know she didn’t mean that sexually, her mind just doesn’t go there yet, but I nodded along anyway, happy that she understood at least a little of what I was trying to say.

Excited and fully dressed, Chey and I leave the hotel room. We meet up with my sister and Royce in the lobby and we head out, grateful that we don’t have to stand in an extremely long line because we have some sort of VIP pass that allows us to skip it.

“This is going to be amazing,” Chey says, looking at all the attractions we can see with wide eyes that are slightly glistening from her building tears.

Jenna and Royce have already run off, so it’s just me and Chey, and I’m determined to make sure she has the time of her life.

Chey’s POV

I’ve gone on every ride at least twice, and because Liam is with me, I didn’t back out of any of them. The man is good at making me feel safe, so I’ve been following him around like my personal guardian, when in reality, it should be the opposite.

“Let’s visit the gift shop.” We just finished having a meal, so the suggestion is welcome, but our gift cards aren’t endless, and I’ve already spent a lot.

Unfortunately, my willpower is completely shattered as soon as I enter the place, and I end up buying souvenirs for everyone I care about back home. Doing the math, I’ll almost be out of money before we visit the second park, but I really want to get the things I picked.

“I bet nothing your holding is for you.” I look down, slightly frowning because I hadn’t even realized that was the case, but since Liam pointed it out, I start looking for something I would actually like.

Noticing a wolf plush, I make a beeline toward the shelf it's on, but taking in its price, there’s no way I can afford it, and still eat at the next park.

Reluctantly, I back away from the item, and head to the register. The memories I have from this trip are worth far more than any one item I can buy.

Raul, Brandon, his mate, Hector, and many of my other friends may never get this experience, so I want to bring them something that encourages them. Hopefully, they’ll look at the items and strive to visit for themselves.

Without this experience, I was willing to settle into pack life and do nothing else, but now, I want to see the world.

Liam’s POV

Chey’s easy to read, so I knew she didn’t pick up anything for herself, but I was shocked when she actually denied herself a plush that she was clearly toying with the idea of buying.

Food and snacks at this park are expensive, so I’ve already spent a third of the money allocated to me, but I refuse to allow Chey to leave this place without something for herself, so I pick up the plush, along with other knick knacks that I'll keep as random gifts, and purchase it, wincing as I’m told the total.

Fortunately, this is not my money, but even if it were, I would make sure that Chey gets exactly what she wants.

Thinking about it, I ask the cashier to give me a second, and I dart back into the store to pick up a backpack that screams ‘Cheyenne.’

She’s a lot more ‘girly’ than people know, and living with her for a few days has shown me that she's just like any other woman, she just likes fighting as well.

I look at the backpack once more before handing it to the teller. It’s beyond expensive, but Chey deserves it, and I can’t wait to surprise her with it later on.

Chey’s POV

I keep eyeing Liam’s backpack, absolutely loving it because it’s my style. It’s practically all black, but it has a white mickey mouse pattern on it that makes it look really cute to me.

Nora’s made me a lot of backpack charms, so I tend to buy solid color bags to make them stand out, and since I’ll likely be starting school sooner than later, I really should have gotten myself one.

“Do you think they carry that backpack at this park?” I ask, really hoping that I can buy it off Liam if they don’t.

“Probably not.” I frown, feeling bitter because it’s getting late. We've already ridden all the rides in the second park, and after eating, we’re going to walk through the gift shop and leave.

The park is beautiful at night, and I’m so happy that we chose to visit this place second. We’ve seen a live show, a parade, a fireworks display, and I’ve even been given a glowing wand by a passing character.

I savor my meal, not because it’s the most delicious, but because I’ll never taste the specific combinations of flavors, in this environment, ever again.

After eating, Liam and I walk through the gift shop, and because I have a little money left over, I scan through all the items, wanting to empty the gift card before leaving. I’ve already gotten gifts for everyone back home, except for the person who made this night possible.

I know Liam's been trying his best to make the trip special for me, despite the fact that I nearly ruined it by getting hurt, so if anyone deserves this bottom dollar, it’s him.

“I’ll be right outside,” the man says, allowing me to shop in peace, and when my eyes finally land on a black leather and beaded bracelet, I automatically know that I have to buy it for him.

Liam’s POV

Unlike me, Chey still has some money on her gift card, but I still want to treat her to one last thing before we go.

I order two Nutella and fruit waffles and wait for the woman in front of the gift shop. When she comes out, the food is still warm, and the look on her face is worth the amount I just paid for something I’m sure she can make at home, but it’s the experience that counts.

“Is one of those for me?” I hand the dessert to Chey, and we sit in the nearest place we can find, but as soon as we do, Jenna and Royce come giggling by, glowing from the amount of light up accessories they’re wearing.

“OH! I’m hungry!” My sister slides in and takes my waffle from me, and with a smile, Chey pushes the one meant for her back toward me.

“We can share it.” I never thought that I’d want that, but I do, and although the mood’s been made weird by my clearly intoxicated sister, we split the waffle in half and enjoy it in silence.

“What are the chances that we would have met them here?” Chey whispers, not wanting to disturb the happy couple.

“Probably the goddess letting us know it’s time to go.” I get a shy smile from Chey, one that almost made me break and kiss her, but I refrain, knowing that she wouldn’t want that.

“We should start heading out!” Royce sings, standing as he pulls my sister to her feet.

Chey follows suit, but we don’t walk together, and for some reason, the woman keeps lagging behind.

“What’s wrong?” I pause, lifting Chey’s very red face.

“I-I wanted to thank you, so I got you something.” The woman digs into her pocket and pulls out a metal box. “You don’t have to wear it, but I saw it and thought of you.” If Chey were mine, I’d be kissing her right now, despite not even knowing what’s in the box, but instead, I settle on laughter. “Is it silly?”

“Not at all.” I shrug off my backpack and open it up, letting the head of The Jungle Book wolf pop out.

“I almost got that,” she says, smiling at the wolf as though it's real.

“I know. It’s for you.” I don’t get a chance to fully examine the girl’s expression because she throws her arms around me, and I’m immediately lost in her hug.

Her snickerdoodle scent is getting stronger, and right now, I’m tempted to kiss her neck.

“Okay, okay. Enough hugging,” I say, slightly pushing the woman away.

We leave the park, drop Royce and Jenna at a bar, and return to the hotel where we’re reminded of Chey’s role.

Porsha is in the lobby, and she looks beautiful, but it’s the man she’s clinging to that I can’t take my eyes off. I don’t know him, I’ve never seen him, and I was seconds away from attacking when Chey linked her fingers with mine.

“It’s her loss,” she whispers, giving me a genuine smile that almost distracts me from my heartache before I see the man with Porsha lean in for a kiss from my peripheral vision.

It’s no wonder the woman hasn’t reached out or even shown her face to me this whole trip. She was with someone else, someone who she must be serious enough about to kiss right in front of me.

Anger courses through me, and without thinking, I pull Chey into my chest, making her look up at me in shock. It takes her a second to realize what I want, and another for her to make up her mind.

“Just do it,” she whispers, giving me permission to lock our lips.

At first, I just wanted to make Porsha jealous because I know she saw us, but Chey’s lips are soft, she tastes sweet, and before I know it, I’ve got the girl pressed against a wall, invading her mouth with my tongue in a savage way.

Out of breath, I pull away, looking down at the extremely embarrassed woman’s face.

“Was that your first kiss?” I stupidly ask, already sure of the answer.

“Is she looking?” Cheyenne ignored my question, so I look to find the answer, only to see that Porsha is gone, but truthfully, I’m not worried about my ex right now.

I just crossed a line in my friendship with Chey that may drive a permanent wedge between us, and that worries me.