Phoenix

Chapter 6

    At 9 my alarm buzzed.  Instead of being tired like I thought I would be I jumped right out of bed.  What the hell I was excited to go hiking?  Yeah only to see a good looking soldier for a few hours I thought.  I threw on the clothes that Liam had helped me pick out.  Pulled my hiking boots off of the shoe rack in my closet.  Piled my hair into a messy bun at the base of my neck. Then headed downstairs. 9:15.  I called mom.  I still hadn’t been able to get a hold of her.  

“Hello”

“Hey mom It’s Liv.”

“Liv baby how are you?” 

“I’m good momma, how about you?”

“I’m good baby.  I’m sorry I haven’t been easy to get ahold of.  I had to be admitted into the hospital and my phone was dead.” She said, as if it was no big deal.  

“What! Mom, the hospital? Are you ok?” I questioned her. 

“Yes baby.  But your baby sister is trying to show up early so they won’t let me leave just yet.” She answered.  I wondered briefly if that was a normal thing.  I really knew nothing about child birth.  But I didn’t dwell.  

“What are you up to today baby?” She asked me.  

“Well I am killing some time before I go hiking with some friends.”

“Hiking? You? Hunny you know they have snakes there right?” 

“Mom don’t ruin it!” She chuckled on the other side.  

“Sorry hunny,” screaming ensued on the other end.  An instant reminder of why I moved here.  

“I gotta go baby girl.”

“Yea ok momma, I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye Liv, use sunscreen!”

“Ok bye mom.” 

9:25 I ate a yogurt and sipped at a coffee.  Filled my water bottles and threw them into my back pack.  Then I made us some sandwhiches.  If he was going to come with me the least I could do was feed him.  I had made some muffins a few days ago and I grabbed two of those and threw them in.  The bananas on the counter looked appetizing too. I grabbed two, tossed them in the bag and checked the time again. 

9:35 am.  s**t… maybe I could go over and see him.  No no no Olivia, don’t be that way.  You are being needy.  I argued deeply with myself and then decided that I would wait.  About 5 minutes later I was walking across the road to Liam’s house.  I nervously tapped on the front door and heard a dog barking.  He has a dog? Liam opened the door in just his pants.  No shirt on. My heart wanted to jump him right there. My brain held me back.  He smiled,

“Hey! I’m sorry I’m almost ready.  I’m never late I swear.”  He said 

“at ease soldier” I joked smiling back.  The dog was silent now.  He opened the door for me.  I stepped in and he closed it behind him. A beautiful german shepard was sitting perfectly poised in the doorway to the next room.  

“Oh wow, Liam your dog is beautiful!”

“He’s part of the Marine K9 unit.  He was my friends that I lost on the last tour. He’s mine now.” I smiled, so sad, but yet such a great gift.  

“I love him.” He smiled, “his names Joe” 

“Joe?” I giggled and here I had thought Joe was his boyfriend.  

“Joe come.” Joe walked over and sat at Liam’s feet.  I could see his training, he watched me intently sniffing the air around me.  Checking for weapons most likely then he took one step forward and lowered his head. Liam smiled,

“He approves, you can pet him.” I gently patted the gorgeous brown fur on the top of his head.  Then I scratched kindly behind his ears.  He leaned his face against my palm.  Oh this dog was beautiful.  I looked up at Liam, my face wide with a smile. 

“He’s so great Liam, you’re lucky to have him.” I continued stroking his beautiful soft face.

“Yea he’s pretty great. Let me go get dressed you guys look like you can get along for five minutes.” He left us in the living room.  I dropped down onto my knees in front of Joe.  He came closer I could swear this dog was looking right into my soul.  He was an older dog but not old per say.  His kind eyes had the start of white hairs growing around them.  He had seen some awful things in his day.  I picked up my other hand and held his face in between them. Gently rubbing my thumbs in circles on his temples.  He took a paw and placed it on my shoulder.  Out of the corner of my eye I saw Liam move in the shaddows.  He was watching us.  Joe took his other paw and placed it on my other shoulder and then he began to ease his back legs towards me.  He placed his head on my shoulder like he was hugging me.  I took my arms wrapped them around him and placed my head on his shoulder.  He was such a smart dog, somehow he knew I needed a hug and he acted on it.  After a few seconds he pulled away.  Then he looked to Liam.  My eyes were teary so I wiped them away.  Then I stood. 

“Thanks Joe.” I patted him on the head.  Liam smiled, “He’s pretty smart isn’t he?” He asked me from the shaddows.  I nodded.  Liam threw his hiking boots on and opened the closet he threw a ball cap on and then pulled another one out.  He walked over to me and placed it on my head, pulling my messy bun through the hole in the back.  

“You can’t be getting sunburnt today.  Do you have sunscreen on?”  He asked.  I shook my head no. 

“I’ve got some in my truck you can put on while we drive.  Are you reading to go?”

“Sure am” I smiled.  He opened the door for me and then walked me to the passenger side.  Once again he lifted me up into the seat and buckled me in.  He hopped into the driver’s side and tossed me a bottle of sunscreen.  

“I think I should get some running boards on my truck.” he said casually.  I looked at him, ouch.  So he did notice my weight when he was lifting me into it.  I simply nodded and kept applying the sunscreen.  Then I threw sunglasses on and stared out the window.  Don’t let it bother you Olivia, you guys can be good friends.  There’s nothing wrong with friends.  He’s already such a nice guy to you.   He never really said you are fat.  We drove to Camel mountain and then we started upwards.  It was a beautiful drive.  The scenery was phenominal.  Looking over Phoenix on one side with the mountain on the other.  We winded continuously to the top. When we got there I couldn’t see Peyton’s car anywhere.  We parked and I jumped out quickly before he could help me.  I wasn’t sure how I was going to get back in but I didn’t want him to help me up anymore.  Liam was strapping my pack onto his back, always the gentleman.  Although teal wasn’t really his color.  I still had the sunscreen in my hand so I threw some onto my hands and rubbed it onto the back of his neck.  He turned his head a smile on his face. 

“Awe shucks darling, thanks!” He joked and I smiled while I rubbed it in. 

“Well I don’t want you burning either.” I winked at him.  He turned and let me rub it on the front of his neck and then up his face.  

“There, all safe.” 

“Thanks.” 

Peyton pulled into the spot beside us at that moment.  Norra and Connor jumped out on the other side and began strapping on their packs.  Peyton threw on a ball cap and grabbed her pack.  

“Hey guys! How did you make out last night?” She asked politely. 

“Oh you know, cop shop until around 1 am. But the creeps behind bars.” Liam replied.  

“Well thank god, men like that should not be out in the general public.” Norra said.  Connor did not look even slightly confused.  Peyton must have given him the run down.  Peyton pulled my dress and shoes out of her car and Liam always the gentleman put them into his back seat.  As he walked by me he whispered, 

“Your dad is so lucky, he will have such a beautiful date tonight.” Red instant red, I saw Connor watching us.  Great good job Liam now we get to listen to that.  Connor led us to the trail head.  He was in the front, Peyton and Norra ahead of us and Liam and I took up the rear.  Peyton and Norra were chatting happily about their up coming vacations.  Wow I wish.  I had never been anywhere except where Tim would be living at the time.  Liam reached over and grabbed my hand. Probably still in sympathy but it felt good.  I wanted to pull it away but I chose to enjoy this.  As we walked along Peyton suddenly turned around and snapped a picture of us with her camera. 

“Peyton!” I shouted, she giggled and kept walking.  Liam was smiling.  

“Awe don’t be so shy.” Liam nudged me. I loved having his strong hand wrap around mine.  When we had walked for about half an hour we stopped for a break.  I was still doing ok, as out of shape as I am.  Liam pulled the pack off and dug for a water bottle.  He handed it to me and then when I was done he took a sip from it as well.  Hmmm, thats intimate.  I don’t share with anyone.  But for some reason I really didn’t mind.  Liam let go of my hand after a bit and went in search of a bush for some relief.  As he walked away Peyton got close.  Really close.  As if she was trying to be secret.  

‘You want him.” She whispered beside me.  I nodded because honestly there was no reason to hide it.  

“So get him then.” She said as though it was the easiest thing in the world to do.  I looked at her. 

“How exactly am I supposed to do that?” I asked.  She looked at me like I was stupid. 

“Jesus Olivia, you’ve never had a boyfriend or what?” I didn’t answer and from my silence she figured out the answer.  

“Oh boy, ok.  It’s simple.  Tease him ok.  Touch him gently, bend over and show him your assets.  Do things that turn boys on.”  She said simply.  

“Oh my god, Peyton I can’t. I don't know how”  I whispered quieter because Liam was on his way back.  She stood up turning her back to him and standing in front me.  Then reached down and popped two buttons open on my shirt.  Exposing more cleavage then I had ever shown anyone.  Walking away she said, 

“Oops.” Then giggled.  Oh my god, I cannot do this I thought to myself.  But when I looked up I noticed Liam glance at my chest.  I smiled and took another sip of water.  When everyone had finished up their drinks and had caught their breath we started on our way again.  I found out why we had stopped.  The next part of the path was pure and utter hell.  The trail began to slowly get more and more steep.  My legs began to ache with the pain of not being used enough and then being asked to climb a mountain.  As the trail got steeper the view got more and more rewarding.  I slowly began to trail behind Liam a little.  He slowed his pace to meet mine as my breath got harder and harder to catch. I tried to work through the pain.  Breathing deeply through my nose and out through my mouth.  I could tell everyone else but Liam was feeling the pain.  Peyton had stopped about thirty feet ahead of us and bent over, her hands on her knees.  We were slowly getting closer to her.  I could feel that Liam was starting to pull me a bit.  When we got to the next flat part we all stopped even Liam was out of breath.  The group of five of us stood hunched over trying to get oxygen flowing for a few minutes.  Everyone sipped on a bit of water.  I was sweating so much.  But for some reason the fabric of the clothes I was wearing was completely whicking it off my skin.  I stood staring out over the view of Phoenix.  It was completely stunning.  Liam walked up behind me.  I could feel his presence before he said anything.  I took the opportunity to try and tease him like Peyton had said.  I bent over pretending to tie my shoe and putting my rear in the air for him to see.  When I stood back up I stretched my arms high into the air.  Exposing my lower back.  Suddenly his hand skimmed across the skin directly above my buttocks.  The touch made my skin tingle. We stood that way for a while.I enjoyed his touch so much.  I love how no matter how or when he touched me I felt so secure.  He pulled me into his side closely.  

“It’s a beautiful view isn’t it?” He asked.  I nodded agreeing.  

“Hey you two, get a room before you make me puke.” Connor called.  I felt the familiar heat spread across my face.  Liam chuckled, 

“Olivia, your ears are red.  Don’t let him get to you.” He whispered into my hair.  I nodded.  As we walked back to the group Connor made a face at me making me blush again.  Liam had his arm over my shoulder.  Me tucked into the safe zone. Knowing that he could probably kill Connor with his bare hands made me brave. 

“Connor, if you had someone to need a room with maybe it would distract you and you wouldn’t be so busy bugging me.” I said coyly hiding my laugh.  Norra, Peyton and Liam all burst out into a huge fit of laughter.  I smiled at Connor, who threw the pack over his back and headed back up the trail.  Liam stood and grabbed my hand pulling me into a hug.  He laid a peck on my forehead.  This isn't in my head is it? this isn't normal friends behaviour is it? We followed Norra and Peyton.  Here the trail turned into rock climbing.  Huge boulders blocking our way.  Liam kindly helped to pull me and lift me over the rocks as here my clumsiness was really hampering my hiking.  As he pulled me over a particularily difficult rock I huffed, 

“I wish I would have known that I was rock climbing today or I would have stayed in bed.” I complained loudly.  Liam laughed, 

“But why? We are at the top.” He pulled me the last little ways. Right into his arms.  Then with me tucked under him like a baby duck under it’s mother’s wing.  Peyton turned and snapped another photo of us.  

“Liam kiss her!” She shouted.  Liam bent and pecked me on the cheek.  While she snapped one more.  My brain was laughing at me.  All day I had thought that he was treating me like a girlfriend but obviously he was just being a great friend.  If I wanted to be his friend I would need to smarten up.  I couldn’t be jealous of other girls or expect anything from him.  But he was making it so hard.  How nice could a guy be before a girl fell head over heels in love with him?  Peyton pulled out a blanket and spread it out on the dirt. I reached into the backpack and handed Liam a sandwich and a banana.  

“Awe Olivia, thank you.” He said taking them from me.  After lunch we packed up and looked at the view for a few more minutes.  Peyton standing beside me, she nudged me.

“He has it so bad for you Liv.” She whispered.  I looked at her, 

“No he doesn’t Peyton, he’s just being nice.” I replied. 

“Oh really? Why is he always staring at you? Always touching you? Like right now he’s watching you.  He want’s you as badly as you want him girl. Keep teasing him and your gunna get more than just a kiss on the cheek.” She said and started laughing as she walked over to Norra.  I turned to where I knew he was, sure enough he was staring and he didn’t look away either.  He held my gaze.  Smiled and then continued his conversation with Connor while still watching me.  I was the first to break the gaze. It was so intense I couldn’t look at him anymore.  I hoped that Peyton was right.  

Connor led us back down.  He hopped easily over the huge rock wall. He helped Norra and Peyton and then Liam jumped down just as easily as Connor had.  He reached up and helped me over his hands grabbing me directly under the armpits.  Holding me like a child.  Everyone else was already over the next stone.  He held me in the air.  Looking into my eyes.  My hands were on his shoulders and then slowly he lowered me and pressed his lips to mine.  My grip on his shoulders tightened.  The kiss deepened.  His lips melding mine to his.  My mind was whirling my heart pounding.  My stomach was flipping around in circles.  A burning spread through my abdomen as I pulled myself closer to him.  He lowered me to the ground.  Backed me up against the stone wall behind me. Never breaking the contact of our mouths.  I splayed my hands across his back.  He braced his arms on either side of me and pressed himself to me even more. The smell of his body had engulfed my nostrils.  The warmth of him was pressed against my hips.  I could taste the salt from our morning of exercise on our lips.  His mouth was persistent against mine.  Every movement echoing in my guts, my nerves, my brain.  The stubble on his jaw line rubbed against my face and it only added to the sensations that I was trying to process.  Then from below a voice called,

“Hey you guys! Are you ok?” It was Peyton.  We broke apart. 

I called back,   “Yes were coming I just needed some help.” He grabbed my chin and gave me a quick peck on the mouth. 

 “To be continued” He said sensually and I felt the burning in my stomach move right to my groin.  Oh my god.  He did like me, oh my god.  Oh my god.  Oh my god. I wanted to air pump. Jump up and down. 

  “Oh Olivia, I am so grateful that you weren’t seriously hurt last night.”  He said.  I wrapped my arms around him and whispered. 

“It wasn’t that big of a deal.” He pushed me back.  

“Olivia, it was a big deal it was very serious! Don’t down play it.” I stared at him, it was not that serious.  

“Liam, he just slapped me around a little bit, it wasn’t that serious.” He grabbed both of my shoulders like he was going to shake me.  

“Olivia that man was a r****t and a murderer.  Thats why we needed to identify him.  He was going to hurt you very badly. He has killed multiple women” Shock hit me. “Oh”,  

“Olivia, it’s not Oh, it’s bad.  Very bad.  You could have been gone and I would never get the chance to spend time with you. I’m not going to take that for granted.”  He jumped down the next rock, and helped me down and at the bottom of the next one was the group waiting for us. I smiled at Peyton when we got down to where she was. 

 “Sorry guys, I’m so clumsy.” I said, explaining our absence. But I winked at Peyton as I said it.  Her face broke into a huge smile.  I knew instantly that I would be getting grilled later about it. The next rock that we climbed down was the last one.  Then came the downhill hike.  I was very into the hand holding now.  Now that I knew it was more than just being friendly.  We got to the parking lot at around one.  I needed to get home, the banquet started at five.  Tim had told me to be ready for four.  I hugged Norra, 

“Thanks for such a good time today!” She smiled and then Connor came over to me.  

“Hey sorry I give you such a hard time.  No hard feelings?” I smiled, “Yea Connor we’re good.” Then I walked around the car to Peyton while Liam said goodbye to the other two.  I hugged her tight, 

“Thanks Peyton today was great.” She hugged me tight and whispered in my ear, 

“You will tell me everything.” I couldn’t help myself I giggled in joy. Liam looked at me, smiled and winked.  Peyton got into her car and started to pull out of the spot.  Liam walked over to me, placed his hands on my face.  Then brought his lips to mine.  We both wanted to finish what we had started but here and now was not the place.  This kiss was passionate but short.  Then he picked me up and put me into the pick up.  But I didn’t sit on my side.  He pushed the middle console up and I slid over to the middle seat so that I could sit beside him.  When we pulled into his driveway he put the truck into park and then leaned over to kiss me again.  A quick loving peck on the mouth then he said, 

“Olivia, I would like to take you on a date.” He said matter of factly.  No beating around the bush.  I smiled at him, 

“Really?” I asked as he kissed me again.  

“Yes, what are you doing tomorrow?” I nuzzled up to his chest. 

“Nothing.” I said quickly. He smiled. 

“Great I will pick you up at six?” I nodded.  He kissed me again, opened his door and hopped out.  I slid over to him and he lowered me to the ground.  Then he walked me across the road to my house.  Tim was home, I saw him peek out an upstairs window as we walked. Hand in hand.  I turned as we stepped up the stairs.  He pecked me on the cheek and then turned and walked away.  I walked in through the front door.  Closed it and leaned back against it.  My head was spinning.  I was so happy.