CHAPTER 12: Nobody’s Fool.
1807 Words
LIAM
You know a WTF moment?
It’s a moment where you are so speechless and in a state of shock that time freezes and everything happens in 0.1x speed while your brain lights one word in neon:
WTF?!
I was having a good week. Olivia did her job and made Vecker jealous. We were winning games so nothing could bring me down. Then I opened the front door and had a what the f**k moment.
Odessa has been annoyed with me which means we haven’t talked or seen each since the grocery run on Wednesday. When I see her standing in my doorway all dolled up I’m speechless.
Literal words, refuse to come out.
Her dark hair is held back in a sleek bun behind her head. Her open black coat shows a navy silk dress with a v neckline and string straps and suede pointy heels. It stops just before her ankles and has a high slit on the side.
The outline of her boobs are on display along with a necklace that travels between them. Its sliver, the color of her earrings and sparkly anklet.
My eyes move up and immediately pause by her full lips. They are painted a wine-red color that makes her look dangerous and sexy.
She looks like a femme fatale.
I’m so frozen I don’t notice Jonathan come up behind me till he gives her a hug that makes her smile. He’s in dress pants, shoes and a maroon dress shirt.
“You look beautiful,” he whispers as America emerges from the cab all dolled up too.
Did I enter a parallel universe when I went to bed last night?
“What’s going on?” I face John B when he appears next to me in a navy suit.
“We’re going on a double date.” He kisses America’s cheek and they all enter the house like it’s a normal thing they usually do.
Yep. Definitely a parallel universe I’m in.
“Can I talk to the both of you in the kitchen?” I’m looking at my housemates.
I have no problem pulling the captain card because I need clarity on what the hell is going on here. I’m sure the explanation is reasonable.
“Wassup G?” John B opens the fridge as the girls settle in the living room.
“Why is Vecker here?” I keep my voice low.
“She’s my date.” Jonathan is the one to speak.
I give him a look so dark, he steps back without even realizing and his Adam’s apple jumps.
“Respectfully JJ, I’m going to need you to stay out of this one.” I’m surprised at how calm I am.
The only reason he is even witnessing this conversation is because I didn’t want him alone with Vecker. He’s lucky I’m not going apeshit for his little date comment.
“Now, start speaking,” I say to John B and they give each a look.
“America’s mom is making her attend a fundraiser in the city. She wouldn’t go without Vecker, who didn’t want to be a 3rd wheel so JJ offered to be her date.”
“Offered?” I look at Jonathan again and he steps back.
“Yes. I had no plans tonight.” JJ sounds nonchalant but I can tell he’s tense when he asks, “Is there problem?”
Jonathan is the strongest guy in the house. He works out more than us but I can take him and for Vecker, he wouldn’t even get to land a punch.
All a man needs, is a reason to fight and he’ll fight to the death.
So is there problem?
“No,” I force out. “Just wanted some clarity, you guys enjoy your night.” I walk out of the kitchen to find America and Vecker giggling on the grey love seat.
This is how we do it now? I communicate the sentence to Odessa by staring (okay glaring).
I want to speak but decide its best to go upstairs.
The first time I saw Vecker’s temper was when she stormed into my house and cussed me out in front of my housemates. Knowing what I know now, she had no right to but still did it.
When I hear America and John B get inside the house, I decide its time I return the favor.
“Liam?” Odessa answers the door in fluffy slippers.
“In the flash.” I move past her and enter. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.” I look around and it seems we’re alone.
Good.
“Look, I’ve had a long night and I’m in no mood for whatever this is.” She moves her hand over me.
She’s still in her dress but without the coat and f**k me, its sexier than I expected. It literally fits her perfectly.
She turns around to close the door, exposing her back which has two strings running across it, putting her twin mark on display. The slit opens as she walks to show a peek of her pale narrow thigh.
“Well, buckle up because I’m not happy.” I frown.
I can’t believe JJ was the one that got to see her looking like this all night. With her hair off her face. Naturally trimmed brows and perfect eyes decorated with a long field of eyelashes that bring softness to her dark lips.
“My roommate, really? Of all the people you had to go choose, you chose the guy I live with?”
“Excuse me but I forgot the part where this was your business.” She walks to the kitchen and I follow.
“Like how Olivia was yours?” She pauses from opening the fridge, “that’s what I thought.”
“God you’re a jerk,” she says it Russian but I understand a little bit because she says it a lot.
“I’m not leaving till we talk Odessa.”
At least I’m not shouting at her and lord knows I want to.
“Fine say your peace Liam. It won’t change the fact that, who I go out with is none of your business.” She slams the fridge door, a large bottle of water now in her hands.
“You do realize you’re the pot calling the kettle black right?” I don’t know what game she’s playing but I don’t like it.
“What’s the big deal? I was just taking your advice.” She pours the water into a mug.
“My advice?” My jaw twitches.
What the hell is she talking about?
“I’m stuck up and judgmental right? You said I had no right to judge because I haven’t dated an athlete so when one asked me out, I said yes.”
She returns the bottle to the fridge as it dawns on me. “So you were jealous.”
“Like hell I was,” she retorts but I’m smirking till she says, “but it’s clear you are.”
“Why would I be jealous? Of Jonathan of all people.” I shove my hands into the pockets of my jacket.
“I don’t know and I don’t care because I have an early day tomorrow,” she walks to the door with her mug and opens it. “Get out, Liam.”
“You’re kicking me out?” I’m stunned.
She’s kicking me out.
“This is better because you’re clearly underestimating my ability to slap you across the face right now,” her grip on the cup tightens.
“Alright.” I walk out but stop just in front of her. “Stay away from JJ. I mean it and I won’t ask you twice Vecker.”
“Or what?” She pushes her chin up to face me. “Literally, what Liam?”
“Careful,” I smirk. “You might be Russian but I live with three, 20year olds who know I don’t mess around.” I step out.
I don’t care for her little mind games, especially when my friends are involved. This is between her and me.
“Wow, if is this how you talk to your friends. I’d hate to see how you speak to your enemies,” she slams the door behind me.
ODESSA
Tuesday
I’m sharing a sundae with Jonathan and we’re laughing our faces off when Liam walks into the Pinkberry close to campus.
“Are you f*****g kidding me?!” It’s the first thing he says, cutting all laughter short.
We haven’t talked since he stormed into my house on Sunday and I kicked him out. I have been avoiding him since then or he’s been avoiding me.
I’m really not sure anymore.
“What’s up G?” Jonathan stands and I brace myself for what’s coming.
I don’t know what has been up his ass since he went out with Olivia, but I’ve been getting the worst of it.
“Sorry JJ, this is between Vecker and me.” Liam is loud enough to have everyone in the tiny shop staring at us.
Great.
“I have nothing to say to you.” I keep my eyes on my cup.
“But I have a lot to say.” He bends down so we’re face to face. “I told you to stay away from my friend.”
“And I told you it was none of your business.” I shoot back but flinch when I see his eyes.
They are so dilated and all I see is black with the grey nowhere to be found. And his nose is flaring like he’s steaming.
What the hell?
“Last warning Vecker. I’m only giving it because despite what you think, I do consider you a friend.”
I snort at the audacity, some friend he’s been.
“But I’d stop pissing me off if I were you,” he’s whispering as if no one can’t hear but I’m pretty sure Jonathan and the people next to us can.
“Or what Liam?” My brows close in. “What will you, thee great Liam Griffith do to me?”
I don’t care if he’s the son of the god Zeus himself. I don’t take threats lightly or like being pushed around and its time he sees that.
“You’re really going to make me do this?” He’s done attempting to whisper, he wasn’t even trying.
“Do what Liam? What the hell is up your butt these days?” My question makes a few people snicker which only makes me cringe.
I hate that we’re in public.
“I warned you.” A grey ring appears around his dark eyes as I click my tongue.
Do your worst, playboy.
- Writer
