I responded quickly, my eyes fluttering shut as I wrapped my arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.
His lips were warm and soft as they moved against mine, still sweet with the wine he'd been drinking earlier. His cologne drifted up my nose, muddling all the thoughts in my mind. Our bodies pressed tightly together as he backed me into the wall with a small thud.
Then, it finally hit me. My eyes shot open and I turned my head to the side, breaking the kiss.
"Liam, stop," I shook my head, watching as he took a step back to give me space.
"You want me to stop?" he asked, brows furrowed in confusion. His breaths were heavy and his face flushed.
"Well, you were being a dick so yes. I'm mad at you," I crossed my arms over my chest again, frowning at him.
"You're always mad at me," he raised an eyebrow at me, a smirk spreading over his lips.
"Then give me a reason not to be," I challenged, tilting my head up.
He took a step towards me, "Alright, go on a date with me. Then you'll have many reasons."
I opened my mouth, then shut it again, speechless. Never in my wildest nightmare had I expected him to ask me out on a date. My cheeks grew fiery as my eyes met his dark, glistening ones.
A large part of me wanted to just go for it, but I knew it would be unwise. I didn't know if I was ready for this. The last thing I needed was another Hunter in my life, or another repeat of what my life had been like two centuries ago. Dominated and controlled by men.
"Dream on, Liam," I rolled my eyes, maneuvering past him to get back to the living room — even though that was the last place I wanted to be.
"Oh come on," Liam chased after me, his hand clasping over mine. I stopped, turning around to stare at him expectantly. "You said it yourself that we don't really know each other anymore. Is a date not a good way to change that?"
I frowned as stared at him, my eyes narrowing skeptically.
"Look, I'm sorry I was an asshole to Linus," he almost choked out his name, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "I really am, I just thought that maybe it would get your attention."
"Well you definitely did that," I pinched the bridge of my nose, attempting to hide my irritation.
"It's just, you bring out the worst in me sometimes," he leaned against the wall, shaking his head.
His dark eyes met mine. They were gentle and an unfamiliar warmth spread over my chest at the sight of them, immediately bringing a sort of comfort to me that I'd never felt before.
"Let me take you out, and I can show you the best of me," he said softly.
"Maybe," I suppressed a smile, pursing my lips and Liam's brows furrowed. "I'll think about that date."
___________________________
Avery bounded through my bedroom door and it smacked against my wall from the momentum. I jumped up from my bed in surprise, my heart leaping out of my chest.
"Oh my gosh, Avery," I sighed when I realized that it was just her. Her breathing was heavy and ragged, her hair tangled, letting me know that she'd sprinted all the way up to my room with her twenty pound backpack.
"Sorry, your mom let me in," she took a deep breath, straightening out her skirt. "I have something to tell you."
I glanced down at my laptop, where I had been trying to book surf lessons — which was completely private. As subtle as I could, I shut it.
Avery caught it, eyeing my laptop. But in her excitement, she ignored it.
It was a peaceful Sunday morning, which was now no longer peaceful with Avery knocking down my door. I'd tried to focus on my studying — which I'd failed at — since my mom was taking us all to a horseback riding arena. She wanted to meet with some old friends of hers and for some reason it included Jackson and I.
"I just met the cutest guy," she squealed, plopping down on my bed next to me, beaming.
"You meet a cute guy all the time," I said, a knowing smile spread over my mouth.
"Okay but he's different," she giggled. "I went to school to do that stupid group project since no one could meet on a weekday."
Avery rolled her eyes and I muffled my laugh.
"I went to get coffee, as one does, and he was working there," she shook my arm vigorously, grinning from ear to ear. "He's the barista there. He's got really pretty blonde hair, and bright blue eyes..."
"You sound like you're describing Sam," I choked, laughing.
"No, not Sam," her nose crinkled as she giggled. "I'm going there every Sunday now."
"Sure Avery, you do that," I sat back on my bed, suppressing another laugh. She still held that dreamy, lovestruck smile on her face.
"By the way, aren't you going to the riding Arena today — what's it called like High Country Equestrian Centre?" she took off her backpack, setting it on the floor.
"Unfortunately I am, even though I haven't even been on a horse for like ten years," I rolled my eyes.
"Guess what?" a slow mischievous smirk spread over Avery's lips. My eyebrow cocked up expectantly. "Liam and Sam are going too, guess those friends your mom is meeting with is Liam's mom."
"How do you know that?" I gave her a blank stare.
"Sam told me," she shrugged.
My mouth hung open, "Since when were you and Sam friends?"
"Ummm... since we went to the beach and ate a corn dog and went surfing," she let out an awkward laugh.
"You didn't tell me you became friends with Liam's best friend!" I was appalled. I glanced around, grabbing my pillow — the only thing I could find near me — and whacking Avery's side with it.
"Hey! Why do you care so much?" she cackled, falling over onto me bed from the force of my pillow. She gasped, sitting straight up with wide eyes. The grin she held on her face was terrifying, "You have a crush on Liam."
"N-no! I don't," I glared at her, my eyes shooting daggers.
Avery eyed my laptop next to me and before I could react, she swiped it, taking it into her hands.
"Avery no—" I started, but it was too late. She opened up my laptop, her eyes darting across the screen. She glanced back up at me with a toothy grin.
"You wanna learn how to surf?" she cackled, her eyes twinkling. "Is it for Liam?"
I groaned, collapsing onto the bed, shielding my burning face with my hands.
"Thalia... do you like Liam?" Avery cackle dissipated and a knowing smile replaced it.
Did I like Liam?
No one had ever made me feel the way Liam did. He could make my stomach perform backflips and swarm with butterflies effortlessly. His dark hair and dark eyes sent me spiralling. Even though we argued a lot, I still felt the most comfortable around him.
I glanced up at her, swallowing hard, "Yes."
Avery blinked at me, taken aback by my answer, "D-does he like you too?"
"I don't know, I think?" I frowned. "He... asked me out on a date."
Avery rolled her eyes, an unimpressed expression on her face, "So he does like you then."
"Thalia! It's time to go!" my mom's nasal voice called from downstairs. A bunch of rustling and footsteps could be heard as Jackson and my mom began scurrying to the car. "We need to leave now!"
I met Avery's eyes and she smirked. We both got up from my bed and she set my laptop back onto my bed.
"Have fun," she grinned.
"Come on," I rolled my eyes, smiling as I nodded over to my bedroom door. We both began making our way out.
"What did you say about the date thing?" Avery whispered as we stepped our feet onto the first stair. My mom stood at the bottom of the stairs, her feet tapping against the tiled floors impatiently.
"I said I'd think about it," I replied and she groaned, disappointed. "I'll see you later."
With that, she brushed past my mom and out the main doors.
My mom was in a full on equestrian outfit, with a polo shirt and a pair of beige breeches. I hadn't bothered much myself and had just thrown on a pair of skinny jeans and a sweater. It was getting a little chilly out by now, and I was not about to catch a cold.
"I brought your riding clothes, you'll change when we get there," my mom said in a stern tone. I nodded and followed her out the door without a word. Jackson was already in the car.
The ride was silent, accompanied by the radio while I glanced out the window, admiring the passing trees and cars. The centre was a little out of the city, which was the only way to have enough space for the horses and arena.
When we arrived, I stepped out of the car after Jackson. My mom immediately shoved the bag of my clothes into my hands.
"You know where to meet us on the arena?" my mom raised an eyebrow at me and I nodded. The centre my mom took us to was one we'd frequently visited when I was a kid.
We went our separate ways — Jackson and my mom got suited up while I went to the bathroom to change. I walked into the main building, scanning the area. There was an empty receptionist table, and hanging on the wall were some extra saddles. The bathroom was just next to table. No Liam.
I hurried into the bathroom and slipped on the outfit, which consisted of grey breeches, a white polo shirt and black boots that went up to my knees.
Frowning, I glanced down at my outfit. I hadn't actually worn clothes like that since I was ten. It was weird to be back in them.
I stepped out of the bathroom, surprised to see a man standing behind the counter. He seemed bored out of his mind, his eyes dull and his hair greying at the roots.
"You'll need a helmet to ride," he deadpanned.
"Are the extras still in the stable?" I asked. The only riding helmet I had was when I was a child. There was no way it'd fit me now.
The man nodded and I walked off, stepping outside again. The stable was right next to the main building.
I proceeded to the stable, the sun high in the sky and burning my pupils off. There were dozens of people already out riding, most of them children. Their screams and giggles echoed through the arena. I spotted my mom already there and Jackson hanging around on the tables. Still no Liam.
My hands pushed open the stable doors, stepping inside. Immediately, the smell of grass and hay drifted up my nose, accompanied by a distant pungent smell of manure. The stalls were all empty, all the horses were already in the arena. My eyes landed on the helmets hanging next to me.
"Fancy seeing you here."
I jumped up out of my bones at the familiar voice behind me, spinning around.
Liam was dressed in a simple pair of khakis and hoodie. Much unlike everyone else at the facility. My stomach buzzed at the sight of his messy dark hair.
"You again?" I said flatly as I swiped a helmet off the wall. I'd already known he'd be here thanks to Avery's heads up, but Liam didn't need to know that.
"Don't lie, I know you're thrilled to see me," he smirked, stepping closer to me. His eyes scanned me from head to toe. "I'm liking this outfit."
I swallowed hard, feeling the corners of my lip curling up without my permission. For the millionth time today, I jumped when the doors behind Liam slammed shut.
"I don't have time for you," I rolled my eyes, my lips betraying me when they twitched up into a smile.
I brushed past him, grasping onto the door handles to pull the doors open again. My brows furrowed in confusion when the door wouldn't budge, even when I exerted all my strength.
"There's other ways to get me alone without pretending like you can't open the door," Liam said behind me, his voice teasing.
I spun around, frowning, "No you dumbass, the door is jammed."
★★★
𝐻𝑒𝑦 𝑔𝑢𝑦𝑠!! 𝐼 ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑒𝑛𝑗𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟, 𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑑𝑜 𝑣𝑜𝑡𝑒, 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑖𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑑𝑖𝑑!
𝐴𝑛𝑦 𝑔𝑢𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑛 𝑛𝑒𝑥𝑡?
~ 𝑆𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑡𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠𝐼𝑛𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑆𝑎𝑙𝑡