Collided: Dirty Air (Book 2)(41)

Technically, his voice scored me a touchdown yesterday. But I remain quiet.

“I keep warning you about him. He’s nice and sexy, which is a deadly combo. Liam’s got this little twinkle in his eye that matches yours when you get a plan going.”

I roll over and bury my face into the comforter, unable to escape from her wisdom.

“With someone like Liam…one day you wake up wondering how everything changed between you two. Mark my words.”

“Seeing as Liam has an aversion for serious relationships, I highly doubt I’m some type of anecdote.”

She hops out of bed, not content with my words. “I call bullshit. Plus you’ve been acting weird all day, ignoring his texts to hang out. Mind you, he messaged me an hour ago asking where you are. What gives?”

“I did something I probably shouldn’t have.” I sit and pull at a loose thread on my shirt.

“Like?”

“Like phone sex with Liam.” I take a peek at her.

She gasps. “No way!”

I cringe. “Yes, and I don’t know how to face him, let alone talk about it. I want to act like it never happened.”

“Why?”

My eyebrows rise. “What do you mean why? Haven’t you listened to me over the past month?”

“Sure, I have. I’ve heard you say nothing but nice things about him. You can’t say one complaint except for his bad history, which he can’t change if he tried. All he can do is work toward a better future. But you’re stubborn about staying friends, but clearly coming to the sound of his voice is anything but platonic.”

Her level of insight unnerves me.

I hide my face in my hands. “He admitted he jacks off while thinking about me.”

She lets out a laugh. “Okay, and?”

“And? Why are you acting so casual about all of this!”

She throws her hands out to the side. “Because you keep coming up with every reason not to, while all I hear are reasons to go for it. You both are friends who have the hots for one another. So what?”

“Says the girl running away from her problems,” I mutter.

Maya frowns, making me instantly feel shitty for what I said. “I may be hiding, but Noah and I aren’t friends like you and Liam. Let’s say you hook up with him. Do you really think he’ll dump you and never speak to you again? You have a foundation there that won’t crumble.”

“But what if I end up liking him for more?”

She lifts a brow. “What if he ends up liking you for more?”

Well, when she puts it like that.

“I hope you know this sounds like a terrible idea.”

She offers me a sly grin. “You know what they say? Fuck it.”





14





Sophie





“The pit crew is gossiping about you spending time with Maya and the McCoy boys.” My dad would’ve made a great detective in another life. He has a nose for anything out of the ordinary, making me cautious about how I should answer him.

I look up from my brunch menu and meet my dad’s questioning eyes. He starts off our breakfast in an irritable mood, bringing up Liam without any type of lead-in, making my spine stand straight. Not even Canada’s maple syrup can cheer him up based on his frown.

“Yeah, I like Santi’s sister. She’s been a lot of fun to be around.”

“And those guys?”

I roll my eyes behind my menu. “Also friends. You know, it may be very modern of me, but boys and girls can be friends without dating.” I drop my menu, giving him my best fake surprise face.

My dad glares at me. “I was a guy once, and when men hang around a pretty girl like you, it’s usually for one reason.”

I can do without my dad talking about his old hookup days. “Thanks, Dad. You’re ruining me. Here I thought my bright personality brought all the boys to the yard.” I jiggle my shoulders and pucker my lips.

“Please don’t compare yourself to anything in a yard. Like ever. I’m familiar with that song and would rather not hear anyone needing your milkshakes.” He rubs his face.

I crack up, enjoying how he gets all riled up. At least he comes from a good place.

“You sound really uncool right now. No one under seventy even talks like that.” I pat his hand to ease his anxiety. “It’s going to be okay. I promise. I’ve defined very clear boundaries.” I draw an invisible line in front of me.

I exclude how I think Liam is the hottest guy in F1. That would go against everything I set up so far, including our line in the sand that we’ve tiptoed around for two months.

“Anyway, tell me about this lady the gossip mags report you’ve been seeing.”

My dad has never quieted down as fast as he does. Ladies and gentlemen, my evasion technique comes off flawless, one so good lawyers would clap about it. His eyes dart across the menu, engrossed in whatever breakfast choice he needs to make.

Bingo. My dad’s totally dating again, and I want to know who.

“Don’t believe everything you read or hear for that matter.” His eyes catch mine.

Interesting words coming from him. I give him a pointed look.

He puts his hands up in surrender. “All right, I understand.”