Uncrushable (Forehead Kisses #3) (20 page)

Chapter Eleven

Liam

When Keira told me her tormentor was free on the streets again, something snapped inside me. My punching bag got the bad end of the deal, and after ripping it into pieces, I had to discard it and get a new one.

I truly considered taking him out. A sick fiend like that didn’t deserve to breathe air into his lungs. He didn’t deserve life. He didn’t deserve freedom. If he came anywhere near my girl, I wouldn’t hesitate. He would be the opponent I always wanted to fight. He wasn’t Derek but he was an excellent substitute.

Keira seemed stress about his possible reappearance, but then I realized she was more stressed by my reaction. She hated the bloodlust in my eyes. She wanted the gentle man underneath my layers of hatred. Our relationship had returned to its former beauty, but just as quickly, it was taken away. Instead of frightening her more, I chose to bottle it inside and drop the subject.

But just because I didn’t mention it doesn’t mean I wasn’t thinking about it.

A part of me wanted him to make a move against Keira. I would take the opportunity to kill him in self-defense. The nuisance would be forever gone from our lives. But I knew Keira wouldn’t want that.

Despite all the pain she’d been put through, she wouldn’t want me to kill him, to carry that burden for the rest of my life. Despite her violent past, she was still a peaceful person. Well, except when she flipped out on Adrianna.

I put on a face for her and pretended I wasn’t thinking about Finn every day. He was always on my mind, hovering and suffocating my thoughts. I daydreamed of killing him in the most brutal and intimate ways, taking a knife to his throat and choking him until the life was gone from his body. I never told Keira these thoughts, making her think I’d put it behind us.

But I was always thinking it
.

Wanna go out tonight?
It was Scotty.
The guys and I are going to be at the Gaslight.

I hardly went out anymore. I usually stayed home with Keira. Even when we were just watching TV on the couch, I was entertained. Going out to the bars and socializing with people didn’t appeal to me like it did when I was single. Besides, I liked to keep an eye on her…
Nah, I’m staying in tonight.

Dude, you never come out with us anymore. You don’t even play ball.

Well, I’ve been busy.

Don’t be a pussy and come out with us.

That’s a good way to convince me.

You act like an old married man. Ditch Keira. She’s annoying anyway.

I smirked. He said so many mean things about Keira but it was obvious how much he loved her.
When I tell her what you said she’s going to kick your ass.

I’d like to see her try.

Keira noticed me texting away. “The guys want to go out tonight?”

“Yeah.” I put my phone away. “But I don’t want to hang.”

She eyed me until I looked at her. “Liam, go out with your friends.”

“I like being with you.”

The seriousness was in her eyes. “Liam, you can leave me alone. I’ll be fine.”

She saw right through me.

“I can take care of myself, and there’s nothing to protect me from. Now go out with your friends and have a good time. We can watch TV any other time.”

“But—”

“Go. Now.”

I smirked at the aggression in her voice. “Come with me.”

“No. You need a guy’s night out. Drink some beer and have fun.”

“I feel bad leaving you here all alone.”

“I have plenty to do. Don’t worry about me.”

It was clear she wouldn’t change her mind.

“I’ll drop you off and pick you up so you don’t have to worry about driving.”

“I’m not going to get drunk,” I argued.

“Well, you should. Live a little.”

“You’re one to talk,” I teased.

She smirked. “Come on. It’s a Saturday night with the guys. It’ll be fun.”

I still felt nervous leaving her. “You’re sure?”

“Positive.” She stood up and snatched the car keys. “Now let’s go.”

Keira parked in the parking lot and waited for me to get out.

“Call me if you need anything.”

“Okay.”

I leaned across my truck and gave her a kiss. “Anything at all.”

She rolled her eyes. “Shut up and go.”

I laughed at the irritated look on her face. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay. Have a good time.”

“I’ll call you in a few hours.”

“Okay.”

I kissed her forehead before I got out of the truck. After I shut the door, I sighed. With one more look at her, I walked inside the bar.

“Wow…he actually showed up,” Bran said sarcastically.

“I guess he can leave his wife at home after all,” Tony added.

“Thank god,” Scotty said. “I’m sick of being stuck with these two idiots.”

“Shut up, hens.” I headed to the bar and ordered a beer. Then I came back and sat down.

“Don’t you get sick of her?” Bran asked. “She’s cute and all, but—”

The glare I shot at him made him shut his mouth. “When you find the right girl, you’ll prefer to be home all night too.”

“Maybe if she’s good in bed,” Bran said.

“And super hot,” Tony said.

“And quiet,” Scotty added.

I rolled my eyes and drank half my beer. I couldn’t remember the last time I had any alcohol.

Scotty watched me. “Someone’s thirsty.”

“I can’t have sweets or alcohol when I train,” I explained.

“You’re doing it now,” Bran noted.

“Keira told me to get drunk and live a little.” I smiled thinking about her.

Tony nodded. “She’s a wise woman.”

Scotty gave me a serious look. “How is she?”

I knew what he was really asking. No one knew Keira’s situation but us. “Really well. She practically kicked me out of the house.”

Scotty’s body visibly relaxed. “Good. I’m glad to hear that.”

Tony looked across the bar. “Look who’s here.”

I glanced over my shoulder and saw Adrianna.

Just looking at her pissed me off.

Fear came into her eyes and she darted out of the bar, staying clear of me.

“Damn, Keira really scared her off,” Bran said with a laugh. “That woman is a badass.”

“I taught her everything she knows,” I said proudly.

“Well, let’s hope the apprentice doesn’t take out the master,” Scotty teased.

“Impossible.” I finished my beer then ordered another one.

“That isn’t water,” Scotty said with a laugh.

I shrugged. “I forgot how good it tasted.”

We talked about the basketball game the night before. Then our conversation drifted to girls, like usual.

“San Diego is huge, but I feel like I’ve banged all the girls already,” Scotty said. “Every time I corner a girl at a bar, I realize I already slept with her.”

“You should get tested for STD’s,” Bran said seriously. “And don’t ever share a drink with me.”

Scotty rolled his eyes. “We need new talent around here.”

“If you start traveling for fights, you’ll find a whole demographic,” I said as I drank my beer.

Scotty’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Yep. And they love fighters.” I couldn’t count the number of girls I hooked up on the road. They were easy prey.

“Shit, I’m going to be a fighter too,” Bran said.

Tony laughed. “Yeah, good luck with that. Keira could kick your ass.”

“No, she couldn’t,” Bran argued.

“My money is on Keira,” Scotty said. “When she gets pissed off, she turns into the Hulk. One time I forgot to water her plants and it was World War III at the house.”

I smiled, thinking about that angry look on her face. There were few things she cared about, and her garden was at the top of the list. Money and possessions never mattered to her.

We discussed the end of the semester and our pitiful grades. Scotty never talked about school. I wasn’t sure if he liked it or loathed it. He was open about certain things, but closed off like a seashell about other topics. Like Keira, he was a bit of an enigma.

When I finished my third beer, I felt my mind start to buzz. I usually had a high tolerance for alcohol, but not drinking for several months made me flatline.

“Give me your keys.” Scotty extended his hand. “You’re not fit to drive.”

“Keira is picking me up,” I explained.

“Cool.” He took his hand back.

Bran eyed a group of girls who walked in. “Fuck, look at the talent.”

Everyone looked except me.

“I like the brunette,” Tony said. “I’m into the smoky eye make up shit.”

“I call the blonde,” Bran said.

“I’ll take what’s left over,” Scotty said. “Because they are all fucking hot.”

I finished the rest of my beer and stared at the TV.

“It’s not against the law to look,” Bran jabbed.

“I don’t look because I don’t want to,” I said simply. “And I don’t care.”

Bran rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”

“I’m going for it,” Scotty said.

I raised my hand. “Dude, chill. Play it cool for a few minutes.”

“I’ve gotten as much pussy as you have,” Scotty snapped. “I know what I’m doing.”

“And you would get more if you took my advice,” I said darkly.

“What does he know?” Tony said. “Now he’s tied down with a wife.”

The wife jokes didn’t bother me. Keira made me happy, happier than I ever was when I was single. When they found the right girl, they’ll realize how empty and hollow their current existences are.

Scotty eyed the door and then his eyes narrowed in anger. His shoulders tensed and his scowl deepened.

Curious, I looked behind me to see what instilled such a change within him.

Crow.

He walked inside with his guys. There were five of them altogether, walking inside like they owned the place. When one guy passed the group of girls, he swatted her on the ass and winked before he kept walking.

“Fucker,” Scotty said darkly.

Crow found a table with his guys, and when the waitress came over they blatantly stared at her tits while they ordered. As soon as she walked away, he made rude gestures with his hands.

“Maybe we should leave before he sees Liam,” Bran said.

“I’m not scared of anything.” I stayed in my seat, not moving. “He would never fight me head-on because he knows he’ll lose.”

Scotty kept eyeing their table. “He sees you.”

I turned in my seat and stared him down.

The fury was in his eyes and he didn’t look pleased by my presence. He sipped his beer with a clenched jaw then turned his direction to the TV, ignoring me.

“That went better than I thought,” Scotty said.

“He knows he would just embarrass himself again.” I leaned back in my chair then watched the waitress put another beer in front of me. “That’s it for me.”

“Sure.” She headed back to the bar.

“You may as well finish that one,” Scotty said with a shrug. “You already paid for it.”

I probably shouldn’t but since I wasn’t driving I didn’t see why it mattered. I took a few sips while the guys started checking out the girls again.

“Alright, we need a plan of attack,” Bran said.

“No,” Scotty argued. “We just walk up to them and start talking. It’s really not that hard.”

“I don’t know about you, but I really wanted to get laid tonight,” Tony said. “I can’t afford any fuck-ups.”

I didn’t miss being single at all.

They talked about their strategy for several minutes.

“You need to make your move soon,” I said. “Some other guy will make the steal.”

Scotty glanced at Crow then turned back to me. “Maybe we should just stay here…”

I shook my head. “No. He won’t bother me. And if he did, he’d regret it.”

“Are you sure, man?” Bran asked.

“Yeah, I’m good.” I felt a little dizzy from all my beers. “I think I’m going to head out anyway. As much fun as it is to see you pick up on chicks, I have my lady waiting at home for me.”

Tony rolled his eyes. “You don’t need to remind us.”

I pulled out my phone and texted Keira.
I’m ready whenever you are.

You better be drunk when I get there.

I smiled.
Pretty much am.

I’m on my way.

I put my phone in my pocket. “Keira is coming. Now go catch some tail.”

Scotty clapped my shoulder. “Don’t mind if I do.”

The guy left the table and headed to the girls in the corner. I pulled out my wallet and left my share of the bill. After I watched the TV for a while, I downed my beer and decided to wait for Keira outside. The guys were distracted by the girls they were pursuing, and I didn’t want to sit alone so a girl could try to make a pass at me. Without saying goodbye, I walked out the door and headed to the parking lot.