Chapter 3: Rising Action
The party was bigger than I anticipated, and with Liam's word's still rolling around in my head, my focus was oon getting as drunk as possible and forgetting as much as possible. I might as well, if I was going to be pregnant after this. Last time, right?
I thought to myself, taking another shot. I could feel the warmth spreading through me, the edges of my vision blurring, and the weight of Liam's words lifting. I just need to forget for a while. Make it through this party. Then I can deal with everything else.
Sophia found me at the makeshift bar in the kitchen, laughing too loudly and trying to pour a drink for myself. "Whoa, whoa, whoa," she said, taking the bottle from me. "Slow down, Evie. You're going to be sick."
I waved her off, stumbling slightly. "I can handle it.
I'm a big girl, remember?" I slurred, trying to take the bottle back from Sophia. She placed her hands on her hips, giving me a stern look.
"Evie, you've had enough. You need to stop before you make a mistake you'll regret."
I scoffed, waving her off. "I won't make any mistakes. I'm just having fun, relaxing. You should try it sometime."
Sophia sighed, shaking her head. "I know you're trying to forget, but this isn't the way to do it. Talk to me, Evie."
But she gasped as Caleb showed up behind her and bent her over the counter. He had a wild grin on his face as he kissed her neck, making her shiver. Sophia stood there, unable to move, shocked by Caleb's sudden aggression.
"
"Why does it bother you so much, Soph?" he whispered in her ear, his voice low and dangerous. "Don't you want to get fucked in front of all of your party guests?"
Caleb continued, his voice a low growl, as he ground against Sophia roughly. She struggled to push him off, but he was far too strong for her.
"Caleb, stop! That's not funny!" Sophia tried to reason with him, but her voice was shaky with fear.
I watched the scene unfold, my vision swimming with alcohol and disbelief. I wanted to help Sophia, to pull Caleb off her, but my limbs felt like lead. I couldn't move. I couldn't react. I was frozen in place, my mind racing with panic.
The room spun around me, the noise of the party fading into the background as I focused on the scene before me.
"Caleb, please," Sophia begged, tears welling up in her eyes. "Not here. Not like this."
Caleb just laughed, a cruel, bitter sound that made my blood run cold. "Oh, come on, baby. Don't be such a tease."
But suddenly, Caleb crumpled to the floor, Liam standing over him. I blinked, trying to process what had just happened. Liam had moved so fast, I hadn't even seen him cross the room.
"What the fuck, man?" Caleb slurred, rubbing the back of his head.
Liam's voice was low and dangerous. "She said no, you piece of shit. You don't touch a woman without her consent."
Caleb looked up at Liam, anger flashing in his eyes.
"Fuck you, man. She's just playing hard to get."
Liam sneered, his body tense and ready to pounce. "She said no, Caleb. That's all that matters. Now get the fuck out of here before I make you leave."
Caleb glared at Liam for a moment before climbing to his feet, nursing the back of his head. "You're a dead man, dude. I'll get you back for this."
Liam just smirked, unfazed by the threat. "Bring it on, man."
I thought about how ironic that just hours ago, he was blackmailing me into having a baby with him. Now, he was saving Sophia from a potential assault. The alcohol I had consumed earlier made my head spin, and I had to grip the counter to steady myself.
Sophia rushed to Liam, throwing her arms around him. "Thank you, thank you," she kept repeating, tears streaming down her face. I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy watching them. Liam looked down at her, his expression softening as he wrapped his arms around her.
"It's okay, Soph. I've got you," he murmured.
I turned away, not wanting to witness their tender moment.
I felt a mix of emotions churning inside me—jealousy, confusion, and a dash of bitterness. I stumbled towards the stairs, needing some air.
I made it halfway up before I felt a strong arm wrap around my waist, steadying me. "Whoa there, training bra. You gonna make it up those stairs in one piece?" Liam's voice was low, his breath warm on my ear.
I tried to shrug him off, but the alcohol was making my movements sluggish. "I'm fine, Liam. Just leave me alone."
He chuckled, tightening his grip on me.
"Yeah, I don't think so. You're wobbling like a newborn fawn up here. Let's get you to your room, hmm?"
I didn't have the energy to argue, so I let him guide me up the stairs. Once we reached the top, he steered me towards my room. I fumbled with the doorknob, my fingers clumsy and uncooperative. Liam grew impatient and took over, opening the door and ushering me inside.
"Thanks," I mumbled, stepping into the room.
Liam followed me in, closing the door behind him.
The room was cast in a soft glow from the string lights Sophia had hung around the window. I stumbled towards the bed, trying to keep my balance. I was feeling the full force of the alcohol now, and my vision was swimming.
Liam stepped closer, concern etched on his face. "How much did you drink, Evie?"
I shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. "Not that much."
He scoffed. "Yeah, right. You're wasted, Evie. And you're not even a good drunk."
I scowled at him. "Excuse me?
I'm a fantastic drunk," I protested, even as I wobbled and had to grab onto the bedpost to steady myself.
Liam chuckled, shaking his head. "You're not. You're one of those annoying drunks who gets all emotional and sloppy."
"Excuse you!" I huffed, trying to glare at him. "I am not emotional and sloppy."
He raised an eyebrow. "Really?
Then what do you call this?" Liam gestured to me, taking a step closer. I could feel the heat of his body, the faint scent of whiskey and something darker, something that made my pulse quicken.
"You're all over the place, Evie. One minute you're laughing, the next you're yelling at me. You're a hot mess."
I tried to push him away, but I only succeeded in toppling myself onto the bed. "I am not a hot mess," I slurred, looking up at him with what I was sure was a pout, but probably just looked like a confused fish.
Liam chuckled, running a hand through his hair.
"Alright, Evie. You're not a hot mess. You're just... unique."
I narrowed my eyes at him, trying to decipher if he was being sincere or sarcastic. "Unique is a nice way of saying 'weird,' you know."
He smiled, a soft, genuine smile that made my heart skip a beat. "I like weird."
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help the small smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.
"You're weird, you mean."
Liam chuckled, his eyes never leaving mine. "Maybe. But I think I like you weird, Evie."
The room was quiet except for the soft hum of the string lights and the distant sound of music and laughter from the party downstairs. I could feel the weight of his gaze, the intensity of his stare, and it made my heart race.
"You do, huh?" I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I knew I should push him away, tell him to leave, but the alcohol in my system was lowering my inhibitions, and the darkness in his eyes was drawing me in.
I felt a strange mix of anger and desire coursing through my veins, and I couldn't deny the spark of attraction between us.
"Maybe I like you too," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. Liam's eyes widened slightly in surprise, but his smile never faded. He reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering on my cheek.
"Is that so?" he murmured, his voice so low that it sent shivers down my spine. I closed my eyes, leaning into his touch, savoring the warmth of his hand against my skin.
His fingers traced the line of my jaw, the curve of my lips, as if committing every inch of me to memory.
"Liam," I whispered, my voice barely audible, even to my own ears.
He leaned in, his breath hot against my ear. "Yes, Evie?"
My heart pounded in my chest, a wild drumbeat that echoed through my entire body. I could feel the heat radiating off him, the smell of whiskey and something darker, something that made my pulse quicken.
"I shouldn't want this," I said, my voice a low, tortured whisper.
"And you're not getting it. I'm not fucking you when you're drunk, Evie, but I meant what I said about the deal. And when you're sober in the morning, I need you to choose. Or the deal expires." Liam's voice was a low growl, a husky whisper that sent a shiver down my spine. I could feel the heat radiating off him, the faint scent of whiskey and something darker, something that made my pulse quicken.
"What... what deal?" I managed to stammer, my mind still foggy from the alcohol.
He chuckled, a dark, dangerous sound that made my heart race. "The one where you belong to me. Where you get pregnant with my seed.
I stared at him, disbelief and anger warring within me. "You're insane," I hissed.
"Absolutely fucking insane." I tried to push him away, but my limbs felt like jelly, and I slipped on the bed, falling onto my back with a huff. Liam loomed over me, his expression serious, his eyes never leaving mine.
"Am I?" he asked, his voice low and measured. "Or am I just the only one who knows what they want and how to get it?"
He tucked me into the bed. "I'm protecting you Evie and securing your future. Besides, you'll be a great mother. I've seen how you are with Sophia," he said, adjusting the blanket over me. "And you'll have all the resources you need to take care of our child. It's a win-win."