“Positive. I’m just going to put on a movie when I’m done and go to bed early.”
“Only if you’re sure.”
“I am.”
Sophia gives me a hug and then hurries down the hallway.
I press the button for the elevator and make my way back to my dorm.
My dad is definitely not happy when I call.
There are a few colorful curse words that he mutters before insisting that I be careful and stay away from the reporters. Right, like I have a choice. They’re the ones hounding and harassing me.
After I get off the phone with Dad, I send Liam a text. It’s still early. We normally converse around bedtime, but I want to talk to him, to hear his voice.
Me: You busy?
Liam: For you, nope.
He calls me before I have the opportunity to call him first.
“Hey, firebreather. Miss me already?” Liam’s voice makes my heart flutter.
I laugh softly and shuffle back onto the mattress. “Yes. It’s been a tiresome evening.”
He must sense my mood because there’s a shift in his tone. “What happened?” Worry flits through his voice, and I want to reassure him, but I can’t.
“Reporters came to the dorm.”
His voice raises an octave. “What?”
“Sophia and I were going to go out after dinner, and I was practically attacked by reporters.”
I can hear background noise, but I can’t decipher it. “Where are you now?” Liam asks.
“In my dorm room. I decided not to go out. I called my dad?—”
“Where’s my sister? You mentioned she was with you. Is she still there?”
I shake my head, forgetting he can’t see me.
“Bristol?” he asks.
“No. She went out with her friends. It’s fine, I’m safe in my room.”
“I’m coming over.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Liam. It’s a two-hour drive. You have class in the morning.”
“I don’t care,” he grits.
I sit up in bed and bring my knees to my chest. “I do. If you come here, I’m breaking up with you.” I hate even threatening him with it, ending things now would devastate me, but I don’t want him screwing up his life for me.
“What? That’s insane, Bristol.”
Why can’t he listen to me? “I’m serious. If you show up, we’re done.”
“You’re really testing my patience, firebreather.”
