Barefoot in College: A New Adult Romance Read online

  Sean gathered me up against his hard chest, I was thankful that he had grabbed a shower and no longer smelled of the gym. “Bri, I’m not going anywhere. It’s going to be okay.”

  And then the tears started, I couldn’t stop them. And Sean being the great friend that he was, didn’t complain when I bawled my eyes out against his shirt getting snot and nastiness all over him. He simply held me until I was all cried out and then helped me into my room.

  Maybe Sean was right, maybe things would look better in the morning.

  CHAPTER 4 – BRIANNA

  I was much closer to the toilet bowl than I ever wanted to be. My cereal that I had just eaten twenty minutes before was swirling down the drain. I had hoped that the vomiting would be short lived. Plenty of women didn’t even throw-up.

  My body was an overachiever. If I didn’t puke at least once an hour, I was unconscious.

  I thought back to the discussion Sean and I had more than a week ago when I first found out that I was pregnant. I had been terrified to tell anyone that I was stupid enough to get drunk at my best friend’s wedding, have unprotected sex and get knocked up.

  Now, after becoming a worshiper of the great porcelain throne, I was much too sick to care who knew about my condition.

  To make matters worse, I was on the verge of being fired from my job. Between the days, I had missed for the wedding and the flu, I was already on thin ice. Now that I couldn’t keep anything down, I could hardly work. My boss had informed me that we would be meeting as soon as I arrived in the morning.

  But the joke was on him, because there was no way in hell that I could come in.

  My cellphone rang from the kitchen and I heard Sean answer it. From the bits and pieces, I could hear it was the college calling.

  “She’s incredibly ill…”

  “You don’t understand the magnitude of the situation…”

  “Surely you could have some compassion on…”

  “I will let her know.”

  It was moments before I looked up and could see Sean standing in the bathroom doorway.

  “They let me go?” my voice warbled as I clutched the seat of the toilet.

  He nodded slowly, “I am sorry, sweetheart.”

  A fresh batch of tears rushed to my eyes, “I can’t help it.”

  Sean sighed before kneeling in front of me, “You look like shit, Bri. I think we need to take you over to the emergency room.”

  My aversion to doctors was on high alert, “I am fine. I will be okay if I just lay down for a little bit.”

  I tried to stand and the room spun. Lurching forward I felt my stomach heave and barely made it before vomiting again into the basin. This time it was tinged with blood.

  Sean was officially freaked out, not willing to wait for my answer. He picked me up and took me straight to his Land Rover. He handed me an empty bag from the back. We had started making certain that I had a safe place to throw-up.

  The tires squealed as he peeled out and headed to the hospital.

  Four hours later and several bags of saline laced with anti-nausea meds, I felt more like myself. Apparently, I was severely dehydrated. The blood had come from irritation to my esophagus from the vomiting. They had done an ultrasound and I saw my little peanut for the first time.

  It was surreal. I think that Sean got more out of it than I did. Thankfully the nurse had printed out pictures of the jellybean. His little fluttering heartbeat did something to me. I kept staring at the monitor, there really was a baby inside of me.

  The attending physician recommended that I stay the night. I refused and Sean overruled my decision. If he hadn’t of been so incredible the past few weeks I would have been seriously tempted to knock him on his ass.

  When I felt better.

  Sean stayed most of the day, but as visiting hours came to a close he had to leave to finish up some work at home.

  I didn’t sleep well, and started vomiting again even though I had been given the anti-nausea meds. It was a horrible night, one that I hope to never relive. The next morning it was all I could do to stay. I was tired, sick, lonely and wanted Sean to come and get me.

  When the door opened, I called out without opening my eyes, “It’s about time you got here, ass wipe.”

  When he didn’t respond with some cheeky number I propped one eye open. There standing in my hospital room was the Greek god that I hadn’t seen in over two months. His usual olive complexion was pasty, and his hair looked like he had run his hands through it a million times.

  But even in disarray, Liam McCannon, was the most incredibly handsome man I have ever seen. I just wanted to know what the hell he was doing in my hospital room.

  CHAPTER 5 – Liam

  When Katie called in a panic about some guy Bri knew named Sean I went immediately on the defense. It hurt like hell that Bri had run for the hills after we spent the night together. Bri was one of the hottest chicks I have ever met.

  Normally I would have gone after her, but things were complicated. She was my sister’s best friend, and I was dating the unfaithful lying bitch named, Heidi. I always felt nervous around Bri, like she could see through the facade I had created. That was more than a little bit uncomfortable. Her mocha skin and golden-brown eyes sliced right through any pretense I had.

  I was shocked when she came on to me at the wedding. But my dick was more than happy to do the thinking for me. It seemed like one moment we were dancing and the next she was rubbing up on me and sliding her hands through my hair.

  I want to believe that I put up a resistance, but Lord knows that would be a bald face lie. All she had to do was smile at me and I was a goner. Her legs are a mile long and when she pulled me down for a kiss, wrapping one silky leg around my hips I lost all control.

  It was a fight of dominance, all teeth and tongues, mouths demanding satisfaction as we tried to eat each other alive. I don’t know how we got to my hotel room. All I remember was slamming her against the door as I hiked both of her legs around my waist. She was so damn wet for me. Her lacy red thong was drenched. And when I stroked her underneath those panties, she threw her head back and moaned long and loud.

  The first time was there against the door. Then over the desk, as I worshipped her perfect ass. The last time was with her riding me. Her large breasts bouncing wildly as her kinky brown curls fell half way down her back.

  That was one thing I will never forget. I have never had sex like that before. She had crawled inside of my body and I didn’t know how to eradicate her. I wasn’t sure I wanted to. And then we went to sleep and when she awoke she had no memory of any of it.

  The horror in her eyes when she realized it was me beside her, that is another thing I will never forget.

  Bri raced out of there like she was on fire, and I thought it would be the last I saw of her. At least until Katie and Colt had another baby or Gracie graduated high school.

  So, imagine my surprise when Katie calls, freaking out the Bri is dying in the hospital. I had no idea who Sean was, or how he had my sister’s phone number. But the real kicker was that Sean had insisted that I be the one to come down to see Bri.

  Why me? That’s what I wanted to know. And I would probably still be thinking that if the stupid nurse just outside Bri’s door hadn’t stopped me and asked me that ever important question.

  Are you the father?

  I felt the bottom drop out of my world. I didn’t know the answer, but I sure as hell was going to find out.

  Bri’s eyes widened in panic, “Liam, what are you doing here?”

  I hated seeing her like this. She was hooked up to an IV and looked like she had lost about ten pounds. On her slender frame, it made her look gaunt. I don’t think I have ever seen her look worse.

  “Why are you here, Bri?”

  Guilt flashed across her face, but I could tell that she wasn’t ready to cave yet.

  “I have been sick,” her voice was hoarse, her eyes red.

  “I can see that,” I walked over t
o her bed, and there on the nightstand were the black and white photos from an ultrasound. I had already done this with Katie, eight years ago. But I couldn’t help but stagger from the blow. She really was pregnant. And I have no idea if she ever planned on telling me the truth.

  I picked up the pictures, “What are these?”

  Bri closed her eyes in surrender, “You know what they are, Liam.”

  “Am I the father?” my voice woodenly, I couldn’t help it.

  Her eyes flew open, the pain in them evident, and I felt like the biggest ass in the world. Of course, the baby was mine. Not once during that night had I even considered wearing a condom. I hadn’t even worried about it the next day. As to where my head was, I couldn’t tell you, because I have never or after acted so recklessly.

  She swallowed tears, “Yes. But you don’t have to worry about anything. I won’t be bothering you.”

  Hold up there, that was never my intention, “Bri, this baby is mine too. And I cannot help but be worried, you are laying in a damn hospital. I know how scary it is when a mother can’t keep food down. And you are much worse off than Katie ever was. How can you tell me not to worry?”

  Bri looked miserable, “I just didn’t want you to be angry with me or the baby.”

  I didn’t understand, “Bri, you didn’t get pregnant by yourself. You don’t even remember that night. If anything, you should be angry with me.”

  Her lips trembled, “I got fired from my job. I can’t keep anything down, and I don’t want to be pregnant. How is that for honesty? Are you angry now?”

  My heart was aching, coming closer I looked into those red rimmed eyes. “You don’t have to do this alone, Bri. I will be there every step of the way. Don’t worry about your job, I make plenty of money. And I know you didn’t expect to be having a baby with your best friend’s brother. But I am not such a bad guy. Everything will be okay.”

  Bri grasped my arm and in the next breath I had her slender frame in my arms. It felt so damn good. I wasn’t sure if everything that I had said to her was true. I did have enough money to support her and our child. But I had no idea how things were going to play out. All I knew was that I would be doing my damndest to make things work.

  CHAPTER 6- Brianna

  Sean eyed Liam warily as he helped me move the last of my boxes out of the apartment that I had been sharing with Sean. He hadn’t wanted me to move out and even went as far as to say that if I wanted him to, he would marry me.

  But no sex, because that would be weird and disgusting. I loved him even more for the offer, especially since I knew he was one hundred percent sincere. But Sean didn’t deserve that. He deserved to fall in love, hopefully for longer than the weekend, and to live happily ever after with the woman of his dreams.

  I could never be that for him.

  When the last box was loaded into Liam’s truck I turned to Sean, “This isn’t really goodbye.” Damn, why were my eyes watering?

  He folded me into his chest, “Then why does it feel like it?”

  “I will only be an hour away, we can meet up anytime.”

  “Please don’t cry, Bri. You are killing me here. I am not sure if I know how to live without you as it is. You have been by my side for over five years. You don’t have to leave with that douche bag.”

  I was full on crying at this point, “You are going to kill it without me dragging you down.”

  Sean tightened his arms, “Who is going to scare my one night stands away?”

  My choked laughter was muffled against his chest.

  Liam cleared his throat from the doorway and I pushed out of Sean’s arms. “I will text you when I get there.”

  Sean nodded, I don’t think I have ever seen him look so sad. “Call me anytime, and I will be there.”

  My heart was breaking, “I know, love you Sean.”

  “Love you too, Bri, always.”

  I waved and then turned to Liam. He seemed irritated about something, but the look vanished when he realized that I was staring.

  “We better get on the road,” he said gruffly.

  I nodded and then with a faint wave to my pseudo brother, I walked out of the apartment and to Liam’s truck. Without speaking he opened the passenger side door. It was much higher up than I had anticipated, but Liam was there to help me inside.

  As we were pulling away I couldn’t help but look back. And there on the sidewalk was Sean waving. A fresh batch of tears came to my eyes.

  “Is there something that I am missing?”

  I almost didn’t register that Liam was speaking to me. “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “What is your relationship with your roommate?” his chiseled jaw was clenched as tightly as his hands were on the steering wheel.

  “Sean?” I was stunned, “We are friends, the best of friends, he is like a brother to me.”

  “Your brother is in love with you.”

  Liam’s statement made me laugh, I couldn’t help it. “No, you have it all wrong. Sean and I are not romantically involved in any way shape or form.”

  Liam wasn’t buying it, “That might be what you think, Bri. But that man back there is definitely in love with you.”

  A broad smile broke across my face, “Are you jealous?”

  Liam’s cheeks pinked, “No, that is ridiculous. Why, do you want me to be jealous?”

  I laughed at his response, “I think you are seeing things that aren’t there. Sean and I met at UMD and have been good friends ever since. He as seen me in the worst situations. He could tell you horror stories about me that would have you running for the hills. I love Sean, but as a brother, nothing more.”

  Liam turned to look at me, and I felt my stomach drop. He was so damn good-looking, it should be illegal. “Okay, if you say there is nothing there, I believe you.”

  “There is nothing there,” I confirmed, “But I do want him to be a part of my life, he has been there for me for the last five years. Is that going to be a problem with me living with you?”

  Liam shook his head, “We are two single people moving in to help support our child. It isn’t any of my business who you are friends with, nor who you date. I am sure we can keep things civil.”

  I had a sinking feeling in my stomach, “I don’t plan on doing much dating. Do you date very often?”

  Liam didn’t answer for a moment, and I thought I might throw-up. Of all times to have the morning sickness strike. I didn’t want to ruin his leather interior, so I leaned back and started breathing through my nose.

  “I am not dating anyone, per say,” he finally answered. “But I do go out frequently. I will stop if it bothers you.”

  “Why would it bother me?” I lied through my teeth. “We aren’t together.”

  I really was going to be sick, “Pull over!”

  Liam swerved to the side of the road and I had seconds before I was puking up my breakfast out the open car door.

  “Are you okay?” Liam was worried, I could tell. But he rubbed my back until the vomiting stopped. He pulled out a water bottle so that I could rinse my mouth. “I have some peppermints in the glove compartment. They helped Katie some, so I picked them up.”

  I nodded miserably, “Thank you, that was very kind of you.”

  Liam spoke carefully, “I really want you to be happy living with me, Bri. I want to do right by you and the baby. So, if I can do anything, ever, promise me that you will tell me.”

  I looked up into his concerned hazel eyes. Man, I had it bad. How was I going to live with Mr. Perfect if he was dating other women? The non-pregnant, non-puking kind of woman. How was I going to steel my heart against him bringing a girl back to our place? It was one thing when Sean brought girls home. I thought it was rather funny. How was I going to stop myself from falling in love? There were a hundred things that I could never tell him. I was in so much trouble. And I didn’t know what the hell I was doing.

  So, I lied through my teeth, “I promise.”

  CHAPTER 7 – Liam
/>   The next hour as I drove to the house was quiet and uncomfortable. I kept sneaking glances at Bri’s face. She was laying back against the headrest and her eyes were closed. Bri has the longest eyelashes that I have ever seen. They almost dust her cheek when closed, she is breathtaking.

  I could feel the soldier in my pants twitch and I scowled. I needed to stop acting like a jealous boyfriend. I know that I have no right to that position, but I sure as hell would like to apply for the job. I can’t believe that I told her I went out frequently. If frequently meant once in a blue moon then I would be telling the truth.

  Honestly, it had been a while before my sister Katie’s wedding. Sure, I had dated off and on over the past year. But nothing remotely serious and no one that even compared to Brianna. I had been a bit of a player after Heidi and I broke up at UMD. I hate that Bri saw that part of me.

  I don’t have an excuse, or I do but it sounds lame. After my parents died I became the head of the household for Katie and me. If it weren’t for my best friend Colt and his crazy smart brain I would have failed miserably. I somehow managed to hold on to Katie, even after her excessive partying and her becoming pregnant. I went to every one of Katie’s doctor appointments and was there when she had Gracie.

  Then that next fall, I went to UMD to play baseball while Katie and Gracie followed Colt to Yale.

  Heidi came with me, and at first it was great. Or if not great, really good, mostly good, or if I am being truly honest, it was usually okay. Come to find out, she had started seeing someone else while I was at practice.

  After we broke up I realized that I no longer had to be the responsible adult. Katie was with Colt and I was single. I don’t know if I was trying to live out my stupid adolescent years or just plain stupid. But I got around, and I didn’t bother to hide it.

  There were a few times that I ran into Bri on campus. She still was the hottest woman I had ever seen. But I had hung that off limits sign a long time ago. I knew that she was living with some guy named Sean, everyone did. And he actually is a pretty good guy, which makes me hate him even more.