Read Online Anywhere With You by Kaylee Ryan - Free Book Online Page A

happening, Aiden walks over to her, whispers in her ear and pulls her close as he kisses the top of her head. Why the fuck does he keep touching her? I slam the salad bowl down on the table which causes me to receive questioning looks from both of my parents.
    Aiden returns to his seat. “This looks great Mrs. Mac, thanks again for having us.”
    “You know you are always welcome,” mom tells him.
    “So can you believe that Allison and Aiden grew up living next door to each other? Small world, huh?” Hailey says as she fills her plate with lasagna.
    “Really, are you two dating?” this question coming from my mother. I am taking a drink as she asks this and begin to cough, her question not sitting well with me. No matter how many times Aiden tells me they’re just friends, like siblings he still touches her intimately. I hate every second of it. I want to be the one to wrap my arms around her.
    Aiden laughs, “No, Allison and I are best friends.” He looks at me, “She’s like my little sister.”
    My mom looks at Allison. “So you’re Ash?” she questions. Aiden has pretty much been a permanent fixture at my house whenever I’m here. He has talked a lot about Allison or “Ash” as he calls her.
    “Yes, we call each other by our initials. It’s something we started when we were really young. I moved in with my Gran when I was ten. I lost my parents in a car crash. I was scared and lonely.” She looks at Aiden and smiles, “Ace here made sure I knew my way around school and we bonded. We have been best friends ever since.” Allison discretely wipes a tear that’s starting to escape. It takes everything in me not to wrap her in my arms. The thought that she is sad or hurt is ripping my heart out.
    “I am so sorry about your parents, dear,” my mom tells Allison. “I didn’t mean to pry.”
    “No, it’s fine. It was a long time ago,” Allison replies. “May I use your restroom?” she asks softly.
    Hailey speaks up, “Of course, it’s the last door down the hall on your right.”
    Allison leaves the table and I release the breath I am holding.
    “You alright son?” my dad asks.
    I shake my head yes, not wanting to get into the fact that Allison has me tied in knots. That the thought of her in pain is making my arms ache to hold her.
    After a few minutes Hailey says, “I’m going to go check on her.”
    “No! Let me do it.” I quickly excuse myself and head down the hall. I know that I, as well as Allison, are going to be the topic of conversation, but I can’t bring myself to care. I want to be there for her.
    I stop in front of the bathroom door and lean my forehead against it. I can hear her soft cries. I knock softly, “Allison, it’s Liam. Can you let me in, sweetheart.”
    “Just give me a minute, I’ll be fine,” she chokes out.
    “Please,” I whisper.
    I hear her shuffling towards the door and then hear the handle move. When she pulls the door open her face is blotchy and her eyes are red and swollen. Without even thinking I step inside and shut the door. I pull her close to me and wrap her in my arms. I kiss the top of her head and as I do she begins to cry harder. I’m not sure how long we stay like that but, while I am holding her I lose a piece of myself to Allison Shay Hagan.
    She pulls away from me slowly. “Sorry about your shirt,” she whispers.
    I pull her chin up with my thumb and forefinger so that she is looking me in the eye, “Are you okay? Do you want to talk about it?”
    She shakes her head no. “I feel like such a baby. It was years ago, I should be able to talk about it.”
    “Is there something in particular that upset you?” I ask softly as I pull her back into my chest and slowly rub my hand up and down her back.
    “Not really, it’s just …” she sniffles.
    “What baby, what happened?
    “It’s just family dinners. I miss those, for the last eight years it’s just been Gran and I.”
    I can’t find words through the lump in my throat. My