Read Online Treasured (Embracing Series Book 1) by Delisa Lynn - Free Book Online Page B

this man. I fucking love Liam. Anthony. Ellis.
     
    ***
     
    Today, I leave for college. Addison and Ashton come over to say goodbye, but I haven’t seen Liam yet. He’s leaving for the army in two days. I didn’t tell Addie what happened between Liam and me. Of course, she probably already knows. Liam and I have been spending as much time together as we could.
    “I’m going to miss you so much!” Addie cries. “I don’t think I’ll ever make it without you.”
    “I’ll miss you too. We can text every day,” I say into her hair.
    “I’m going to be so lonely without you! You’re the bestest friend ever,” Addison says.
    “Thanks, so are you.” I’m really going to miss her more than she knows. We've never been apart longer than a day or so.
    “I better be, considering someday we'll be family.”
    I laugh at her, hug her tighter, and whisper, “Take care of my little brother, sister-in-law.”
    She laughs and replies, “Always.”
    I hope Liam hasn’t told her anything. I don’t think he would, but they’re really close. I want to be the one to tell her, just not right now.
    Ashton steps in between Addie and me. “Good luck, babe. I’m sorry for everything I put you through. You know I’m a fucking jerk. I really care about you and wish you and Liam the best,” he says, hugging me.
    “Thanks. Yes, you're a dickwad, but I forgive you.” I give him another hug. He inhales deeply and sighs. Did he really have feelings for me?
    Just as I make it to my dad's car, I hear someone behind me and turn to see Liam. Thank god he showed up! I was getting ready to have a full two-year-old tantrum if he hadn’t. I'm sure the big smile on my face shows exactly how excited I am.
    I run into his arms. I can feel my tears as he whispers in my ear, “I love you, my sweet L.” I want to say I love you too, but I don’t. “I’ll take you to the airport if that’s okay with your parents.”
    “That’s fine, Liam. Take care of our girl,” my father says as he reaches out and shakes Liam’s hand.
    “I’ll always take care of our girl, Mr. Carls,” he says to my father.
    “I was ready to cut you if you hadn’t shown up,” I say.
    “How much time do we have before your flight leaves? I have a surprise for you. That’s what was taking so long.” He winks.
    “I still have a few hours,” I say, grabbing his hand.
    “Great, that’s plenty of time.”
    He drives to the beach. We lie on the sand and lightly kiss each other. I want more, but we don’t have much time. I want to climb on top of him and make love until we're both worn out. I can't imagine life without him now.
    “I can’t wait to see you again. I’m going to miss you so damn much.”
    Only if he knew I’ll miss him just as much, if not more, and that I’m dying inside, knowing I won’t see him for months. I want to tell him how much I love him.
    I give him the address to my dorm and he promises to write as soon as he is able.
    When he drops me off at the airport, I can see the tears in his eyes. “I love you, Lila Rae.”
    I kiss him and go on my way. I want to break down, but I can’t. I have to stay strong. It takes everything I have not to cry and show my emotions.
    What the hell? I still haven't told him how much I love him.
     
    ***
     
    I take a cab to campus. My parents sent all my stuff last week so I wouldn’t have to worry about anything. Trying to pull myself together, I get my schedule and walk to my dorm. My parents told me that it’s more of a town home than a dorm and it’s off campus. I like that my dorm and the campus are separate but still in walking distance from one another.
    My mom said the place is beautiful. It has two master suites, a full kitchen, and a living room. I know they paid a lot of money for it. My father wouldn’t let me work to pay for anything. He said he wants me to focus on school and that they would take care of everything.
    I have no clue who my roommate is and that makes it worse. Am I