10   muscular in all the right places

I click the volume button on the remote. I’ve seen this episode of Shameless about a zillion times, but I still love to watch it again and again.

I stretch my long legs out on the couch. I glance out the window, the dark moon glowing above the tall trees. It’s past midnight I’m sure. I came down to the TV room an hour or so ago to escape from the chaos of house guests upstairs. I’m just glad the basement is sound proofed. Because along with the TV set and powerful fans I have on I’m also listening to that CD the kids burned for me. The Backstreet Boys are currently telling me that they want it that way.

I reach to the cushion beside me. I pick up my half eaten Pop Tart and take another bite. Then I set it on my lap to swallow a sip of hot tea.

Oh this is the good life.

“I never wanna hear you say,” I sing to my cup.

“I want it that way.”

I jump, whoever’s voice that was scaring me.

Liam Payne appears from the darkness of the room like a ghost.

“Dear God,” I say breathily. I clutch my Pop Tart to my chest. “Liam you totally freaked me out. You can’t just come popping out of nowhere.”

“Sorry,” he says softly. He sticks his hands in his pajama pockets. Now that he’s walking into the light I can get a better look at him. Liam’s wearing baggy pajama trousers and a very tight fitting white shirt. I can literally see his toned chest through the fabric.

What? No I’m not staring…

Liam saunters closer. I kick my stupid feet from the couch and he sits beside me.

My heart is on Red Bull.

I can’t figure out why.

“Want one?” I pick up the box of breakfast tarts and ask.

Liam smiles and shakes his head.

“That’s too bad,” I tisk. “The dinner of champions.”

“This is your supper?” Liam asks.

“Well… yeah. I mean, it took until just now to get the kids all to bed and then dishes-” I stop rambling. “Yeah it’s not that exciting,” I say with a wave of my hand.

Liam smiles again. I know this is going to sound cheesy, but when he smirks… it’s like seeing a glorious lakeside resort in the middle of the Sahara.

…

That’s the only way I can think to describe it.

Liam lifts the arm that’s closest to me. He props it up on the back of couch.

A flash of ink catches my attention.

“You have a tattoo,” I say in awe.

Liam laughs, “Yep. I sure do. A few of them, actually.” Then he angles his arm to the TV light, the big black arrows I was looking at are much easier to see now. I guess I just didn’t pay that much attention before, because his ink is quite… loud. If that’s possible.

Oh you know what I mean.

“You have any tattoos?”

I shake my head. I wish it was untrue…

“No. A girl can only wish,” I say. Why is my voice suddenly so quiet?

My eyes land on his pretty mouth. “I was just coming down here to check on you,” He says.

“Me?”

Duh, Lena. You’re the only dang person in the room.

I can be such an idiot, let me tell ya.

“Yeah. Since Harry’s here…” he fades out.

“I’m fine,” I say.

Liam raises a furry eyebrow.

“What? I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Liam shakes his head and smiles. “Besides pour dye into Harry’s soap.”

“It was blue ink. And I knew better than to put it in the soap because no one likes liquid soap,” I say. “So I put it in the shampoo. Just a tad.”

Liam laughs. That in turn gives me the shivers.

What is going on with me?

Liam leans forward. It looks like he’s about to get up before he stops. He turns his handsome head towards me. “It should be fun. Staying here for a few, don’t you think?”

I smile. “Sure, Liam.”

He gets up and looks down at me on the sofa with a grin. “Goodnight Lena.”

I feel my cheeks turn pink. I raise my gaze and find myself staring into his caramel eyes. They melt me like a puppy dog’s heartfelt stare.

Oh my god.

Realization has just hit me. And its hit me hard like a train to the brain.

“Erm,” I say, my voice probably cracking. “You too.”

Liam leaves the room, his bare feet smacking against the hardwood.

Oh my god.

I have a crush on Liam Payne.

No no no no no no…

“No, no, no, no,” I mumble to myself.

Why? Why do I have to like HIM?!? Harry’s best friend and international music sensation Liam PAYNE!? Why couldn’t I have some major crush on Gilbert the mailman, huh? Someone who’s in my league and totally reachable.

It has to be him?

Well of course it has to be him. Because Liam’s… Liam’s just so different… He’s charming and sweet. And have you heard that laugh? Handsome yet adorable. Muscular in all the right places-

STOP IT LENA.

I tug on my ponytail.

I’ve literally lost my mind and there is nothing I can do about it.

I sigh, taking a really big and deserving bite of sugary Pop Tart.