I Ran From My Psycho Step-brother Straight Into The Alpha's Lap novel Chapter 101

**When Night Grows Softer Hope Returns To Lead Us by Asa Rowan Finn**

“Sure,” Sage replied, her voice light and breezy. Talya found herself caught in a whirlwind of thoughts, pondering whether it was wise to engage with Liam at all. Ignoring him seemed like the safest choice, but as he stood behind Sage, his presence loomed larger than life, compelling her to glance his way.

“Bathroom break,” he announced, a casual grin spreading across his face, as if they were sharing a private joke. Talya, feeling a wave of discomfort wash over her, quickly averted her gaze and remained silent. She started to weave her way through the sea of people, but after five long minutes of pushing and shoving, frustration began to bubble within her. Being on the shorter side always made navigating through crowds a Herculean task.

Just when she thought she would never escape the throngs of bodies, Liam appeared right in front of her, his demeanor as relaxed as ever. “How about I lead?” he suggested, his smile disarming. “Just hang on to my shirt, and I’ll steer us through this chaos.” Before she could muster a protest, he turned around, confidently pushing his way into the crowd.

Talya weighed her options and, feeling a desperate urgency from her overactive bladder, decided to seize the moment. With one hand, she grasped Sage’s hand behind her, and with the other, she clutched the fabric of Liam’s shirt, hoping he would indeed be her guiding light through the human maze.

To her astonishment, the crowd seemed to part effortlessly for Liam, as if they sensed his determination. In mere moments, they reached the entrance of the bathrooms. Liam glanced back at her, his expression calm and reassuring. “I’ll wait for you,” he said simply, then leaned against the wall opposite the women’s restroom, exuding an air of patience.

Talya didn’t respond verbally; instead, she hurried into the bathroom, Sage trailing closely behind. Once they emerged, she spotted Liam approaching them with an easy smile that made her heart flutter. “Ready?” he asked, his tone light, as if they were embarking on a fun adventure rather than just returning to their seats.

His relaxed demeanor was infectious, and Talya felt herself unwinding in his presence. She offered him a shy smile and nodded, feeling a warmth spread through her. He pointed to his back, and without hesitation, she gripped the back of his shirt once more. Sage clasped her other hand tightly, and together they navigated their way back through the bustling crowd, Liam leading the way with an air of confidence.

Before long, they found their way back to their row of seats. Talya released her hold on Liam’s shirt, feeling a mix of relief and gratitude as she settled back into her spot, ready to immerse herself in the rest of the game.

As the crowd began to disperse, Liam stepped closer to Talya. “Want help navigating the crowd?” he offered, his voice steady and reassuring. Talya looked up at him, her heart racing as she tried to decipher his intentions. She was uncertain about the kindness he was showing her, but all she could see reflected back was genuine warmth.

Turning her gaze towards the throng of people, she realized that reaching the guys’ locker room, where she was supposed to meet Brandon, would be a daunting task on her own. The thought of using Liam’s impressive height and broad frame to her advantage was tempting.

“That would be great, if you don’t mind,” she finally replied, her voice tinged with hope.

Liam’s smile widened, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “Not at all,” he said, the sincerity in his tone making her feel a little lighter, as if the weight of her worries had begun to lift.