She tried to shut the door again but he put a hand out and pushed his way inside, cooly aggressive. That was his way. “I will. After we talk.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
He peered around her living room. “Sure there is. Looks like money’s tight. Didn’t have to be this way, you know. Leaving the group doesn’t look like it worked out for you.”
“I’m doing just fine.”
“Still got that voice of yours?” He waved a dismissive hand. “Never mind, I know you do. I can tell by the way you talk. It’s still there. I bet it’s only gotten sexier with age.” He gave her an up-and-down look. “Like other things.”
“You need to leave.”
“We could revive your career.”
She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to keep her calm. She didn’t think Liam would physically hurt her. That wasn’t his style. But she needed to get him out of here before Reagan woke up. “I don’t sing anymore. Lost interest.”
The lines tightened around his mouth and actual remorse seemed to cross his face. “Because of me?”
“Contrary to popular belief, everything isn’t about you, Liam.”
He stepped closer and set the lily on the side table, his gaze softening. “Look, Kr—Oakley, I’m sorry about how things went down at the end. I should’ve realized how scared you were. You were always so mature for your age, so I just assumed you could handle it. I should’ve been there for you and gone to the clinic to be by your side. I never meant for that to be the end of us or your career.”
The words were sweet, his tone gentle. He knew how to say all the right things. But he’d always been good at that part. “Apology accepted. But I have no interest in resurrecting my career. And why would you even want to? Seems like you’ve got a good gig managing a tour.”
“Yeah, but it’s a temporary role. I want to manage artists again. Things haven’t gone so well the past few years. I need a star who can break out. You could slide right into the lane with the singer-songwriters that are popular right now. You’ve got the chops for it. And we used to be so good together.”
She crossed her arms and frowned. “Liam, stop feeding me the line of bullshit. I’m no breakout star and you know it. You’re here because even after all these years, you can’t stand the fact that someone’s in my bed and it’s not you.”
His lip curled. “Well, I was wondering why you’re wasting your time with some punk-ass drummer. You know how many girls he’s going to stick his dick in by night two of the tour? I saw him flirting with everything that moved at the club last night. He’s an overgrown child with no impulse control and not fit for a woman like you.”
Her teeth ground together. “How would you know what kind of woman I am?”
He leaned down, his cologne the same heavy musk from all those years ago. “Because I made that woman. Built her piece by piece just the way I wanted her. I bet you let him take control. You were always so eager to please.” He dragged a knuckle over her cheek, making her shudder. “But I know how to please you back, how to take care of you, how to love you. You don’t need a boy, you need a man.”
She jerked away from his touch. “That boy is more man than you’ll ever be.”
Liam leaned back and smiled, his hands sliding into his pockets. “Give me one night, and I’ll remind you how good we were together.”
“Mom?”
The questioning voice came from the top of the stairs. Everything inside Oakley screamed a long silent cry.
Liam straightened like an arrow and turned his head, his eyes landing on Reagan.
“Hey, baby, I’ll be up in a minute, okay?” she said, her voice high and tight.
“Who’s that?” Rae asked, eyeing Liam shrewdly.
Liam broke into a genial smile. “I’m Liam Garrett, an old friend of your mom’s. I heard you sing yesterday. You’ve got quite a voice, young lady.”
Reagan crossed her arms. “Thanks.”
“Reagan, go back to your room. I’ll be there in a minute.” Oakley’s heart was bruising her ribs with the force of her frantic heartbeat. She silently prayed that Liam would be too distracted to put two and two together.
“Okay,” Rae said begrudgingly.
“Wait,” Liam said before Rae could turn her back. “How old are you?”
Oakley’s heart dropped.