Besides the few minutes in Rett’s foyer, the last time I’d seen Liam he was driving away from my apartment in Pittsburgh. The memorial service was history, and he’d made it clear that so were we.
This moment might be easier if I could look back on that particular time in my life with pride—if I could say I kept my chin high and didn’t reduce myself to a heartsick ex-girlfriend. While I eventually came to that outcome, first I’d mourned—my family and the loss of my hopes and dreams for Liam’s and my relationship.
I’d missed classes and sat up nights crying. I’d left messages on his cell phone and personal messages on social media. They’d been pathetic, sad messages—and every one of them went unreturned. I even did what I said I’d never do and stalked him via social media.
Finally, I stopped.
At that point, I cut off everyone from my childhood and hometown.
I took the path I should have taken when Liam said goodbye.
In my defense, at twenty-two years of age and after the loss of my family, I wanted someone to lean on. I believed that William Ingalls would fill the huge void my family had left. I had faith that our forever wouldn’t end. I’d been wrong.
As Liam’s green eyes met mine in this strange kitchen in the middle of a Louisiana bayou, I had an awakening. It was more than an epiphany. If this were a novel, I had the epilogue.
First was my awareness that today I was a stronger woman and a stronger person than I would have been if my relationship with him had continued. It wasn’t that Liam deserved credit for my growth. I deserved that credit.
He deserved nothing.
The other realization was that he knew. When he walked away from me, left me alone in Pittsburgh mourning... he knew Kyle was still alive. He left me alone, and he knew.
That jolt gave me the strength to look him square in the eye. “You motherfucker.”
The green in his eyes glistened as his smile grew.
I waved my hand. “No, you don’t deserve the time or energy that it would take to say what I want to say.” I took a breath. “But I want to know something. You were there. Today”— I clarified— “at the accident. Tell me about Ian and Noah.”
Liam’s smile grew wider as small lines formed near his eyes. There was a coldness I never saw before. It was enough to bring a chill even in this heat.
“Oh, you’re talking about your drivers? Or were they your bodyguards?”
“They’re people I care about.”
His smile transformed to a straight line. “I suggest you find new people to care about.” He walked to the refrigerator and pulled out a beer. After twisting off the lid, he handed it to Kyle.
I wasn’t a beer drinker, but compared to the water, seeing the condensation form on the glass bottle was mouthwatering.
Liam retrieved another, twisted the lid, and took a sip before adding, “I know who you could care about. How about my brother? Oh no. That’s right. Your fuckinghusbandkilled him. Hey, but if you’re desperate, there’s always me, Em.” He winked. “We were good together.”
“Fuck you, Liam.”
Kyle laughed.
Liam and I both turned toward Kyle.
He spoke to Liam. “I told you to leave my sister alone.” Taking a sip of beer, Kyle leaned against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. “Maybe I was wrong. She’s feisty around you. I’ll get the popcorn and watch how this turns out.”
“It’s not turning out,” I said. “I’m married.”
Liam’s expression turned to disgust. “In name only.”
It was my turn to laugh. “Is that what you think? Do you think that there’s no man who can come after William Ingalls?” I didn’t let him answer. “Compared to Rett, you’re a kid.”
Liam leaned my direction, lowering his voice. “But he didcomeafter me.”
My pulse raced as I bit my tongue.
“I suppose if he wants leftovers.”