Page 39 of The Has-Been

I take a deep breath.

“I guess that went well,” I whisper to myself.

What is wrong with me? I’m so delusional if I actually think that encounter was anything close to good. But things could always be worse; Ted Bundy could’ve picked me up instead of Liam.

Always gotta look at the positive, I tell myself. When my body is no longer trembling from the cold, I push myself forward, heading for the steps that lead up to my room.

But then I hear the sound of voices streaming from down the hall. At first, I believe it’s coming from June’s room, but then, tiptoeing down the hall, I try not to squeak the wooden floorboards as I investigate.

June’s door is closed.

My eyes dart to a door across the hall—so is Rory’s.

Does Reese have someone over?

A grin spreads across my face as I turn around, heading up the stairs to give Reese her much-needed privacy.

When I get to my room, I throw June’s handy weapon, her handbag, on the ground. But I notice bright lights beaming through my curtains—still sitting in the driveway.

So I hit my own lights on, crawl into bed, and refuse to look out that window—suddenly afraid of what I might see.

I wake to my phone ringing the following Saturday morning. Groaning from being woken up when I know I have a long day ahead of me, I roll over and squint at my screen.

But when I see the name displayed, I quickly pull the charger free and answer the call.

“Hey, Karen,” I say softly to Liam’s mother.

Is it weird that we still occasionally talk? Probably. But for some reason, I can’t help myself from answering when she calls. She’s so worried about him. And I hate that she’s so far away, all alone since Liam’s father passed away when he was little. Liam is the only thing she has left of her husband, and she nearly lost him, too.

My stomach sinks, my hands turning sweaty as I close my eyes, remembering. But I force myself to take a deep breath and try not to think too much about it.

“Aubrey.” She greets sweetly. “I’m so sorry to call this early.”

“Oh, no, don’t apologize. I was up anyway.” I lie, pulling a sweatshirt over my head as I head downstairs. I walk up to the fridge and pour a glass of orange juice.

“Oh, Aubrey, honey, you’ve never been an excellent liar.” She jokes as I take a long drink, the tart juice instantly waking me up. And against my will, her words free a memory from my mind…

“You must be Mrs. Anderson,” I exclaim, my voice breaking. My shoulders tighten as even I can recognize how nervous I sound.

“No, well—I suppose I am, yes! But not Mrs. Anderson—just Karen, my dear,” the middle-aged woman stammers as she pulls me into a tight embrace.

I suck in a sharp breath, her gesture taking me by surprise. When she pulls away, studying me a bit, I can’t help but notice Liam has her eyes—bright and green. But that’s about as far as the similarities go upon first impression.

“You must be Aubrey?” she questions as she moves back into her seat. I nod, sitting beside her as the arena’s lights go low. She pats me on the leg. “Oh, I’m so tickled to meet you. Liam’s told me so much about you.” Her words bring a smile to her face, but then her features turn to stone. “Please don’t tell him I said that! He asked me not to embarrass him, and I fear I’ve already said too much. But it’s not every day a mother gets to meet her son’s girlfriend.”

My heart ceases in my chest as my breath wheezes past my lips. “Oh—no. We aren’t boyfriend and girlfriend. I mean—well, I don’t know—we haven’t really⁠—”

What am I saying?

I put a hand to my temple. I want to crawl out of my skin. Why did I correct her?

She hates me. She totally hates me.

I’ve practically just admitted that I’m screwing her son, but not ready to label anything yet.

“Oh—” she drawls, her face hardening with something that looks like sadness. “I just thought⁠—”

“No—” I say quickly. “You’re right. It’s just so new, and I haven’t had a chance to process it.” I lie because I don’t think I can stand to look at her the rest of this game if I don’t.