AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Wait!” I spit out, but it’s too late. Dad is already opening the door to Liam. I don’t hide my scowl as he walks in and hands my dad a bottle of wine.
“If I remember, that’s your favorite.”
“Any wine is my favorite as long as the wife doesn’t take it away. Come on in. Holly was just setting the table. Food is almost ready.”
Liam walks in and slides off his jacket. Poor thing can barely fit over his huge muscles. Looking over at me, the kind smile he held for my father slips, and he says, “Oh, good. I’m starved. Can’t wait to dig in.”
Jerk.
Dinner is a complete bust.
This was supposed to be my meal. My chicken fried steak and bottomless mashed potatoes. Instead, I have Liam sitting across from me, making pleasant conversation with my parents while he eats my meal. I shove a bite of potatoes in my mouth and wash it down with a huge gulp of wine. If he’s gonna eat my meal, I’m going to drink his wine.
“Margaret, this is your best yet. No one makes fried steak like you do.” He takes a hefty bite, and Mom smiles widely, eating up the compliment. I roll my eyes, mocking his stupid compliment under my breath, and take another deep sip of wine.
“What was that, honey?”
“Oh, nothing. Just thinking about the tasty cookies. Especially the brown sugar candy cane ones. Once Liam leaves, I’m gonna dig in.” I take another swig.
Liam’s gaze locks on mine. Cool as a cucumber, he lifts his glass, slowly bringing it to his lips. Soft, plump, inviting. . .
I slam my wine.
“Oh Liam, you should stay for dessert. If I remember right, you used to love those cookies. Holly made an extra batch of them.”
Jesus, Mom! “I was going to give them to the homeless.” Plus, I poisoned them. Mom gives me a side glance and waves me off, continuing to praise Liam for basically just breathing. You’re such a big help, Liam. You’re so this, Liam. You’re so that, Liam.
“Gah!”
Mom jumps in her seat. Apparently, that was not said in my head. “Sorry. Bad bite.” Bad everything. Coming home was supposed to be healing for me. Getting over all the shit in my life. Not throwing myself into more shit. I startle my mother again when I shove my chair back and stand. “Sorry. I need to make a phone call.” Reaching over, I snatch the bottle of wine off the table, turn my back, and head through the kitchen.
I shove my feet into a set of boots and head outside. The crisp chill washes over me, calming my overheated nerves. Who the hell does he think he is? And why is he here? I lean against the garage and take a pull of wine. Am I losing it? The memories I’ve tried hard to bury are fighting their way to the surface, and the barely healed scars of our past are re-opening. Has it been so long that I’m confusing what really happened that night?
“We had a plan. You’re not sticking to the plan.”
“We still have a plan. It’s just a year or two, Holly. It’ll be over before we know it, and we’ll be together again. We can do this—”
“No, we can’t. Because I won’t.”
“Still running, I see.”
I whip my head to the left. There Liam stands, hands shoved in his pockets, staring at me intently. “Oh, you’re one to talk. Speaking of, why don’t you just run your pretty little ass out of here.”
He takes a step toward me. “That would be rude of me.”
I take a swig. “Nah, I’ll cover for you. Tell my parents you got explosive diarrhea and had to hurry home. Which is where? Why are you home? Thought you were off saving the world?”
“I’m back.”
Wow, still a man of many words.
“Why are you back, Holls? After all this time. Been gone so long, I never thought you would come back. Sounds like you’re doing well for yourself. Got everything you ever wanted.”
No. All I ever wanted was you.
Shit.
I tap my foot against the garage, my expression pinched. I angle the bottle to my lips and drink until I drain it. Liam’s gaze doesn’t falter, and I hate the way he looks at me. It’s confusing. It hurts. It angers me. “Yeah, guess I did, didn’t I?” I push off the wall, hating the lie as it falls off my tongue. I step toward him until our feet touch and strain my neck to keep eye contact. “And what about you? Looks like you’ve been busy eating small children and growing into a Viking. What’s your story? Where’s your arm candy this fine evening? Wife? Oh, wait, is she at home with your cute-as-a-button kids?” It pangs me to even think of him happily married with a beautiful wife and any cute-as-a-button kids.
