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Liv
Charlielinesupbehindme on the squat rack, placing his hands under the bar next to mine. I plant my feet and ignore my racing heart at his proximity. He nods at me in the mirror, and I lower. I’m able to focus on my task so I don’t hurt myself, but Charlie’s presence sits next to my focus like it's always lived there. Since my weird sleepwalking incident last month, I’ve been trying to analyze this crazy draw I have towards him. But so far, nothing has made sense. I’m tempted to ask Charlie about it, but I don’t want to sound like a psychopath.
I rack the bar and turn to find him only inches from me. He grabs the bar behind me, caging me in with an intense stare as the muscles in his arms tighten. The rubber band that seems to pull us together snaps with tension as his gaze travels to my lips. “Charlie…” I whisper.
My voice jolts him, and he releases his white-knuckle grip on the bar, taking a step back. He shakes his head like he’s trying to clear it. I can relate. “Fuck. I’m sorry.”
We stare at each other again for a beat and he moves closer, but Garrett’s voice from the door halts his movement.
“Liv, you better get to the house.”
We both turn at his wary tone. Charlie steps aside and I hustle to Garrett. We move towards the house where an unfamiliar Mercedes sits under the oak tree in the driveway. Garrett and I share a glance before climbing the porch steps. I freeze when we enter the kitchen and find Barbara sitting across from my dad, sipping sweet tea. Her smile slips as she faces me.
Dad stands and puts his hands up when I approach. “Livvie, let her talk.”
“What is she doing here?”
He sighs and runs a hand over his head. “Have a seat. We need to talk.”
He pulls the chair out next to him and I sink into it as Garrett tries to leave. “Hold on, Garrett. Stick around,” Dad calls.
Garrett looks between us as Barbara extends her hand to him. “Nice to meet you. Are you Liv’s boyfriend?”
He shakes his head and looks at me.
“He’s my friend. That’s all you need to know,” I say. Barbara nods and Garrett takes the seat next to her.
“I invited your mother over to hear her out. And I’m glad I did. I was wrong, Livvie. I was just being stubborn.”
My gaze narrows at Barbara. “What lies did you spew this time?”
“Liv—” Dad starts but cuts off when Barbara speaks.
“It’s ok, Henry. I deserved that.”
Dad sighs. “Just let her speak.”
I cross my arms and stare at the woman. If it gets her to leave, then she can speak. “Well?”
Barbara takes a sip of her tea and clears her throat. “I left my husband, just like I left your father. That’s true,” she begins. Dad shifts in his seat, but Barbara keeps her focus on me. “But Dennis was abusive. He made me his trophy wife and controlled everything I did, down to the food I put in my mouth. My friend, who was with me at the market, helped me escape him. She lives here in town. We met at an event for my husband’s company. She saw the signs I tried to hide and offered me a way out. I took it. And then I ran into your father.”
I see the pain in her eyes when she speaks. But I still don’t trust her. “Why haven’t you divorced him?”
“He would never sign the papers. He would make my life hell, so it was better if I disappeared.”
“Do you believe her?” I ask my dad.
He nods without hesitation. Well, I sure as hell don’t. I turn to Barbara. “I won’t allow you to hurt—”
My dad takes my hand. “Livvie, please. Give her a chance. For me.”
Ah shit. I could never make him choose sides. It would break his heart, and I could never do that to him. I’m not Barbara. I close my eyes and take a deep breath.
“Are you guys dating again?” I ask.
“We’re taking it slow,” Dad says.
Barbara takes his other hand. He squeezes with a smile, and I think I might vomit. There’s clear affection in her eyes, but why wouldn’t there be? She has him right where she wants him.
“You fuck my dad over, for the third time, and I’ll make damn sure you disappear from his life as well.”
I expect her to protest, but she only nods. Garrett meets my gaze and nods his encouragement.
“Thank you, Liv.”
“You only get one chance.”
“That’s all I need.”
Alarm bells sound in my head, but I quiet them for now. Garrett meets my gaze again, and an understanding passes between us. He’s on my side. He’s heard me talk about my mom before, but he doesn’t know her. I guess after twenty years, I don’t either. For my dad’s sake, I’ll do as he asks, but I refuse to let her destroy this family all over again.
