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I wait for him to yell, but that’s never been Liam’s style. He’s thoughtful, strategic, measured. The rare exception has usually been when it comes to Weston Cole, however.
“You’re not kidding.” Liam states. His statement drips with disbelief. It’s not a question, but I shake my head anyway. “Weston fucking Cole, Maeve? Half the guys at school have crushes on you, and you decide to lust after Weston fucking Cole? The guy who’s made me look like a fool for years? Who has ruined my high school football career? TheAlleghanyquarterback?”
I nod hesitantly, disregarding the “half the guys” comment. Liam stands up and starts to pace. “Liam, I never wante—”
He cuts me off. “Evan mentioned someone from Alleghany posted you were at their party on Friday and called Cole a coward? I figured it was bullshit. Some other blonde girl he pissed off, but it wasn’t, was it?”
I shake my head. Stupidly, I hadn’t even considered people from Glenmont might hear I went to the Alleghany party on Friday. Freaking social media. I wonder how Alleghany and Glenmont students spied on each other back in my father’s day. Intercepted telegrams? Landline taps?
“Why did you call him a coward?” Liam asks.
I sigh and look over at his bookshelf. “He was kissing another girl.” The admission stings, like I’m reliving it just by saying the words. I can still see the vengeful glint in his blue eyes.
Liam snorts. “Typical. You dodged a bullet, Maeve. Which I should not have to tell you.” He shakes his head. “He’s shameless. What? Did he flirt with you and then kiss this other girl when he realized who you are?”
The insinuation stings. That I’m a fool who would fall for a few cheap lines and lose my cool over a failed fling.
“No, he thinks I cheated on him.” I state emotionlessly. “With Matt. Matt kissed me at the field during the horseshoes prank, and it was in the photo Sam sent them.”
“I know he did. Matt’s been sulking about your rejection for days. You could have let the guy down a little easier, Maeve.”
“A heads up from you would have been nice,” I reply.
“I didn’t want to get involved. I just told him I didn’t have a problem with him asking you out.” He pauses. “You said cheated? As in, you were actually in a relationship?”
“Yes,” I confirm. We’ve already passed the point of no return.
“With Weston Cole?” I think it’s the first time outside our mother’s presence I’ve ever heard Liam say his full name without the profanity.
“Yes,” I repeat.
Liam finally stops pacing and sits back down on his bed. “Wow. I never—I mean, he doesn’t seem like the type to commit.”
“Based on what? His football stats? You don’t even know him!” I contend.
Liam’s eyes are wide as he takes in my defensive tone. “And you do?”
“Yeah, I do.” My words ring with conviction.
“How long were you two… uh, involved?”
I sigh, knowing Liam will see this as a further betrayal. “Since June,” I admit.
“Six months! Are you kidding me, Maeve?”
“I know. I’m sorry, Liam. I didn’t mean for things to get so… complicated. But it’s over now. I just needed you to know the truth.”
“It’s over because Cole thinks you cheated on him with Matt?”
I nod.
“And that’s why the whole Alleghany line was going after him on Friday?”
“Probably. I’m not exactly on speaking terms with their quarterback at the moment.”
“Wait,” my brother finally sheds the shock and begins to look excited. “At the moment? But you have been for the last six months?”
“Yes…” I reply cautiously, wary of his shift in tone.
