2. Liam
Chapter 2
Liam
E arlier Today.
“Come on, Prince.” I sigh, as my best friend rejects flying over to Greece to spend time with me.
Grayson pauses before answering, “I’m busy, with a lot of things man, why can’t you just find something to distract yourself with, I’m sure that you will find a pretty brunette there to keep yourself occupied.” He reasons as I roll my eyes.
“By busy do you mean, you’re still trying to win your ex-girlfriend back?” I point out the obvious as he completely ignores my statement.
“I’m just busy.” He counters as I give a huff, “Come on, Grayson, so many bombshells here, like damn man, as Princess Ariel from the Little Mermaid would say, “It’s a Whole New World.” I let out with an excited tone before he knocks down my enthusiasm.
“That’s Princess Jasmine from Aladdin, you fucking idiot.” Grayson sneered as I shake my head, “No I’m pretty sure it was Ariel.”
Grayson takes a huff and a half, before responding, “Ariel sings, A Part of Your World , I would know.” He retorts as I take swing at my glass of whiskey.
“How would you know, you don’t sit down and watch Disney Princess movies on your free time, so nice try.” I was getting tired of how entitled Grayson always thought of himself.
He could never be wrong in his eyes.
“No of course not it’s not like I have a little sister who watched it every day of her childhood.” He declares as I pause to think about the lyrics.
“That doesn’t matter!” I say to buy time to think.
“Ariel sings “A Part of Your World” because she wants to be with Prince Eric which is in the human world.” Grayson calmly explains as I lean back to listen.
I let my mouth open in the moment of epiphany, then a scowl breaches my face to remember that Grayson was sadly correct once again.
“Whatever, I’m just saying instead of wallowing and crying about August dumping you, you should be living your life here in Greece with me.” I weigh in as I hear his annoying exhale.
“I am not wallowing or crying, Liam just simply upset at the situation.” He pawns as I take a seat on one of the many stools, that the bar by the beach has to offer.
I didn’t understand Grayson’s thoughts on August, in my head she simply uses Grayson repeatedly and he never batted an eye because he was so focused on keeping her.
It wasn’t normal in our society for Grayson Prince to date a girl who doesn’t live off her parent’s wealth, she has to work for everything she’s got.
That’s never a bad thing of course, but I can tell Grayson didn’t want her because of her hardworking skills and the fact that she gets paid $8.95 per hour.
He likes her because there’s a rebellious feel of being with someone who his parents wouldn’t necessarily love.
He and I never really see eye to eye on this, it was always him wanting August and me frolicking about.
“Have you met someone there as your summer lover?” Grayson asks as I couldn’t help but laugh at his assumption, “It’s a cruel summer out here Prince.” I shake my head, examining my now empty glass of whiskey.
“Come on Liam, I know you like to play your cards right… but maybe someone you don’t expect could be the one you’ve been waiting for.”
“You are such a poet, you ever thing of becoming a song writer?” I lean forward so my elbows could touch the table.
I can practically feel his eyes rolling from the other side of the call, “I’m just trying to help my best friend out, considering you do feel lonely because I’m not there to give you kisses and cuddles.” He teases as I look around for a waiter or waitress to get me a refill.
“I don’t need help in getting women Prince, trust me when I say that I have been getting a lot of attention, through the entire trip.” I point out as he scoffs.
“You are so full of yourself.”
“Rightfully so, I didn’t work out all my life to get this eight pack for nothing Prince.”
Grayson snickers, “I would like to believe that you worked out so hard because of hockey but then again I forgot I’m talking to one of the most narcissistic person I’ve ever met.”
“I’m going to take that as a great compliment, I’m not going to lie to you.”
There’s a small pause before Grayson speaks, “Have you spoken to Chris?” He mutters, it’s a topic that everyone in the group usually strays away from.
“Yeah, every now and then, but I’m visiting Finn and him when I come back, I got them a little something.” I add.
“I’ve tried giving Chris a bit of money, but he’s being really stubborn. I just want to help but he won’t accept anything man.” Grayson whines as I tilt my head to think.
“Gray, how would you feel if it was Amelia who has what Finn has, you have no one to help you. Chris is on a damn scholarship at Hawthorne University and has to feed himself and his brother. His mother is a fucking drug addict that is barely in the house to help out. I know damn well you would want everyone to think you don’t need help.” I warble as I hear the complete silence on the other end of the call.
Then Grayson finally speaks, “I get it, you want me to lay off.” He temporizes as a waiter comes over quickly and refills my beverage.
“I’m just saying to just be supportive to Chris right now, he needs that more than he needs money.”
“Yeah, I got it.” He wonders for a second as I recline my head backwards.
“When did you get so wise Liam Brookshire?” Grayson teases as I laugh for a second, “I’ve been wise, your head is just too far up your ass that you’ve never noticed.”
“Right.” He sneers as I place the glass of whiskey down on the table.
“How is he doing with the fights?” I ask.
I let the whiskey linger down my throat, feeling the bitterness to my core, I shiver.
“He’s doing great with the more lowkey fights, I have a feeling he’s thinking about going for more, the money is a big prize.”
I wonder for a moment, “How much?”
“Half a million.” Grayson says thickly as I roll my tongue, Grayson, and Neil’s parents as well as my mine make quadruple that amount every three minutes.
But I had to remember that Chris has a different life, he’s had more mature responsibilities than anyone in Hawthorne University, he hides it well.
No one knows half of the real shit he’s gone through or is going through.
“How many finalist are allowed from our team?” I ask quickly as Grayson thinks for a moment.
“I think five.” He makes note as I nod, “We’re helping him get that half million.” I say rather quickly as Grayson stays silent.
He didn’t have to say anything, I knew he would be on board the moment I mentioned it because he was definitely thinking the same damn thing.
“The trainings and practices would help a ton with the hockey season.” Grayson points out as I roll my eyes.
“You act like the whole team let themselves go when we have a break.” I say with nonchalance. I could hear his heavy sigh of annoyance.
“Some do.” Grayson voices as I smile, “That reminds me…” I continue.
“Yes, I know.” He mutters, “We gotta start looking for the next team captain.” A smile worms its way into my lips.
“I’ve really been thinking about Jacob.” I voice as Grayson takes a moment.
“Lawrence?” He asks as I reassure him.
“Yes, Jacob Lawrence, he’s shown great leadership during lifting, and always carries a good attitude.”
“You shouldn’t always appear perfect if you’re team captain, it makes it look like your teammates can’t mess up.” He counters as I groan.
“Okay who do you propose?” I ask with a bit of an attitude.
“Maybe, Zhen Chie.” He makes note as my jaw drops, “Seriously Gray? You’re thinking about Z as team captain?!”
Grayson sounds irritated through the phone, “It was just a thought, he’s doing really good and has the sternly voice I like.”
“Well, it’s not for you, it’s for the team you dip shit.” I spat as he grumbles.
“Well how about Ortiz?” I suggest.
“Lazy.” He argues.
“Chuck Reynolds?”
“Dramatic.”
“Greene?”
“He’s mediocre at best.” Grayson disputes.
“Then why the fuck are they still in the team, Prince?”
“Because when pre-season starts, they’re scared shitless of me which forces them to get their shit together.” He shrugs off as I roll my eyes.
“You’re a fucking idiot.” I taunt as he laughs.
“Well man I got to go help out Amelia with her outfit for school pictures.” Grayson warns as I nod, “Tell her I said hi, and make sure she doesn’t put a speck of make up on your face.”
“I quite enjoy it when she plays make up with me.” Grayson admits as I shake my head with a small giggle, “Of course you do.”
“Okay, talk to Neil when you can he needs help with his motorcycle repairs.” Grayson adds before hanging up abruptly.
I scroll through my phone’s contact list to look for Neil’s number, catching the thousands of girls that have messaged me from the other night were all ignored.
Doesn’t surprise me, I’m a blast to be with but I realize that I’m getting tired of going to multiple different rendezvous.
As I get up, I place eight hundred dollars on the table. While walking away from the bar, I call Neil’s cell phone number.
Suspiciously it was declined. But before I could even further care about why he didn’t answer, it was like I was being mesmerized by an angelic voice.
Something that I have heard in my fucking dreams before. I can’t help but put my phone down only looking for where the voice was coming from.
I wasn’t even thinking as my legs lead me to a party full of modern billionaires with extravagant dresses.
I hear chords on the piano blending with the beatific vocals, and I swear my heart skips a beat as I listen, I still can’t track down who was singing, all I know is that I’m fucking mesmerized.
Until I hit a wall around two giant pillars, my eyes zone in on the gigantic stage in front of the whole crowd. Beautiful blonde hair falling behind the mysterious beauty’s back.
I tilt my head, admiring the singer’s beautiful voice, adoring the sun light that shadowed her silhouetted body. I couldn’t help but lean back, my hands gripping my pockets as the sun finally came down.
To where I could admire the woman’s fa––
––Margo fucking Hamilton?!
As I stand within the crowd, my hands down my pockets, her eyes find mine, she looks scared to move. Margo’s blue irises mirrored the blue ocean behind her.
Margo wipes down her hands on her model thighs before placing her hands on the piano to make another note. She was like a fucking statue that people were admiring, multiple men staring at her like a golden ticket. It make my hands clench into fists.
She takes a time-consuming dreadful breath, before finally opening her picturesque lips to let the opening chords spill out.
As she continues to sing, the more I had been put in a damn trans, I couldn’t pull my eyes away from Margo Hamilton in under two minutes she’s created a certain hold over me.
I was regaled like everyone else as she kept singing, it felt like one second before the whole thing was over, she ended on a beautiful note, which felt like ended my happiness.
I wonder if I look like an absolute doofus. The whole crowd stays silence as her cheeks turn bright red, she looked like me when I didn’t have a father to walk down with me during senior night in high school. I knew that feeling all too well, so before she completely looked destroyed, I couldn’t help but form a slow clap.
My penetrating brown eyes narrow at her ocean blues, as a second passes, the rest of the crowd joins in, Margo smiles at me.
And me only.
I completely forgot about the fact that I was making eyes at Margo Hamilton I had to give myself a thirty second reboot.
My phone rings, seeing Neil’s name pop up I take a look back up at Margo once more as she took in the crowd’s cheers. I smile to myself seeing her beaming expression.
My phone meets my ear, “Neil?”
I hear nothing before the signal makes a ghastly noise. I look around noticing that this section didn’t have the best signal, so I walk off.
Neil hangs up the phone quickly, I text him that I would call him back. Ultimately, I would’ve already left the party to get a better signal to call Neil back.
But instead, I come back to look for Margo once more before deciding that looking for Margo shouldn’t be in my plans for tonight.
It shouldn’t even have crossed my mind, but it did, and I think I’m actually losing my mind. But I couldn’t help but want her at this very moment.
I decided that it wasn’t a great idea if I acted on it, and of course…
She would agree with me.