9. Margo
Chapter 9
Margo
T here was absolutely nothing in my life that was going to my advantage. Liam hasn’t spoken to me in a day. My parents have basically shunned me until further notice. Sure, I made it back to New York but to no home I was welcome to.
It would break my heart to ask Adrianna for a place to stay knowing that my explanation was fucking embarrassing.
I found Juliette’s dad way too strict and scary, and lastly Verina’s father would contact my father immediately and I was not about to let my parents know that I had asked for help.
So, camping out in my family’s guest house was the last resort, which I know is far greater than living on the streets. But I had no clothes, only the ones on my back and the ones I brought back from my vacation.
I shouldn’t sound so ungrateful, I’m very lucky to even be back in New York but it was the last that I would as my parents for help until they accept Liam and I’s–– something.
I wasn’t quite sure what we were, what we had or have. Did he still want me like I wanted him, did he still think about me like I thought of him?
It didn’t matter, did it? If he did then he would return a fucking call or a text.
I didn’t dwell much over it as the only thing that had caught my attention was the fact that my stomach had been grumbling like a god damn tired hound.
I was crossing my fingers before opening the pantry, only to spot boxed mac and cheese and a small box of granola bars.
Well at least there was food, it could help me lose a few pounds, I thought to myself before I shook my head.
No Margo, we don’t think like that anymore.
I took a breather, I had hoped for a fucking distraction from this horrible day I had, only to be graced by the ring of my phone.
I was invited to a back to campus party that was being thrown by Maya Brown. Now this was something that I looked forward to, something fun to keep my mind off of Liam, my parents, and the Grimaldi.
I dumped the pieces of clothing I had in my suitcase on top of the bed in front of me, violently snatched the blue silk dress that Liam had gifted me one random night that I had yet to wear.
I had a feeling tonight would be the perfect night to wear it.
LIAM
I clearly didn’t know how act or go too in depth about what I was feeling. I found myself riding my motorcycle to Dead Cullen’s bar. I was desperate to speak with Christopher.
It was ironic really, he wasn’t very active when it came to his love life, but then again, he was mysteriously wise. None of my best friends really could be deciphered by one look.
People could take a look at Grayson and infer that he was an overachiever when it came to hockey, but they have never really seen him sweat blood and tears to get where he was at our age, killing himself every night trying to be the best, but it was never enough for him… it still isn’t.
Others could take a glance at Chris and probably spread the word that he didn’t talk much or had shown any type of affection but undoubtedly would never talk about how he practically has to work three jobs to put food on the table and pay for his brother’s chemotherapy without the help of his absent mother and nonexistent father. He also has to keep a scholarship to stay in Hawthorne, let alone get straight A’s to stay on the hockey team.
Now I know damn well the world would take one mere gaze at Neil and make the hypothesis that because of his motorcycle and full sleeve tattoos he was always the one up to no good. Which in ways is correct but you really had to be either Grayson, Chris, or I to know that his whole family detests him for being different than them. Neil was one out of his five siblings who don’t want anything to do with politics. This made him the black sheep of the family; he always went an extra mile to piss them off.
Me on the other hand, I feel like people glance at me and the rumors, the news, the suspicion, and the fucking “did you hears” were always right. I was black and white; you get what you see. There was nothing special about me, nothing to gloat about, I wasn’t talented at anything so there was nothing to work my fucking bones for. You throw a fucking killer body, and millions of dollars in front of a black-haired dummy and that was me. I’m fucking average really, a fucking loser… maybe it was for the best that Margo was marrying Ben Grimaldi, lord knows he deserves her because I will never really deserve anybody.
Anyways, enough of over analyzing my friend’s lives, they all have their own stories and how they want to tell it.
I finally arrived at the bar, parking behind the building. Sam, the security and or bouncer some might call him, nodded his head towards me.
“Hello Samuel.”
“Brookshire,” He addressed.
I smirked, “Someone should really tell you that shirt you’re wearing is not your color.” I let out a small laugh.
But Samuel, however, didn’t look amused like I was. He gave me a snarky look, “Liam, I wonder who’s going to let you know that you’re fucking balding.”
My eyes widened, both my hands land on top of my head, “You’re fucking lying.” I groaned with dread.
Sam only leered, “You never know, do you?”
I shook my head, I held out a $100 bill, and he rolled his eyes gladly taking it, “I was joking.” He admitted as I couldn’t help but grin.
“I know.”
Sam chuckled as I took a peek inside, “Is Chris working?” I ask as he lifted one of his eyebrows, “He always is.”
He yawned before letting me in, I walked in slowly. I looked around before my eyes zeroed in on Chris who was running around like a mad man, waiting tables.
His eyes caught mine, “What are you doing here, Brookshire?” He greeted me with a welcoming tone.
“I wanted to talk to you, have a little chat, curl your hair and you can paint my nails.” I attempted at a joke, but he didn’t look pleased.
“Can’t you tell I’m busy,” He paused to showcase the full bar of impatient people waiting for their food.
I roll my eyes at my friend, “It will only take a second, I promise.” I lied through my teeth as he ignored me once more.
“What is it about?” He asked as I couldn’t help but form a grin.
“My fun summer.” I summarized as he looked like he wanted to throw a fucking plate directly on my head.
“I don’t have time for your shit today, Brookshire.” He warned as I couldn’t help but whine, “You never have time for me anymore Chrissy- Bear!”
His eyes sliced through my soul for a fucking moment when the funny nickname escaped my mouth.
My eyes widened in fear I almost called Grayson to protect me from Chris’s wrath at the end of his shift. But Chris’s face calmed.
“Don’t you have Gray to talk about that type of shit.” He sounded annoyed, like he always did.
It was always annoyed or tired. Majorly both.
“Yes, but Grayson isn’t answering me right now and it would be inappropriate to show up unannounced to his house.” I grumbled.
Chris looked at me like I just slapped his dog– if he had a dog, before he spoke again, “Liam, may I remind you that you showed up here unannounced, how is that better than just going to Grayson.”
He didn’t ask that like a question but more of a complaint.
“I just wanted your advice on stuff!” I probed once more as he called out an order number to the cooks in the back.
“Fine, if you really want advice and your desperate for it, you can go talk to Finn, I just picked him up from hockey.”
My eyes gleamed, “Really?!” I smiled at Chris who threw me his keys to the front door of his apartment.
“Sick!” I celebrate to myself.
But before I turned my body to walk to his apartment, I throw him a serious face, “You’re taking off this weekend.” I bellowed.
Chris shook his head, “You are joking right?” He stressed as I laughed.
“Chris, if you don’t take off, I will buy every business you work for and pay you myself.” I made sure to not lose the eye contact that I held with him.
He then looked at the floor in complete defeat, “You’re not gonna leave me alone until I say yes?” He looked up just a little bit as I couldn’t help but grin.
I throw him a cheeky look of success before I walked to the back of the bar, using his keys to unlock his door, I was welcomed by a small nook, a long and narrow staircase that led up to the kitchen.
I continued to walk up the stairs, each step creaked as I got up higher on the platform.
My eyes zeroed in on the tiny fridge that practically called my name, maybe Chris had something fun for my stomach to enjoy.
I approached the fridge, opening one door to be welcomed by the box full of Capri suns. Fruitpunch, my favorite.
I knew Chris’s fridge wouldn’t disappoint me. I looked around for the trash can to throw away the plastic that covered the straw before I pierced it through the juice bag.
But before I could enjoy my drink of delicacy, a small monster had made the great decision of jumping on my back which caused me to topple down to the floor.
“Stranger danger!” They screamed.
“Stranger danger!” They yelped even louder that made me wince.
I grunted, as I tried and look for my innocent Capri sun that was a victim of domestic violence. I turned around to make direct eye contact with Finn.
He gave a mischievous smile before I let my head slam down to the ground beneath me.
“You knew it was me.” I growled as he got off my body.
“Of course, I knew it was you, I’m not stupid.” Finn rolled his eyes before he helped me up from the ground.
I discovered my crushed Capri sun that laid on the tiled flooring. I stared at it longingly; I felt Finn’s judgmental eyes that lingered on me.
“Aren’t you rich?” He threw himself on top of their small sofa as I craned my head towards him.
“Just comfortable.” I answered with a bitter tone as he folds his arms in front of himself.
“So rich.” He shook his head, “Why don’t you just buy a Capri sun with, I don’t know… your own money.” He continued as I picked up the plastic from the floor.
“It wouldn’t be the same.” I mutter before I threw it away.
Finn’s one brow shot up, “Oh so taking a Capri sun from the one family that you know can’t afford food already is better?”
Without hesitation, I opened up my wallet, throwing him a one-hundred-dollar bill with a frown.
“Pleasure doing business with you William Brookshire.” He smiled while flaunting the bill towards me.
“You know you’re too good at that.” I shook my head before I took a seat right next to him.
“I have other talents that I can gain money from too.” He winked as my eyes widened quickly.
“Like what?!” I shot up as he laughed hysterically, “Like listen to people’s problems, I’m a really good listener, I think that’s a talent.”
I nodded as he tilted his head with concern, “Why are you looking so blue, Will?”
Finn has never failed to make anyone smile, he was right about a lot of things, especially about how much of a great listener he is.
We all took care of Finn in his early days, we would always rotate, take turns on watching over him.
Mondays and Tuesdays he was with Grayson.
Wednesdays and Thursdays he was with me.
Fridays, and Saturdays he would be with Chris and Sundays, he would always be with Neil.
He’s, our kid.
“I think I like someone…” I let out with a scorned expression as his face flashed with light.
Like he never thought he would hear that from me, and honestly, I shocked myself as well.
“You what?” He leaned closer to me with eager ears.
I shook my head with a sly laugh, “Don’t make me repeat it, I don’t even know if I’m in the right state of mind.”
Finn sprung out of the couch, “When did this happen?!”
“In Greece.” I replied.
“In Greece?!” He screamed at the top of his lungs before I threw a pillow at his face, which caused him to come crashing down.
He pulled his body up, with a scowled expression, “Okay, throw a pillow at the kid who has cancer.”
I couldn’t help but die at the fact that Finn accepted the fact that he’s ill, he wanted nothing more than to have a normal kid’s life but forced to be trapped at his apartment because Chris is afraid something bad will happen.
I couldn’t blame him; Finn means a whole deal to us.
“Who is it?” He gave a reserved look, which made me twitch. By the face he was modeling I could tell this wasn’t a subject that he would let go quietly.
I stayed silent, which made his eyes widen even more.
“Is… it… a… he?!”
My eyes turned into saucers, “Oh god no!” I flung my arms around as he laughed, “I don’t know maybe you and Grayson finally…”
My saucer eyes quickly turned into narrowed ones, “Grayson and I are not––” I shook my head as Finn smiled warmly.
“Then who is it?” He asked again.
I whispered Margo’s name, a little too quiet, he wrinkled his eyes to the fact that he knew that I did it on purpose.
“William no offense but no one here cares about who you screwed over the summer but me, which is the only person you are telling. The plant over there cannot decipher what you are saying.” He let out as I squinted.
“It’s Margo Hamilton.” I finally let out as his scowl turned into a massive grin.
“Oh… Margo Hamilton you say?” He twirled around his kitchen for a moment before pulling out a bottle of Pepsi and placing it in front of me and him.
“We are gonna need something a lot stronger than Capri sun.”