16. Liam
Chapter 16
Liam
M argo had just spilled to me the entire truth and I couldn’t be more relieved that she did. I didn’t understand why on Earth she kept it a secret, but she did.
It took one day for me to realized how much I fucking missed her, one fucking interaction with Colton, I almost lost it.
If he hadn’t left earlier, I would’ve beat him to death in the back-alley way for kissing Margo. But again, I couldn’t be mad because I ended things with her, and I was also making out with a random girl to make her jealous.
But she was mine again, we could put everything behind us and just be together, like we wished for.
I walked up to the bartender only to be greeted by two women who looked like I was their next meal.
“Ladies, excuse me.” I swerved myself around them as they stepped up in front of me.
This was nothing but trouble.
“William Brookshire, just the man we want to see.” The one redhead had smirked while placing her hands on my arm.
The jet-black haired accomplice had slithered her way on my side, “I’m sorry have we met?” I asked, I was confused on what they wanted with me considering, I’m afraid I had never met them in my life.
“No, we haven’t. But we know who you are.” One of the ladies have muttered as I pulled away from the other’s grasps.
“Excuse me?” I sounded reluctant to know who they were. Maybe it was for the best I let them get away without any questions.
They urged me to go to one of the club rooms, I looked at them, then back at Margo who sat by herself, waiting for me.
“Trust me, you’ll want to come with us.” The redhead laughed wickedly as I rolled my eyes and followed them to the room.
“What’s this about.” I implored as they took two seats in front of me, placing a diamond case, black iPhone in front of me.
“Before you think about deleting the videos or pictures, or breaking the phone, we have copies.” One of the ladies implied.
They sat back as I picked up the phone and played the video. It was a video of my stepfather placing money in a safe and as I further swiped, pictures of his bank details getting large sums of money.
I took a deep breath, “You know… embezzling money is a crime Brookshire, your father sure does a lot of it.” The dark-haired lady muttered.
“He’s my stepfather.” I clarified as they both rolled their eyes at my stupid remark.
“I don’t think they’ll care; they’ll send him to prison so quickly along with your family’s reputation going to the trash can. Your mother’s dream about fashion and jewelry making are as dead as you finding a chance out of this mess.” She retorted.
I never liked my stepfather one bit, and it’s shit like this that makes me want to beat the shit out of him.
“Why are you telling me this, if you wanted him in prison then you would’ve gone to the police or FBI by now.” I remarked as they smile.
“We don’t really want to ruin your life Liam, trust us. We just want to ruin your little sunshine’s life.
“Margo.” I muttered as one of them winked.
“What on Earth do you want with Margo.” I grit out, more annoyed and aggravated that they wanted to hurt her more than they did me.
“That’s for us to know and you to never find out. And all you have to do is follow our directions, and we won’t have to see your little angel suffer. You got it?”
I gulped, more afraid to leave her by herself for a long period of time, than whatever the fuck they were going to do with me.
“Whatever, make it quick.” I lashed out as one of the girls lifted up their shirts and throwing it on the bed.
My eyes widened at what the directions were going to be next. She pulled out a condom from her pocket and ripped it off with her tiny fingers.
I backed away slowly as my body slammed on the door behind me, “I’m not sleeping with either of you.” I expressed as the lady sat down and took the phone.
“That’s too bad. It’s the only price we’re asking for, and these videos and photos will be forgotten.” The other lady pulled her skirt down, and I only felt trapped in this fucking room.
Margo or my family. I thought to myself, this could send my mother down a depression, this could get me kicked out of college because of the fucking bad look it would put on my hockey career.
I sighed; my eyes closed for a moment before opening.
“Don’t you sleep with so many women you’re an expert, this shouldn’t be an issue then.” The red head muttered while walking up to me and grabbing my arm.
She led me to the bed, unbuttoning my jeans and I kept a stern face, her face came close to mine, “It doesn’t count if you don’t try, Brookshire.” She snapped as I shook my head.
This was fucked up. Why am I being punished for my father’s mistakes, even when I’m out of the house and he isn’t beating me to a fucking pulp, I still couldn’t escape him.
They placed alcoholic beverages on the table in front of me, “Drink up Liam, we wouldn’t want you to not have fun.” The lady kissed me as the other unbuttoned my shirt.
I froze up, my hands shook the moment they touched one of the girl’s bodies… this was wrong.
The door slammed open, my eyes find Margo’s eyes which were set on nothing but me and the two women on my lap. Their mouths were on my neck, and I could only stare back in horror as she took a step back from the sight.
“No need for you to give me a ride home, I can call an Uber.” She quickly muttered as I stood up, buttoning my shirt together.
I ran after Margo, who’s face looked angered and disappointed.
“Margo please, let me explain.” I let out quickly.
“No, Liam!” She screamed at me with conviction and power.
We were the only two people in the dark street, the light only shone on her face, which glistened with tears.
I could tell she was tired, and not just because she visibly looked tired, but she was exhausted.
Like she couldn’t handle me anymore.
She couldn’t handle us anymore.
Her face right at this very moment told me everything I needed to hear which was that she was done trying.
“I’m not doing this anymore.” She let a tear fall to the ground, “I can’t do this anymore.” She said calmly, she looked deeply into my eyes.
“If they can have you, Liam. They can have you. If they can take you away from me that easily then you are all theirs. Our story ends here and that’s okay.” She wiped the tear away from her face as my heart broke.
“Our story has to end here because I can’t take it anymore. It was amazing in Greece; know it was everything I could’ve asked for, dreamed of… even but we aren’t in Greece anymore.” She looked around and pointed at the “Welcome to Hawthorne” sign.
“This is our real life and, we can’t be together in our real life. I don’t really want to know why you were in there with two girls when you had me waiting for you.” She laughed harshly.
“I refuse to know why you thought it was okay to block my number, humiliate me in front of our friends, play me, and betray me by going to hook up with two women tonight. I would rather fucking marry whoever my parents picked out for me than ever be with you Liam.” She seethed as I could only listen.
“You made your play. I can’t wait for the day you realize that you fucked up.” She laughs off as her Uber arrived.
Margo didn’t waste a moment and hopped in the car, before I could even explain myself. I wondered if I even should.
Maybe she was right. It was too hard, too painful for us to work. Maybe we were just destined to be a summer fling, nothing more than that.
I mean isn’t love supposed to be something that God wants to stay together, without hardships?
She shouldn’t have to be trying to make me jealous for me to get back with her, I wouldn’t have to be breaking her heart because I was too scared that she would break mine first.
It was supposed to be easy, and it wasn’t.
We were too hard.
I knew I fucked up the moment I sought her out in Greece, she was way too precious for me to lay my hands on her. I never should have, because now I know how she felt like. I know it felt to be cared and loved for by her.
God it was addicting.
But it was wrong. She has to be married to someone else, and I didn’t deserve someone that good in my life.
Not when all I’ve done is cause her pain.
I ran back up to the bar once more and only found an empty room and an empty bar, the iPhone laid on the floor with the videos and pictures of my stepfather in them.
I tucked the phone into my back pocket, and my anger relinquished itself as I thought about the fact that I lost Margo tonight.
Before I thought about punching the wall or drinking my problems away, I ran down to my motorcycle and started the engine, my only thought was to get to Dead Cullen’s bar.
By the time I arrived, I waved at Samuel who knew I had no time for his jokes and games. He let me in with no problem as I stomped my way to the upstairs lounge.
I knocked on the door with slight anger and hurry as Finn opened the door, shyly. He rubbed his eyes and his face looked tired like I had just woke him up from a nap or a slumber.
“Uncle Liam what are you doing here so late?” He groaned as he let me in without hesitation.
I rolled my eyes while plopping down on their couch, Finn yawned before giving me his undivided attention.
“You told me the next time I felt like punching something or someone, to come to you and talk about my feelings instead of acting on them, right?” I clarified as he gave me the deadliest look of all galaxies.
“I meant in daylight and not at two in the morning!” He raised his voice at me, I couldn’t help but feel my lips thinned, and my eyebrows furrowed.
“Well, it’s too late for that now, I’m here.” I added as he walked over to the fridge and pulled out two juice boxes, he threw one over to me.
“It’s about your girlfriend, isn’t it?” He sat down across from me as I nodded my head.
“You should’ve said no, because one she isn’t your girlfriend and second, you’re the one that fucked it up.” He explained as I looked around wondering if Chris was watching us from a distance.
“Watch your damn language, Finn!” I whispered as he rolled his eyes.
“What’s the issue?” He looked at me as I practically looked like I shit my pants.
“She caught me with two women.” I couldn’t help the looked of guilt that emerged from my face as he gave me a disgusted look.
“Dude, you do realize that you are the problem, right?” He scowled as I shook my head.
“They wanted to hook up with me in exchange to keep quiet about my father’s embezzlement.” I explained further as he stood up frazzled.
“Isn’t that a crime ?!?” He voiced while the color drained from his face.
“Be fucking quiet Finn!” I whisper thickly as he sat back down, “She caught me and then we ended things there.” I finished as he placed his hands in front of his face.
“Fight for her!” He advised as I gave him the same face I gave my calculous teacher, the look of bitch please.
“I don’t think she wants me back, Finn. I’m afraid I actually lost her this time. You should’ve seen her face when she opened the door and saw me. It’s something I wish I would never have to live through again.” I asserted as he suddenly had a notebook and a pen in hand.
Finn looked at me and started to write sentences down, like a professional fucking therapist.
“I’ve solved your issue, Uncle Will.” He looked at me seriously.
“Well, what’s the issue?” I leaned in closer.
Finn’s concerned face morphed into something gruesome, “You’re suffering from dumb asshole disease, it’s when you give up on a girl because you’re too pussy to be better for her.” He threw me a snarky remark as I just stared at him.
“What do you think I should do, then?” I asked as he handed me a list of things to do to win Margo back by the end of the school year.
“Get her flowers every single day?” I looked at him with curiosity and the look of concern.
He nods, “Make sure they are different every day. Girls like the idea of consistency, thus the bringing the flowers every day, but they also like a little surprise everyday so it isn’t repetitive, thus having a different flower every day is also a fantastic idea” He beamed as I laughed.
“You really think that could work?” I couldn’t help but smile.
“I think the definition of love is you don’t give up even if things are bad, like ministers say, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, or for poor, in sickness and in health, you love and cherish them till death.” He shrugged as I gave a confused look.
“Why the hell do you know that?” I couldn’t help but ask as he looked smug.
“Besides, isn’t that like how you guys are with my brother, and how my brother is with me. You love someone or something you don’t give up on them, you take care of each other. Even if it gets hard, you love even harder. Chris works his ass off every single day to pay for my chemo and to put food on the table.” His eyes pulled away from Chris’s room.
“You guys are always helping out with picking me up or taking me to my appointments. That’s real love, even when I know I’m gonna die someday.” He whispered the last part as I shook my head.
“You aren’t dying Finn. I simply will not allow it,” I took a sip of my juice box as he smiled at me.
I could see the hopeless look in his eyes. He always prepared himself from the day it would come, the day where the doctors can’t do it anymore, or when he couldn’t and wouldn’t do it anymore.
He paused, “Hey can you do me a favor?” He asked.
I tilted my head as he continued, “I overheard Chris telling Gray that he was thinking about quitting hockey because he can’t afford it, when really he meant he couldn’t afford me.”
I stayed quiet as Finn kept going, “I know he’s been coughing up money from illegal fights to pay for my chemotherapy. He never gets time to rest, he’s always coming home late and he’s tired. But he’s up before I am and he’s back at work by then.” He further explained as I frowned.
“Finley, listen to me. Chris loves you; we love you, and if I’m picking up what you are putting down, no I will not let your brother quit hockey. Yes, we will take care of him.” I moved closer to him as he smiled.
“And yes, things will get better, Champ.” I punched Finn’s shoulder playfully as he grinned from ear to ear.
He coughed before proceeding back to the old subject.
“But I’m just saying Will, do you want Margo?” he asked point blank.
“She doesn’t want me back, it’s too hard Finn.” I replied as he gave a big huff.
“That wasn’t my question. Do you still want her back?” He asked again as I waited a couple moments to answer.
“Of course I do.” I let out as he stood up.
“Then get her back and stop bitching and complaining!” He yelled at me as a smile crept on my face.
Then a light turned on in the hallway, Chris’s body came into view as he opened his bedroom door.
His eyes adjusted and watched as we gave him a guilty look for ruining his beauty sleep.
Without another word, he looked at the clock and groaned. Chris shut his door for a moment, then opened it again, throwing a hockey puck at me and slammed his door shut once more.
“Ouch!” The puck hit my bicep as Finn started to holler at the look of my injury, “That fucking hurt.”
“No cursing around Finn!” Chris screamed from his room as I gave Finn a dirty look.
Finn only smiled at me, he took his notebook from the table and threw it at me, I looked up at him.
“What’s this?” I questioned as he fluttered his eye lashes.
“It’s you and Margo, sitting in a tree…” He winked before I picked him up and threw him on the sofa.
God, I loved this kid.