28. Ally
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
ALLY
Over two weeks have passed since I returned to the beach house after Dan’s birthday, and I have never felt more smothered by my parents in my life.
To say they freaked out about the knife attack is an understatement. I can’t blame them for their behavior when the media exaggerated and made the attack sound like a stabbing. I suppose what happens in The Scarlet Mirage isn’t a complete secret after all. Although, the speakeasy itself was never mentioned in all the news articles, and from the photos that were leaked, nothing within the images distinguished the location.
Regardless, Mom and Josh are treating me more like a child than before, asking to be informed everywhere I go. They’re not pleased with Dan, even though I told them the attack wasn’t his fault.
Sacred Heart was not impressed with the news reports either and had harsh words to me about my image and how I shouldn’t be placing myself in situations where a knife attack is in the realm of possibility.
It’s been a tough two weeks. Tougher without Dan to talk to. I think about that night we shared non-stop. About how he said he would wait for me. He’s so perfect in every way, except that he’s my stepbrother.
I’ve since gone on the pill, not because I intend on having sex anytime soon, but it seems like the sensible thing to do.
Wednesday night after work, I’m alone in the living room, practicing the piano, when Mom interrupts me. “Ally, honey, you have a visitor at the front door.”
“Who is it?” I stand from the piano stool, surprised anyone would visit me unannounced.
She doesn’t answer my question, just moves into the next room with a grin. Not suspicious at all. When I arrive at the front door, my mother’s happiness all makes sense.
“Liam. Hi.”
A nervous smile plays on my lips, as I’m not sure how to approach this encounter. Liam and I haven’t spoken in two and a half weeks. In all honesty, I’ve barely thought about him, being consumed with Dan. But it’s nice to see him. From the soft smile on Liam’s face, I’d say he’s pleased to see me too. Perhaps a little nervous from the way he shifts back and forth on his feet.
“Ally, hey. My band just finished playing at the local jazz club. I thought I’d stop by and see how you are. We never got a chance to speak properly about us.”
I nod to the veranda swing gently swaying in the evening breeze. “Would you like to sit and chat?”
We take our seats on opposite ends, the swing long enough that there’s a fair gap between us. I tuck my legs beneath me and turn to face Liam as we rock back and forth.
“I heard you playing the piano when I arrived,” Liam says. “It sounded beautiful. Moonlight Sonata ? ”
“Yes. I’m impressed you know it.”
“Most people know the Moonlight Sonata .”
“Not the movement I was playing.”
We laugh, and it’s nice. Talking to Liam is like talking to a friend. And I realize I miss him, not in a romantic way, but because of all the good chats we had about music. He taught me things about jazz I didn’t know I’d be interested in and gave me new experiences.
Our laughter fades, leaving us with a moment of silence. The mood between us is awkward, and I know we’re both tiptoeing around the topic of our last phone call. I decide to speak first, seeing as this is a less sensitive issue for me.
“Liam, I hope we can still be friends. I genuinely mean it. How have you been since we last spoke on the phone?”
He rubs the back of his neck, his face a little strained. “Not good. I told you I needed some time. The truth is, I haven’t stopped thinking about you.”
His throat bobs as he searches for something else to say. I feel terrible, seeing him like this and knowing he’s been struggling.
I slide closer to Liam and take his hand in mine before he can say anything further. “I’m sorry I’ve caused you pain but I’m not right for an open relationship. Even if I were, I see you as a friend, which means a lot since I don’t have many friends.”
His warm hand squeezes mine as he searches my eyes with softness. “Ally, I never shared with you the reason why I do open relationships. My parents had a bad marriage and as a kid, I witnessed them constantly arguing. They divorced when I was ten. After that, my father told me marriage is a lie people are tricked into. That being with one person forever sounds romantic at first, but the romance fades and one person can’t fulfill all our needs. I took his word for it. But then… you ended things with me and… I know this will sound crazy, but I’ve spent the last two weeks thinking about a moment you and I shared in my apartment.”
“Oh?” I draw my hand back from Liam’s, unsure where he’s going with this explanation.
“I was sitting on the couch with you in my arms and there was a stretch of silence between us that was so comfortable. I didn’t feel the need to fill it with conversation. We were just together. I’ve never had that with anyone. The girl I went on a date with the following night… she was nice but… my mind was with you and how it felt when we were on the couch.”
“Liam…”
“Please just let me finish. What I’m trying to say is I’ve come to realize we’re all living our own lives, having our own experiences, and this jaded idea of monogamy is just my father’s experience. When you ended things with me, I spent days missing you and questioning why I need anyone else. I want to be exclusive with you, Ally. I know you said you see me as a friend, but you didn’t give us a chance to be anything more. I want that chance.”
I bite my bottom lip, stunned by Liam’s declaration. For a moment, I’m speechless as my mind tries to process Liam’s words. They’re beautiful but are a lot to take on board.
“I know that moment on the couch you’re talking about. It was nice.” I’m surprised I was able to have a moment like that with anyone other than Dan. Liam is right that I didn’t give us a proper chance. It would be convenient if I could switch off the side of me that is in love with Dan, but my feelings for him aren’t going anywhere .
“Couples start off as friends all the time,” Liam continues, seeing my hesitation. “It’s what makes their connection so strong.”
It’s flattering how determined Liam is to be with me, especially since I’ve lived my whole life without any guys being overly interested in me other than Dan. I sigh, wondering if there’s some merit to his argument. Dan and I started as friends. This was the original plan for me and Liam, to see if down the track we could be anything more.
“Maybe we can hang out as friends and see if this goes anywhere.” Something in my gut doesn’t sit right as I speak the words. But I’ll never move on from Dan if I don’t at least entertain the idea of letting another man into my life. “I’m not in the right headspace to jump straight into being your girlfriend.”
He smiles at me and tucks a piece of hair behind my ear. “So, let’s do it. Let’s see where this goes.”