49. Maeve
MAEVE
Lips crash against mine in the shadowy confines of the alcove, and I smile into the kiss—but almost immediately, alarm bells start going off in my head.
It takes me only another split second to identify what feels so wrong: this person doesn’t smell like Ford, Gabriel, or Hayden.
There’s no familiar cologne, no scent that makes me feel safe and wanted.
Then a tongue tries to force its way into my mouth with zero finesse, and I realize with horror that not only is this not one of my men, but I know exactly who it is. Because I recognize this particular style of kissing—always too aggressive and graceless.
I shove against his chest and wrench myself backward, disgust flooding through me. My mouth feels violated and wrong, and I want to scrub my teeth. “Liam, what the hell? What are you doing?”
My ex has the audacity to smirk at me. “Oh, come on, I know you wanted it too. I could feel how much you missed this.”
“Missed what?” I stare at him in complete disbelief.
“The chemistry between us. It’s still there, baby. I know you want me back just as much as I want you.”
I hold up both hands, my head spinning with confusion and anger.
“Hold on—what are you even talking about? You showed almost zero interest in me half the time when we were actually together. But you suddenly want me now? What is this, some pathetic attempt to compete with your brother? I’m sorry Ford is a better man than you, but seriously? ”
I know it’s petty to say that, but I can’t help myself. I feel physically sick from him kissing me without consent. I’m so furious I’m literally shaking, and part of me wants to burst into tears from the sheer violation of it.
“As if getting with him wasn’t just your way of making me jealous,” Liam scoffs, crossing his arms defensively.
“Actually, I almost didn’t get involved with Ford because of you,” I snap back.
“I didn’t want to make things awkward for your family.
Trust me, you were the last thing on my mind, except for wondering how to make sure you felt comfortable.
I didn’t want to create tension between you and Ford.
That was before I realized there was nothing to worry about—you clearly don’t respect him anyway. ”
“Why are you acting like I’m the unreasonable one here?”
“Because you are!” I’m starting to feel unhinged myself. “Liam, where is this even coming from? You can’t seriously tell me you want me back. I’m not going to believe that lie. You cheated on me! Constantly! And you weren’t even bothering to hide it toward the end!”
“Oh, please, you can’t seriously hold that against me. Not when you’re running around behind Ford’s back letting Hayden and Gabriel screw you every chance you get. Jesus, Maeve. I had no idea you were such a nympho. It’s like you’re in heat or something.”
The bottom drops out of my stomach. “What did you just say?”
“I saw you with Hayden at the gazebo the other day, and I know something happened between you and Gabriel in the bathroom that night. He wasn’t just ‘checking on you’ like you claimed.” Liam rolls his eyes as if I’m being deliberately dense. “Honestly, how stupid do you think everyone is?”
“I am not cheating on Ford with anyone, especially not his two best friends,” I say slowly, even though my heart is racing.
“Hayden and Gabriel would never betray him like that, and I would never do that to anyone. I know exactly how much it hurts to be cheated on, thanks to your stellar example, and I wouldn’t inflict that kind of pain on anybody else. ”
Liam’s brow furrows as he processes my words, clearly confused—and then, to my horror, his expression clears as the pieces click into place.
Instead of assuming he misunderstood the situation like I hoped, he’s figured out the truth: that the three men have made an agreement to share me. That I’m with all of them.
And he looks pissed off.
“So what, you’re too good for me now, but you’re not too good to let three men pass you around like some kind of party favor?”
My anger flares white-hot at his crude words. “I wish I could say I’m surprised by how badly you’re handling this revelation—but I’m not. Your complete emotional immaturity is one of the many reasons I will never, ever get back together with you.”
I jab my finger into his chest with each word.
“You might not believe me, but I wouldn’t take you back even if I were single.
Even if none of those incredible men wanted anything to do with me.
Because you were a terrible boyfriend, and no woman should ever have to settle for someone like you.
You systematically undermined my confidence at every opportunity.
You’re irresponsible with money, you always treated me like I was beneath you—beneath everyone—and you never once cared about what I actually wanted or who I really was.
I wasn’t your girlfriend. I was your emotional punching bag.
You treated me like garbage even before you started cheating. ”
The words are tumbling from my mouth now, coming so fast that my tongue almost can’t keep up with them, all of my pent-up anger rushing out.
“Honestly, the cheating was almost a relief! It finally gave me a concrete reason to break up with you! It was like waking up from some horrible nightmare and realizing I could finally see that I deserved so much better than what you were giving me.” I draw in a shaky breath, lifting my chin.
“I don’t know if I deserve Ford, or Hayden, or Gabriel, but I know that I deserve better than you.
You’re a spoiled child who throws tantrums whenever you’re not the center of attention.
You’re shallow, self-absorbed, stupid, selfish, callous, cruel, and most of all, you’re pathetic.
I don’t want you. I will never want you. Ever.”
With that last word echoing between us, I turn and storm out of the alcove before he can formulate any kind of response, my hands still trembling with emotion as I head back toward the main lobby where everyone else is gathered.
The second act is about to begin, but suddenly, I have zero desire to watch it.
It’s not like I don’t know how the story ends anyway.
And I definitely don’t want to see Clara wake up from her beautiful dream right now.
I can’t handle being reminded that my own lovely fantasy is rapidly approaching its end.
I make my way back to our group, where Ford is holding a fresh drink that he clearly got for me. His warm smile immediately fades when he sees my face. “Hey, Spitfire, what’s wrong?”
I notice Hayden and Gabriel, who had been engaged in quiet conversation with each other, both immediately snap to attention and focus on me with laser intensity. I swallow hard, my throat feeling tight.
“Nothing that serious,” I say quickly, hating how my voice wavers slightly. “I just… I’m tired.” I pause, not wanting to take advantage of their kindness but also desperate to get out of here. “Would it be possible for me to go home?”
“Of course you can,” Hayden says without hesitation, already moving into protective mode.
“I’ll get the car,” Ford announces, handing his untouched drink to a passing server before striding toward the exit.
Gabriel makes our excuses to the rest of the family while Hayden keeps an eye on me, and within minutes we’re settling into the back of the car.
I can feel all three men shooting concerned glances my way, but I honestly don’t know how to begin explaining what just happened.
The entire drive back passes in tense silence.
The house is dark when we arrive, except for the welcoming glow of the exterior lights and a single small table lamp in the foyer to guide our way inside. The men lead me up to the bedroom I share with Ford, and it feels cozy and safe after the violation of what just occurred at the theater.
“ Petit oiseau doux ,” Gabriel murmurs as I slip out of my coat. “What happened? Please tell us what’s wrong.”
I know I’ll have to deal with the Liam situation eventually.
But the moment I tell them what he did is the moment we’ll have to actually confront it head-on.
The men won’t let what my ex did slide, I’m certain of that.
And with Liam now knowing the truth about all four of us, this entire arrangement might be over before we’re ready.
I can’t handle that possibility right now.
I can’t face saying goodbye without having one last perfect moment together.
Instead, I look up at all three of them and say simply, “Kiss me.”
They all study my face for a heartbeat, probably reading too many of the emotions that I’m not bothering to hide… and then they move as a unit, giving me exactly what I need.