Chapter 8 #3
Off to my left there’s a trampoline enclosed by a net, and the dog I saw at his parents’ house is now, I kid you not, jumping on it.
Mutt takes a running leap from the porch, and across the field, trotting up the wooden ramp someone must have built just for the dogs.
When he gets to the opening of the enclosure he sits on his haunches, barking at the other dog.
If you’d told me tonight I’d see a dog jumping on a trampoline, I’d check you for a fever. But here we are, nevertheless.
A full laugh rolls out of me, and when Liam spots the dogs, his shoulders shake with silent laughter.
“Poor Mutt is jealous he can’t jump. Now he just terrorizes Lucy while she does it.”
I take one more look at the bouncing dog and settle into an Adirondack chair while Liam plops the steaks on the grill, grease sizzling when they hit the grates.
To my right is a table where an ashtray sits with a half-smoked cigarette perched on the edge. Narrowing my eyes, I give the cigarette my most disapproving glare. Liam turns while I’m still mid-glare and chuckles. Then it hits me what shape the ashtray is in.
“Your ashtray is a dick!” I blurt, laughing. Liam comes to sit in the other chair, picking up the ashtray to examine it.
“My little brother Ryan used to date a ceramicist. He had her make this for me one Christmas. The card said A dick for a dick.”
My jaw falls open, but Liam just laughs.
“So you have siblings?” I ask, settling into my chair.
Liam holds up two fingers. “Big sister Madison, little brother Ryan.”
“Oh yeah. Makes sense. You’ve got middle child energy.”
Liam opens his mouth to speak, and I quickly backpedal.
“Middle child energy is a good thing!”
He raises one very dubious brow, and I double down.
“It is! Allow me to put on my therapist hat.”
I set my beer bottle next to the ashtray and pretend to place an invisible hat on my head, adjusting it, while Liam watches wearing a bemused expression.
“Middle children are independent, make friends easily.” I tick them off on my fingers one by one. “I bet you adapt to change well and you’re easy going.” When I’m finished I pretend to remove the hat and flash Liam a smile. “Does any of that sound right?”
“Maybe some of it.” Liam runs his knuckles across his stubble, and I can hear the way those tiny hairs scrape against his skin. My mind jumps to images of beard burn between my thighs and—nope!
He looks at me, smiling with his eyes. “Cassie, admit it. You’re obsessed with me.”
I very well might be.
Tucking that thought away, I playfully punch his bicep. “Let’s not get carried away with all that bravado.” I prop my hand under my chin. “So, what did being a middle child in the Davis household look like?”
Liam pauses to think. “Let’s just say, I gave my mom a run for her money. I once laid on the floor in the grocery store and she had to drag me by my little bear backpack leash.”
“No!” I wheeze out. “You were a leash kid?”
Liam nods, solemnly. “Guilty as charged. I’ve mostly learned to manage it as an adult, but as a kid and teenager my ADHD ran the show.”
I’ve counseled plenty of kids with ADHD. Sometimes they bounce off the walls, but they really can’t help it. Their brains just move too quickly. I should have picked up on that with Liam by now. He’s in constant movement, even if it’s just a foot tapping or his fingers drumming a beat.
“I was a teacher’s worst nightmare,” Liam continues. “Sandwiched between a sister and brother who were basically perfect.”
“And now as adults. Are you close to your brother and sister?” I’m trying my best not to therapize Liam, but it’s hard not to pick and prod at the emotion I detect simmering just below the surface, pin point its source.
“My sister and I mostly talk in the group chat. It’s not that we’re not close, but Madison is busy in Atlanta.
She and her wife are accountants for a huge firm.
” He pauses and takes a long sip of beer.
My eyes betray me, tracking the movement down his throat, the bob of his Adam’s apple as he swallows.
By the time I drag my gaze back to his face, he's already watching me, wearing a smug smile. Thankfully, he doesn’t call me out. He just picks up where he left off.
“And Ryan is my best friend. We’re like night and day, but…” He shakes his head. “Damn, he’s the best.”
Liam stands to flip the steaks, goes inside to check something in the oven, and he’s back, lowering into the chair.
“What about you? Is it just you and Austin?”
I tuck my hair behind my ear, twisting my hoops, but after a heavy pause, I answer.
“Austin and I moved in with our aunt, uncle, and cousin when we were kids. Our cousin Tyler is our big brother in every sense of the word.”
I leave it at that because no way do I want to dive into that story. I’ve already told him all about my breakup. He witnessed Austin’s total breakdown. Tonight is not the night for childhood trauma.
“So,” I say, ready to change the subject. “You ready for The Conjuring?” I wiggle my fingers, making a spooky woo sound.
Liam heaves a sigh and shakes his head. “If I get too scared, you’re holding my hand like you promised.”
I laugh through my nose and shake my head. “Come on, you big baby. Let’s eat. I’m starving.”