Chapter 16 #2
It never seemed to change how they saw Blake and me, though.
Our park, the one where we would meet at as kids, was the perfect middle point for all seven of us.
When we were there, it didn’t matter whose family had money or whose family was still together.
We were just us, a bunch of kids trying to enjoy the moments in our life as best we could.
And I shouldn’t complain. Blake had suffered more than I had as a kid.
Her dad had become an alcoholic after her mom left, which forced Blake to take on responsibilities she never should have worried about as a child.
When I pulled into the restaurant, I texted Blake.
I’m here. I don’t even know what you drive anymore.
Blake
And somehow, I know exactly which vehicle is yours.
That’s because I am one of a kind.
And you came to my house yesterday… so you cheated.
I didn’t get a text back because she was outside my car door.
“Hey!” I slid out of my Jeep and she wrapped me into a hug. “Did you get any sleep last night?”
“Oh God, no. By the time I got home, the room was spinning so I forced myself to stay awake so I wouldn’t barf.” She pushed her arm through mine as we walked toward the door. “Let’s not do that again anytime soon, okay?”
“I wholeheartedly agree.”
“So… do we want to have the Damien chat now? Or later?”
“How about later? Because I’m sure the others are going to have questions too. And you know how I detest repeating myself.”
And they did.
As soon as I sat down, I was in the hot seat. “Can’t a girl order her food before being thrown to the dogs?”
“Not when you casually bring over an entire rock band to hang out with us after a show. And not just some amateur band either. They kicked ass last night, which only makes you being so close to them more suspicious. I don’t understand what is going on.” Liam crossed his arms, and lifted his chin.
“I thought I explained all that last night.”
“Yeah. No. You were too busy being all giggly and blushy.”
“Geez, Liam. I get it. Fine.” I leveled my gaze with his. “What do you want to know?”
“First, how did you meet them?”
“Easy. Jade. Next?”
Wes jumped in. “Jade! Holy hell. I forgot about her. How has she been?”
“Don’t change the subject, Wes. That’s not an answer. Elaborate.” Liam narrowed his eyes.
“Jade has followed the band for a while and took me to a show with her. Since then, going to shows together has become our thing.”
“That’s pretty cool. I love live music.” Erik plucked a menu from the middle of the table and opened it.
“Uh-huh. And how did you get to be so close with them? Particularly the lead singer.”
“Liam. What the hell is this?” Jamie asked.
“I’m just trying to figure out what’s going on.”
“Are you mad at me?” I asked, unsure what I’d done since I’d seen him two nights ago at the fashion show. Everything had been fine as far as I knew.
He shook his head, his face showing mock indifference.
“Not at all. I’m just a little confused.
Last I knew, your boyfriend’s mom ordered a bunch of dresses from me for a gala.
Then you can’t come home for Noah’s funeral.
And when I called you to see about you coming here for the fashion show, you suddenly come.
Oh, but wait, you also get to see this band?
Hmm. So why are you really here? Was it for him? What about Elijah?”
Liam’s questions stunned me as bile rose in my throat. He was right. That’s exactly how it looked. I didn’t even think about it.
Even though it was a coincidence, it didn’t look good for me. And I didn’t want my friends to think of me like that.
I sighed. “How about I give you the rundown after we order, okay?”
Liam nodded and pulled his menu up so I couldn’t see his face anymore. I hadn’t noticed he was upset last night, but then again, I’d been too focused on a certain someone.
The idea that my friends were hurt or disappointed in me turned my stomach. Nothing on the menu sounded good. So, I ordered a side salad and some French fries.
An awkward silence hung over the table as we waited for the waitress to take our orders and leave. No one wanted to be the one to cut the tension as they waited for my explanation.
I sighed again. Time to rip the band aid off, I guess.
For the second time today, I spilled my guts. I did what I could to fight the embarrassment I felt as I laid everything out there. At some point, while airing out my dirty laundry, Blake had laid her hand on my forearm, and I appreciated her unyielding support.
“So that’s it,” I said as everyone sat around me, silently.
“Wow. Guys are assholes.” Jamie gave me a sympathetic look.
“You shouldn’t treat your woman like a prisoner. Besides…” Wes said as he directed his gaze at both Blake and me. “I’m not trying to be a creep, but I’m pretty sure we were friends with the hottest girls in our class. These guys better learn what a true dime piece looks like.”
“Did you just refer to Cadence and me as… dimes?”
“Means you’re a ten.”
“I know what it means, Wes. It’s just a bit dated if you ask me. Who even talks like that now? You’re not a rapper from the 2000s.”
“It sounds to me like he’s trying to compliment us,” I said, leaning into Blake.
“I am! If someone wants to mess with you two, they have to go through all of us!”
“So what now, Cay? You gonna move home?” Erik asked, completely ignoring Wes.
I pulled my shoulders and hands up in the classic, ‘I don’t have a frickin’ clue gesture’. “I don’t know how I could. Just uproot my life? I can’t do that. Plus, I keep hoping Elijah will become the man I loved in college again. He’s in there, I just can’t see him anymore.”
“You won’t find him.” Once again, Liam was hitting me below the belt. “It’s obvious that guy was either a lie or not being who he truly was. When was the last time you’ve done anything for yourself that didn’t involve him? When was the last time you sang? You used to sing all the time.”
I opened my mouth, but closed it before I could answer. Liam knew what he was asking. He already had the answers, too. My cheeks warmed with shame. He was calling me out and even though we were with friends, his words still cut deep.
“You’re being a little harsh, Liam. Why don’t you chill?” Jamie came to my rescue once again, and I gave him a weak smile in thanks.
Our food finally arrived, and as everyone began to dig in, I picked up my fork and pushed my lettuce around the bowl.
The energy surrounding us was heavy, and I felt responsible. “So,” I started, wanting to clear out some negativity. “Jamie and Blake finally have their happily ever after. What about everyone else? Wes, are you still pining after Addison?”
“Gee, Cay. Thanks.” Wes rolled his eyes. “And no, I’ve been dating Olivia for over a year.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to…”
“It’s okay. Addy is still a touchy subject for me. Don’t think I ever got closure from that one.”
Erik gasped loudly. “Doth my ears deceive me? Wesley Parker. Did you admit you still harbor feelings for Addison?”
Wes reached out and shoved Erik’s shoulder as he laughed. “Shut up.”
“I just confirmed Belle left me for another man.”
“God dammit, Liam,” Jamie said as he dropped his fist on the table. “Is that why you’re so damn crotchety? Because you are empathizing with Elijah in Cadence’s situation? You feel like she is doing him an injustice because you’re lost in your own shitty feelings right now.”
Liam ignored Jamie and took a bite of his chicken avocado wrap.
“Besides,” Jamie said. “You didn’t just find out. We talked about this after Noah’s funeral.”
“I suspected it when we talked, and it was even heavily implied. But until this morning, I had no proof. But my PI just sent over some nice photos of the two of them together. Images I’d need a lobotomy to forget.
And that has nothing to do with Cay and Elijah, and if she wants to flirt with some singer. ”
I was dumbstruck. I had no idea what was happening to the people I cared most about. I couldn’t even blame Elijah anymore. I had allowed him to pull me away with his promises of a wonderful life together. It’s my own fault I didn’t keep in touch.
I should have realized something was wrong with Liam. It wasn’t like him to be so argumentative. He was the levelheaded one and always had control of his emotions. It was so unlike him to lash out. I felt like an insensitive jerk.
“Cut the shit, Liam. Can’t you see you’re being an ass to Cadence? She doesn’t deserve your wrath. Save it for Belle. Not us.” Jamie ran a hand over his face. “I’m sorry on his behalf, Cay. Forgive his cranky old ass.”
“Thanks. But it’s okay. I get it Liam, and I’m sorry I didn’t know.” My voice didn’t reach its normal volume, and once again, I pushed the food around on my plate.
“I’m not one to broadcast my problems.”
Erik cleared his throat. “Me, on the other hand. I have no issues to speak of. My life is perfect.”
“Nice way to turn the conversation on yourself, douche. And isn’t Right Hand Sally getting a little tired these days?” Wes asked.
Erik scoffed. “I’m probably gettin’ more ass than you are, and you’re in a committed relationship.”
“And that’s why you haven’t had a girlfriend in… hm. What? Like a year? At least?”
“That’s because I know what I like. I don’t settle.”
“Or maybe it’s the girls who aren’t settling… settling for you.”
I leaned over to Blake and whispered, “They are still like this? I mean, you’d think by now they’d have grown up.”
She chuckled under her breath. “Nope. They still act like they can’t stand each other, but then get all butt hurt when one of them forgets to text the other back.”
“Children.” I shook my head and straightened. I let my gaze move to Liam. He was staring at the center of the round table, fixated on something that wasn’t there. I leaned back toward Blake. “Do you think Liam is okay?” I whispered.
“He’s been off for a little while now.”
“I honestly had no idea. I feel like a terrible friend.”
“Don’t be too angry with him. He is just hurting right now.”