Chapter 30 #2
Presley’s expression sharpens, anger flashing in her eyes so fast that it’s almost … comforting.
“Well, that’s fucking bullshit.”
“I know.” My voice cracks on the last word. “But he’s gotten in her head, and I can’t do anything about it because I’m here.”
Presley leans toward me, lowering her voice. “Okay, listen.” She holds up a finger. “Aaron is not doing this for Alie. He’s doing it because he’s selfish and he wants control.”
“I’m trying to tell her that he’s lying,” I grind out.
“Add on the fact that he’s always wanted her,” Presley continues like she’s been sitting on this thought for a while now.
I stare at her, mouth open in surprise.
Presley’s eyes narrow. “You didn’t know?”
“Alie told me when we met that they were just childhood friends and nothing ever happened between them.”
“Hmm,” is all she says.
I swallow hard, now thinking about my gut instincts telling me there was more to this, and here it is.
“Well, Alie would never. So, don’t worry about that.” Presley cuts into my thoughts.
I nod slowly, feeling unsure.
Presley leans back and folds her arms. “Aaron’s motivation is obvious. He wants you out of the picture and always has. He thought you were erased, but now you’re here.”
My pulse hammers.
“Why?” I ask tightly. “Why continue the lie though? He knows I know the truth.”
Presley gives me a look like I’m naive.
“Because if you’re gone,” she says, “he gets to keep playing the long game. He gets to keep playing the hero who stayed. The one who ‘helped’ raise Sera. The one Alie leans on, depends on.”
Pure rage courses through me.
“He’s hoping,” she continues, “that one day, Alie will wake up and decide she owes him something. Or that they’ll just be together for Sera’s sake.”
I see red.
“You don’t do that to a kid,” I say, voice low. “You don’t mess with a father and daughter like that.”
“I agree.” Presley’s tone is firm. “But Aaron doesn’t play fair. He’s a spoiled brat with mommy issues.”
My hands curl into fists.
Presley touches my arm gently, bringing me back to the conversation.
“I know you’re frustrated and you probably feel powerless right now,” she says. “But you’re obligated to be here. You know you have to. We need you to help this organization shine again.”
“I know.” I nod.
“You need to stay focused,” she pushes. “Because if you get benched, or hurt, or you blow up at camp … Aaron wins.”
That hits me in the chest. Because it’s true. If I lose my composure, I give Aaron exactly what he wants.
I blow out a breath. “So, what do I do?”
Presley’s gaze sharpens like she’s already forming a plan.
“Let me talk to my sister,” she says. “I’ll go to Alie and make her look me in the eye and tell me what Aaron said. And then I’ll remind her of what really matters.”
“Do you think she’ll listen to you?”
Presley gives me a fierce smile. “She’ll listen to me because she knows I’m brutally honest with her. And because she knows how much I love her and Sera.”
My throat tightens again.
“Thanks, Presley,” I say quietly.
She nods once. “Don’t thank me yet. Stay smart. Stay steady. Keep calling and texting. Keep showing up, even from here.”
I swallow. “I fucking hate this.”
“I know,” she says, voice softening. “But love isn’t convenient. And family doesn’t come with a clean playbook.”
She pauses.
“Also,” she adds, eyes narrowing, “if Aaron is forcing these lies, there’s a reason. And reasons leave footprints.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean,” Presley says, voice low, “liars always slip. We just need to catch him.”
I forced myself to eat something, even though my stomach wanted to protest.
I smile and nod. Pretending to be engaged with my teammates. But underneath it all, there’s something simmering and anchoring to my chest.
I’m not gonna let Aaron take this from me again. Not Sera. Not Alie. Not the future we are building.
When I get back to my room, I try calling her again, and this time, she answers.
“Hey.” Her voice is cautious.
Relief hits hard, and my shoulders finally relax.
“Hey,” I say, softer than I feel. “You okay?”
A pause.
“I’m … not sure.”
My chest tightens again. “Alie—”
“Liam, I—” she says at the same time. “I’m really tired tonight.”
“Okay, yeah. Me too.” I try to keep my voice calm, forcing my frustration down. “I just wanted to say good night to you and Sera.”
She sighs. “I’m sorry. She fell asleep early tonight.”
Disappointment washes over me.
“Oh, okay. Can you give her a kiss for me and tell her I love her?”
“I will, and I’ll tell her when she wakes up.”
I clear my throat.
“I also want to remind you that Aaron is lying to you. He’s trying to create doubt because he knows we can build something real.”
“You can’t really know what Aaron is thinking, Liam,” she says, defensive.
“I can.” My voice is firm. “Because he has everything to lose now. He loses his access. His influence. His place in your life.”
Silence.
“I don’t want this to become messy,” Alie whispers.
“Oh, baby, it already is,” I say. “And it’s messy because of him.”
She doesn’t respond.
My frustration spikes, but I keep my tone steady.
“I love you,” I say softly. “And I love Sera. I’m not going anywhere. And it’s really fucking hard to fight this battle when I’m here.”
Her breath catches, and it sounds like she might be crying.
I close my eyes, swallowing the anger, hurt, and fear.
“Just please don’t shut me out,” I say again. “That’s all I’m asking. And don’t keep me from Seraphina.”
“I won’t. Ever,” she chokes on a sob.
We hang up without an I love you—again—and I’m left staring at the floor like it might give me answers.
One thing is crystal clear to me though: for the first time in my career, camp feels long. And what I’m most afraid of losing isn’t a season. It’s my family.