"What is it you're majoring in, Maddie? Aaron tells me you have a love for environmental work?" Mr. Tucker questioned, looking at me in a way that made me feel I was on an interview.

I sat up straighter and glanced at Aaron before answering. "Yes, I love conservation efforts. I'm studying to become an ecologist, with a minor in zoology."

"That's very noble work dear." Patricia said, cutting a bite of her chicken.

"Thank you, I'm really loving my classes so far, and I'm currently on the lookout for a paid internship."

"Is there good money in that? In being an ecologist?" Mr. Tucker asked.

Next to me, I could hear Liam scoff, but he remained quiet. I smiled lightly, shrugging my shoulder. "I mean, I suppose there can be, but that really depends. I'm not doing it for the money though. It's something I'm just really passionate about."

A grunt was heard from across the table, but Mr. Tucker nodded, pursing his lips. "You know, Aaron here has quite the amount of passion for his work as well. He'll make a fine lawyer one day." He said, beaming at Aaron who was trying to act casual about the praise. "I find it's very important to have passion in what you do. Good for you, Maddie." He smiled, and I thanked him as he patted his mouth with his napkin.

"She's definitely a passionate person." Aaron grabbed my hand on top of the table, smiling down at me.

Mr. Tucker nodded, leaning back in his chair as he looked us over, sparing Liam a quick glance. "You know, I tell Liam that all the time--how important it is. He's not passionate about anything."

My eyes immediately widened at his misplaced remark while my heart dropped into my stomach. I turned to Liam to see his fist clenched around his glass as he brought it up to his mouth, glaring at his dad over the ridge as he took a drink.

"He seems to think life is his playground. No goals, no passion, no hard work, just play time. Now Aaron here, he's got his head on straight. I've been hoping he'll rub off on Liam."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing as Liam's jaw clenched so hard, I was sure the people on the other side of the room could hear his teeth grind. Yet, he remained silent as Mr. Tucker went on. And for that matter, so did Aaron who was looking quite smug out of the corner of my eye.

Before I thought it through, my hand flew down and gripped Liam's thigh, squeezing in comfort. He jerked his head toward me, eyeing me as I continued to face forward. I was fuming as Liam's father droned on, accompanied now by Aaron's mom, as they talked amongst themselves, acting as if they were in their own private room and not out in the open for everyone to hear.

Everyone including Liam.

"I'm just not sure what more we could do for him. Aaron can lead by example, but it's up to him to--"

"You're wrong."

Both Mr. Tucker and Patricia turned their heads and faced me with gaping eyes, and I realized then that I had spoken up. Clearing my throat, I spared a glance at Liam, who was eyeing me with such softness and curiosity, I had to quickly turn away and grip my knee to anchor my nerves.

"What's that dear?" Patricia asked, her perfectly trimmed eyebrow raised.

"Nothing, Mom. She was addressing me. Right?" Aaron lied, acting as if he was trying to save me from embarrassment when really, he was only going to be embarrassing himself. Because I was not done.

"No." I narrowed my eyes at Aaron, disappointment clear in my tone. Turning back to his parents, I spoke. "With all due respect Mrs. Donovan and Mr. Tucker, I have to tell you, you are both so very wrong. While I could be addressing how wrong it is for you to speak about your son in such a manner with him right in front of you, I'm actually referring to the lack of passion you claim he has."

I felt, as in physically felt, Liam's stare on me, penetrating into my soul, willing me to look at him, but I pushed the feeling aside, afraid if I would turn to him, I'd lose my breath and ability to finish speaking right along with it.

"Your son has more passion than I have ever seen. It flows through him when he sings. He plays so beautifully; I'm wondering if you've even heard him. Surely, you wouldn't be saying he lacks passion and hard work if so."

Patricia's jaw slackened as she narrowed her eyes on me, which bounced across my face like a ping pong ball. Mr. Tucker wiped the corner of his mouth with his cloth napkin, casually placing it to the side. He sat straight up, glancing at Liam, then back at me. The corner of his mouth tugged up as he shook his head.

"For a second there, I thought he had actually become serious about something. But his music? That's what this is about?" He scoffed, sitting back against his seat. "And where exactly will his music get him, huh? Thank you for believing in him. My son needs that. But he doesn't need his pipe dreams to be fed. You sound just like his mother."

"Don't you dare bring her into this!  Like it's such a damn crime for a mom to believe in her son. Where the hell do you get off talking about her anyway?"

I reflexively jumped at his loud outburst and turned to face a seething Liam. The tendons in his arms were flexed as he clenched his fist around his glass, his teeth were barred, and his eyes held icy daggers aimed straight at his dad.

"You better watch your tone, Son. This is not the time nor place to be throwing one of your fits."

The sound of his chair scraping across the floor was the only noise heard as guests had brought their talking down to whispers amid the yelling. Liam stood up, leveling his dad with a heated glare.

"Sit back down this instance, Liam."

"Yeah, or what?"

His dad looked too poised, too in control. He wasn't emanating the anger Liam was but was somehow more frightening with his calm tone and leveled stare.

"I think we both know the answer to that, Son."

The tension in the air was so thick, I felt I would choke. Liam's fists clenched, his breathing heavy, as he held his father's stare, neither unwavering.

"Let him go, Evan. He needs to cool off." Patricia reasoned, placing her hand on her fiancée's arm.

He finally nodded, breaking the standoff. Liam scoffed, stalking off. I watched helplessly after his retreating figure which disappeared behind the tent's curtain. Seconds later, talking filled the tent, laughter floating through the air as if nothing had just transpired. Aaron whispered an apology, before going back to eating and conversing with his mom, all the while I felt as if the room was spinning, and I was the only one standing still, witnessing the chaos around me.

I stood, unable to take the stifling air any longer, and quickly walked out of the tent, taking in deep breaths the moment I stepped outside. I needed more space, so I continued to walk, the cool air chilling my bare skin. I folded my arms over my chest in attempt to warm myself as I came to a stop near the pool. A dim light could be seen coming from inside the pool house and a loud crashing sound caused me to jump.

I made my way to the door, slowly opening it and peering in.

"Liam?"

Another loud crash sliced through the air, followed by a curse. I stepped inside, closing the door. Peering around, I was in a small living area with a couch in front of me and a TV. Behind the living room was a kitchen and to the right was a closed door.

I walked to the door, prying it open to see broken glass and liquor all over the hardwood floor and Liam a few feet away with another bottle in his hand. His hair was in a mess like he had been tugging at it and his shirt was untucked with two more buttons undone, leaving his chest more exposed. I stood, watching his muscles contract as his chest heaved through labored breaths.

His eyes met mine and he swung his arms wide, sneering down at me. "What's the matter? Wanting another show? Didn't you see enough at dinner?" He scoffed, taking a swig from the bottle.

"No, of course not." I took a step forward, the sound of glass crushing under my feet echoed in the room. Liam looked down, frowning, before meeting my gaze. "Liam, what happened--I'm sorry. That wasn't okay."

The anger in his eyes was replaced with a vulnerability I did not expect, before quickly masked by rage yet again.

"So, you feel sorry for me now? That's real rich, coming from you. What do you have to be sorry about? Look around Maddie, I have everything I could want! Money, popularity, and women who constantly beg for a taste. What more do I need, huh?"

His words should have hurt.

But they didn't.

What hurt instead, was seeing him like this. He was a mess--completely and utterly broken on the inside, determined to keep anyone out who dare try to rebuild him. Suddenly, the past month and a half of his torture was making more sense. I had no idea what happened between him and his father, but I needed to understand what happened between us, now more than ever. Because there was one thing Liam was missing, despite his protest, and that was his best friend.

"I don't feel sorry for you, Liam. I just wanted to let you know I am here for you. What your dad said, it isn't true."

He loosened his grip on the bottle and it slipped through his fingers, landing on the bed next to him.

"Why now, Maddie?"

My eyebrows tugged together in confusion as I eyed him, waiting for an elaboration that didn't come.

"What do you mean, why now?"

He took a step closer, crossing his arms over his chest, his forearms flexing in the movement.

"Why are you here for me now?"

"I've always been here for you, Liam. I've always wanted to be."

He scoffed, slightly shaking his head. "Really? You could have fooled me."

"You're the one who forgot about me, not the other way around, remember?"

"I told you I remembered you."

"I'm not talking about now, Liam. I'm talking about all those years ago. When I actually needed you! You promised!" I shouted, losing any control over my emotions and inconsequently turning the conversation about me.

He took another step forward, stepping into my space, and tugged at his unkempt hair. "You really want to go there!? Because I recall always being there for you, no matter the damn cost!" He scoffed, shaking his head. "You have no idea how much you ruined me."

I stumbled back, shaking my head at his cruelness as I wiped a stray tear before he caught sight of it.

"You know, I always wondered what would have happened if you had just written me back. Hell, I even imagined you showing up as if you were some knight who would rescue me from him. How stupid was I, huh?"

Liam jerked his head slightly back as his face contorted in confusion, almost looking pained. He took a step forward, but I held my hand out, shaking my head. I was tired of his hot and cold games.

"But turns out, I didn't need you after all, because I saved myself."

"Maddie, I--"

"No, Liam. It took a while, but I forgave you. I forgave you for breaking all of our pinky promises, for forgetting about me; I even forgave you for leaving me alone to face him. Because you were just a kid. We both were. Maybe it wasn't fair of me to ask so much of you."

"You don't mean that."

"I do." I nodded, not caring if he now saw the tears that were falling. He reached out toward my cheek, as if he were going to wipe them away, but dropped his hand instead. I closed my eyes momentarily, taking in a shaky breath.

"The thing is though, we're not kids anymore Liam. And I don't have to keep forgiving you. I'm truly sorry for how shitty things have become, you don't deserve any of it, and I wish you would just let me in and explain what happened. But I can't force you. And frankly, I'm done trying."

His eyes scoured my face as one emotion to the next flashed across them. He slowly nodded, shoving his hands into his pockets and took a step back. I stood there a moment longer, breathing in the silence like it was the last chance I would have to feel this alive, before turning and walking out.

He made no attempt to stop me.

I told myself that was for the best.

But that was a lie.

What in the world is going on? Who is ready for these two to sit down and lay it all out? Come on Liam, we're ready to understand! 

Thanks for sticking around. I promise all secrets will be revealed....eventually. Muahaha! See you next Friday...I hope! 😘

As always, I appreciate your support ❤