Chapter 7: Remember to Listen
1533 Words
Liam
"Pick up Vi...." I mutter as it begins to ring. My utter idiocy racing through me like hot regret. My mother warned me not a few weeks ago to not let my impulse to jump to the worst conclusion when it comes to my life overrule my ability to listen and pay attention. What did I do? I totally went running hard into the opposite direction. Four hours later, I am really wishing I'd remembered that Mama knows best.
"Hey Liam." She says happily.
"Hey Vi. Listen, I have a weird question. When Sarah went to California, did Paul go with her?"
"NO! She was with Mags part of that time and he was not there. The rest, I can double check. Hold on, need to text a friend." I tap my foot impatiently as she puts me on hold. I'd gone to the gym and then come home to run. Hoping to empty my mind. Instead, I kept seeing her face. As I let the memory play, I realized I'd been so damn angry when I saw him that I ignored all the signs I should have been watching. The subtle way her eyes had widened and then there had been some sort of weird table vibration. I thought it was him as he pulled the chair out but maybe it was her hand trembling. For once, I wish I was cold and level-headed like Sean when he gets angry. I am more like the red anger emotion from that Disney movie who blows fire out of his head when anything comes along to really piss me off. By the time, I cool off there's usually something smoldering that I have to put out.
"Sorry Liam. No, he did not. One of our mutual friends was there. She works with Sarah and Paul was never around. Why?" She sounds suspicious.
"I saw him today and he claimed they were together all week." I admit raggedly.
"He's an ass and likes to ruin anything Sarah is happy about." She says viciously.
"I think you're right. I need to go Violet." Without bothering to shower, I grab my keys and take off. Hoping she'll even open her door. Some friend I am.
I race there ignoring the phone calls from my brother and Noah. Caylee starts too and I answer that one.
"Liam...."
"Call her Caylee. Ask her to let me in. I'm five minutes from her place. Please do that for your big brother." I rush out.
"On it. Will text you with her answer. You will be spilling all the tea tomorrow."
"Yep feisty I will for your help. Work your convincing magic." She hangs up and I say a silent prayer to help me reverse my stupidity.
I slam the door shut and start jogging inside the apartment building. Caylee's text comes through and I glance down.
"Knock three times."
"I'll buy you a house full of chocolate." I reply and walk briskly down the hallway.
At her door, I knock three times. When she opens it, I can tell she's been crying. s**t. She grabs my arm and pulls me inside.
"I'm sorry. I am a truly shitty friend. That was uncalled for and I will let you call me a foolish, moronic asshat as many times as you need to. I missed every cue you gave off. My only excuse is I hate that guy, Sarah and I'm sorry if you love him or whatever. He burns my ass and my anger takes over when I see him."
She hasn't moved from the doorway. "I don't love him Liam." She sighs. "I thought I did once upon a time. Come sit down. I can't talk to you when you stand up and pace frantically."
"I don't pace." Her eyebrows shoot up almost to her hairline. "Ok maybe a little."
She leads us to the couch. "You've been crying Sarah."
"I lost a friend today. All because I was once a moron and let some slimy asshole charm me." The self-derision in that tone as she looks away.
"Sarebear, you know better than that. I came to my senses when I got over my selfish reaction and noticed how you seemed so uncomfortable with him." I reach over and take her hand making her look at me. "I'm sorry and I'm listening."
"I didn't go to California with Paul. I...I don't know why he said that except to make me miserable. We broke up two years ago, Liam and he made it his mission to ruin any friendships or dates I had after that. He couldn't accept that I was the one who broke things off. He's not the greatest guy, a narcissist who loves himself the most. But when he decides to turn on the charm, he really makes you feel like you are the center of his universe. I fell for it for a long time. I was stupid and I took him back too many times to count. Times where I hurt my family and friends with my decisions." She gives me a meaningful look. "I'm sorry he showed up today. He's been calling a lot. Thinks I should give him another chance. I'm not going to cave though."
"Why did you leave me that night?" I ask fighting off the dread I have for her answer.
"Because he showed up and he threatened to make a scene involving reporters, paint you as some horrible person who was stepping out with me on him. I didn't want to do that to your career. He doesn't like me to have male friends. He was drunk and was already causing trouble."
"Sarah dammit, I could have taken care of that. I don't need you to protect me."
Her big hazel eyes meet mine with sadness. "Did you forget what his father does for a living?"
I think and recall. "He owns every newspaper in Tarrant."
She nods slowly. "You forget about him owning one of the local tv stations. You'd be on blast for a long time. I won't let him hurt my friends Liam." I wait but she is silent for too long.
"I want the rest you are leaving off." I add softly.
"What else do you think I'm leaving off?" Her voice is calm.
"The way you reacted to him. I doubt he's been sunshine and roses to you all the time. Did he hurt you physically Sarah?" As I ask, my fists are clenching. If he did, he's going to have his teeth rearranged.
She takes a deep breath before she answers me so softly I have to strain to listen. "No. But he was verbally abusive the last time we were together." Which would be after our date....
"Motherfucker....does your dad know?" I stare at her incredulously. Baylor Larson is unhinged if you mess with his children. Maybe more so than my dad. Think like Harley Quinn style. And the fact that Paul is still breathing is hard to believe.
"They know. I told them after we broke up the last time. I handled it and asked them to let me. I also asked for all of Nutville not to be told Liam." Her eyes plead with me and I close my eyes allowing the feelings to war in my brain and conscience.
"I won't say anything."
She flashes a grateful smile. I'm not done though. "If...."
"If what?" She asks.
"If you let us know the minute he bothers you again. Me, your dad, Pop, Paw Paw, someone Sarah. Caylee if you want his balls removed and roasted over a pit." She chuckles a little at that. "Promise?"
"I will. Are we friends again?" She asks hopefully.
"I think we can work our way back to that. I'm really sorry for the hateful things I said to you when I left today."
"I didn't exactly leave you any room to think well of me. It's ok Liam. I can understand completely and I don't hold a syllable against you."
"You're too forgiving, Sarebear." I say and watch her face fall.
"I know. I'm working on that." She makes a wry face.
"Why did you agree to go on a date with me?" I have to ask. We need to air this all out.
"Because you're one of the best and I was willing to try. I understand if you never want to speak to me again for that." She stops and I exhale slowly at the pause. I had already accepted it, the fact that my stronger feelings weren't reciprocated. Didn't mean I didn't hold out a little hope.
"No, I told you when I asked, I wouldn't destroy our family friendship over it. It wasn't right for us. I get it. I thought it might be. That cost is too great." Our family means too much to all of us. I already committed to a date next week. I can do this. Move on and we'll be civil.
"Liam, you don't have to tolerate me for our family. I want you to be happy."
"You too Sarah." I say softly meaning it. "Thank you for telling me and letting me in."
- Writer
