Tackling Her Obsession with the Tight End

Heard That Before......

Liam

“Liam, could we talk?” I stare down at my phone wondering what to do as her soft voice plays in my head. It’s been almost four weeks since Violet and Sean’s wedding. Sarah’s plea hasn’t gone away though I told her we had nothing to talk about. And then she sent me the text two weeks ago that I keep opening. I didn’t answer it. I start typing and can't bring myself to send anything in reply; at least anything that wouldn't be a total asshole or pathetic answer.

She hurt me which was my own issue to get over. Even worse though and what I was struggling with the most; she completely disregarded the friendship we had the way she did it. Basically abandoning me with a voicemail the next day. I’d been terrified something happened to her when she left the table and hadn't returned thirty minutes later. Her friend zoning me was going to hurt me and change our relationship. I’m not dumb enough to believe I’d have been able to carry on like nothing happened. But we could have been civil and able to speak to each other. As of now, I can’t even look at her without wanting to punch something or break down. The way she blew me off….I sigh and get up deciding to go hit the gym early so I’ll stop rehashing the same event. But I need to get out of my own head; talk to someone else. Sean’s taking Violet out to dinner so he’s not an option. Caylee went to our parents for the weekend leaving Noah here by himself since summer training camp has begun.

I decide to text him. “Going to the gym. Want to come with me? Leave your cave of loneliness since my sister went home? I’m sure you are grumpy Noah bear.”

I grin as I send it. I love to needle the hell out of him now. I don’t get to mess with Sean like this because Violet and he have always been attached at the hip.

“Sure. Want me to kick your ass at air hockey afterwards when you treat me to dinner?”

“Uh you are buying. You are dating my sister and need my continuing approval and support. Also inside information when you screw up.” Even I snort as I send that. He never does. Loves Caylee more than anything. That whole will sacrifice yourself for your other half, Noah’s mugshot is next to that in the urban dictionary. And my brother. Hell maybe me too but I’ll never know. The girl I’d do it for has never seen me that way. Dammit, I need to stop thinking that way; it's time to move on Liam. Stop being a fool and get over it.

Ugh! I rub my temples and resolve to forget about her for today. What I do every morning when I wake up…

"Name the last time I screwed up. I’ll wait. But yeah I’ll buy you dinner. And since I’m buying I expect to hear every damn word about what happened after the wedding between you and Sarah."

"Nevermind, gotta wash my hair. Maybe do my nails, some laundry."

"Nice try smartass. See you in ten. I’ll drive."

Noah says nothing until we’ve left the gym and sit waiting for our food. “Talk.” He says.

I laugh. “You want me to spill lots of info with your ironic single word command.”

“I expect to be obeyed. You’re the one who needed company.” He smirks and I roll my eyes. Perceptive grumpy bear.

“Yeah save that dominant crap for Caylee. s**t never mind I mentioned that. I do not want those images. Ugh!” I shudder and he laughs. “Nothing happened. She’s asked to talk three times. Finally sent a text saying she’d wait until I was ready for her to explain. I’ve ignored all of it except at the wedding. I told her we had nothing to say to each other.”

“Your final answer?” He leans in on his forearms.

“Yes.”

“Bullshit Liam. You don’t walk away like that. You can’t.” He stares at me intently.

“I am going to. She doesn’t want me, Noah. Why am I going to hold on and torture myself with some lame ass explanation so she can make sure Caylee isn’t upset with her? I already told Caylee not to cut her out. This is between me and her, not her and Caylee.”

“Because she’s your lobster.” He answers immediately. "Your home and your princess, remember?"

My breath hitches thinking of that. I thought she could be. Yet our timing never seemed to be right.

“I thought that was possible until she friend zoned me so hard I got whiplash. She and I are not like you and Caylee.” I take a sip of water as the waitress places our food on the table.

“I think you need to hear her out, Liam. Will you really be able to ignore her and wonder later on if she had a truly valid explanation for what she said? Do you want to look up in five years and regret blowing her off now? And you are just like us. Remember your own advice. How can you make a choice when you don’t know all the offers? What if she’s changed her mind? What if that date set something in motion? I spent so long thinking Caylee saw me as her third older brother I ignored every sign she threw at me. And then she did the same thing thinking I only saw her as Beth number two. Sit down and hash it out.”

“I’ll think about it. You are damned annoying now that you’re happy and engaged to Caylee. Were you aware of that?” I grin. I’m happy for my honorary brother. Noah is one of the best souls you’ll come across and I had hurt along with him while he pined for my sister. Almost told her the truth myself because it was Noah. Who the hell wouldn't want him if he was offering?! Plus he'd take care of our Caycay the way she deserved.

He smirks. “Only because it irks the hell out of you that I’m right. I thought you said I was a grumpy bear earlier. And I’m not annoying. Your sister thinks I am incredible.”

I roll my eyes hard now. “I need a towel to wipe up all the sap oozing from that side of the table. I know; I’ll order you a spine for Christmas this year.”

“Great. I’ll take it once I regift you your man card. Maybe then you’ll man up and talk to the girl you’re obsessed with.”

I groan in frustration after a few minutes. “I have no effective rejoinder to that. You absorbing Caylee’s vocabulary by osmosis or breathing the same air? Since when are you so eloquent at putting me in my place?”

“Because you know you’re full of it. Stop deflecting. It's me. I know you and your tricks.” He eyes me with that stern dad like stare I've seen on Uncle Colby's face.

“Fine. I’ll consider talking to her.” I take a bite of my pizza as he watches me.

“Consider it hard. If I have to, I’ll involve Pop. Will leave her father out of it though.” He threatens with a half grin.

“Fighting words. When did you get so damn pushy?”

“Liam, you pushed and pushed my ass to ask your sister out. I didn’t listen and you were right. I admit that easily. I wasted YEARS I could have been happily with her. Probably saved us half the drama that happened in our lives. We all want you to be happy. And even if you two are not meant to be, you are miserable right now. You are existing from day to day. Getting up every morning and staring into the mirror while you see her face. Telling yourself that you need to forget her for the day. You meander through until something crosses your path that day to remind you of her. Her favorite color or someone wearing a similar perfume, and then you’re right back to talking yourself out of your head. It’s maddening and it hurts.” I close my eyes. He hit the nail right on the head. “I’ve been there Liam. And I had to see her almost every day on campus for those two years without going near her. Watch her with Joey for part of that time. I did my best to let her go. You saw how well it worked for me.”

I nod. “I know you’re right.” I point at him before he can grin smugly too much. “And I am admitting that, but don’t get too far ahead of yourself." I pause to gather my thoughts before I say it. Noah waits, he listens better than Sean. "I’m struggling with the fact that no matter what, this talk is probably going to end more than one relationship. That’s the last thing I want in our family. I know you and Caylee don’t keep secrets, but can you let me tell her how things go between Sarah and I? I won’t hide it from my sister, but I also don’t want her picking up her sword of sisterly vengeance for me and ruining her relationship with one of her oldest friends.”

Noah snickers a little. “I’m going to convince her to be She-Ra for Halloween this year. She totally needs a sword and crown. " He reaches over and lays his fingertips on my forearm as he gets serious. "That’s not an issue, Liam. We don’t keep secrets, but we also agreed that sometimes our family might ask us to hold something back so they can reveal it themselves. Caylee loves you and will support whatever you ask of her. You know that.”

A little spike of wistfulness pokes at me. I’m not jealous; more thrilled they have that relationship finally. Doesn't mean I don't wish I had it too. It used to be Noah and I that commiserated with that feeling watching Sean and Violet. As usual, Noah reads my damn mind.

"You'll find it too, Liam. The ball is in your hands and now that you have it, you need to decide to get off your ass and talk to her or move on with someone else. I'm around to listen when you need me. I'm only a block away now."

"I hear you. Missed you this past year, Noah. Thanks." I squeeze his extended forearm before we eat and talk about other things.