Falling for my Brother's Best Friend
Page 23
The kid’s fearful eyes say he’d go jump off the pier as long as Liam doesn’t kick his ass. Unsurprisingly, he runs off.
“Way to intimidate a kid,” I grumble.
“I just gave him twenty bucks, pretty sure he’s good.” He lets go of my arm. “I’m playing by your rules, so what exactly is your problem?”
“Nothing. It’s just… you’re mad. I know you are.”
He blows out a breath. “I’m annoyed. I’m not going to lie and pretend I’m not.”
I touch his tie, but he makes no move to touch me back. It stings. “After tonight, we’re done hiding.”
“Until something else comes up.”
“No.” I tug on his tie. “Nothing will. I promise. We’re alone right now. Are we going to keep fighting?”
“We’re not fighting.”
I tug on his tie once more. “Kiss me.”
He smirks. “Because you want it so bad, I kind of wanna punish you and say no.”
“But?”
His hand comes out of his pocket, his arms wrap around my waist, and he lifts me off the ground. “I have a hard time saying no to you.”
I lower my lips to his, and finally my world rights itself. The melancholy feeling overtaking me leaves with a swipe of Liam’s tongue against mine.
He slowly sets me down and kisses me one last time. “We’re leaving early.”
“No complaints from me.”
I catch the valet peeking out from behind the bushes.
I push Liam toward the door. “You go first.”
He inhales a deep breath but smacks my ass and walks through the entrance. I wait a few minutes then return to the room where everyone is already eating. I slide into my chair. Holly, being too observant for her own good, flutters her eyelashes at me.
I ignore her and eat two bites of my salad. We talk about the overly hot summer, and I ask her about the honeymoon, though my gaze keeps wandering to Liam’s table. His eyes always seem to be on me too. Did I make a mistake by not coming out beforehand?
Midway through dinner, Grandma Dori clears her throat. “Savannah, time to tell everyone about the auction items.”
“Let her eat,” Austin says.
“We’re the hosts, and there are certain expectations.”
Austin says nothing but gives me the classic I’m sorry look.
I wipe my mouth and place my napkin on my chair, grabbing my list of items to announce.
When I stand at the microphone, I wave. “Hello everyone. Me again.”
This time, I do look at Liam. He’s smiling brightly at me, and I smile back. My dinner isn’t sitting well in my stomach from being so nervous about outing Liam, but I’m so proud of him. He’s going to see how well his paintings are received by everyone, then he’ll be able to live a free life just like he wants me to.
“In a few minutes, these barriers will be removed for you to cast your silent bids and try to win an array of generous donations. To start, we have a survival excursion from Lifetime Adventures. A six-tier cake from Sweet Suga Things. There’s a toolbox filled with every tool man’s dream, donated by Hammer Time. Terra and Mare has donated a six-course chef’s table meal. And Lard Have Mercy has donated a two-hundred-fifty dollar gift certificate. And our bigger prizes include a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and an all-inclusive trip to New York City on a private jet.”
Everyone ‘ohhs’ and ‘ahhs.’ Thank you, Wyatt Whitmore. Brooklyn smiles at her husband.
“But there’s one item I want to talk about in particular, and I’m going to unveil this one first.” I take the microphone off the pole, my gaze glued to Liam, who tilts his head as though he wonders what I’m talking about. I can’t stop smiling because I’m so happy to share his talent with everyone. I move the barrier and take the cloth off Liam’s painting. “This is an original piece of art by a local artist. It features the gazebo in fall with a lot of the businesses in downtown.”
“Gorgeous,” Grandma Dori says.
There’s another course of ‘ohhs’ and ‘ahhs’.
“I see Terra and Mare.” Harley nudges Rome.
“And there’s the diner on the corner. Is that Karen inside?” someone else points out.
“Who did it?” Holly asks, leaning forward.
“You might be surprised to hear that it’s our very own Liam Kelly.” I put my hand out toward his table.
Everyone turns around, but my eyes land on a vacant chair.
“You got mad talent, dude…” Denver’s words fade when everyone searches for Liam.
But he’s gone.
Thirty-Seven
Savannah
“I’ll be right back. Please everyone bid away and enjoy the dessert.” When I toss the microphone on the table, its loud screech echoes through the room.
I get outside and find Liam already halfway to his car.
“Liam!” I call, but he keeps walking. “Liam!” When I run after him, his shoulders slump but he stops. “Where are you going? Everyone loves it!”
“You overstepped this time, Savannah.”
I stumble back as if he slapped me, but he turns his back to me and stalks toward his car.
Oh hell no, we are clearing the air now.
Liam reaches his car but turns around. “What gave you the right? That was my business.”
“Because you shouldn’t hide it. I bet it’s one of the biggest purchases tonight. If you would’ve stayed and heard everyone, you’d see that. They loved it.”
“It’s not theirs to love.”
“I thought you’d be happy. Now you don’t have to feel like you have to keep your work all cooped up in the barn. You can share your talent with people.”
He shoves his hands into his pockets and looks toward the lake for a moment before fixing his gaze on me. I’ve never seen this expression on his face before. Through all the fights and disagreements he’s had with me and others in town, never has he looked so raging mad. “So that’s why.”
I shake my head, not following. “Why what?”
We’re sandwiched between two cars and his volume continues to escalate. “Why you wanted to wait until tonight. Wanted to tell the town, ‘Look, he’s not some schmuck who just gives people tats, he’s a painter.’ You probably want me to close down Smokin’ Guns and open some gallery on Main Street. Would I be good enough for you then?”
What the hell is he talking about? “No, I told you why. I didn’t want our relationship to overshadow the fundraiser. I was already second-guessing that decision during dinner. I missed you.” I blow out a breath. “I showed that painting because I wanted to do the same for you that you did for me.” I run my hands down my body as if he could outwardly see how different I am. “I laugh now, Liam. I’m happy, and it’s because of you. I wanted you to feel how amazing I do.” I step forward, pleading with him. “I wanted you to be open about your painting because it would make you whole.”
“I was whole.” He draws away from me, his stance rigid. “I’m not like you. I don’t give a shit what people think of me. Was it hard sharing that with you? Hell yes! Because there are pictures I’ve painted that would affect you. But I don’t want to share my art with everyone. It’s mine and mine only.” He points at himself.
Tears prick my eyes, but I blink them back. “I was trying to help.”
He blows out a breath and runs a hand down the back of his neck. “Just admit it. I’m a big boy. I can take it. But I’m worth more than being your dirty little secret, your plaything, and because I fucking love you, I let you string me along, thinking we were on our way somewhere, but you want a suit. You want a guy who’s flashy and shows off his money. News flash, I’m never gonna be that guy.”
“I don’t want that. Why do you think that?”
A hollow laugh escapes him. “Look what you did tonight. ‘Oh, we can’t tell anyone because of the family business. Oh, not yet, Liam, we don’t want to overshadow the fundraiser.’ You conveniently left out the part where you decided to share my biggest
“Why aren’t you listening to me?” I grab his arm, but he yanks it out of my grip, going for the handle of his car door.
“Rethink these past weeks. I’ve done everything to get you to love yourself. To find peace with who you are and discover who you want to be moving forward, not who those people want you to be. You’re both the strongest and weakest person I know. And I loved you for every bad and good quality you possess, but that’s not enough for you.” He opens his car door, but I stand in front so he can’t shut it. “Let me go.”
“No! You’re not listening to me.”
His eyes lock with mine. “You want to know what’s funny? I just told you I loved you—twice—and you never even addressed it. You only hear yourself and never anyone else.”
I’m stunned speechless. He told me he loved me? Surely I would’ve stopped in my tracks. No way he did.
His large palm lands on my hip. He slides me out of the way, gets in, and shuts his car door. Before I can go over his words in my head, his taillights are the only thing left of him.
Thirty-Eight
Savannah
I head back inside, smile through my pain, and put on the happy face I’m expected to. I lie and tell anyone who cares that Liam wasn’t feeling well. Then I bid an exorbitant amount of money on his painting under a different name.
As the evening draws on and my sporadic calls to Liam go unanswered, my skin itches. All the conversations fade into background noise. Scanning the room, my gaze lands on Brooklyn and Wyatt strolling from table to table of the silent auction. I watch his hand rest on the small of her back, dangerously close to her ass but not causing a scene, and the ease with which my sister follows his lead. She’s so comfortable with him and with showing affection, regardless of anyone’s eyes on her. She laughs and he leans forward, his lips landing on her neck. They share a look to say, ‘if we were alone.’
I sip my wine and sit at the table alone, my mind wandering to when Denver was in the room and Liam snuck touches or kisses. Was what Liam said right? Maybe I am uncomfortable with people seeing me doing anything other than dictating what needs to happen. But it has nothing to do with Liam himself. Sure, it’s a little weird to date someone younger than me, but he seems more mature at times.
Picking up my phone, I bury my head in the land of Instagram, scrolling through all the pictures of everyone attending tonight. Harley and Rome outside by the lake, all dressed up, the sun at their backs. Austin and Holly at the table with champagne glasses in their hands. There’s even one of Denver and Phoenix at the bar, saying cheers to single life.
Someone slides into the seat next to me, and I turn off Instagram and put my phone face-down on the table. Turning to my side, I find Grandma Dori.
“Do you need something?” I ask, because usually at these events, she’s busy bossing me around and not really up for conversation.
“No. Just wondering how the night is going?” She’s looking around the room and not at me.
“Fine.”
“Except for Liam walking out?”
“I don’t want to get into this. Your meddling antics aren’t working on me.”
She laughs. “Oh, you’re so smart, but you do realize the reason you’re running a movie reel in your head right now is because of my meddling. Imagine if you hadn’t moved in with Liam. Or didn’t have to do the charity event planning.”
I think about it, and she’s wrong. Those reasons aren’t why I’m sitting here with an ache the size of the Pacific in my heart. It’s the bet we made. How he made me feel as though there isn’t anything wrong with me, except that maybe I lost myself for a while.
“Excuse me,” the manager of the Lakeside Grill interrupts. “Can we chat, Miss Bailey?”
I’ve been called Miss Bailey my entire life, but this time, it sounds like nails on a chalkboard.
“I’ll be back,” I say to Dori and follow the manager to his office to finalize all the details.
An hour later, I’m leaving the event when Brooklyn pushes off the wall.
“Hey sis,” she says, putting her arm through mine. “Let’s go for a walk.”
“I want to go home.”
“Humor me. Wyatt and I have been so busy with the house, he’s driving me crazy. I need some girl time.”
She’s lying through her teeth, but we’ll pretend she can fool me.
“Okay.”
She leans her head on my shoulder. “Thanks.”
Leading me down the sidewalk, she rounds the bend. I should’ve known who would be here. Every one of my siblings is sitting on Adirondack chairs, shooting the shit. The only people missing are Holly, Wyatt, and Harley. Part of me wonders if they’re seeking out Liam.
“Great event, Sav!” Denver holds up a bottle of wine and downs a gulp before handing the bottle to Rome.
“Thanks.”
Austin pats the chair next to him. I slide into it as graciously as I can in an evening gown.
“Liam’s got some skills, huh?” Phoenix says. “It raised the most money, behind the Harley.”
“Where’s Grandma Dori?” I ask. Usually she’d be the first one to be here.
“I sent her home. This is for us to handle.” Austin looks at me.
Tears build so fast, I can’t pretend they aren’t there.
“Aw, Sav.” Austin pulls me into a hug.
Sobs erupt out of me. “I was trying to get him to be happy. He made me so happy and now he’s mad.”
“Slow down.” Austin runs his hand over my back.
Brooklyn and Juno each take a spot at my feet, hovering at my knees.
“It’s okay,” Brooklyn says.
“It’s Liam, he doesn’t stay mad,” Juno says.
“I’ll beat his ass if he doesn’t forgive you,” Denver says.
We all take a time out from “cheer up Savannah” to give him a look that says he can try, but it’s probably not gonna happen. I lean back in the chair and swipe at the tears on my cheeks.
“You like him?” Rome asks. “I mean, Denver told us you guys were sleeping with each other, but you like him, right?”
I wipe a tear and nod. “I do.”
“You’ve changed so much since you got together,” Denver says. “I barely recognize you anymore.”
Austin shoots me a soft smile. I can tell he thinks I should be honest with my family.
“Liam and I did this stupid thing about finding the real Savannah Bailey. The one I was before the accident.”
They all go quiet, and no one makes direct eye contact with one another. The slow waves on the lake make the only noise.
“What do you mean?” Juno asks.
Austin sits up and clears his throat. He’d be happy to take this one, explain it to the siblings who didn’t have to take on the responsibilities we did after our parents died, but I put my hand on his knee to stop him.
“I’ve lost myself over the years. Having to take over Bailey Timber so young changed me.”
They look at each other as though they need someone to fill in the blanks. Austin and I took the weight so they wouldn’t have to bear it, and I wouldn’t have it any other way, but I can’t expect them to understand when they still got to fulfill whatever dream they wanted. Yeah, we all lost our parents and that changed us, but Austin and I are the ones who agreed to take on the roles of pseudo mom and dad.
“Guys, Savannah and I, we wouldn’t change our decision,” Austin says. “When Mom and Dad died, we talked and made the plan. I think I speak for both of us when I say that we’re happy it all worked out, and we’re thrilled you all got to live your lives, but both of us did lose ourselves a little because of it. Savannah more than me because she’s the face of Bailey Timber. She’s the one employees look to as their leader. With that role comes responsibility and a presence she has to uphold.”
“Wait. What does this have to do with Liam and you?” Denver asks.
Rome, Austin, and Brooklyn give me a soft smile. They understand that when you get into a relationship, you find out things about yourself. The good and the bad.
“I’m just explaining what we did.” I wave it off and look at Austin to ask him to keep that part out of it. “Liam thinks I don’t want anyone to know about us because he’s a tattoo artist and I want a businessman. And he keeps referencing me wanting a suit. I have no clue why.”
Denver and Rome look at one another. I catch their matching expressions that say, ‘Do we say something or keep this to ourselves?’
“What?” I point at them.
They draw back, seeming shocked that I saw it. Just like when they got in trouble when they were little, they try to read each other’s minds as to what story to give.
“Do you guys know something?” Austin asks.
Denver shakes his head, but Rome opens his mouth, shutting it immediately.
“Come on, you guys. Tell me?”
Rome pleads with Denver non-verbally. Sometimes I find their ability to have a complete conversation with only their eyes and mannerisms scary.
“I think Liam is self-conscious,” Rome says as if it’s only his opinion.
“Why? All the women want him in this town,” Phoenix adds her unhelpful two cents.
“Not all,” Austin chimes in.
“Yeah, I’m sure Holly’s repulsed by him.” Phoenix rolls her eyes and props her feet on the small footstool. Why is that girl always so relaxed?
“Everyone loves him,” Juno adds.
“This event wouldn’t have been a success without him,” I add.
Rome looks at Denver again then turns to us. “Exactly. Why do you think that is? He wants this town to like him, and I never really understood it until just now.”
“What?”
Denver shakes his head like don’t share anymore, we’re betraying our friend, but thankfully Rome disagrees.
“We always knew he had something for you, Sav. If you were in the house when we were younger, he’d be like, ‘Let’s go bother your sister,’ or ‘Let’s look for her diary.’”
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