Pushing open the door, I was instantly struck by the overpowering smell of beer. Not good beer. Not bad beer. It was almost a mix of every beer I'd ever tasted in my life stirred together.
I almost walked back out until I heard, "Liam, is that you?"
Glancing over my shoulder I caught sight of Jacob, my wingman from the good old days. "Jacob? Is that you, man?" I threw my arms around him, patting his back vigorously.
"Yeah, man. What are you doing here?"
I paused for a second, not wanting to say the words out loud. I stepped back and put my hands into my pockets. "Uncle Henry died."
The corners of his lips turned down. "Oh, no. I'm sorry, Liam. Uncle Henry…" his words trailed off.
"Yeah, he'll be missed."
"When's the last time you were home anyway? I feel like I haven't seen you since you left."
I nodded. "Since I left."
"No! Has it been that long? Where are you living now?" he asked, guiding me to an open barstool.
"La Jolla."
"Wait, you live that close and you've never come back?"
I took a seat. "Sounds about right."
"Kelley?"
"Kelley what?"
"The reason you didn't come back."
"Please—a woman—please."
He shrugged. "Just don't see what else could've kept you outta town."
"Drop it, man. I was busy."
He walked behind the counter. "Busy. Got it. Drink?"
"Whatever you got on tap."
Pulling a glass off the shelf, he filled it with an amber liquid, pouring the frothy layer out into the sink. Sliding the glass over the shiny counter, I caught it with my right hand, the beer splashing against the rim. I drank a large gulp and set it down, letting the beer coat the anxiety brewing in my stomach.
"So I heard Kelley works here?" I asked, lifting the glass up to my mouth.
He pulled the rag off his shoulder and began wiping down the counter. "No, she doesn't."
I raised my brow. "Really?" I took another sip, wondering why Kerris would lie about where she worked.
"I mean she worked here this morning, but I needed her to come in and she threw me some bullshit about not being able to work the next couple weeks at night. Doesn't she know I need her at night?" He shook his head, flinging the rag back over his shoulder. "Can't find good help these days."
"Worked here?"
"Yeah, I fired her ass."
I shook my head. She was fired because of that damn Will. I could either defend her and try to get her job back or keep my mouth shut. If I spoke up I would need to tell Jacob about the Will and the clause, subjecting myself to more questions I wasn't ready to answer. So I kept my mouth shut—a dick move—I know.
"Would you ever hire her again? After the two weeks, I mean?"
"She's the best bartender I've ever had. Of course, I would! But she doesn't need to know that. She has to know she can't dictate her own schedule. I'm the goddam boss around here."
I chuckled. "You don't think you're being a little over dramatic."
"Have you seen her lately?"
"Well—"
"She throws me more attitude than my own wife, and that's a lot of attitude."
"You're wife?"
"Yeah, my wife Terra."
"Terra from school?"
"Yeah, you remember her?"
"Yeah, I remember Terra from school."
He rested his hands on the edge of the counter. "What the fuck does that mean?"
"Nothing. It doesn't mean anything."
He leaned in. "Did you do something with my wife?"
"No, man. I just meant I remembered her."
His eyes narrowed, searching my face for a hint of a lie. "You sure?"
"I was with Kelley back then."
He stepped back, nodding. "Yeah, I guess you were," he agreed, pulling the rag off his shoulder to wipe down the same section of the counter he'd just cleaned off.
I swallowed another gulp of beer. "I'm serious," I said as I pored over his face, trying to ascertain whether or not he believed me.
"I know, I know. You really loved Kelley back then. I know you wouldn't have cheated on her."
"No, I wouldn't have. I loved that girl." I paused, surprised by what had just slipped out of my mouth. "You know—high school love."
"What's that mean?"
"High school love isn't real love. It's puppy love."
"I don't know man. I hooked up with Terra a week after graduation, and I love that woman."
"Technically, you weren't in high school." I laughed, sliding the empty glass back to him. "Another."
"Hey, whatever you say, Liam." He reached over and fetched the glass, positioning it under the spigot as he pulled the lever to refill my drink.
"Yeah, whatever I say…" my words trailed as I peered at my watch.
It was only eleven-thirty and I was already on my second beer. She was already making me drink. I contemplated getting into my car and driving straight home, but she'd lost her job to fulfill the clause in that damn Will, and I'd feel like shit knowing I'd left her high and dry without any income because of some childish issues I still harbored.
He rested his forearms on the counter as he leaned in. "You gonna be in town long?"
"I dunno yet."
"If you stay, make sure to gimmie a call. I'd love for you to come over for some dinner."
"Yeah, that sounds like a plan." I threw back one last swallow and set the glass on the counter. "I'm gonna get outta here man. I got things to do."
"It was really good to see you. You should really go see Kelley. She just broke up with her boyfriend."
"Why does that matter to me?"
"Just in case you wanna relive the good old days."
I shook my head. "Not interested."
"Wow. I'd never thought I'd see the day you weren't interested in Kelley." He smiled and winked as he began to wash out my glass in the sink.
My lips parted, ready to defend what I'd just said, but I realized there was no point. I didn't have anything to prove to him. I was here to sort through my uncle's affairs, and not to deal with matters of the heart. I'd never let another woman in—not after the way Lexi broke my heart.
I pushed through the door and out into the noon time sun. Hopping into my car, I headed over the Coronado Bridge to get to the place where Kelley and I parted ways. I didn't know what I thought I'd find there—answers—absolution? Maybe I was hoping to find myself on the scorching Southern California sand.
The drive through North Island was a beautiful one. It was a drive I remembered well. The small mom and pop shops still littered every nook and cranny of the long drag to get to the ocean. I slowed to a smooth thirty-five miles per hour to take in the scenery as the beer, still flowing through my veins, washed a soothing nostalgia over me I couldn't shake.
I parked and stepped out of the car, inhaling a deep breath of salty sea air which invigorated my lungs. Sliding my hands into my pockets, I crossed the street, listening to the sounds of the waves crashing against the shore, and the sand grinding against the soles of my shoes.
I couldn't help but smile. The sandy shore used to be everything to me. It was the first place I'd ever kissed a girl—the first place I'd ever uttered the words I love you—the first place I'd ever broken someone's heart. Funny how all those firsts were with Kelley.
Finding a spot on the sand, just far enough from the crowds to enjoy the view without any distractions, I sat down. Tousling my hair was the cold ocean breeze whipping around me like an old friend trying to catch my attention.
What do I do Uncle Henry? Why did you do this to me?
The questions swirled around my mind, making me crazy. I needed to decide what I was going to do with the house, and with Kelley.
YESTERDAY
KELLEY
A few hours later…
Yesterday was a better day. Sure I was sleeping in a truck, but I didn't have to confront the biggest heartache of
my life either. Liam was everything to me. The first boy I'd ever kissed—my first everything. Just being in Uncle Henry's house felt like a knife through my heart, twisting at every memorable turn.
It had been years since our lips touched, and yet I could still feel his electricity. By the time I had the presence of mind to look at the time it was half past five, and I'd already cleaned the entire kitchen and half the living room except for the pictures. I wouldn't sift through those—I couldn't—it hurt too much.
Why'd you do this to me, Uncle Henry? Why'd you drag me back here?
I walked down the hall, raking my fingers along the drab yellow wallpaper. The sunlight beaming through the bathroom window highlighted all the dust in the air. Surely, that couldn't be healthy.
Turning the corner into Liam's old room, the memory of our first time slammed into me like a car crashing into a brick wall, paralyzing me dead in my tracks.
The ghosts of our youth danced around me like an old movie playing in 3D, and I was but a mere voyeur enjoying the show. I leaned against the doorframe, crossing my arms to reminisce.
"I've missed you," Liam said, grabbing my wrist as I playfully tried to keep from facing him.
"How much?"
He tugged me toward him, resting his palm on the small of my back. "More than anyone I've ever missed in my whole life."
"Liam, you say that to all the girls."
"There's no other girl but you, Kells."
He smoothed my hair, staring into my eyes. "Tell me you'll always be my girl."
I giggled. "I'll be your girl as long as you'll have me."
"Always. Say it."
"Always."
Foolishness. Utter foolishness. Silly ass girl falling for the loose promises of a future bastard. I deserved to get hurt. Utter foolishness. I pushed my shoulder off the doorframe and walked back down the hall, trying to get as far from the room and the memory as possible.
There was no way I'd ever let him make a fool of me again. I was going to see the two weeks through, even if it killed me. But what if he didn't come back to fulfill his end of the clause? I'd be stuck with no house and no job—sounded about right with the temperament of my recent luck. I could only hope he'd make it through the rickety old door before the clock struck seven.
Fuck. Here I am again, pinning my fucking future on Liam.
I stood in the living room, watching as the second hand of the clock ticked by. It was already six and there was no sign of Liam's car coming up the driveway. He wasn't coming back. I pressed my palm against my forehead, wiping the anxious beads of sweat forming at my hairline. I didn't know whether to call Mr. Miller and let him know what was happening or if I should call it what it was—a loss.
Pacing around the couch, I clasped my hands behind my back unable to keep worry from seeping in. If Liam didn't come back it was going be another night spent in the truck. Who was I kidding? It was going to be a lot more nights spent in the truck.
The sound of a car motor pierced through the evening air as the butterflies in my stomach began to flutter. He had come back. My eyes zipped straight through the living room window positioned directly in front of the driveway, but to my dismay, it wasn't Liam. Mr. Miller had come back, probably to check if Liam and I were both tucked securely inside the four walls. My shoulders hung, and a sigh escaped from my lips.
Here we go.
I walked to the door to greet him, noting the time on the clock. "6:45, fuck," I murmured under my breath.
Pulling the door open, I faked the biggest smile I could muster and motioned for him to come in.
"Kelley," he greeted.
"Mr. Miller—"
"Please, call me Kerris."
"Kerris, of course. How are you tonight?"
His eyes moved about the room as he spoke. "Where's Liam?"
"Liam?"
"Yes, you know, the tall strapping guy who was here earlier."
I clasped my hands together and parted my lips, but before I could say a word the door creaked open.
"I'm right here," Liam said from behind.
"Ah, Liam. Where were you?"
"I went to see a couple friends whom I hadn't seen in years."
He looked at his watch. "Cutting it a little close, aren't we?"
Liam crossed his arms. "Close is not late. Are you here just to check on us?"
"Well, that is a part of my job."
"And I appreciate you driving all the way out here." He pulled the door open. "Tomorrow then?"
Kerris cleared his throat. "Yes, well, tomorrow then. Bright and early."
"I know, eight."
"Right, you can't leave until eight, so I might come early just to see if—"
"We got it," Liam said sternly, closing the door in his face.
"You didn't need to be rude to him, he was just—"
He brushed by me, smelling like the ocean, without a word.
"What is it now?" I asked.
He disappeared into the kitchen. "Wow, you did all this?"
I didn't reply to his smug ass, walking in the house acting like he could throw around his attitude. I looked at the clock—6:58. It was now or never. Close the door and stay two weeks, or walk out and finally forget this part of my life—forget him.
6:59.
Gripping tightly on the doorknob, I opened the door, my knuckles began to turn white as I wrestled with my life altering choices. I gritted my teeth and pushed the door closed, resting my forehead on the aging wood.
"Fuck."
LIAM
The door closed, and instantly my heart sunk. She'd left, and I couldn't blame her. I was being a dick for no other reason than the simple fact I could be one.
Goddammit.
I walked out of the kitchen to find her still standing in front of the door. She hadn't left and I was slightly shocked at the relief I felt. Swallowing my pride, I moved toward her, ready to apologize for storming out and coming back with even less grace.
My next step caused the floorboard to creak, alerting her to my presence. She turned, her eyes narrowing as she shot me a glare I probably deserved. "What do you want now?"
"I wanted to say sorry for—"
"For what? For lying? For every fucking wrong choice I've made 'cause I thought you were coming back?"
"No, for—"
"I don't give a fuck what you're sorry for. I'm fucking tired of men and your fucking excuses as to why you do the things you do. I'm tired of sleeping in my piece of shit truck and working a dead-end job. I'm just fucking tired!" she screamed as tears began to well in her eyes.
"You sleep in your truck?"
She shook her head. "Really? That's what you focused in on?"
My body began to heat up as the anger swelled from the tone she was taking with me. "I'm not responsible for the choices you made in life, Kells—"
"Don't you dare call me Kells! Don't you dare bring up shit from back then. The love of my life called me Kells. I don't know you. You're someone I have to spend the next two weeks with to appease a dying man's wishes."
"Don't bring my uncle into this. This is between me and you and shit that happened too many years ago to count."
"Too many years ago? It seems like yesterday to me. There was nothing I wouldn't have done to just be with you."
"I didn't mean to—"
"Mean to what?" she interrupted.
I pored over the hurt in her eyes. The subtle beauty she still carried spurred my mind to our last night together. "Kelley, I…" my words trailed, hoping something profound would come to me—but nothing did.
She stared into my blank expression for a few seconds, then dropped her arms to her side. I watched as the frustration washed over her entire body, her gaze shifting to the stack of pictures near the couch.
"Did you love her?"
"Who?"
"Your wife?"
Shame filled every fiber of my being. Not for the fact that I married someone else, but because she found out the way she did. I should've b
een the one to tell her. I should've been the one to tell her a lot of things.
I stepped toward her, lowering my voice to calm her. "I'm a piece of shit, I know. I can't take any of it back." She didn't oppose my advance, so I took another purposeful step forward, lifting my palm to the side of her neck. "And, oh, how I wish I could."
Her glistening eyes widened as I caressed her cheek with my thumb, wiping away a cascading tear. "Don't," she whispered.
"Kells," I exhaled softly.
She backed away, leaving my hand stranded midair. "I—can't. Not again. Two weeks, that's all I can give, Liam."
"We don't have to do this. We can go our separate ways now."
"No! I need this. I don't have anything else. I know that sounds awful, and I hate feeling like a scavenger, defiling the memory of your uncle, but I really need this."
I nodded. I knew what she needed, but it wasn't the house. She needed what I promised her all those years ago. She needed me to tell her it was going be okay, and that I'd be there for her this time—that I wouldn't abandon her.
"I'll stay."
Relief washed over her face. "You will?"
"I'll stay for you."
"Don't say it like that. Don't say you'll stay for me. Say you'll stay for your uncle, or for the house, but not for me. It hurts too much to hear it."
Her every word pierced through me like bullets from enemy fire. It'd never dawned on me that she wouldn't have moved on with her life. That I would be the cause of so much pain and regret.
"What can I do to fix things?"
"Fix things? I'm not a broken vase that you can glue together."
"I can get you a place to live, a job, and a new car. Let me take care of you like I should have back then."
"You can't buy me, Liam. I'm not for sale."
"I didn't say you were."
"Just stay the two weeks and help me fix up the place. Once we sell it, we can both move on. I won't bother you again."
"What if that's not what I want?"
"You made your choice a long time ago."
"A kid's choice."
Envy: A Second Chance Romance (Deadly Sin Series Book 2) Page 3
