The Lies That Define Us (Us 2)

I already was.

Liam

I told my parents the truth, and my dad promptly smacked me in the back of the head. I deserved it, of course, so I didn’t say anything. He’d then pulled me into a hug, told me he was sorry, and that he understood just how much losing someone you loved could change you.

After that, the weight on my shoulders ha

d lifted completely. I hadn’t felt that good in a long time, because since I’d spoken the truth out loud, I realized that even before I caught Spencer and Kennedy together I hadn’t been myself. I’d been with someone who was slowly sucking the life out of me. We hadn’t been good together. I knew that, I had accepted that, but once the truth was out I was able to accept the fact that not everyone was like her. I could fall in love again and not have to worry about being cheated on. One situation doesn’t condemn another.

It’d been a week since that night on the beach, and my parents decided it was time to head back home. I dropped Ari off at work—I hated that damn bike she rode most days—and then headed to the airport with my parents to drop them off. Ollie and I would be taking my dad’s car back to their home in L.A. later.

I pulled up to the drop-off and felt a touch of sadness coat my insides.

Seeing them had been good, especially once the air had been cleared. I think both of them had been worried I was mad at them over something, but that was never the case. Yes, I did hate the stigma of my dad’s last name, but I didn’t hate him for it.

I parked my Jeep and hopped out, grabbing their bags from the back and wheeling them around to the side.

They took their bags from me and looked at me forlornly.

I pressed my lips together and shoved my hands awkwardly into the pockets of my jeans. I didn’t know what to say. I’d never been good with goodbyes. I hated the finality of it.

“Promise you’ll come home and visit before the end of the summer? Everyone misses you.” My mom reached for me, pulling me into her arms. She squeezed me tight, and I felt a tear dampen my shirt. “And we’ll come back for your birthday, okay?” She patted my cheek, looking up at me like she couldn’t believe the fact that I wasn’t a baby anymore. “You’re going to be twenty, Liam. Twenty. When did that happen?” She sniffled.

I put my hand over hers. “Don’t get sappy on me, Mom.” I grinned down at her.

She let go and dabbed her eyes. “Let me have my moment, dammit.” She laughed and stepped back so my dad could take her place.

He pressed his lips together, much the way I had only moments before. “No more radio silence.” He glowered at me, and I had to suppress a laugh. I felt like I was fourteen again being scolded for something stupid.

“No more,” I vowed with a nod. Glancing at my mom, I added, “I’ll come visit before summer’s over. I promise. Besides,” I shrugged, “I think I owe Willow and Dean an in-person apology. I wasn’t exactly nice to them when they showed up.”

My dad clapped me on my shoulder. “I’m sure you do.” He chuckled. “I can only imagine how that went down.”

I winced and shook my head. I’d rather not think about it. I was doing my best to put the past where it belonged—behind me. I was only looking forward and working on rediscovering myself.

My dad took a deep breath, and his lips twisted. “We’ve gotta go.”

“I know.”

I hugged each of them again, holding onto my mom extra tight. I kissed her cheek and waved as they headed inside the airport. I stood by the car, watching them through the glass doors until I could see them no more.

I hopped in my Jeep and pulled away. I pushed some buttons on the touch screen to call Jeremiah. He answered on the third ring.

“Sup?” he asked, and I could tell he was yawning.

“Grab your board and meet me at the beach.”

“Which one?”

“You know which one,” I snapped.

He chuckled. “’Course. Want me to call Brady?”

“Nah.” I shook my head even though he couldn’t see. I was still pissed at Brady for flirting with Ari at my party. Childish? Hell yeah, but I didn’t give a fuck.

“He pissed you off good, didn’t he?” Jeremiah laughed.

I ignored him. “I’ll see you in thirty.”