“Son of a bitch.”
I get up and pace. Every part of me hurts right now, and there isn’t shit I can do about it. It seems ever since I met Sam Moreno, my life has been nothing but turmoil. If it wasn’t band business, she was up in my personal life like she owned me. And maybe she did, and I was just too dumb to understand my contract. I don’t know, but drugging someone and having it result in a pregnancy is the lowest someone can go. Seems like it wasn’t just Liam’s life she was hell-bent on ruining.
“This doesn’t help me.”
“I know,” Liam sighs. “But at least we know why Alicia did what she did.”
“Do we? I don’t know shit, except that Alicia somehow knew where to find Katelyn and gave her a bunch of phony photos.”
“That’s not all.”
I stop in my tracks and look out the window. Liam clears his throat. “What else?”
“Josie says that Alicia told Katelyn that you guys are still together.”
I nod. “I figured as much, with some of the things Katelyn was saying to me. Thing is, Liam, Quinn doesn’t know Alicia, so if I’m in some type of relationship with his mom, don’t you think she’d be around?” I push off the counter and walk back over to photos. “Show me the years of pictures of us together as a couple. Wouldn’t we ever venture out of the house as a family?” I lean over the table, careful not to put any pressure on my hand. “She believes this, not me.”
“So what, you’re going to leave? You’re going to take Quinn out of school and go back to L.A.?”
“I came here for her and she doesn’t want me. It would be one thing if we hadn’t been together, but I’m in love with her and I can’t… I won’t sit by and watch her be with someone else.”
“You love her?”
“You know I do.”
“I know, but this is the first time you’ve admitted it.” Liam sighs and I know he’s thinking about what the future is going to hold for the band. “Can you at least do me a favor?”
“Sure,” I agree.
“Wait until after the wedding. It’s just a few weeks away and I could use my best friend here, especially after Josie dropped a bomb the other night.”
I nod. Staying until the wedding is the least I can do. “What’d she say?”
“Nick’s back and we’re having dinner tonight with him and his new wife.”
Liam doesn’t wait for my reaction. He starts packing up the photos. He leaves a few of the ones of Alicia and me on the table. I don’t know whether I should thank him or not, but I suppose it will be nice when Quinn asks about her. I can at least show him a picture of the both of us before the night turned into a haze.
“Anyway, he’s back and Josie wants to be friendly. I want to hate the guy, but can’t because my son likes him, and bitched all throughout football on how bad it sucked that Nick wasn’t his coach.”
“So what are you going to do?”
“I’m going to go to dinner and play nice in the sandbox.”
“Lucky you,” I say, ducking before Liam can hit me with the box of photos.
I arrive at Liam and Josie’s with my hand wrapped in a nice black cast. Liam is going to love it. I’ll have to find a way to either play with one hand or figure out how to hold my drumstick. Somehow I think taking a break isn’t an option.
Quinn jumps into my arms as soon as I’m through the door. He holds me tight. His head is pushing into the crook of my neck. I’ve never done this to him. He’s always known where I am and when I’ll be home.
“I’m sorry, Quinn. I should’ve called.”
“It’s okay, dad, I was scared though.”
“I know, buddy. I won’t do it again. I promise.”
He looks at me, his eyes puffy. I can tell he’s been crying. He may look tough on the outside with his black eye, but deep down, he’s still just a little boy. He leans in and whispers, “Peyton is downstairs waiting for you.”
“Do you mind if I go down there?”