“I know!” She sing-songs. “I love seeing the opposing attorney’s face when they realize they’re totally fucked.”
“Easy killer,” I laugh with her until the silence returns. “I’m really proud of you, you know that?”
The sounds of the road are all I hear for a few minutes, and I think she won’t respond until she finally sighs. “I went to law school because of you.”
“What? Why?”
“After seeing what happened to you… I never wanted to feel that helpless again. Seeing all of the people in the courtroom who held all the power shifted something in my brain. People need advocates during vulnerable times in their lives. I always wanted to help people, and I realized that I could use my knowledge to my advantage.”
There’s a lot we haven’t talked about with our past, especially the day I got sentenced to prison, but I still remember it like it was yesterday. It was the last time I saw her.
“I’m sorry,” I choke out. “I’m sorry for how everything went down. I–”
“Don’t, Hayes. I’m not ready. I certainly don’t want to discuss this over the phone.”
“I know. Just tell me that you believe that I’m sorry. I need you to know that how I left things with you is the biggest regret of my life.”
“I believe you.”
It doesn’t change things, but at least she believes me. That’s one bit of closure that I’ve needed for a long time.
“I’m almost to the hotel,” I update her, trying not to trap her in another serious conversation.
“I thought about you every day,” she admits, surprising me. “I went to college and cried myself to sleep every night. Thea was my roommate. That’s why she knows about you. She held me when the sobbing became uncontrollable.”
“Liv…”
“I’m in the back part of the lot. See you when you get here.” She hangs up, and I’m left staring at the black screen.
I’ll never be able to fix all that I’ve broken.
* * *
11.5 years ago…
Tap. Tap. Tap. I wait as I listen to the rustling of movement behind the window, and her to slowly open it.
“It’s so late, Hayes.”
“I know, I’m sorry. I’ve just missed you, Liv. Haven’t seen you in forever.”
“I’ve been busy–”
“Busy, I know. I’m starting to feel like you’re avoiding me.”
She smiles softly and chuckles. “That’d be silly. I’d never be able to hide from you.”
“That’s right. I’d track you down.” I smile. “Can I come in?”
Her eyes grow a little wide with panic. “No, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not? I’ve spent the night before. I’ll be gone before your mom wakes up.” We’ve slept in the same bed on numerous occasions, and I’ve always been a perfect gentleman. I don’t know why it would be a concern now. Unless…
“Do you havea boyfriend, Liv?”
“What? No.”
“Then why can’t I come in?”
