“That’s insane. You know that, right?” he huffs.
“He says you’re good at saying what I want to hear.”
Liam exhales slowly. “Alie, he’s the one who’s trying to get in your head.”
“But he was there,” I whisper. “For everything.”
“Alie, that’s not fair.”
“I know, but it’s true.”
Silence stretches. I can see his jaw tic as he takes in my words.
“I can’t believe, after spending time with me this summer, you would think I would’ve walked away.”
“I just … I don’t know.” I cover my face with my hands.
“Alie,” he says gently, “look at me, baby.”
He’s hurt. I can hear it in his voice.
“You really think that’s the kind of man I am? How could I not want her? Fuck, the minute I knew she was mine, I wanted her. Sure, I was angry—not about her, but about being lied to. You can’t believe I wouldn’t want her.”
“I don’t know what to think. I feel really confused and overwhelmed right now. He’s been my best friend for most of my life. He was there for me when I was embarrassed and heartbroken. He was there when Sera was born. But I see you with her and how much you love her. And me,” I say, and it’s honest and terrible, all at once.
“I can’t even talk to you in person,” he says, frustration bleeding through. “I’m fucking stuck here.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“He’s manipulating you.”
Another long silence. I don’t know what to say to that.
“Alie,” Liam says, voice steady now, “look at what we’ve built together this summer.”
“I am.”
“Does any of that feel fake to you? Do you think my feelings for you or Seraphina are fake?”
No. It doesn’t, but the doubt Aaron planted is there.
“I think I just need some time to process everything. The stories just don’t align, and it’s all jumbled in my head,” I whisper, tears pricking my eyes.
“Time to process?”
“Yes.”
He sniffs. “Okay.”
But he doesn’t sound okay.
“Just … please don’t shut me out,” he adds quietly.
“I won’t.” And I won’t keep him from talking to Sera either.
We hang up without saying goodbye. WithoutI love you.
And then I sit on the couch and cry quietly in the dark, Aaron’s words echoing in my mind. Liam’s frustration lingering. And the worst part is, I don’t know which voice is louder.
