I called her cellphone, but it went straight to voicemail.
I called the store again, but there was still no answer.
I called Greg.God damn it!Voicemail again.
Dropping my phone into the cupholder, I gripped the wheel and floored it.At every stoplight on my way out of the city, I sneaked a peek at my phone, willing it to ring or buzz with a notification, but it remained infuriatingly silent.
“They’re fine.”I repeated the word like a mantra.“Fine.Fine.Fine.Theyhaveto be fine.”
I’d stop somewhere down the road to try calling them again.Once someone answered their damn phone and confirmed that everything was okay, I would be able to relax.
thirty-five
the lying bastard
Maya
HowcouldIhavelet myself trust that lying bastard?You’re such an idiot, Maya.You should have known better.Letting Liam into my life had been a mistake.A horrible mistake.And letting him into my bed was worse, no matter how good it felt.Ugh,how could I have been such an idiot?
Even Greg hadn’t known Liam had left.He’d come in earlier to get the nextHot Dudesbook and had gotten an earful from me instead.He’d volunteered to go ask the Pattersons if they knew anything, and I’d been waiting here impatiently ever since.
“He checked out,” Greg said matter-of-factly the instant he burst through the door.“Early this morning.”
My heart dropped as the full extent of Liam’s betrayal sank in.Despite everything, I still held onto a tiny sliver of hope that he hadn’t actually disappeared.“Thatbastard.”
Greg patted my shoulder awkwardly.“I’m sure he had a good reason.”
I barked a bitter laugh.“Right.Like what?”Shaking my head, I said, “Never mind.”I didn’t need him to answer, because I already knew what this was.It was the start of another three-year absence, where he couldn’t find it in his icy heart to visit his aging grandmother.“We’ve gotten by fine without him for the last few years, and we’ll continue to be fine in the future.”
Greg avoided my eyes.He knew I was right.
Squaring my shoulders, I forced cheer into my voice.“Well, there’s nothing more to be done then.”
“Would you like to join us for dinner?”I asked, trying to pretend I was fine, and that Liam’s absence wasn’t breaking my heart into tiny pieces.“I’m sure Nana would love some Mr.Fluffy snuggles.”
Greg gave me a sad smile, seeing right through me.“I’d love to.”He pointed a thumb toward the door.“I need to grab Mr.Fluffy from Andie’s place, but I’ll be back in time for dinner.”
“Perfect.”I forced another smile.“Andie and Carter are welcome to come, too.We’d love to see them.”
Hopefully, being surrounded by more people would keep me distracted from the empty pit that swelled in my stomach.Until Nana inevitably asked where Liam was, anyway.That was a conversation I wasn’t looking forward to.
After locking the door behind Greg, I sank to the floor and pulled out my phone to read Liam’s text again.
Oh, Liam.Why’d you have to be an idiot after all?
Seriously.Screw him.But not literally.Not ever again.He could take his unnaturally blue eyes and his majestic penis and go straight to hell where he belonged.
I typed a scathing message.Deleted it.Typed another.Deleted that one too.
Thumping my head against the door, I sighed.I couldn’t believe he had put me in this position.I really liked him.Hell, I more than liked him.I was pretty sure I loved him.Not that it mattered anymore.
God, he was such an asshole.And you’re so stupid.You can’t let him get away with this.My anger fuelled me as I typed message after message to Liam, hitting send after each thought before I could change my mind.
Maya
Well, I hope you’re happy.You almost had me convinced that you weren’t a completely self-absorbed, ignorant, overgrown man-baby, but guess what?I was right all along.
I always knew you would leave, but I thought you’d at least say goodbye first.
