Page 68 of Just Between Us

Liam does a half turn back to me.

“I’ve missed you.”

Green eyes bounce between mine, and I want to tell him I know. I know why he runs, I know him. But now is not the time for that.

“I’ve missed you too, angel.” He gives me one last look, vulnerability flickering across his face, and turns to walk away.

I resist the urge to watch him go for fear I might follow. Instead, I close my eyes to clear my head of Liam and turn, making my way to my family, who is finally together again after being fractured for years. It’s them I’ll focus on today.

They’re standing, huddled together trying to make sense of what we all witnessed between Josie and Tyler when I approach.

“There you are,” my aunt says, reaching for my arm. “We’re all heading back to Penny’s house to spend some time together. Will you come?

“Yeah,” I say, my smile subdued. “I’d love to.”

For the next few hours, my family catches up at Penny’s. We talk, we laugh, and we share theories on what we think is going on with Tyler, who is suspiciously absent. Penny remains silent during that conversation. I’ve got a feeling she’s not as in the dark as the rest of us.

Eventually, after several hours of family time, the emotions of the day take their toll, and I stand to give hugs and goodbyes.

Back in the apartment, I notice a text from Sam.

Sam

Made it.

Sam

Oh, and I didn’t tell you today, but you looked beautiful.

Oh, Sam.

Sam with the kind eyes and cute laugh. Sam, who should be so easy to be with—every benchmark of an average life right there for the taking. I could almost imagine us becoming something if Liam didn’t exist in the world. Before he thinks this is more than it is, I know what I have to do. I’ll wait until he’s back in town. He deserves the dignity of a face-to-face conversation. But I can’t string him along when my heart isn’t in it.

Racking my brain, I search for how to respond in a way that’s polite, but doesn’t invite more texts. Finally, I decide on something simple and true.

Thanks Sam. That’s sweet of you. It’s been a long day, so I’m heading to bed.

Goodnight!

I go through the motions of getting ready for bed, and crawl under the covers, my mind going back to Liam’s lips on my pinky.

Searching around in the comforter, I find my phone. I could text him. I could ask if he made it home.

But something stops me. Maybe it’s his voice in my head sayingI need you to be patient with me.So I press my lips to my pinky, and wait.

We’ve beenin Penny’s kitchen since eight a.m.

Aunt Ashley stands at the counter, basting the turkey, while Penny chops celery next to her. Mom is setting the table, and to someone on the outside, I’d bet we look like a normal family.

But I’ve noticed Mom jumps at the smallest sound, and her cuticles are picked raw.

Yesterday, she and I spent some time together, just the two of us. Conversations were awkward, tripping over our words like tree roots on the ground, but it’s a start. Therapy seems to be helping her. The distance from my father is helping even more. And she’s had fun decorating Austin’s house as her own.

My father never allowed her to work, wanting all the control, meaning my mom has no income. She confided in me she’s been looking for a job, but having no skill set is making that difficult. She’s solely relying on my aunt for transportation, and Austin for money. I know how he is. He’d happily support her the rest of her life. But she doesn’t want that. I make a mental note to talk to my aunt about that situation.

“Cass, can you check the rolls?” Penny asks without looking up. “My oven never cooks evenly.”

Cracking the oven open, a delicious yeasty aroma hits me in the face. “I think two more minutes.”