“Liam! Stop.” I barely register Sarah’s voice because in my head I’m thinking of all the ways I can lay him out. “Stop, please.”
I let the asshole go and, of course, Sarah’s sister is falling all over him, nearly in tears.
“Sydnee, please get him out of here.”
Sarah’s sister looks at her with a mix of disdain and guilt, and then she walks Daniel out of the waiting room. If I never see those two again, it’ll be too soon. I don’t even know how to process the fact that Sydnee betrayed Sarah the way she did. I grew up with sisters who were the kindest, most caring, girls I knew. They looked out for each other, even though they were years apart. Neither would have ever thought of stooping so low as to sleep with the other’s boyfriend. That shit is just jacked.
“Liam, listen to me. I know you came in on the tail end of all that. What did…what did you hear?”
“All I saw was Daniel getting in your face. I don’t need to know what he was saying to know he was pissed. Jesus, Sarah, are you okay?” I wrap her back up in my arms, my lips on her forehead, comforting her as best I can. How much more shit can she possibly take?
“Okay. Good.”
“What do you mean, good?”
“Just good that, you know, no one got hurt. You need to keep your hands off him. I’d like to half strangle him too, but I’ve got a niece to think about. That’s her dad, whether I like it or not, and Sydnee is her mother. Believe me, it sucks more than you know.”
“Why was he so upset?”
“It’s nothing. Everyone’s nerves are on edge and there was just a disagreement. It’s fine.”
“I better never hear him raise his voice to you again. Because next time I can’t be held responsible if I throat punch that dick.”
“Let it go. That’s what you tell me, right?”
Easier said than done. There’s no time to answer her because Mrs. Witten walks back into the waiting room, thankfully without the other two.
“Your dad’s fine and resting. Daniel and Sydnee are leaving, so they’ll take me home. Sydnee will bring me back later.”
Tears gather in Mrs. Witten’s eyes, so much so that the knots of anger in my stomach begin to untangle and what’s left is a feeling of sadness for her. It’s so obvious she loves her husband with all her heart. It makes me think about what my mom would do if she no longer had Dad.
“I didn’t know they would confront you, Sarah. I’m sorry I told them. I thought they should know. I thought it was time to…Sydnee is having a hard time with–”
What the hell is she talking about? Maybe my sadness for her is misplaced.
“Stop. Don’t say another word. We’re not having this discussion, Mom.” Sarah interrupts her mother, and I’m undecided now as to whether to ask about what upset Sarah so much. Could this night get any worse?
“Liam, could you take me back to the house? I need a shower and a little sleep.” She turns to her mom and the usual softness in her eyes is gone. What remains is emptiness, sadness. “Mom, I’ll be back late morning. If anything changes, call me right away.”
With that, she turns and walks out of the room, not even giving her mom a chance to respond. I need to find out what happened while I was outside texting Zane. Something more went down with Sarah and Daniel in here than what she’s telling me. It was more than a simple disagreement that caused that kind of reaction, I can guarantee it, and I want to know what it was. Whatever happened in the past has just resurfaced, because Sarah’s face is expressionless, empty, and that worries me. She’s shut down completely. And if it weren’t for the fact that I just now got her to open up, it wouldn’t be so bad. But she’s barely hanging on right now by the looks of her. I’m so afraid she’ll fall and I’ll never get her back.
Chapter Nineteen
Sarah
My tired eyes open slowly to the filtered sunlight streaming through the blinds on the bedroom window. God, it feels as though I just fell asleep. The air in the room feels cool with the ceiling fan on low, but Liam’s body is a furnace curled up against mine, warming me, comforting me. He allowed absolutely no space between us last night, holding me as if this were the last time I’d ever stay in his bed again. I’m not certain how to swing this story to make him believe there was nothing going on with Daniel except a pointless argument. In fact, the entire conversation with Daniel really was pointless. Daniel was livid that I didn’t tell him I was pregnant with his baby then miscarried, but what good would that have done. The fact my mother told him about the miscarriage infuriates me. She had no right to do that, and I will be very interested to hear her reasoning. What I don’t need now is sympathy from Daniel or Sydnee, and I sure as hell don’t want their pity.
“A lot going on in your mind this morning, babe.”
“Worried. About Dad...and Mom,” I reply, without turning to face him. His arm is still wrapped around me as tight as a twisted rubber band, and he isn’t letting go. There was a time when that would have freaked me out, would have had me bailing without a second thought. Liam is so different. Why can’t I trust him with this?
“I need to get up and get ready to head to the hospital.” But as soon as I make a move to get up, I’m dragged back to bed, glued to Liam’s side.
“There’s a conversation that needs to happen. Not right now, because we’ve got to get going. But, baby, it will happen. You remember I told you that I’ve got you? I’m not letting go, Sarah, so whatever it is, you can tell me. In fact, you may feel better once you tell me what’s going on in that beautiful mind of yours.”
It’s a bit difficult to focus when Liam’s morning wood is sticking me near my ass and his deep, sexy voice is right in my ear. But focus I must because he is not going to let this go.
I totally get that miscarriages happen, I do, and most women are okay in time. It’s just that I’ve felt so guilty for so long because I didn’t handle the stress of what Daniel and Sydnee did to me well at all. Anger, betrayal, and heartache were kept bottled inside to the point that I nearly became a different person. People didn’t usually describe me as closed off, or moody, or disinterested, but that’s what I’d become. I had let the stress of the entire situation control me, so much so that it caused me to lose the baby.
The physician on call the day I ended up in the hospital said stress can be a factor, because women handle stress differently, but it’s likely only one part of the reason why I miscarried. Whatever the reason, it happened, and I’ve always felt responsible for that. The issue now though, is more than just dealing with a miscarriage. So much more.
Then I had the pleasure of being humiliated, on top of everything else when Sydnee and Daniel’s relationship came out. So, it festered and festered, but I kept that shit on lockdown, telling no one, getting no help. It’s been years of living with this secret, but it’s all going to come to blows now because Daniel won’t let it go. He isn’t the kind to pass along his sympathy and move on. He’s going to want to know what happened and why, and all the while, he’ll be blaming me.
“I can go to the hospital by myself, Liam. I don’t need a babysitter.”
“Never said you did, darlin’. But I’m going. We either go together or I’ll take my own car, but I’m not letting you go there on your own, knowing your sister and Daniel will be there too.”
My phone dings a text message tone and I quickly grab it to check, hoping for good news about Dad. My own heart is happy and relieved when I read Mom’s message that the nurses had contacted her to let her know Dad was doing very well. Mom also said Sydnee is taking her to the hospital while Daniel has Londyn at home. She’s anxious to see her pappy, but they want to give him a few days of rest before that little spitfire comes around. She’s the one regret I have most about limiting my time with the family. I love her to death, no matter who her parents are, but I wish the situation weren’t so volatile, which would give me the chance to spend more time with her.
So, Dad’s okay for now, thank God, because I’m not ready for h
im not to be. I’m not at all certain how I am doing right now, though. I have to tell Liam and I need to do it before he hears it from Daniel. I’m just not mentally prepared for how he’ll take this, because he will look at me differently now, knowing I’d been an irresponsible, pregnant eighteen-year-old.
“That was Mom. She said Dad’s doing well and he’s resting.” The smile is genuine because I couldn’t be happier about Dad. It just doesn’t reach my eyes because I know the conversation about the past is inevitable. “Let’s get ready then because I don’t want to be late leaving.”
There isn’t much in the way of happiness in my voice and the look on Liam’s face tells me the inquisition about what is bothering me will continue the length of the late morning ride to the hospital.
Watching the scenery pass as we make our way to see Dad doesn’t seem to take my mind off anything. Dad, the miscarriage, my relationship with Liam, babies. None of it. It’s all swirling around in my head like a tilt-a-whirl ride at the carnival. Back and forth, around and around, until I’m nearly sick to my stomach.
Pulling into the lot at the hospital is a welcome relief from a very quiet and intense ride here. Liam said very little, obviously waiting for me to spill the beans. His one-word answers to the trivial questions I threw out were short and to the point, letting me know his displeasure at me avoiding the elephant in the room-or car, as it is.
Liam and I walk into Dad’s room, hand in hand, and I’m so excited to see him sitting up and eating. I try to drop Liam’s hand walking into the room, but he’s having none of it. There is color back in Dad’s face, and he’s complaining about the attention, so I know that’s a good sign.
“Hey, old man!” I tease.
“Not too old to take you over my knee, little lady.” He gives as good as he gets and my frayed nerves begin to calm with the light bantering. I don’t miss his eyes locking in on Liam’s hand firmly holding mine. He looks back at me with a wink.
“But seriously, Dad, how’re you feeling?”
“Like a new man. Not short of breath anymore, feel like I have more energy.”
“But no marathons anytime soon, yeah?”
“No princess, no marathons,” he answers with a chuckle in his voice.
Liam reaches his hand out and introduces himself to my dad. “Mr. Witten, I’m Liam. Good to meet you, sir, and glad you’re feeling better.”
“So, you’re here with my Sarah, so that must mean you’re her...” Dad replies in a questioning tone.
“Boyfriend is a bit childish-sounding, but I guess you could say that’s what I am. We’ve been friends for quite a while and I’ve finally gotten her to agree to go out with me.”
“Well, color me impressed, because Sarah here doesn’t go out on dates with anyone these days. You must be a good fella. You take care of her, hear me?”
“Yes, sir. That I can do.”
“Jesus, Dad. I am in the room, you know. And I do date...a little. Now, can we get back to you? What have the doctors said?”
“I should be out of here tomorrow. Just gonna keep their eye on me a little bit longer, then I’m good to go.” Dad’s voice turns to a hushed whisper. “Don’t tell your momma, but I think these nurses like me. They do an awful lot of winkin’ around here.”
Yep. He’s back to being Dad. A chuckle escapes then a huge sigh, feeling the relief in my bones.
I sit down in the chair by my dad, holding his hand, with Liam standing behind me, hands gently rubbing my shoulders. These two are very important men in my life and it makes me happy that Dad has taken a liking to Liam. Liam reminds me of him in many ways. Kind, protective, honest to a fault, giving.
I can sense Dad is starting to feel tired when he sighs and closes his eyes, even with us still in the room. Mom sits on his other side, eyelids heavy. She needs to get home to rest as well. Dad is doing okay, so I think I’ll suggest taking her home so she can nap for a while.
My muscles clench and my eyes close when I hear that voice getting louder as he nears my dad’s room. It’s Daniel again, and I’m pissed that Mom lied to me. She said he wouldn’t be here. Not that I wouldn’t have come anyway, it’s just that I had no time to mentally prepare myself for this. I need to get Liam out of here before Daniel opens his big mouth about the pregnancy.
“So, um...Dad, we’ve got to get going.” I stand and reach over to kiss my dad’s forehead, squeezing his hand. When he looks at me, I know he knows, and his tired eyes tell me he understands. He pulls me in a little closer, cupping my face with his strong, hands and whispers to me, “You’re okay, princess. I worry about you, ya know, and I love you.”
Tears threaten, but I won’t let them fall. “I love you too, Daddy. We’ll see you tomorrow, okay? Mom, can we take you home to rest? Sydnee can bring you back later.”
“I’m fine right here. Sydnee and Daniel can take me home later tonight. We’ll come back tomorrow to pick up the old grump here,” she jokes.
“Go on and get home, the both of you. And you don’t need to be back here tomorrow, Sarah. I know you’ve got school, and little kids can get antsy when their teacher isn’t there.” Dad laughs and shoos us away quickly. We try desperately to make our exit before Daniel gets here.
No such luck.
When Daniel and Sydnee walk into the room, the tension goes from zero to infinity almost instantly, and Liam’s clenched jaw and tense muscles are not a good sign. I don’t know what it says about me that I like how protective he is because for the last five years, I’ve never needed protection from anyone or anything. Now, it’s just hot, and I’m suddenly glad we’ve both got the whole day off, although if I don’t get Liam out of here before they both open the flood-gates of sharing my past, I won’t have to worry about him protecting me again.
We brush past the two of them out into the corridor. Unfortunately, they follow.
“Sarah, we need to talk.” Daniel’s voice grates on my nerves like chalk squeaking down a chalkboard.
“No, we don’t. Let it go. Both of you.” Jesus, I can’t get out of here quick enough. I drop Liam’s hand and take off toward the elevators, both Daniel and Liam on my heels.
“Sarah, wait.” Liam catches up and his body stills behind me. He turns to Daniel but before he can make a move, I push past him, and I’m standing face-to-face with the man who broke my heart.
“I hate you.” It was meant to be screamed, yet only came out in a hushed whisper.
“Did you tell him, Sarah? Did you tell him about the baby? And how you kept it from me? I mean, he is your new boy toy, right?”
“Shut the hell up, Daniel. You have no right.” My stare is laser focused, while feelings of hatred and betrayal surface even after so many years have passed. To think I once loved this man is laughable considering the treatment I’m getting now. Liam had to have heard Daniel’s questions. I can only hope and pray he understands why I didn’t tell him and why I kept this from everyone.
“I had a right to know about my baby, Sarah?”
His baby? He can’t even be serious. Heat flushes through my body as my pulse speeds up, but I will not let him get the best of me this time. With my eyebrows drawn together, chin held high, my lips flatten before I speak.
“You lost that right, asshole, when you screwed my sister. How long were you with her behind my back before I finally caught you?” I question, the sound of my voice reaching a volume it clearly shouldn’t inside of a hospital. How dare he bring this up, here of all places, and play the victim no less. “You make me sick. You both make me sick. You deserve each other.”
Storming the rest of the way down the hall, I take deep breaths, trying to calm myself before Liam catches up again. The elevator button light goes out, indicating the doors are about to open, and that can’t happen soon enough because my stomach turns and churns as my mind goes back to the day I lost the baby. The antiseptic smell of this place throws me back to when I was here six years ago and begins to wreak havoc on my insides, causing me to rush into the l
adies’ room. What little bit of food I’d had so far today comes up just as I reach the toilet. My wrists hang limply over my knees as I bend at my waist, sweat beading on my forehead.
“Sarah.” There’s a knock on the bathroom door and I hear Liam calling me from the hallway. “Sarah, are you okay?”
When I don’t answer right away, the door flies open and in walks Liam, eyes wide and questioning. They’re not the soft, ocean blue I’ve seen before. They’re dark and irritated. Clearly with me.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just an upset stomach. I’m...I’m good.” The cool water feels good on my face and I quickly grab a paper towel.
Liam begins pacing back and forth, his hands running through his beautiful blond hair. He curses twice, causing me to jump. “What the hell was that back there? What baby is Daniel talking about?”
“Liam, please. Let’s just get home.”
“Tell me now, Sarah.”
Two hospital employees are chattering with each other as they walk in the rest room. Their voices and movements stop as soon as they see us.
“We were just leaving. I was sick, but I’m fine now. He was checking on me.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?” asks the older nurse, looking suspiciously at Liam.
“I’m fine. Just an upset stomach.” I can feel Liam tense behind me, and then he gently reassures the women all is well as we make our way back into the hallway. God is the only one I have to thank when I see that Daniel and Sydnee are gone. The elevator doors open and we step inside. I can’t even turn to face him. The silence is deafening.
“Is this the part of the story you left out when you told me about Daniel?” he asks in a low commanding voice, standing directly behind me, so close I can feel the rise and fall of his chest. I can’t place this tone. Is it an angry one? I have no idea.
So, I say nothing. No words come. They don’t come because the only thought in my mind is how Daniel has screwed me over a second time. I lost my baby and my sister because of him, and now I will lose Liam. If I could have told him on my own terms, in my own way, I may have had a chance. But I didn’t, and now I’ll have to face the consequences of that decision.
Hold on to Her (Only Her Series Book 2) Page 10