Unshakeable

by Abby Reynolds

  Liam

  Five Years Earlier…

  My sister kept to herself for the following weeks. She wasn’t at the house very often, and when she was, she was in her room. My parents were upset with her for having sex at the house, so it was a little awkward. But I was taking more heat right now, so her crimes were subdued.

  My psychiatrist stared at me from behind his desk. “Have you been angry lately?”

  This was so stupid. “No.”

  “What kind of things make you angry?” His hair was white and he wore glasses. He looked like he was a year away from retirement.

  “A lot of things.”

  “Care to venture one?”

  “When a guy is abusive to my sister,” I snapped. I wanted to bail but my parents would just yell at me. And I would be forced to come back for a longer session. This was the lesser of two evils.

  “What made you think he was?” He scribbled on his pad. I bet he wasn’t even taking notes. If I was bored with this session, I knew he was.

  “She told me.”

  “Did you tell your parents?”

  “Yes.”

  “And what did they say?”

  “I was crazy.”

  He nodded then made more notes. “From the report I received from your principal, you took down three large football players—by yourself.”

  “They had it coming.”

  He rubbed his chin. “Could you have handled that a different way?”

  “Not without running like a pussy.”

  He didn’t react to my profanity.

  “It sounds like you wanted it to happen.”

  “And what if I did?” If he was going to play mind games with me, I was going to play them with him.

  He smirked slightly. “Do you like hurting people?”

  “What if I said yes?”

  “Are you saying yes?”

  I shrugged.

  “Everything shared in this room is confidential.”

  I didn’t care if it was. I had nothing to hide. “I enjoyed beating the shit out of every single one of them. I would have killed Derek if I could get away with it.” I knew how crazy I sounded.

  “But not the other two?”

  “No.”

  “So, you don’t enjoy hurting people in general?”

  “No.” I tried to keep the annoyance out of my voice. “Only when they deserve it.”

  “And Derek deserves it?”

  “He cheated on my sister and lied to her. I don’t want him anywhere near her. She couldn’t have picked a worse guy.”

  “What’s your sister’s name?”

  “Eva.”

  “You love your sister?”

  “Only because I have to.” I stared at the diplomas on his wall. He had a bachelor’s from Stanford and a Ph.D. from Yale. He seemed like a pretentious prick.

  “Why do I doubt that?”

  I kept my mouth shut.

  “You protect your family because you want to. Not because you have to.”

  “What’s your point?”

  “I don’t have a point,” he said. “But I can tell you care about your sister very much.”

  “If my dad won’t take care of her, then I will.”

  “You’re angry with your father?”

  “He’s a pussy. Of course I am.”

  “Why are you upset?”

  “Derek was fucking my sister while they were gone and he doesn’t even care.”

  “Have you had sex?” he asked.

  “What does it matter?”

  “I take that as a yes.” He scribbled on his pad. “You can have sex but your sister can’t?”

  “I don’t care what she does,” I snapped. “I just don’t want her doing it with an asshole. I’ve told my dad that he’s no good for her, that he makes her cry and makes her feel scared. He still didn’t do anything. I was the one who forced her to break up with him.”

  He tapped his pen against the paper. “You forced her?”

  “I talked her into it.”

  “So, she didn’t want the relationship to end?”

  “No, she did,” I said quickly. “She wanted me there so he wouldn’t hurt her.”

  He nodded. “If there was some serious abuse happening, she should contact the authorities.”

  I shook my head. “I know my sister. She would never do that. But as long as she isn’t with him anymore, I don’t care. She’s too good for him. She needs to find a real guy somewhere else. She’s smart and beautiful, so I know guys would give anything for a shot with her.”

  “You speak very highly of her.”

  “She doesn’t annoy me all the time.”

  He closed the notebook. “Let’s go back to this fighting thing. How did you overpower them?”

  “I don’t know. I just did.”

  “Have you had any training?”

  “No.”

  “Your coach told me you enrolled in martial arts.”

  “So?”

  “Do you enjoy it?”

  “I guess.”

  He stared at me, waiting for me to elaborate.

  “I prefer doing that than playing a sport. It releases my frustration better. At least this sport is applicable to life.”

  “Do you plan on using these new skills on anyone?”

  “Only those who deserve it.”

  The psychiatrist made more notes then closed the book. “We’re finished for the day.”

  “Thank god,” I blurted.

  “Would you like my take on this?”

  “What are my parents paying you for?”

  “Liam, there’s nothing wrong with you. Someone hurt your sister and you protected her. You show more anger than the average person, but I know that derives from passion.”

  “Could you tell my parents that?”

  “I will.”

  “Good,” I said. “I don’t want to come back here.”

  He laughed. “You’re a good kid, and I would love to see you again. But under different circumstances.” He shook my hand. “Good luck.”

  My parents’ disappointment in me dwindled as time went on, but they forced me to take an anger management class. Honestly, I think they were both a little afraid of me. If I could take down three guys at once, what could I do to them?

  But that pissed me off. I wasn’t a ticking time bomb that would lash out at anyone for a ridiculous reason. You really had to wrong me to get me to resort to violence. And that lack of trust hurt the most.

  Eva was gone most of the time. She and I really hadn’t talked. When I was home, she wasn’t, and visa versa. I wanted to ask how she was doing, but it seemed like she was avoiding me. But I couldn’t figure out why.

  Derek ignored me at school. The coach made sure we were nowhere near each other. Eyes were always on both of us, so neither one of us made a move. Besides, after kicking his ass twice, Derek knew to stay the fuck away from me. Sometimes I received a glare from him, but that was the worst of it.

  Late on a school night, I snuck Jackie into my room. She and I had a ‘friends with benefits’ relationship. I was horny and she had low self-esteem, so naturally, we fucked. We always did it doggy style so we could stay quiet. We were both pros at it. When we were done, I kicked her out.

  After I walked her to her car, I recognized Derek’s truck. It was down the street, hidden under the trees.

  I immediately saw red.

  They were both sitting inside. I could see their heads move slightly, but I couldn’t make anything else out. Jackie said something to me, but I ignored her. I walked to the truck, ready to rip the tires off.

  When I got to the window, I saw them making out in the front seat. Pissed, I yanked the door open and grabbed Eva.

  She screamed when she felt me grip her. “You scared the shit out of me!”

  “What the hell are you doing with him? You broke up with him.”

  “I know, I—”

  I yanked her out of the truck then reached in again to grab Derek. He yel
led when I gripped him by the back of the neck.

  “Stop, Liam!” My sister tried to pull me back.

  I yanked Derek across the seat and pulled him to the ground. “I told you to get the fuck away from my sister!”

  Derek pushed me off but I stepped on his hand.

  “Fuck!” He gripped his hand. “Fucking psycho.”

  I looked at Eva. “This guy is a piece of shit. How could you possibly be with him?” Now that we were under the streetlight, I could see her face. Faint circles were under her eyes. It looked slightly discolored. I suspected what it was but I wasn’t absolutely sure. I spit on my hand then wiped her makeup away.

  “What the hell are you doing?” she screamed. She tried to push me off but I kept going.

  Then I saw the bruises underneath her foundation and eye makeup. Even in the darkness, I could see it. And I knew exactly what happened. I threw my elbow into the window of the truck as hard as I could and shattered it.

  Eva stepped back and pulled Derek to his feet.

  When the pieces fell, I grabbed a shard, ready to stab him in the throat. I’d never been this angry in my life. No one touched my sister and got away with it. If someone fucked with her, they fucked with me.

  Derek stumbled back. “Holy shit!”

  Eva screamed. “Liam, stop!”

  I marched to him, ready to cut his eyes out.

  Eva jumped in front of him. “Stop. Please. Stop.”

  Derek took off and sprinted down the street. I immediately took off after him but Eva jumped in front of me. She wouldn’t get off and I didn’t want to throw her while I held the glass. Derek was already out of sight by the time I got away from her.

  I breathed through the anger, pissed he got away.

  Eva fell to her knees and sobbed, covering her face.

  I stood still, listening to her cry. I finally dropped the glass, my fingers covered in blood. I did everything I could to protect my sister, but how did you protect someone who didn’t want to be? She let him hurt her. I’d be the bodyguard she needed if that’s what she wanted. But she let him slap her. What do I do?

  I finally looked at her. “I can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be helped. You’re on your own, Eva.”

  When we got back to the house, I pounded on my parents’ door.

  “Don’t tell them!” Eva hit my shoulder. “Don’t.”

  I ignored her and waited for my parents to open the door.

  She pushed me against the wall then slapped me. I grabbed her wrists and pulled them down, inhibiting her from hitting me.

  “Open the door!”

  My dad finally appeared, his hair messy and his eyes drooping. “What’s going on?”

  I pushed Eva to him. “Look at her face! That’s what he’s doing to her. Now do something about it.”

  My dad looked at Eva then narrowed his eyes while he examined her face. “What happened?”

  “I fell.”

  “Fucking bullshit,” I snapped.

  “I’m not lying!” Eva said.

  “Why are you protecting him?” I snapped. “Why are you so fucking stupid?”

  My dad turned on the light to get a better look at her face. “Eva, this is serious. Is this boy hurting you?”

  “No,” she said. “I fell.”

  “On your eye?” I asked incredulously.

  “Eva, be honest,” my dad pressed.

  “I am,” she whispered.

  My dad sighed, unsure what to do.

  “Are you afraid of him?” I asked. “I’ll be with you every night and every day. Don’t worry about that. Just tell us the truth. We’ll protect you.”

  Her lip quivered.

  “Eva,” I begged. “Please tell the truth.”

  My dad waited for her response.

  “I fell.”

  I gripped my head and screamed.

  “I’m going to look into this,” my father said.

  “Well, I’ll deny everything.”

  I punched the wall, livid with my sister.

  My dad stepped back then ran his fingers through his hair. “How did you fall?”

  “I tripped.”

  I glared at my dad. “She’s lying. I know she’s lying.”

  My dad looked torn. “Why would she? Eva is a smart girl. If someone was hurting her, she would tell us.”

  I was about to explode. I couldn’t take this stupidity anymore. “Fuck this.” I stormed out of the house and slammed the door so hard, it fell off the hinges.

  Chapter Twelve

  Keira

  The idea of Liam being in the ring again was terrifying. Flashbacks always came back to me, the punches and slaps directly at my face. But I needed to be strong and I needed to let the past go. The situations were completely different.

  Besides, I was much stronger now.

  Working out with Liam increased my confidence. Now I wasn’t so terrified of the world around me. When I went to the store alone, I wasn’t eyeing every person around me. When someone made a quick move, I wasn’t suspicious. When a guy stared at me, I didn’t automatically run and hide.

  Because I knew I could fight if I had to.

  My training was nowhere near over. I still had a lot to do. But so far, I was proud of myself. I admit it. But that wouldn’t be happening without Liam. He changed my world, reminding me that I did deserve a second chance to live.

  I thought about my parents every day, wondering what they would think about the person I was. I would always harbor the guilt for their deaths, but I was trying to be a better person. And I know they wouldn’t want me to suffer for the rest of my life. I was overcoming my fears and what Finn did to me. If they could see me now, I know they would be proud.

  And they would love Liam.

  Liam wasn’t a typical guy. He wasn’t an IV league student. He wasn’t studious, and he certainly earned his living in an unorthodox way. But he was still a good person. And I knew he loved me with his whole heart.

  That’s all that mattered.

  I hadn’t been to the house in weeks, so I decided to stop by. Of course, I told Scotty I was coming. I didn’t want to walk in at the wrong time and see something I’d never forget. And I needed to talk to him anyway. I’d been avoiding it because it bothered me, but I knew I needed to be mature about the situation. I guess I just needed to overcome the initial shock.

  I didn’t use my key because I didn’t live there anymore. I knocked and waited.

  He answered the door, wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and his typical flip-flops. One look at him made it clear he lived in Southern California his entire life. He took me in for a moment before he spoke up. “Hey.”

  “Hey.” I crossed my arms over my chest. For the first time, I was awkward around my cousin.

  He stayed in the doorway. Then he finally stepped back. “Did you want to come inside?”

  “Sure.”

  We entered the house. I immediately went to the window and inspected my garden. Everything looked the same.

  “You’re taking care of my plants.”

  “Like I said I would.” He sat on the couch then leaned back.

  The flowers were bright and blooming, and the vegetables looked fat and ripe. I needed to harvest a few and bring them home. Liam loved the vegetarian lasagna I made. He was a better cook most of the time, but I knew how to make a few things.

  “So…” Scotty waited for me to begin the conversation.

  I took the seat next to him. “I guess I’m just confused about the whole thing…”

  “Well, it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while. I’m not saying I’ll commit my life to it, but I would like the chance. Liam said he would train me a few days a week.”

  “I guess I’m surprised you want to do this after what happened to me.” My voice came out weak.

  “Like I said, I can’t avoid everything that reminds you of him. It would be impossible. And you’ve come so far with Liam. I know you’ll get through this. Keira, I’ve sacrificed a lot to ta
ke care of you. I’ve been your support every single day. But Keira, you don’t need me anymore. Now you have Liam.”

  I knew I was being selfish. “You’re right…”

  “So, I have your blessing?”

  “I want you to do whatever makes you happy.”

  He nodded. “That means a lot to me.”

  “I’m sorry I made a big deal about it.”

  “It’s okay.” He rubbed his palms together. “How is it going with Liam?”

  “We’ve made a lot of progress in our training. I feel a lot better, in general.”

  “Good.” He patted my back. “I knew this day would come eventually.”

  “Well, I’m not done yet. But I think Liam is going to guide me the rest of the way.”

  “I’m sure he will.”

  An awkward silence fell between us. Scotty and I hadn’t been spending a lot of time together. He was my best friend, the guy I would spend all my time with. But now he was gone. I only saw him once a week.

  “You want to hang out tomorrow night?”

  “What are you thinking?” he asked.

  I shrugged. “We can watch the Clipper game.”

  “That sounds cool. Bring the guys?”

  “I just want it to be us.”

  He smiled. “Like old times?”

  “Something like that.”

  “Cool.”

  The guilt welled up inside me. “I’m sorry I’ve been so distant. I’ve just—”

  “Don’t apologize. You’re happy with Liam and I’m happy for you. Besides, now I actually have a life.” He winked at me.

  I smiled. “Thanks for being so understanding.”

  “I knew I wasn’t going to be the only man in your life forever.” He put his arm around my shoulder and squeezed me. “And I’m glad I’m not.”

  Liam arranged an underground fight the following week. A lot of bets were on the table, and some serious money was to be made. Whether Liam won or not, he wouldn’t get a paycheck. This was off the grid.

  I dreaded it with every passing day. I wasn’t sure why I was so nervous about it. When Liam and I trained, he had multiple opportunities to hit me but he never did. Why was the match so frightening?

  After seeing the violence done to me, I knew the flashbacks would hit me. Violence in any scenario frightened me. I loved every sport besides boxing and street fighting. Those were two things I could never get into. Every time I saw it, I remembered the way Finn grabbed me when I talked back to him. I remembered the sting of his palm against my cheek. His eyes widened in hatred, and spit flew out of his mouth when he cursed at me. Those memories would haunt me forever.