by Jae
My free hand clamps over my mouth. The cold rain mixed with the rage Liam is displaying causes my body to shake and goose bumps to rise on my skin. Noticing the sudden change in my body movements, Ella drops my hand and pulls me into a tight hug.
“Stop, Liam!” Tony demands, clearly more determined this time. “Liam, stop! You’re scaring Daisy!”
Liam’s eyes drain back to the bright emerald green I’ve so desperately wanted to see as Tony uses all his strength to force Liam to look in my direction. The way the rain drips off of the ends of his curls and slides down his face is something so beautiful that I nearly forget what’s happening around us. It’s not more than a second before his eyes grow dark again and his features harden.
“Take her away.” Liam snaps as he looks back at Tony. “I don’t want her to see this.”
My eyes grow wide at his words and I pull away from Ella’s embrace and take a few steps towards him while frantically shaking my head.
“If you don’t stop, you’re going to lose her, Liam!” Tony presses. “You’re going to lose the best thing that’s ever happened to you!”
Liam’s knuckles are dripping red with blood so heavily that the rain can’t even keep up enough to wash it away. The color symbolizing danger; and that’s what Liam is: dangerous. He’s completely void of emotion while he stares at me, holding my pleading gaze captive. Tony’s words seemed to have formed some sort of barrier, preventing the next hit that would probably knock Colin unconscious. While Liam’s attention is diverted, Colin takes the opportunity to make a cowardly exit; staggering to his feet and running as best as he can down the alley towards the main road. I realize that Colin had remained fairly silent through the whole beating and I wonder if maybe it’s finally occurred to him that he would never win. If it wasn’t for Tony, Ella, and me following them out here, he might have left this alley in a body bag.
Liam is forcefully restrained from pursuing Colin by Tony who’s holding his arms with constricting tightness. I know it’s agonizing for Liam to just watch Colin get away and not be able to finish inflicting the most fatal damage he can possibly desire. Even from where I’m standing, I can hear Tony using my name as a calming incentive; a type of encouragement to the anger inside Liam to not bubble over again. We patiently wait while minutes pass by before Liam has completely calmed down, his breathing now steady. Tony reluctantly releases him and Liam’s focus turns to me. I inwardly curse at myself when Liam takes a step toward me and my feet instantly take a step back. Liam’s worried eyes shift between Ella and Tony, who are now standing on either side of me.
“I’ll take her home.” Liam declares softly.
I don’t know why, but Liam’s words make me shift to stand behind Tony. The hurt look on Liam’s face breaks my heart and I nearly change my mind and go with him. Despite what just happened here though, I am still upset with him for earlier.
“Not tonight, man.” Tony says, leaning forward and squeezing Liam’s shoulders in reassurance. “I think she’s just a little shaken up. Just call her tomorrow, okay?”
A glimpse of fear flashes through Liam’s now emerald green eyes as he visibly swallows.
“At least let me say goodbye to her.” He demands.
Liam’s eyes shoot between Tony and Ella’s when neither of them moves and his eyebrows comes together, his frown deepening.
“She’s still my girlfriend.” He presses.
I feel extremely exposed when Tony and Ella move away from me and I’m now standing on my own. I look down at the ground, not sure how to feel about being so close to someone who just inflicted such furious anger on another person only minutes ago. Tears sting the back of my eyes when I catch a glimpse of Liam wiping blood from his knuckles onto his wet jeans before carefully reaching out and tilting my chin up. I can’t understand how he suddenly looks like an angel again, his beautiful emerald green eyes sparkling, his bottom lip caught between his teeth, and his curly locks soaked with rain and sweat. How can so much anger and hatred come from someone so heartbreakingly handsome? I gently push Liam’s hand away from my face and study him for a moment. I gulp when he cautiously leans down to me and I turn my head slightly. Liam pauses, hurt lacing his beautiful features as he presses his warm lips to the corner of my mouth. He doesn’t have to travel far before his deep, raspy voice reaches my ear.
“I love you, Daisy.” He whispers. “And I’m so sorry I didn’t say it earlier.”
My breath hitches in my throat at his words, my cheek brushing against his as I subconsciously move closer to him. His whispered words seem to numb my body. I’ve never heard someone admit something with such raw emotion.
“Say it back.” Liam quietly begs. “Please, tell me you love me.”
My body flinches when he grabs a hold of my hand, the blood that’s still there smearing onto my skin. I quickly look to Ella and Tony instantly moves towards us, making Liam’s touch slip from mine in defeat.
“Go wait with Ella by the door.” Tony instructs.
I nod my head and follow his instructions, my feet carrying me around the corner with Ella. We linger there, pressing our backs against the oddly cool brick while we listen in on Tony and Liam’s conversation.
“Damn it, I’ve lost her.” Liam curses. “I promised her I would stop fighting and what do I do? I turn around and do exactly that; worse than she’s ever seen. I can’t believe I’ve managed to mess up this bad.”
“No, it’s not like that. She’s just in shock.” Tony reassures. “Don’t worry, she’ll come around.”
“She’s scared of me; I could see it in her eyes. She didn’t want me to touch her.”
“Daisy will be fine.” Tony says, placing a hand on Liam’s shoulder. “She’s a lot stronger than you give her credit for.”
There’s a pause.
“I really love her.” Liam says so softly I’m not even sure if I actually heard him right.
I turn my body and peer around the corner. Liam’s head is hung low until he brings it up to meet Tony’s gaze. I take in a quick breath when his eyes shift to me. He looks so hurt and unsure of what to do.
“Will you call me when she’s home safe?” Liam asks, focusing back on Tony.
“Of course.”
“Thanks, Tony. For everything.”
“No worries.”
I watch on as they say goodbye to each other. Liam curiously observes me when I emerge from my hiding position and find what little courage I have left in me. Tony meets me half way and takes my hand in his, leading me down the alley. But I can’t leave Liam, not like this. Liam has spent too much time searching for something that nobody has ever seemed to be brave enough to give him - love. I slip my hand from Tony’s and he says my name in confusion, but I ignore him and take hesitant strides towards the tall figure left in the darkness. I ache to run my fingers through his messy curls while his shining eyes intently watch my movements. I figure there’s no point in shying away now, so I wrap my hand around the back of Liam’s neck and pull his face closer to mine, pressing a longing kiss to his lips. My entire body feels like it’s going to explode when his lips instantly begin to move with mine, just like I wanted earlier today.
“I love you, too.” I whisper in his ear before turning on my heel and walking back to a waiting Tony and Ella.
I take Ella’s outstretched hand in mine as we all make our way out of the alley, but not before I allow myself one more glance at Liam. I twist my head to see his tall, towering frame emerge from the shadows. At some point, in all the commotion, the rain stopped and the sun came out, bring a rainbow along with it in the sky behind Liam. The unmistakable curve of his lips, gracing his face with my favorite dimpled smile, warms my heart while Tony, Ella, and I disappear around the corner.
Chapter Twenty-Two
‘I love you’, it’s a phrase that’s commonly used in a commercialized way that seems to hold very little meaning anymore. But hearing those words come from Liam’s mouth caused them to hold the greatest of meanings. Other than his Mom
and Grandma, I doubt Liam’s ever admitted those words to anybody. I can understand why though. Forming a connection of emotions and intimacy with someone is something that goes against the dark, angry person Liam is. But Liam said those words and formed that kind of connection with me, and knowing this has given me a new type of strength that allows me to suppress any fears I have of him.
It’s been four days since we said those heavy words to each other and that’s also how long it’s been since I’ve seen Liam. We texted a few times the day after Liam went after Colin, him asking me if I was still going to his game and me telling him that we needed some time apart. Today’s the Fourth of July and I’ve been helping my parents set up for the party they throw every year. Ella and her parents came over bright and early to help too. My Mom and Lydia watch with nervous expressions while Ella and I help our Dad’s do all the heavy lifting and set up tables. My Mom had tried to recruit Tony and Liam to help instead, but they have basketball practice. After a while my Dad starts to grow extremely annoyed by all their fretting and makes them go inside to start preparing the food. Once all the heavy lifting is done with, Ella and I sit on the lawn chairs by the pool and blow up balloons to decorate the yard with while our Dad’s set up the chairs and tables.
“I can’t believe how fast you’ve healed.” Ella says.
“Tell me about it.” I agree while I pick up a red balloon and pump air into it. “I’m pretty sure my Mom was going to lock me in my room if the swelling on my face didn’t go down by today.”
The bruises on my forearms and stomach have faded away to hardly anything and the swelling on my face has gone away. The bruising on my face is still sort of there, but it’s easy to hide it with makeup now and my split bottom lip has completely healed.
“It’s so hot out here!” I whine after we finish filling up the balloons and give them to our Dads to hang up.
“Let’s swim.” Ella suggests. “I mean, your pool is practically screaming for us to get in it.”
I agree before we pull our shirts over our heads and slide off our shorts to reveal our neon colored strapless bikinis; Ella’s is pink and mine is purple. We swim around in the cool water for what feels like hours before our Moms call us in to help them carry all the food outside to the buffet type table set up on the edge of the patio.
“Go get dressed.” My Mom tells me and Ella once we’re done helping. “People are going to be arriving soon.”
Ella and I follow her demand and make our way up to my room. Ella puts on a white destroyed muscle tee with an American flag design on the front of it, dark jean shorts that are embellished with silver studs, and a pair of white Glitters Toms shoes. Her hair is in a messy ponytail and her makeup consists of a thin line of eyeliner on her eyelids. I decide to wear a loose white tank top with a black and white heart shaped American flag and rhinestone accents on the front of it, red jean shorts, and a pair of black high-top Chuck Taylor All Star Converse shoes. My hair is also in a messy ponytail and my makeup consists of some foundation to hide the fading bruises on my face and a thin line of eyeliner on my eyelids.
I shove my phone into my back pocket while we make our way back downstairs. When we get to the kitchen, I grab a bottle of water and then follow Ella into my backyard. I’m surprised by how many people have already showed up in the hour it took Ella and I to get ready. We roam around the back yard, greeting everyone and messing around with some of the little kids.
“Hey, sexy ladies!” I hear Zoie’s voice exclaim when she, Taylor, Connor, and Jack come walking up to us.
We pull each other into a giant group hug, laughing when we pull away.
“Where are Tony and Liam?” Ella asks, glancing at the patio doors.
“Daisy’s Mom gave Liam some money when we walked in and asked him to run to the store to get more of those huge jugs of lemonade. I guess she forgot to get them.” Connor answers while turning to point at the half empty jug of lemonade sitting by the buffet table. “And Tony went with to help him.”
Ella and I nod our heads in understanding. We all chat for a little bit longer before I excuse myself to go talk to my Dad over at the grill and see how the hamburgers and hotdogs are coming along.
“Mmm…Smells good!” I exclaim as my Dad flips a hamburger patty while wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
“How are you feeling, Daisy Lynn?” He asks, dropping a fatherly kiss on the top of my head.
“Not too bad.” I smile, wrapping both of my arms around his waist. I hear the snap of a camera and look up from the grill to see my Mom smile and wave at us before disappearing into the house, my camera in her hands.
“Can you bring these inside to your Mom and tell her to do whatever she wants with them?” My Dad asks while he hands me a plate full of grilled hamburger patties and hotdogs.
I nod my head before turning on my heel and heading inside.
“Dad said to give these to you,” I tell my Mom after I set the plate on the counter beside her. “And you can do whatever you want with them.”
“Can you please go set them on the buffet table outside and put whatever is left on the other plate on this one and then bring it in and wash it for me?” She asks me, and I notice Tony come walking into the kitchen out of the corner of my eye with a huge jug of my favorite lemonade in his hands.
I nod my head, picking up the plate and heading back outside with it while my Mom directs Tony on what to do with the jug. I pick up the few hamburger patties and hotdogs with a fork and set them on the fresh batch, successfully switching out the plates. I grab a grape out of the fruit bowl and pop it in my mouth before walking back into the kitchen. I set the dirty plate in the sink and then turn on the hot water and a sponge with dish soap on it. I slightly jump, surprised when I feel someone snake their arms around my waist and bury their head into the crook of my neck. I know it’s Liam as soon as the intoxicating smell of his cologne hits my nose. I let out a happy sigh, loving the feel of his strong arms wrapped around me again. After shutting off the water, I turn in Liam’s arms and pat both of his cheeks with my wet hands.
“So that’s the kind of greeting I get?” Liam asks, mock hurt in his voice.
“I’m sorry.” I laugh while grabbing a towel and wiping off his cheeks before doing the same to my hands.
“It’s okay.” Liam says as he leans down and presses a few sweet kisses to my neck. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” I giggle when he pulls away.
“Oh, you know what; I think I missed a spot.” Liam says, his eyebrows coming together in concentration while he runs each of his hands across my shoulders and up the sides of my neck.
“Where?” I ask.
I don’t get a vocal answer as his hands stop at my jaw and leans in, brushing his lips against mine. When I don’t jerk away from him, he completely presses his lips to mine. Our lips work perfectly in sync; Liam’s tongue slightly poking out and sliding across my lower lip, the action going unnoticed to anyone around us. That’s when I hear the click of a camera and I pull away from Liam to see my Mom looking at us with a beaming smile on her face, my camera still in her hands.
“Will you quit taking sneaky pictures of me?” I ask her, Liam digging his head into my neck to hide his laughter. “Go take pictures of someone else, creep.”
“But –”
“Mom, please?” I beg with a slight whine in my voice while I point to the patio doors. “Or I’ll take the camera.”
“Fine.” She grumbles, turning on her heel and exiting the kitchen.
“Someone’s feisty today.” Liam chuckles as he slides his hands under my thighs and easily picks me up, carrying me to my room and then my bathroom where he rests me on the counter after flipping the light switch.
I look up as he grabs my chin with his fingers, tilting my face from side to side, inspecting my skin.
“I know you’re wearing makeup,” He pauses. “But your face looks a lot better.”
I nod my head after he releases my chin, dr
agging his thumb across my bottom lip.
“So does your lip.”
I nod my head again as he takes a step back, lifting my arms and twisting them around to see every possible angle. Then he gently nudges my shoulders back so I’m leaning on my hands and he slides his hands under my shirt, slowly lifting it just above my bellybutton before brushing his fingertips over the faint bruising on my stomach. I decided to use this distracted opportunity to take in his full appearance. He’s wearing a white tank top with a lower case ‘A’ in red that’s outlined in blue on the front, dark jeans, and white Chuck Taylor All Star Converse shoes. His curly hair is a little messier than usual and pushed off of his forehead. Though his eyes are the green I love, there’s a sort of sadness in them while he looks over my body. Liam pulls his bottom lip between his teeth, something I’ve noticed he does when he’s deep in thought.
“Hey,” I say softly. “I’m fine.”
I watch him reluctantly nod his head, sticking his hand out for me to take after pulling my shirt back down. I intertwine our fingers as we exit my room and walk back downstairs then outside, making our way over to the buffet of food. We stack our plates with food before walking over to a table that’s occupied by all of our friends.
“There you guys are!” Taylor exclaims when we sit at the table. “We were beginning to think you left or something.”
I shake my head and then inform them I had to do some dishes for my Mom.
“We should go light off fireworks in the street.” Zoie suggests a few minutes after Liam and I finish eating.
“Oh, hell yeah!” I exclaim as I stand up from the table in a rush, grabbing Liam and I’s trash. “I’ll meet you guys out front!”
“She really likes fireworks.” I hear Ella explain as I walk away from the table in search of a trashcan. After I find one, I dump the trash in my hands before quickly moving back outside, now in search of my Dad.
“Dad!” I exclaim when I see him talking with my Mom and a few other people.
“What’s wrong?” He asks when I appear in front of him.