One Chance (Part One)

by T. Renee Fike

  “The truth needed to come out.”

  “I’m gonna go grab a drink,” Brody says as he heads up the stairs.

  “You are a horrible person and an even worse sister,” I say getting angrier.

  “Please, she’ll thank me one day.”

  “No she won’t. What you did was cold and malicious, that’s not love.”

  “I’m looking out for her.”

  “No, you’re only looking out for yourself.”

  “Yeah, that too,” she says as she flops onto the couch, “Want to watch a movie?” she asks changing the subject.

  “NO, I don’t want to do shit with you, let alone watch a fucking movie. Stay the fuck away from me,” I say as I run up the stairs. “Where’s Brody?” I ask Isaac.

  “He said he had to run out real quick,” he says as he continues watching television.

  “That little son of a bitch,” I seethe.

  “What did he do?”

  “I bet he knows where Haley’s at. God, I could kill him right now.”

  “Why don’t you have a seat and wait, she has to come back sooner or later,” Isaac states.

  “Shit,” I say as I take a seat.

  Haley

  I sit here continuing to stare at the pictures in front of me, trying to figure someway that they’ve been altered. Liam wouldn’t do this to me; I know he wouldn’t.

  “Hey,” Brody says softly as he approaches.

  “What are you doing here?” I ask annoyed.

  “I heard what happened and I wanted to make sure you’re okay,” he says as he takes a seat beside me on my blanket.

  “No, I’m not okay.”

  “God, I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but Hails, I don’t think Liam cheated on you.”

  “What?” I ask surprised, this coming from Brody.

  “I could be wrong, but I know how he feels about you. The way he looks at you, it’s different.”

  “Explain these then,” I say, as I drop the pictures in front of him. He picks them up looking at them one by one. “They are date stamped Brody.”

  “Yeah, I see that. I don’t know what they mean but you should talk to Liam.”

  “Why are you being nice all of a sudden?”

  “Because I care about you. You don’t deserve to be hurt, not by me, not by Kenzie, and certainly not by Liam.”

  “I don’t want to go back yet,” I say as I look out toward the ocean.

  “So don’t. We can hang out here. I’m sorry I’ve been an ass lately.”

  “Jealously is ugly Brody.”

  “I know. Yes, I’m jealous of Liam, because I always thought it would be me, but I made my choice when I started dating Kenz. I was wrong for what I did. I shouldn’t have dated her and definitely not for so many years.”

  “Then why did you?” I ask confused.

  “I love her and things were comfortable.”

  “But if you love her, then you could make it work.”

  “I’m not in love with her Hails,” he says truthfully.

  “Are you ending it with her then?”

  “I did a little while ago.”

  “How did she take it?”

  “Fine actually. She basically said I’ll be back because I won’t know what to do without her,” he says laughing.

  “What the hell is wrong with her?” I ask frustrated.

  “It’s crazy how different you two are. She was the outgoing one growing up, the center of attention, yet the entire time she’s completely jealous of you.”

  “I don’t get it, but whatever; I can’t dwell on it anymore.”

  “So what do you think you’re going to do? You’re to get married tomorrow Hails.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “How about either way we still be friends. I won’t push for more, I promise.”

  “Sounds good to me. Did you seriously mean what you said when you said you were transferring to Michigan?”

  “Yeah, I got it all straightened out, I am going to be taking classes there.”

  “Is that because of me?”

  “Partly, I also do like the school a lot.”

  “Brody, you know even if Liam and I don’t work, you and I aren’t going to be together right?” I say, giving it to him straight.

  “I know, it took me a while to realize it, but I got it.”

  “Okay, just making sure.”

  “I know and I want you to be happy, even if that means with my stupid brother,” he says with a smirk.

  “Thanks, that means a lot to me. Does Kenzie know you’re transferring schools?”

  “She thinks I’m joking, but she’s been getting ruder and ruder by the day. I don’t know what’s going on with her anymore.”

  “She’s finally realizing the world doesn’t revolve around her,” I admit.

  “You’re right about that.”

  Brody and I spend the next two hours talking and catching up like before. There’s no worry about him trying to steal me away from Liam, because that’s not an option, but his friendship I miss. I’m willing to give him another chance, as long as he doesn’t screw up.

  We head back home and I already know that Liam is going to be waiting for me. I turn my phone on and see numerous messages and text messages from him and some from Quinn and Rebecca. Deciding to ignore them all, I drive the rest of the way home.

  I barely get the car in park before Liam is at my door. “We need to talk, you need to let me explain,” he says with a worried look.

  “That’s fine, we are going to talk,” I say as I get out of the car.

  “Can we talk now?”

  “Yes, I just need to let Quinn and Rebecca know I’m back, then we can go over to your house to talk,” I say as I walk towards my house.

  “Oh my gosh, there you are,” Quinn says as she rushes to me to give me a hug, “You had me fucking worried.”

  “I’m fine, but I wanted to let you know I’m going to go talk to Liam, so I will be back shortly.”

  “Is everything okay?” Rebecca asks softly.

  “It will be,” I say before turning around and heading back outside. Liam is still in the same spot beside my car, “Okay, let’s go,” I say as we make our way across the street, using the bottom door to the game room.

  “I need you to let me explain those pictures babe,” he says quickly.

  “Go ahead,” I say as I take a seat on the couch.

  “I didn’t sleep with her I swear. Hell, I didn’t even make out with her.”

  “So what happened?”

  “I don’t even know why she was there, but she was and she was drunk, she couldn’t even walk. Yes, she tried to kiss me, which is what that picture was, but I pushed her away and I set her straight,” he says matter of fact.

  “Then how do you explain carrying her towards a bedroom?”

  “Right after I explained to her that we were over, she went to back away. Baby, she was beyond drunk she could hardly stand; she asked if I could help her get to a bed so she could lie down. She tried to walk and I’m telling you she could barely move, so she asked if I could carry her. I carried her to the first open bed, dropped her off on it and walked right back out. That’s it, I promise you babe,” he says looking sincere.

  “I believe you.”

  “Good, but then why do you look pissed?”

  “Because Liam,” I say getting louder than intended, “I should have known about this. I shouldn’t have had to see it in pictures the day before our fucking wedding,” I shout as I get up and pace the room.

  “You’re right, I should have told you,” he says as he stands right behind me.

  “Then why didn’t you?”

  “I don’t know, I didn’t think it was a big deal I guess.”

  “Does this look like a big deal?” I stop and stare at him dumbfounded.

  “Baby it’s not. She’s being a bitch, trying to stop the wedding.”

  “Well it worked,” I snap.

  “Wait what?” he sh
outs.

  “We aren’t getting married tomorrow.”

  “Why not?” he asks clearly frustrated.

  “Because Liam, I trusted you and yet again you decide to hold things in and not tell me, allowing it to cause trouble later. First with Kenzie now with Meg. I’m not going to keep moving in circles.”

  “Baby stop,” he says as he comes over to me, looking at me with pleading eyes, “I love you. I swear I didn’t do anything with any other girl and I won’t. I only want you.”

  “It’s not about that. It’s about you keeping things from me. What else don’t I know? Which other girl throws herself at you that I don’t know about? Or who tries to seduce you when I’m not looking?”

  “Babe yes, girls hit on me, it’s the same with you, guys hit on you all the time.”

  “There’s a difference, I set them straight not caring how rude I get, but you, you don’t. You try to be the good guy and in turn you end up screwing me over. I’m not marrying you tomorrow.”

  “What are you saying?” he asks as he looks at me in utter shock.

  “I think we need a break,” I say softly as I look towards the floor.

  “A break? Are you fucking kidding me?” he shouts as he runs his hands through his shaggy blonde hair.

  “I did a lot of thinking and for now, I think this is best for both of us.”

  “Was that before or after Brody came to find you?” he snaps.

  “Yes Brody found me, but surprisingly he stuck up for you.”

  “Yeah sure.”

  “He did. But my decision has nothing to do with anyone but you and me. I’m doing what I need to do for me right now. You are leaving, if I can’t trust you to be honest with me now, how the hell can I trust you to be honest with me when you are going to different cities every week?”

  “Baby, would you stop. You can trust me, you know you can,” he says as he places his hands on my shoulders.

  “I’ve made up my mind,” I say, standing firm looking into his sexy blue eyes.

  “So we’re done, just like that,” he says with an attitude as he removes his hands.

  “We need to take a break. Maybe we’re just rushing into things too fast, I don’t know,” I admit.

  “No, there’s no such thing as a break. Either we are trying to work things out or we aren’t.”

  “You’re giving me an ultimatum?” I ask heatedly.

  “No, I’m saying those are the choices, we are either working things out or we’re done. Which one is it?” he asks harshly.

  “We need a break Liam.”

  “You need a break, I don’t. I know what the fuck I want.”

  “That’s not true and you know it. I just think we’re rushing things too fast,” I state again.

  “We aren’t rushing things. We’ve know each other our entire lives Hails. What are you so afraid of?” he asks, piercing me with those beautiful blue eyes.

  “I’m not afraid; I just want to trust you.”

  “You can,” he shouts.

  “No, I can’t.”

  “Then I guess I have my answer,” he says looking hurt.

  “Your answer?” I ask confused.

  “You aren’t marrying me tomorrow and we aren’t working things out.”

  “No, I’m not marrying you tomorrow and I think if we just take a break, then we can see how things go.”

  “Haley, I’m about to fucking leave for football, you’ll have all the fucking time in the world. I just won’t be around when you decide to change your mind.”

  “What? I don’t need to change my mind.”

  “Yes you do. If you don’t trust me now, you’ll never trust me. I’m not going to waste my time trying to prove my love to you, you should already know.”

  “I do know you love me. I love you too.”

  “It’s just not enough then,” he says looking upset.

  “I just think we need some time Liam,” I say softly.

  “Here,” he says as he hands me keys, “It’s to the house, it’s yours to do with as you wish.”

  “Liam,” I say as he takes a step back, “It’s our house.”

  “No, it’s not. You made your decision, now I’m making mine,” he leans in and gives me a kiss on the forehead, “Goodbye Haley,” he says before walking out the door.

  “Liam wait,” I yell, but he doesn’t stop. I run outside and around the house to watch as Liam gets into his mustang; he pulls out, never looking in my direction. I yell, but he continues to ignore me. I can’t help when the first tear falls. What the hell have I just done?

  To Be Continued…

  Read more of Haley’s story in One More Chance

  August 5, 2014!

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  T. Renee Fike is a born and raised country girl from Pennsylvania. When T. Renee isn’t writing, she’s working her full-time day job, or pursuing her Master’s degree. Aside from work and school, she enjoys hanging out with friends, reading a good book, watching football, and hanging out with her nieces and nephew.

  You can follow T. Renee Fike on Twitter https://twitter.com/TRFike

  Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/TRFike83

  Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/trfike

  BOOKS BY T. RENEE FIKE

  Needing You Series

  Needing You (Needing You 1) –Available Now

  Wanting Him (Needing You 2) –Available Now

  TBA (Needing You 3) – Fall 2014

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  Never Say Goodbye – Available Now

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  Secret Exchange -- Available Now

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  One Chance (Part 1)

  One More Chance (Part 2) –Out August 5th, 2014