The Ending I Want

The look on Liam’s face…is one of pure anger. His whole expression darkens. His jaw clenches tightly. I can feel the tension pouring off him.

I follow his stare. There’s a blond guy, about six feet, standing there. I’d say he’s in his thirties, but it’s hard to see him properly from here.

The guy seems to hesitate. Then, he makes a decision and walks toward us.

“Jeremy.” Cam lifts his chin in greeting.

“I just came to pick up Nancy after her shift,” Jeremy says.

“I’ll let her know you’re here.” Cam casts a nervous glance at Liam, who is just staring at Jeremy like he wants to kill him.

Jeremy is looking at anything but Liam.

And I have never felt so uncomfortable in my life.

Cam reluctantly leaves to get Nancy.

There’s a horrible, tense silence. Then, Jeremy seems to pluck up some courage and turns his face our way. “How are you doing, Liam?”

“I was doing just fucking great until about thirty seconds ago,” Liam says, through clenched teeth.

“I won’t be here long. I’m just picking up Nancy.”

“I didn’t realize Nancy was your type, her being single and all. And I thought she had better taste but clearly not.”

I expect Jeremy to be angry, but he doesn’t look angry, just sad.

“Look, Liam…it’s been seven years. Don’t you think it’s time we bury the hatchet?”

“No. The only place I want to bury the hatchet is in your face.”

Oh Christ.

“Jesus, man, I’ve said I’m sorry a million fucking times. What do I have to do?”

“Nothing.” Liam slips off his stool and takes a menacing step toward him. “I don’t care if you’re sorry. Nothing you say will ever change what you did!” Liam roars.

A hush falls over the bar.

Jeremy’s nervous eyes flicker to me.

“Don’t look at her.” Liam steps in front of me. “Don’t ever fucking look at her. Don’t even breathe the same air as her. If you do—you remember the last time I hit you? Well, that will look like a fucking tickle compared to what I’ll do to you if you go anywhere near Taylor.”

Holy fuck. Angry Liam is Hot Liam. But he’s also scary as hell.

I need to defuse this situation. I’m just not sure how.

“Liam?” I touch his arm, but he doesn’t seem to feel me.

He’s just glaring at Jeremy, his chest pumping up and down. Then, I see Eddie coming back, and I nearly fall off my stool in relief.

I watch Eddie as he sees Jeremy. His eyes go to Liam, and his steps seem to falter.

Then, I see him mouth, Oh, fuck. And he’s speeding over to us.

He comes to a stop between Jeremy and Liam. “All okay here?” Eddie asks Liam.

“Everything’s just fucking great. Jeremy was just leaving, weren’t you, Jeremy?” The way Liam says his name is with total distaste.

Jeremy sighs and takes a step back.

Cam appears back behind the bar, a harried look on his face. “Nancy will be out in a few,” Cam tells Jeremy.

“Tell her I’m waiting outside.” Jeremy tips his head in the direction of the door as he takes another step back. His eyes go to Liam. “For what it’s worth, man, I am sorry. More than you’ll ever know.”

“Tell it to someone who gives a shit,” Liam says in a tone that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

Jeremy lifts his hands in defeat. Then, he turns and walks out the bar.

Jesus Christ, that was tense.

I hear Eddie blow out a breath that sounds an awful lot like relief, and I know exactly how he feels.

Angry Liam might be Hot Liam. But he’s also Scary Liam.

Liam turns to face Cam, his hands curling around the edge of the bar. “He’s seeing Nancy?” Liam says low.

“For a couple of months now,” Cam answers him carefully.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Liam’s tone is accusing.

Cam frowns. “Because I didn’t think it was newsworthy. And it’s not like I can ever mention Jeremy’s name in front of you without you turning into the Hulk.” He exhales a tired sound. “You used to be friends once.”

“And, now, we’re not.”

“Yeah, and none of us know why, except for you and Jeremy. And Jeremy won’t tell us a fucking thing because he’s protecting you.”

“Protecting me?” Liam gives a bitter-sounding laugh. “That’s fucking rich. He actually said that?”

“No, he didn’t say that. He never says anything, just like you. So, we have to jump to conclusions, and considering you were the one who punched him in the face at Kate’s funeral, I’d say he’s covering for you.”

“Because, of course, it would be something I did. Sounds about right.” Liam’s laugh is dry, but I can hear the hurt beneath it, and it cuts me. “Not perfect fucking Jeremy Bentley. He would never do anything wrong. But me, the bastard son of a stripper? Yeah, I’d definitely do something wrong.” He steps away from the bar.

He’s the bastard son of a stripper? And who is Kate?

“I never said that. Jeremy isn’t perfect—far from it. None of us are. We’re all a bunch of fuckups, except for you. You’re the one who made something of himself. And I’m so fucking proud of everything you’ve achieved, man.” Cam tries to reason, but I can see Liam is already gone, not listening to anything he’s saying. “But if we just knew what went down between you and Jeremy, then maybe we could help.”