“Sure, but if we’re having a full-blown sister moment, you still need to spill.” On a groan, I agree—somewhat. I tell them a very basic story of how we met at a bar and his ex is a nightmare which is why I was so upset after I called him last night and discovered they were together.
“Look, Flynnie, I know we haven’t had the easiest relationship for most of our lives, but I’m still your big sister and if you ever need anyone to talk to, know I’m always here for you.” Her prolonged eye contact and motherly smile is freaking me out.
“Me too. I already consider you both to be my sisters.” Liv gets all emotional with tears welling in her eyes and I need to get out of this love fest as soon as possible.
“Uh, sure, thanks. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m starving.” I’ll do anything to get out of this moment and out of this house right now.
We gather up the rest of Olivia’s friends and head to a brunch place on the pier with a killer view of the ocean. Most of us could’ve probably spent the night at home, but we wanted easy access to the beach and to all be together. No, let me rephrase that—Olivia wanted us all to be together. And who needs access to the beach right now? We live here. We can go to the beach when-fucking-ever. We should’ve gotten out of town, flown to Vegas, done something actually fun and wild. It’s a bachelorette party for fuck’s sake.
I would’ve been fine Uber-ing home, but my mother insisted I spend quality time with my sisters. I’m sure she wouldn’t be happy with how the night turned out and considering big sis can’t keep a secret, Carson is sure to spill the deets.
The girls all get mimosas and toast to Liv and Luke and how they’re so excited for the big day. I roll my eyes and do all I can to not puke at the sappiness of it all. It’s also not lost on me when Liv makes a big speech to all her friends but doesn’t take a sip of her drink.
Fifteen
Liam
“Flynn?”
“Do you always answer the door like that? No wonder random women are here answering your phone.” She pushes past me into the apartment. It’s not like I answered the door in the nude; I’m wearing sweatpants.
“Can we not do this right now? I’m exhausted.” I never went to bed after Miranda left last night. I had too much on my mind and I’m still spiraling from our encounter. The last thing I need right now is Flynn to have a mental breakdown.
“When would you like to discuss it then? The next time she’s here while you’re mid-fuck?” Her voice is shrill and frankly, it’s giving me a headache. There’s only one option to get her to shut up.
I walk to the wet bar and pour two drinks. I hand her one glass and down the other. “There’s a lot I need to tell you, but you need to promise me you won’t run or freak out.” She nods, though I’m not sure I totally believe her. I inhale and exhale slowly, trying to find the words. They’re heavy and bitter in my mouth. On another exhale, I utter the four words that break my heart. “I had a daughter.”
She chokes on her liquor. “You have a daughter?” So much for not reacting poorly. Her eyes are searching, as if she’s trying to figure out all the details on her own.
“No, I had a daughter. Emily. She passed away several years ago now.” This isn’t something I talk about much and even after all this time it hasn’t gotten any easier.
“Oh my God. I’m so sorry, Liam. What happened to her?” She grimaces at her words, but I understand what she meant. There’s no easy way to ask that.
“Leukemia. She was five. Miranda and I went to grief counseling for a while afterwards, but we were never the same. We grew apart and she cheated and left. I can’t put all the blame on her—I became distant and turned my focus to work. I couldn’t stand to be in the house, to be around all the memories.”
“My sister lost someone to cancer too. Her boyfriend, father of her child, whatever you wanna call him. It’s been years now and she got married to someone else, but it’s still hard on her too.” She rubs my back now, her anger from earlier dissipated.
“I had just opened my own practice and was working a lot when Emily started complaining. At first, I thought she just wanted attention. I blew it off for too long. If we’d taken her to the doctor sooner, maybe…”
“You can’t think like that. I know you did everything you could to help her.”
“She was stage four when we took her in. She got six more months before we lost her.” I down another drink. “Miranda wants to sue me for wrongful death and expose our relationship unless I get her half a million dollars.”
“What?!” She starts pacing around the kitchen mumbling to herself. I brace myself, expecting her wrath aimed at me, but she continues to surprise me. “What a fucking cunt. Can she do that?”
“I don’t know. And I don’t know what’s stopping her from exposing us either way.”
“How did she find out about us? I mean, she had her suspicions but she doesn’t have anything concrete. Right?” She looks nervous and I wish I could get into her head to find out what she’s thinking.
“She kind of backed me into a corner and I slipped up.” I display my guilt loudly
