All the Little Secrets

CHAPTER 28. NOTHING BREAKS LIKE A HEART

Chapter 28. Nothing Breaks Like a Heart

Parker's confession and hidden identity weigh on my mind as I struggle through the last week of April. How could I've been so blind to the pain my brother was in?

SAT practice exams and studying for finals take up most of my time and distract me, but at least it's my excuse to spend time with Liam without suspicion from my mom. Cage keeps his distance even though he's in the Winters' mansion. The closer I get to Liam, the further I feel from Cage, and some nights when I'm alone with Liam, I wonder what Cage is up to, how he's feeling about everything.

Becca's slowly getting better, but the doctors say she suffers from post-traumatic confusional state. Sometimes she awakens and is fearful of someone getting her, and other times she awakens and does not remember where she is or why she's there. Doctors say she's making progress though. As time goes on, she's able to recall tidbits about the day of the accident. They're hoping for her recovery in the next few weeks, but it can take more time. For now, the doctors only ask for William to visit her, to give her space to heal.

When my mom shared this with Liam and me, I could tell that Liam's brain was in overdrive; blaming himself, wishing it was him instead of her in that bed. When he looks at me, I know what he's thinking, but I continue to hold on to him, refusing for this to break us apart.

When the first week of May comes, I celebrate Seth's seventeenth birthday at an open mic where he sings his own song for the first time. The bar loves him, and he's beaming. Seth's so natural in front of the spotlight, and we end the night with so much laughter, I forgot what it was like to not be fearful of living my life.

Cage makes the final decision to take a gap year, which means he gives up the chance to attend UCLA, his dream school. I try to reason with him but he already submitted his declined response to his acceptance. I know it bothers him, though; he left the conversation with his body somewhat slumped as if the world is solely resting on his shoulders.

May also means the Junior and Senior Prom at the end of the month. Cage, Liam, and I talk about possibly attending, allowing ourselves to have some sort of normalcy. We plan for me to go with Cage, to keep up appearances. Cage promises to do some sort of lavish Prom-Proposal at school since that's something he would naturally do.

This is why I do not expect it when Liam asks me to come to the poolhouse late in the night, his room decorated with rose petals and candles, the petals spelling out "PROM?" on his bed.

"I know we can't really go together," he says to me as he kisses me on my neck. "But I want you to know that I'm yours."

"I would love to not-prom with you," I say back to him, and with a smile, he sweeps me up into his arms and into his bed.

After a long week of reviews for exams and signing up for the SATs in three weeks time, I drive home with Cage and Liam, planning to meet up with Seth later that night. No one's home when we arrive at the mansion.

Liam's phone dings. I glance back at him in the backseat as his face pales.

"Is it them?"

Liam nods. "They want me to do a job tonight."

"What job?"

Liam slowly shakes his head as he stares at his phone.

"I never know until I get to a meetup point."

"What do they make you do?" Cage asks again, the same question we've all been asking Liam for weeks, yet Liam still doesn't answer.

I reach back and rest my hand on his knee. "Don't go. Ignore it."