P.S. I Pinky Promise

Chapter 15: Moving Forward

It was Sunday afternoon and Aaron had texted me letting me know he had made it back from his parents. With Savannah's invite on my mind, I headed to his dorm, choosing to take advantage of the nice day and walk.

The Fall weather was crisp and inviting as the rays of sun shone through the newly turning orange and yellow maple trees outside, creating a beautiful kaleidoscope effect on the sidewalk as I walked underneath them. Fall in Georgia was always my favorite time of year. The weather became cooler, the leaves brighter, and the town seemed to come alive as the air crackled with an effervescent energy that seemed to inspire even the most pessimistic of people.

I reached the Mens' dorms and headed inside, taking the elevator to the second floor. Approaching Aaron's room, I stopped short when I heard yelling outside of his door. I considered turning around and coming back, but curiosity got the better of me. Stepping closer, I pressed my ear against the door trying to make out the muffled shouts.

"What the hell makes you think I give a damn what he wants!?"

"He's your dad, Liam! You should be there, and you know it!"

"My dad!? Don't you mean your dad!? You're his pride and joy after all."

"You know I can't help that shit! Besides, if you don't go, you know what will happen!"

I heard a loud bang against the wall and jumped back, grabbing my chest. A moment later, the door flew open, revealing a seething Liam. I took notice in his shallow breathing and clenched fists, one of which was bleeding. Without thought, I reached out to grab his injured hand, causing him to immediately jerk back. He eyed me incredulously, his expression softening, before anger took complete control of his features again. I held his harsh stare, sucking in a breath at the hurt I could barely make out hiding behind that anger.

He stepped around me without a word and stormed off, leaving me desperate to take whatever pain he was feeling away, and confused all the more by it.

What the hell went on in there?

"Maddie, shit. Did you hear any of that?" Aaron asked, appearing in front of me looking agitated.

"Um, no, not really. What is going on?"

He glanced behind me, his eyes narrowing before meeting my gaze again. He blew out a breath, slightly shaking his head then nodded his head, gesturing me inside.

I followed him into his room, closing the door behind me. Surveying the room, nothing was out of place, completely opposite to how I felt at that moment. Liam's bed was neatly made, and his things put away, juxtaposing the disorder that had just taken place.

I looked to Aaron, his back rigid and turned toward me, and waited for him to turn around. "So, what exactly happened just now?"

"Just Liam being...Liam. Hell, I don't think I can really blame him." He sighed, running his hand through his hair and sitting down. I followed his lead and sat next to him, running my hand up and down his back. He visibly relaxed, leaning into my touch.

"What's that supposed to mean? What were you guys fighting about?"

"My mom and his dad are finally getting married. They've been engaged a little over a year now, but they're just now throwing an engagement party, or more like pre-wedding party if you ask me. Liam's not exactly thrilled with having to go."

This was the first real glance I had to Liam and what had been going on in the past few years of my absence. When I had moved, his parents were still together. Savannah had said Aaron and Liam become stepbrothers right before his senior year, so it wasn't long after I left that Liam's parents separated. It came as a surprise to me as I never knew they were having problems. But I guess as a kid, why would I have known?

"Why doesn't he want to go?"

"He's never been accepting of our families coming together. He's had a hard time since...well never mind. But his dad has not exactly helped with the merging. He's pretty hard on him if I'm being honest."

Mr. Tucker hard on Liam? What did I miss?

"I had no idea..."

"Of course you didn't, why would you?" He turned, grabbing my hand and softly smiling. "Anyway, I was actually hoping you would go with me to their party? It's a formal thing and I understand if you don't want to meet my family yet, but I was hoping, maybe--"

"Yes." I answered, interrupting him.

"Yeah?"

"Yes, Aaron, I would be happy to go with you."

A huge grin took over his previously nervous expression. He pulled me into him, his lips hovering over mine slightly before he pressed them onto mine. The kiss was soft and slow, allowing me to feel his appreciation of my acceptance.

"So, I actually have something to invite you to also." I said when we pulled apart. "Would you want to go to The Mixing House with me, Savannah, and Josh on Thursday?"

He looked thoughtful for a moment as he raised his eyebrow, uncertainty swirling in his eyes.

"I'm surprised you want to step foot in there after what happened last time. I'm sorry about that, by the way."

I placed my hand on top of his and squeezed. "Honestly, it's fine. It wasn't your fault, and---," and Liam wouldn't have let anything happen to me, "and I still had fun. Besides, I could use a do over there, and Savannah needs me."

He opened his mouth as he went to say something before closing it again, choosing to ignore my pause. He pulled his lips into a small smile instead as he squeezed my hand back. "Then I would love to go, Maddie. Any chance at hanging out with you, I'm going to take it."

I smiled at his sweet sentiment, glad I made the decision to move on and continue forward. Knowing that was why I said yes so quickly to going with him to the engagement party, it hit me what that also unfortunately meant. Not only would I be meeting his family, I would also be coming face to face with Liam's dad again.

Meaning, unless his dad magically forgot about me too, I would have to find some way to tell Aaron about Liam and our past.

This wasn't going to be easy.

This is pretty much the shortest chapter of this book, so why don't you go ahead and treat yourself to the next chapter on me? 😉

Also, I'm sorry for the day late update, I have been super busy, but I hope the double update makes up for it. Enjoy!❤