Lovers of Yesterday

Chapter 16 • You...

I stood behind Dria while she yet again paid for my clothes. I needed to find a place that I could take her and pay for to even us out on favors. I held the small bag with my items, feeling anxious again now that I have to go home. I need to find some place to hide the lingerie. I can throw the bag away but I don't know if I can hide the clothes from Liam.

Maybe I can hide them in one of the unopened boxes stored in the back corner of my closet. I haven't touched them since the day Liam and I moved in together and I have no reason to now so he shouldn't check them.

Alexandria grabbed my arm, effectively pulling me out of my head, and led me to the entrance inside of the mall. We walked around for a little while, looking in stores and getting something to ear in the food court. I was able to beat Dria to paying for a book that I've been wanting.

When we left, it was an hour and a half later. Dria drove us back to her apartment where I stashed Lynch's jacket and hid the underwear sets at the bottom of my bag. I changed the shorts and halter top out for my shapeless jeans and loose tee. I felt a flicker of disappointment when I looked at myself in the mirror but didn't do anything about it.

The clothes went back in their bags and I made sure I had everything I needed before slinging my bag over my shoulder and heading out to where Dria was waiting. I noticed that now, after she admitted to me she has vitiligo, she seems more relaxed. I felt horrible, now realizing that I never noticed the signs that she was hiding something. I didn't even bother to ask how she was doing. It was always about me and how I'm doing.

When I reached her, I pulled her into a tight hug. She hesitated for a moment, not expecting the gesture but returned it quickly.

"What's this surprise hug for?" She questioned.

"I realized that I wasn't a good friend. I never asked how you were doing and now I know I should have. I'm sorry," I apologized.

She shook her head, "You don't need to apologize. Even if you did ask, I would probably've brushed you off with a generic answer. I wouldn't have been straight-forward until I was ready."

"But even if you didn't give me a truthful answer, I still would've asked how you're doing," I swallowed, "I should be asking how you're doing because you and Ember are my best friends and we're supposed to look out for each other. It's not supposed to be a one way street."

"It's ok, I promise. We can't go back and redo the past but you can ask in the future."

"Alright. I'll make sure to."

"Ok, now are you ready to head back to your place?"

I nodded and readjusted my bag on my shoulder. She grabbed her car keys and we walked out to her car. I set my bag in the back and climbed in the passenger seat, buckling my seat belt as she backed out of her spot.

• • •

Dria pulled into a spot close to my apartment and threw the car in park. She climbed out with me and locked it after I pulled my stuff out. She walked me up to the door and hugged me one last time before heading back down. I watched her go before turning to face the ominous door. I knew Liam was here because I saw his car parked in front of the stairs but I got a bad feeling.

Hesitantly, I pulled my keys out and unlocked the door. I stepped in to a dark living room. The lights weren't on as well as the TV. The kitchen light was on, though. I dropped my bag at the end of the couch as I walked past. When I stepped into the kitchen, I noticed Liam sitting at the small table staring down at his phone.

"Hi, Liam," I announced my presence.

He didn't look up. He just offered a grunt as a response. I stepped farther in, unnerved by his behavior. He still didn't look up from his phone when I started moving around the kitchen. I unloaded the dishwasher and filled it back up with the few dirty plates and silverware. Even as I did this, I was focused on Liam. Only when he's quiet is when I get the most nervous.

I finished loading the dishwasher and closed it before turning around to try to talk to him again. Except I reeled back in surprise first, hitting the counter and having to balance myself on it. Liam was standing I'm front of me and I don't know when he got there. I normally hear him and I thought I was paying attention but I guess not.

"Oh, hi. Sorry, you scared me. I wasn't expecting you to be behind me," I laughed, still freaked out by how quiet he was.

Instead of responding or apologizing, he asked his own question, "Why was your friend saying that guy was at your sleepover?"

I was at least prepared with a lie for this question, "I didn't know he was going to be there. DriaI  picked me up and then took us to go pick him up. I tried to tell her that I couldn't talk to him but she already promised to pick him up. I stayed away from him all night besides when I couldn't."

"Uh huh, and why didn't you answer my calls or texts?" He demanded.

"My phone was on silent and I was asleep when you texted and called, I'm sorry."

I registered my head snapping to the right before the sharp sting on my cheek. I cupped my face and looked back up at him with wide eyes. I almost thought it didn't happen with the way Liam had his arms now crossed over his chest. His livid expression and tight jaw said otherwise. The taste of metal was filling my mouth and my cheek was hot.

"You..." I couldn't speak from the shock.

He stared down at me with so much anger that I flinched, "You know damn well I wanted you to stay away from that fucker. And now I'm having to learn from that bitch that he stayed over last night? How do I know you weren't fucking him? Maybe that's what you were doing when you didn't answer my calls. You were too busy being a slut to pay attention to the guy you're daring, huh? I'm not staying here tonight. Have fun with your fuck buddy, whore."

He stomped out of the room and I could hear some things crashing before the apartment door opened and slammed closed. I sank to the floor, numb to the cold laminate floor. I couldn't even cry from how shocked and horrified I was. I would never lie to him so why does he assume that I cheated on him.

I started trembling and now the tears came. They came in uncontrollable, ugly, hiccuped sobs. Once I started crying, I couldn't stop. I fell to the side until I was lying curled up in the floor. I didn't try to get up either. I cried for a long time. It was twenty minutes later when I was finally able to sit up and another ten before I could stand and go see what Liam destroyed.

The TV was the first thing I saw. A large dent was dead center in the black screen. The couch was ripped apart with cushions scattered all over the floor. Some were cut open and it made me realize that Liam could have seriously hurt me with a knife. The glass coffee table was smashed and I could see shattered sparkles everywhere.

I reached the back of the couch before I collapsed and started crying again.