Beneath the Surface

Chapter 19

At 6:30 pm I heard a knock coming from the front door. I told my parents that Liam was coming over and they said that they would make dinner. I said they didn't have to, but they insisted.

"Hey." I said as I opened the door.

"Hey." Liam says, but not in a happy way.

"Is everything ok?" I ask curiously.

"I'll tell you about it later."

"Ok." I say not wanting to push him. "My parents are making dinner. They want you to join. Is that ok?"

"Sure." He says with a little smile.

"It should be done in a moment. Come on in." I say and I lead him into the kitchen.

"Mom! Dad! Liam's here." I call out to my parents.

"Hi Liam." My mom says then my dad. They all shakes hands.

"Food should be ready soon." My father says and then I lead Liam to the family room.

"What's going on? Is it Adam?" I say once we're sitting on the couch.

"Yeah. Adam told me something about what the therapist said. He didn't mean to tell me it just came out of him. I asked him how it went and he just lost it and told me to mind my own business and we got into an argument and he blurted out something that I wasn't expecting."

"What was it?" I ask but got interrupted by my parents before he could answer me.

"Foods ready!" My mom yelled.

"Talk after?" I ask and he nods.

We go into the dining room and the table is all set.

"This looks amazing." Liam says and my mother thanks him.

We get our food onto our plates and it's just the sound of forks cashing on our plates for a while. It seems like no one has anything to say and it's just an awkward silence filling the room.

"So how's soccer going Liam?" My father asks finally breaking the silence.

"It's going good. We're undefeated." He says pleased to be talking about soccer.

"That's what I've heard. Congrats. You have a game this week right?" Oh no.

"Yes sir we do." He says. I can see him gripping his fork tightly. I hope my parents didn't notice.

"Mind if we see a game? This upcoming one I heard is going to be one to watch." My father says.

"Go ahead. We can use more support." Liam smiles.

"Great! I can't wait to see the star player in action." Did my father really just say that?

"Um...dad." I say.

"Yes Hailey?"

"Um..."

"Spill it out Hailey. Are you embarrassed by you own father? I just want to see your boyfriend here play." My father says teasing me.

"He's not my boyfriend dad and since when did you start taking interest in Liam anyways?" I say with a little attitude. I don't know where it came from. It just happened.

"Hailey don't talk to your father like that. We have guest here." My mom says interrupting the conversation.

"Fine he's not your boyfriend, but he's now a friend. I just want to support your friend."

I make a noise meant to mean 'yeah right.'

"I do." My father says not appreciating my attitude.