Never Let Me Go | ✔️

14.

Fourteen.

Liam and I finally arrived at the bowling place.

Spending time with him seemed to be the best thing that could happen. Especially considering tonight was exactly one year from my mother's death.

He would comfort me in times of pain, and make me laugh in times of sadness.

Jake never did that.

Then again, Liam was like my brother, right?

"Another strike? You're on fire! How do you do that?" He asked, astonished.

"I guess it's just a gift," I laughed, pretending to brush dirt off of my shoulders.

He went to roll the ball, and right before it escaped his hand, I yelled, "Choke!"

That threw him off, causing the ball to go right into the gutter.

"Oh, you're gonna regret doing that!" He said, tickling me until I couldn't breathe.

We both erupted in uncontrollable laughter.

I loved spending time with him.

Suddenly, I heard my phone go off.

It was Jake.

"Hey, babe!" I said, as Liam turned around.

"It's your turn," Liam said, sitting on the bench. His contagious smile turned into a serious straight face.

"You can take it for me," I said to him. He rolled his eyes and crossed his arms as a response.

"Where are you?" Jake asked.

"Bowling."

"With who?"

"Ashley," I said. I really didn't need more drama. He was already suspecting things about Liam, even though there was nothing going on between us.

"Hey, I gotta call you back. It's my turn," I said.

"Okay babe, talk to you later."

As I ended the phone call, I looked over to see that Liam hadn't moved.

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

"Yeah, it's great. Just fantastic," he snapped.

"What was that for?" I asked.

"It's just that every time we do something together, you always have to call or text Jake. It's all about him. Jake this, Jake that. And I'm sick of hearing about him! Because frankly, I couldn't care less about him."

"Well he's my boyfriend after all! Why do you care so much?"

"Well sorry for being so protective! But all you talk about is Jake! I hate it." He snapped.

Tears started welling in my eyes.

"Do you know what tonight is?" Tears were now streaming down my face. "The anniversary of my mom's death. Do you know how hard today had been? I guess not. And I thought you of all people would realize how hurt I'd be by you saying that. Especially tonight. I gotta go," I said, running to the bathroom.

I locked myself in a stall, not holding back any tears.

I was bawling my eyes out, and it was not pretty.

All of a sudden, someone burst through the door.

"Brooke!" Liam screamed.

"Get out," I said.

"No," he said. "I'm so sorry. Please come out."

After pulling myself together, I unlocked the stall door.

"Please. Please forgive me. I'm so sorry."

"I forgive you," I said, sniffling. "I know, I have been a little obsessed with Jake lately."

"But with my mom and all," I started.

"I know. Come here," he said.

He pulled me into a hug, and I cried into him. He didn't seem to mind.