The 5th Member

Chapter 24

I watched Tinley disappear down the sidewalk. I'm standing there speechless. What just happened? I wasn't exactly sure. Liam comes up behind be and places his hand on my middle-lower back.

"Come on, let's go." Liam says softly toward me, but I can't move. Why would she ever say something like that. She was always there for me, you'd think she'd be my number one fan, my best friend.

"What happened.." I said frozen in my place. I'm so confused.

"I didn't think we would run into her.." He said quietly. "Come on, let's go to the car. I'll explain."

We walk to the car and the few tears I let escape my eyes have dried to my face. I couldn't help but notice the way she smirked at me, when she brought up the accident. A stunt? Obviously she doesn't know what I have been going through for the past couple of months. I guess she hasn't been in my life for a while now considering she wasn't at the hospital when I woke up. She probably wasn't there at all.

We get in the car and I sit staring straight forward, waiting for Liam to tell me what happened. I can tell he is nervous.

"When you and the girls won the X-Factor," Liam starts "You and Tinley were really good friends. Then as you guys put out your first album and started getting more publicity, and also after we had been dating for awhile.. She wanted your fame. She did almost anything she could to get herself out there." He shakes his head, and I do the same.

"That's really why I lost my best friend?!" I say holding my head in my hand.

"Well that's not why.." Liam says and takes a deep breath. I swallow hard, I don't know if I can take anymore.

"The reason you guys hate each other is because she tried to.. She tried to take me from you too. That's why there are cheating rumors.. Because she tried coming onto me while you were in the hospitial" Liam says looking down with his eyes closed.

I can't take this anymore. I scrunch my face up and bite my lips hard. The first tears fall, followed by hundreds more.

"No please don't do this." Liam says while leaning over his seat and I put my head into his neck. "Hey, don't cry. She doesn't even compare too you. You're nice, talented and beautiful. You are who I fell in love with, and who I remain in love with. You know this." I pull my head up and search in his eyes. There is so much love in him. More than I could ever comprehend.

"I care about you" he says quietly "and we wouldn't be here, if I didn't care about you."

I knew this was true. And it was confirmed when he leaned forward and kissed me kindly and softly bit my lip as he pulled away.
---
We drive down the long road that leads to my old house. Starting to feel a little nervous, I reach over for Liams hand and squeeze it tight. He squeezes it back. I feel like he is more nervous than me and I don't know why. I'm glad Liam finally felt comfortable enough to do this for me. He is amazing.

We pull in front of the house and park in the main driveway. My house is still as shitty as it always was. I shake my head at the memories this house holds. I just need to focus on the fact that I am going to see my dad in a few minutes.

"are you really sure you want to do this?" Liam asks for the 1,000th time in this whole process.

"Yes. Let's go." I said nodding at him slowly.

We get out of the car and walk on the path through the front yard of dead grass. I can't believe I am back here.

As we stand in front of the door, I look at Liam and nod slowly while taking deep breaths.

Liam knocks on the door and I am frozen. I hear footsteps coming towards the door, and the door starts to creek open.

He is just as I remember him. His hair greasy and his beard is getting too long and nasty. He never really did know how to take care of himself.

"Lexi?" He said through his raspy and half driven voice. It sends chills down my spine.

"Dad." I say and show a half smile.

My dads wide eyes go from my to Liam and begin to squint at him before throwing the door open, almost sending it off if its hinges. I jump back and behind Liam.

"I thought I told you to never bring that hoebag around here again" he slurs.

Ouch.

Liam whispers back to me "Get in the car and call the police now"

I do as told and begin to walk towards the car.
"Oh what? Is she scared that I'm gonna fuck her up like I said I would!" He yells I'm Liams face. Surprisingly, I'm not even hurt by these comments. I've heard worse.

I sit in the car and stare at the both men who have changed my life in positive and negative ways.

My dad, ruined my life and put scars on my body and Liam, the most amazing thing that has happened to me.

After I place my call with the cops it's a waiting game. I stare, hoping that nothing goes wrong.

But to my dismay.. My life has just been a series of unfortunate events. My brain takes milliseconds to react to what is happening in front of my eyes as my fathers fist connects to Liams jaw and he falls to the ground.

"NO!" I scream and hop out the door of the car. "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING!" I cry as he begins to kick at Liams unconscious body on the ground.

Luckily, I see the red and blue flashing lights from down the road. Liam was right.

We shouldn't have came.

(OMG HI GUYS! Wow it's been forever and I'm planning on updating more frequently like this. I hope you guys enjoyed yesterday's update and I'm so glad to say that we are almost to 4,000 reads and 102 votes! Thank you guys so much. It means a lot honestly. And I'm glad you guys get all excited for updates! It makes me smile :) you guys are the best.

-Lou )