Summer

Chapter 54

I can't even process what just happened because Cassie runs up to me in a panic.

"We need to go," she says, grabbing my hand and pulling me in her direction. "I think your brothers just got home."

"What?" I shout. "What time is it?"

"It's almost 1," she says as she continues to drag me by my arm. "C'mon, Fee, we gotta go."

She leads me to Kyle's car, and he's already sitting in the driver's seat with the engine running.

"Step on it, Kyle," Cassie instructs after we both get in. Cassie joins me in the back, leaving Kyle alone in the front.

"How do you know they're home?" I nervously ask.

"You might want to check your phone," she says, and when I do, I notice 5 text messages from Jacob, all of which were sent about an hour ago letting me know that they were leaving the bar.

"Shit," is all I say as I scroll through each text.

"Yeah," Cassie says. "He texted me too, but like an idiot, I didn't check my phone until a few minutes ago. Liam's going to be furious when you walk through that door, so here's the game plan. You're going to tell Liam that you were at Kyle's friend's house with a few people. If he asks you who, you name some teammates. Make 'em up if you have to. And, if you want, I'll come inside and back you up."

My palm brushes the top of my head as Cassie proceeds to talk. My head is pounding. Between drinking way more than I should've, Jeremy kissing me, fighting with Noah, and now coming home to a pissed off Liam, my body feels all over the place. Like I have no control over anything.

"Don't come in with me," I tell Cassie, and she looks shocked.

"What?"

"Let me take care of this. It was my choice to go out tonight."

"But...," Cassie interrupts.

"Cass, I'll be fine."

***

It doesn't take long for Liam to come to the door when he hears my keys turn the lock.

"Where the hell were you?" he says as Jacob stands behind him looking worried. Even though he's fuming, I remain calm. "Well?" Liam pushes as he impatiently waits for me to respond. He doesn't even let me make it past the entryway.

"I was at a friend's house," I tell him, brushing my shoulder against his and heading for the closet to hang up my jacket.

"Whose?" he asks irritatingly.

"Kyle's friend." 

"Have you lost your mind, Sophia? Huh? What happened to you?"

"Stop it, Liam," Jacob interjects.

"Stay out of this, Jacob," Liam shouts, keeping his eyes on me. "Were you with him?"

I look Liam right in the eye. "Yes," I is all I say. His chest is contracting and he's breathing heavily. His nose flares a couple of times and he looks away to shake his head.

"Dammit, Sophia. I told you to stay away from that kid."

"Nothing happened, Liam," I state before proceeding for the stairs. When I pass Jacob on my way, he gives me a look of sympathy, like he wishes he could do something more to defend me.

I leave the door to my room open because I know that Liam's only seconds away from barging in. And then I plant myself on my bed and watch as he enters.

"I don't like who you've become," he starts. "And I'm not going to sit back and watch you turn into some reckless teenager who doesn't know better. That's why I'm cutting our trip short. Get ready to leave to the airport on Friday."