Page 99 of The Cupcake Standard

Liam’s mouth opened and closed a few times before any sound came out. “Holy shit, so many things make sense now.”

“Like why we hadn’t said ‘I love you’? Why we couldn’t wait even one night to have sex so used your emergency key?”

His cheeks were pink, but he nodded.

“Yeah.” I sighed, hugging my abdomen to soothe the ache. It didn’t help. My forehead rested against the cool window, and I watched the trees rush by. “Derek told me about Piper this weekend, too. I thought it explained a lot about why he let his family treat him the way he did, why he let himself become invisible. And I shared some things of my own…” My voice broke.

I curled into a tighter ball. Maybe if I curled tight enough, I could hold the pieces of myself together. “I’ve never felt closer to anyone than I have to Derek this weekend. When Piper started digging up that old pain, just because she could, I saw red. I protected him.” I swallowed hard, but it did nothing to relieve the lump in my throat.

“We promised to be honest with each other.” I made my ball tighter still. “But I had to find out on a postcard that he’s not only getting his master’s, he’s the youngest person to earn it. And the app that’s changing the world? Had to google that.”

Liam frowned.

“I was upset, but I could handle that.” Clenching and unclenching my jaw, I spit out the next words. “Until I discovered Derek was the one to condemn my apartment.” It took a minute for my vision to clear. “I was supposed to be discharged first thing that morning from the hospital, but I lay there waiting until Derek fucking Elgin came walking in with Gina to tell me that oh gee, somehow my apartment had been condemned and wow, he just happened to have a room available.” My breaths were shaky.

“I’m sure it wasn’t like that—”

“Then why didn’t he tell me!” My angry words bounced around the car like a bullet ricocheting down an alley. “He had time. If there wasn’t anything to hide, then why didn’t he tell me?” I glanced at Liam, hoping he’d have an answer, hoping he could right my world once more.

A muscle worked in the side of his jaw, and his knuckles were white against the black leather of the steering wheel. “I don’t know, Ave. I don’t know.”

Half an hour of mostly silence later, the car stopped, and I looked around. “Where are we?”

“You can stay here. It’s my family’s place, but they only use it in the summer.”

It was a three-story house, not a mansion by any means, but with a view that took my breath away. The house sat on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, a brick wall surrounding the front and two sides of the property. “Holy shit. For real?”

Liam nodded. “I’ll send someone out with your stuff as soon as I can. Until we get this straightened out.”

I stopped on the step, turning to face him, the wind whipping my hair into my face. “You won’t tell Derek I’m here?”

“No, I won’t. Not unless you ask me to.” Pain twisted his features as he said the words, and I knew what I was asking him to do.

I threw myself at him, holding him tight. “Thank you, Liam. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you. I just need some time.” I let go and stepped back.

“I’ll see what I can find out. He’s going to freak, you know.” At my nod, he started toward the car, pausing when he’d opened the door. He grabbed a bag from the backseat and brought it back to me. “There’s money in here. Plus a few other things I thought you might need. It should last you the week, and if not, I’m just a phone call away, okay?”

With another nod, I went up to the door, unlocking it with the key he’d pressed into my hand. I watched him drive away before I stepped inside, reaching the couch before I allowed myself to completely fall apart.

* * * *

Sunlight streamed in the window, making me wince. I shoved a pillow over my head, but it was no use. I was awake. A headache pounded at my temples from my crying jag last night. I sat up gingerly, still in yesterday’s clothes. It took a minute to get my bearings. I wandered till I found the kitchen, then opened cupboards until I stumbled upon the glasses, finally able to get a cool drink of water for my cotton-dry mouth.

The counter supported me as I braced myself and pulled my phone out of my pocket. Twenty-five missed calls, all from Derek. Wow. I scrolled through them, a little miffed to not see any from Gina. My finger hovered over her name, but I decided against it at the last minute. I’d spilled my guts to Liam yesterday, and that had been enough for the time being. Now, I needed to process. To distance. Build up the brick wall between Derek and my heart, then go on with my life.

I went to my phone’s settings and changed them so only ones from Liam, Gina, Rhonda and Greg would alert me. Then I decided I should eat something, even though I really wasn’t hungry. There was a can of soup in the bag Liam had given me.

Half a bowl of soup and a shower later, I remembered I only had the clothes I was wearing. Liam had thoughtfully tucked in some drawstring pants and a hoodie which didn’t fit quite right, but they were better than nothing. My phone dinged.

It was Rhonda.

Just picked up some of the things you wanted. Greg will stop by soon to grab them. Heads up, he’s not happy with you. I had to twist his arm to drop anything off. I’d come see you myself, but something came up. Let me know if you need anything else.

I sent her back a Thanks, but that was all I could manage. Then I stared at the wall. Sometime later my phone dinged again, this time from Greg.

On my way. Need anything else?

Whiskey, whiskey, and more whiskey. Did I mention whiskey?

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