Page 78 of Liam

"I didn't want to lose you as a friend. And then we became more, and I was terrified—"

"That what? I'd take off? Don't you think that should have been my decision?"

My heart pattered as I formulated my words. "Whatwouldyou have decided?"

Liam sighed. "That I'd need to think about it."

It felt as though my chest caved in. "Fair."

There was more I needed to tell Liam if I wanted to be completely truthful with him. "Your birth father came to see me. He threatened to expose me."

"Are you fucking serious? Is that why you're telling me all this?"

Liam sounded angry.

"No, but that's why I broke up with you. He told me I needed to back away from you. I didn't want you to find out from him and feel like I betrayed you. I didn't know what else to do."

"You could have come to me, Jamal."

He was right. From the start, we'd been open with one another. For some reason, I hadn't trusted Liam with this. I'd made a monumental mistake. "I know that now. I'm sorry."

Liam grunted. "I need to go, but thanks for telling me all of that. I'm sure it was hard for you."

"It was."

"Just give me some time. It's a lot to process."

"I understand."

"Bye, Jamal."

"Bye, Liam."

My eyelashes fluttered and decorated my cheeks further with tears as I ended the call and lay my phone on my chest. It was done. I'd told him everything.

It felt like the goodbyes we'd shared would be our last.

I'd lost him.

Chapter Seventeen | Liam

The dinner table at Noah and Brody's was animated with conversation, bantering, and teasing zipping back and forth. This was a happy home. My best friend and his husband had created something amazing. I looked down at my slice of pot roast. I wanted a home with someone.

Jamal.

I wanted the whole blissful package with Jamal.

Quinn nudged me. "Are you going to sing tonight?"

I smirked at hir. "That's strictly a car trip practice of mine. Acoustics are good."

"Then can you pick us up from school tomorrow?"

I looked at Noah for permission. He shrugged his shoulders. That was ayes. "I can do that. Have some songs picked out to sing together."

Rowan groaned. "As long as you sing the right words."

I laughed. "I can't promise anything."

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