Page 69 of Second Chance with the Enemy CEO
“So, that is why she left? Because of what she heard me say?” My voice cracks, the question hanging in the suffocating silence.
I rake a hand through my hair, the weight of it all crushing down on me. My chest tightens, a bit of guilt clawing at the edges of my resolve.
“No, I refuse to believe that is why she left,” I mutter, my tone sharp, defensive. “Yes, she may have heard what I said, but I refuse to believe that is the reason she left. Maybe she left because she felt guilty and did not know how to face me after finding out that I know she cheated on me and also took money from my parents. What else was she supposed to do but run when the truth came out? If I were her, I would leave also.”
Cara groans loudly, throwing her hands up. “You are so stupid sometimes, Liam. I swear, I would love to smack some sense into that thick skull of yours.”
I shoot her a glare.
“You’re an idiot!” she snaps. “And not just an idiot - a stubborn, self-righteous one. Do you even hear yourself? How can you still be going on about her cheating when none of it makes sense? Have you even considered for a second thatmaybe, just maybe, you are wrong? So, what if you got pictures? So, what if you heard some things about her? Seriously, I am 16 and I’ve got more sense than you do, right now.”
I open my mouth to argue, but she does not give me the chance.
“She loved you, Liam. Everyone could see that. Hell, even a stranger could have seen it. And do you think she’d just..., throw it all away, especially for money? Are you even listening to yourself?”
“Logan. Matt. Help me out here,” Cara says, turning to them, but they both shrug in unison, their faces carefully neutral.
Logan shrugs, taking a swig of his beer. “Sorry, kiddo. Not my circus, not my monkeys.”
“Sorry, kiddo,” Logan says, leaning back on the couch. “I’ve got nothing to say.”
Matt nods in agreement. “Yeah, same here. You seem to be handling it just fine.”
“Seriously?” I glare at them.
“Yes,” they say at the same time.
Cara throws her hands up again. “See? Even though they are uncooperative, I bet they know you are being ridiculous.”
“Look, I don’t…”
“Don’t what?” Cara cuts in, her voice sharp. “Do not want to believe that you might have messed up? Do not want to face the fact that you might have pushed away the best thing in your life because you were too damn proud to give her the benefit of the doubt before embarking on your drinking and ranting spree?”
“That’s not…,” I start, but the words die in my throat.
Because deep down, I know she is not entirely wrong. And that terrifies me.
Chapter nineteen
Hazel
The music thrums in the distance as my friends and I weave through the crowd, drink in hand, the smell of popcorn and fried food heavy in the air. Strings of fairy lights crisscross overhead, casting everything in a warm, golden glow.
Grace, Maya, and Luke are animated, pointing out food stalls and discussing which bands they are most excited to see. I follow along, a little distracted, soaking in the nostalgia of being back in a place that feels both familiar and strange.
Maya loops her arm through mine, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “So, are you glad we dragged you here yet?”
“Dragged might be a strong word,” I say, grinning. “But yes, this is nice. It has been ages since I have done something like this.”
We find a spot near the stage just as the band kicks off their set, the opening chords electrifying the air. The song, guitar riffs, drumbeats, and the infectious energy of the crowd quickly pull me in, and I cannot help but tap my foot and move my head to the rhythm.
“No, no,” Maya says over the music, shaking her head, “we are not having that. There is no way you are just standing there. Come on!”
Before I can protest, she grabs both my hands and starts swaying dramatically, her exaggerated moves drawing a laugh from me. “Maya, you look ridiculous!”
“And you look like you need to loosen up,” she shoots back, twirling herself in a circle. “Dance, Hazel! I thought all the drinks we drank before coming here would loosen you up.”
I glance at the stage, then the crowd, and finally let go of the self-conscious knot in my chest. My body moves to the beat, hips swaying, hands reaching up as the lead singer belts out a high note. Maya whoops beside me, spinning in a circle with wild abandon.
