“Hey,” Brody says softly as he approaches.
“What are you doing here?” I ask annoyed.
“I heard what happened and I wanted to make sure you’re okay,” he says as he takes a seat beside me on my blanket.
“No, I’m not okay.”
“God, I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but Hails, I don’t think Liam cheated on you.”
“What?” I ask surprised, this coming from Brody.
“I could be wrong, but I know how he feels about you. The way he looks at you, it’s different.”
“Explain these then,” I say, as I drop the pictures in front of him. He picks them up looking at them one by one. “They are date stamped Brody.”
“Yeah, I see that. I don’t know what they mean but you should talk to Liam.”
“Why are you being nice all of a sudden?”
“Because I care about you. You don’t deserve to be hurt, not by me, not by Kenzie, and certainly not by Liam.”
“I don’t want to go back yet,” I say as I look out toward the ocean.
“So don’t. We can hang out here. I’m sorry I’ve been an ass lately.”
“Jealously is ugly Brody.”
“I know. Yes, I’m jealous of Liam, because I always thought it would be me, but I made my choice when I started dating Kenz. I was wrong for what I did. I shouldn’t have dated her and definitely not for so many years.”
“Then why did you?” I ask confused.
“I love her and things were comfortable.”
“But if you love her, then you could make it work.”
“I’m not in love with her Hails,” he says truthfully.
“Are you ending it with her then?”
“I did a little while ago.”
“How did she take it?”
“Fine actually. She basically said I’ll be back because I won’t know what to do without her,” he says laughing.
“What the hell is wrong with her?” I ask frustrated.
“It’s crazy how different you two are. She was the outgoing one growing up, the center of attention, yet the entire time she’s completely jealous of you.”
“I don’t get it, but whatever; I can’t dwell on it anymore.”
“So what do you think you’re going to do? You’re to get married tomorrow Hails.”
“I don’t know.”
“How about either way we still be friends. I won’t push for more, I promise.”
“Sounds good to me. Did you seriously mean what you said when you said you were transferring to Michigan?”
“Yeah, I got it all straightened out, I am going to be taking classes there.”
“Is that because of me?”
“Partly, I also do like the school a lot.”
“Brody, you know even if Liam and I don’t work, you and I aren’t going to be together right?” I say, giving it to him straight.
“I know, it took me a while to realize it, but I got it.”
“Okay, just making sure.”
“I know and I want you to be happy, even if that means with my stupid brother,” he says with a smirk.
“Thanks, that means a lot to me. Does Kenzie know you’re transferring schools?”
“She thinks I’m joking, but she’s been getting ruder and ruder by the day. I don’t know what’s going on with her anymore.”
“She’s finally realizing the world doesn’t revolve around her,” I admit.
“You’re right about that.”
Brody and I spend the next two hours talking and catching up like before. There’s no worry about him trying to steal me away from Liam, because that’s not an option, but his friendship I miss. I’m willing to give him another chance, as long as he doesn’t screw up.
We head back home and I already know that Liam is going to be waiting for me. I turn my phone on and see numerous messages and text messages from him and some from Quinn and Rebecca. Deciding to ignore them all, I drive the rest of the way home.
I barely get the car in park before Liam is at my door. “We need to talk, you need to let me explain,” he says with a worried look.
“That’s fine, we are going to talk,” I say as I get out of the car.
“Can we talk now?”
“Yes, I just need to let Quinn and Rebecca know I’m back, then we can go over to your house to talk,” I say as I walk towards my house.
“Oh my gosh, there you are,” Quinn says as she rushes to me to give me a hug, “You had me fucking worried.”
“I’m fine, but I wanted to let you know I’m going to go talk to Liam, so I will be back shortly.”
“Is everything okay?” Rebecca asks softly.