Wanting Us Read online

  Liam must feel me stiffening because he starts rubbing my arm. “What’s going on in your head?”

  I look up at him and half smile. “Nothing important.”

  “You’re not going to talk to me about it.”

  I shake my head no. “It’s not worth saying out loud.”

  “I disagree. But whenever you’re ready to talk about it, I’m here.”

  “Thanks. It’s nothing you need to worry about.”

  Liam seems to accept my statement and starts watching the movie again. I continue to look up at him, surprised at how much I want to open up to him. Liam has been back in my life for two weeks now and it feels like I have one of my best friends back.

  I must’ve been staring at him for too long because he places his hand on top of my head and turns me towards the tv. “The movie is this way. Try paying attention to it. I think you’d really like the movie.”

  I chuckle and swat his hand away. “This is one of my favorite movies.” Only because of the memory of us. Just like Paranormal Activity 2 is on my top list as well.

  “Is Man on Fire still one of your favorites?”

  I’m surprised he remembers that. Most people wouldn’t call that movie one of their favorites. “Of course. You can’t go wrong with a movie that has Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning in it. Is the Longest Yard still one of yours?”

  “Please. No movie could ever bump it from my top five.” We both chuckle and I settle in closer to him. This feels right. Being with him has this effect on me that makes me want to forget about everything else going on in my life and just live in the moment with him. While being alone with Liam had me nervous earlier, I’m glad he’s here right now.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Liz

  “Hey honey. It’s been forever since we’ve spoken. I miss you. Anyways I was just calling to see if you wanted to have dinner with us tonight. Let me know. I love you honey.” I hang my head as I listen to my mom’s voicemail from this morning. I’ve been avoiding her calls because I haven’t told her that Bryan and I broke up. It’s not that I think my mom would take his side or anything like that. It’s just she was so happy when we moved in together. I think she was starting to get excited that one of us was finally close to getting married because let’s be honest, Drew can’t even have a committed relationship. I just don’t want to see her face fall when I tell her that it didn’t work out and the worry that’ll appear when she finds out why. She’s definitely the type of mom that you give her every detail and I can’t lie to her.

  I hit call back and hold the phone up to my ear. “Elizabeth honey! How are you?”

  “Hi mom. I’m okay. How are you? Sorry I missed your call. I’d love to have dinner with you guys tonight.”

  “I’m so much better now that you’re coming over. Are you bringing Bryan?”

  “Mom…” Sensing someone sliding into a chair on the other side of the table I look up to see Mack smiling at me but her smile drops when she sees my face. “Mom I have to go. Mack and I are meeting for lunch.”

  “Okay honey. See you tonight. Tell Mack I said hi.”

  “I will. Love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  I hang up the phone and rub my hand over my face.

  “What’s wrong?”

  I shake off the guilty feeling. “Nothing. My mom was just inviting me to dinner. I’ve been avoiding her calls and I feel guilty about it. She says hello by the way.”

  “So, you haven’t told her yet?” I shake my head no. “Well I guess you’re ditching me for dinner tonight.”

  “You can come with me. They’d love to see you. “

  “You know I have your back always but you couldn’t beg me to go to that dinner. Your mom and dad are going to be pissed when they find out what Bryan did. You should make Drew go with you. He doesn’t work tonight.”

  I give her a ‘how do you know that’ look. And her face turns to shock as she realizes what she just said. Before I get to question her, she gets up from the table. “I’m going to grab us something to eat.”

  Well that was weird. But she’s right. I need to see what Drew is up to.

  Liz: Hey! You and me tonight. Dinner at the parents.

  Drew: What if I have plans.

  Liz: Cancel them.

  Liz: I’m your sister.

  Drew: Fine

  Drew: You’re driving. Pick me up at 6:30.

  Liz: Thanks. Have I told you today how much I love you?

  Drew: Nope

  Liz: I love you thissssssssss much.

  Drew: Wow that’s a lot. See you tonight.

  Liz: What!?! No love you back

  Drew: Has anyone ever told you you’re not supposed to beg for love.

  Drew: ❤

  Drew: Now leave me alone. I’m busy.

  What a doofus. I’m chuckling to myself when Mack returns with two salads. “Based on your smile I’m guessing Drew’s going.”

  “Yeah. I’m going to owe him big because I think he’s canceling some important plans to go with me.”

  “Oh really. What plans?”

  I shrug my shoulders and shake my head. “No clue. Thanks for lunch.”

  Mack looks confused and in another world. “No problem.”

  Drew’s waiting for me outside his apartment by the time I go to pick him up. I look at the clock and see it’s 6:32. Why does he look irritated? I’m only two minutes late. He lets out a dramatic huff when he climbs into the car. “You’re late.”

  “Two minutes. Are you seriously irritated about that? What’s going on?”

  “Nothing. Just some issues with the plans I had to cancel.”

  “I’m sorry. But I really do appreciate you coming with me tonight.”

  “It’s fine. I’m happy we’re going to finally have a family dinner. Just the four of us. It’s been forever since the last time.”

  “I know. One great thing about my recent breakup is that we’re getting close again. What do you think mom’s making for dinner?”

  “Does she know I’m coming?” I shake my head no. “Then I’m going to guess tortellini alfredo with salad and garlic bread.”

  “Ooo. That’s a good guess. That is one of my favorites but I’m thinking steaks and baked potatoes.”

  “I think you’re going to be wrong.”

  I pull into the driveway of the home I grew up in and instantly a sense of peace washes over me. I’m home. “We’ll see.”

  As we get out of the car, I notice Liam’s mom and older brother, Charlie, next door. Wow I haven’t seen Charlie in three years. Charlie is helping his mom into the car and she seems to be giving him a hard time about it. I chuckle to myself as I remember how she was with Liam when she found out we were dating. She made sure he was being the perfect gentleman. Opening my doors, carrying my books, and buying me flowers when we got into arguments.

  When she sees Drew and I, her face lights up and she pushes Charlie away like she doesn’t need anyone to help her. Giving her a huge smile, I wave to her. “Hello Mrs. Camden!”

  Charlie waves hello to us as he steps back from his mom. She sits down in the passenger seat like she can’t hold herself up anymore. “Hello loves! It’s good to see you both.”

  Drew steps up beside me and waves. “Good to see you too.”

  Charlie closes her door softly and we head into our parents’ house. Walking next to Drew, I look up at him and see the concern look on his face as well. “Is Mrs. Camden okay?”

  Drew looks at me and shrugs his shoulders. “I don’t know.”

  I nod in understanding that he’s saying Liam hasn’t said anything to him. Drew opens the front door for me and we both walk into the house calling out for our parents. My mom rushes around the corner from the kitchen, hugging us both. “Andrew. What a surprise to see you! I’ve missed you.”

  “Hi Mom. I missed you too.”

  “Elizabeth.” After hugging me she holds me at arm’s length. “You’re looking good. Are you running again?”


  “Not more than I’ve always done.” I look at her confused wondering what she sees that’s different.

  My dad walks out of the kitchen right as my mom asks, “Where’s Bryan? Could he not come tonight?”

  Everything stops as Drew steps back with a look of anger and shock across his face. “Why would Bryan be here?” Then realization hits him. “Really!?! Liz, you haven’t told them?”

  Our parents look between Drew and me like we have two heads. Mom steps up next to me and starts rubbing my arm. “Is something wrong with Bryan? Is he hurt?”

  Drew looks at me waiting for me to tell them. After about five seconds he decides he’s not waiting any longer. “She broke up with Bryan. They haven’t been dating for almost three weeks.”

  My mom steps in front of me. “Why didn’t you tell me? What happened between the two of you?”

  Drew huffs and crosses his arms over his chest. “He was…”

  “Drew.” I glare at him silently telling him to shut up.

  “They need to know.”

  My dad walks over to me and lightly grabs my chin, pulling it so I’m looking at him. “What happened, honey?”

  “We’re going to need to sit down for this and a drink.”

  My dad smirks at me but nods. “Okay let’s get comfortable on the couch. What does everyone want to drink?”

  My mom is whispering to Drew like she’s trying to get information. “Red wine for me.”

  Drew says, “Bourbon.”

  I follow my dad into the living room. “I’ll have the same as Drew. “

  My dad stops suddenly and I almost run into him. “Is it that bad?” I nod and look away because I don’t like seeing the concern in his eyes. He’s probably thinking up a hundred different scenarios right now. “Then we’re all getting bourbon.”

  In my family we drink the hard stuff for hard conversations because the burn of the amber liquid going down helps relieve some of the tension from the conversation. Drew and I sit on one couch facing my mom on the other couch and the look of concern on her face is making me want to cry.

  When my dad returns with four glasses, we all grab a glass and take a drink. I down half of it. When I look back to my parents, they’re mirroring Drew and I slouched forward with our elbows on your knees. Nobody’s getting comfortable.

  I take a deep breath and spill it all out in one breath. “I left Bryan because he was getting very aggressive and I thought he might hurt me. On the day I left he choked me and hit me across the face.”

  My dad shoots of the couch. “He did what!? Is he still alive?” That question was directed to Drew. “How could he touch my little girl?”

  My dad is now pacing from one side of the room to the other. “Dad … Please…”

  He stops pacing holding up his hand to stop me. “He better be in jail.” He looks to Drew. “You arrested him for putting his hands on your sister, right?”

  I stand up from the couch and stand between my brother and dad. “No, he didn’t because I asked him not to. He did, however, beat the shit out of him.”

  “Language.” My mom interrupts.

  “Really mom.” I try so hard not to chuckle at my mom worrying about the cuss word instead of the situation.

  My dad places his hand on my shoulder to get my attention and based on how he’s looking at me, it’s like he can still see the bruises Bryan left that disappeared two weeks ago. “Dad, I’m okay. Drew and Liam saved me from anything worse happening and I have a restraining order against him.”

  My mom decides to now get involved. “Is he bothering you? Why do you need a restraining order?”

  “He made a big scene outside Mack and I’s apartment right after I left him. Drew’s friend Caleb came and removed him from my front door.”

  My mom pulls me into a hug. “Oh honey. I’m so sorry you had to deal with all that.”

  “I’m okay, mom. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I just know how excited you were about how serious our relationship was getting and I didn’t want to upset you.”

  “You can tell me anything. All I ever want is for you to be happy. Are you happy?” Instantly I think of Liam and a smile forms on my face. Wait why does Liam come to mind? Shouldn’t I think about living with Mack again or hanging out with Drew? My mom must recognize my smile because she places her hand on my cheek and smiles at me. “You are happy. I can see it.”

  Drew seems ready to finish this conversation as he finishes his drink and pulls our mom into a hug. “Now that the serious stuff is over. How about the food? What’s for dinner?”

  My mom pushes Drew away playfully. “All you care about is food. It’s Tuesday so we’re having tacos.”

  Drew and I bust out laughing. I can’t believe neither of us thought about tacos. Every Tuesday since I can remember we have had tacos for dinner. Mom places her hands on her hips and huffs. “What is so funny about tacos?”

  I give my mom a kiss on the cheek before following my dad into the kitchen. “It’s nothing. We were trying to guess what you were making on the way here.”

  Drew wraps his arm around her shoulders as they both head to the kitchen as well. “Let’s just say neither of us guessed tacos.”

  My mom chuckles while shaking for head. “You two are ridiculous.” She steps out of Drew’s arm and heads to the stove to start cooking the meat. As she cooks, I set up all the taco toppings, Drew puts the shells in the oven, and dad switches our bourbon glasses for beers. We spend the rest of the evening catching up and laughing at old stories.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Liam

  Beep…Beep… Beep. I groan as my alarm keeps going off. There’s no way it’s already 6 o’clock. I feel like I just fell asleep. I guess that’s what I get for taking four shifts this week. I’ve picked up an extra shift for the next three weeks since I’m taking a whole week off for the fourth of July to go with Mack, Liz, and Drew to Baker’s family beach house for the week.

  My alarm goes off again and I quickly shut it off while rolling out of bed. I practically drag myself to the bathroom to shower while stretching. Last night Caleb and I had an encounter with a guy high out of his mind when we were checking out an abandoned building that is known for a place where addicts hangout and drug deals go down.

  We entered into the building in casual clothing trying to act like we’re looking for a score. The downstairs was completely empty which was surprising but as soon as I stepped foot on the second floor, a man that probably wasn’t older than twenty comes out of nowhere and tackles me to the ground. While I’m feeling it now, at the time it just knocked the wind out of me. Caleb, however, was no help at all as he stood on the last step of the stairs cracking up. We didn’t arrest the kid because it would have blown our cover and he ended up giving us his dealers contact.

  Right now the stiffness in my back makes me wish Caleb was the one that was tackled. Especially since he’s not working tonight. After my shower, my back and shoulders feel a little less stiff so when I pull on my dark grey pants and light blue dress shirt, I don’t have to wince in pain. There’s a knock on my door as I’m buttoning up my shirt. “Come in.”

  Drew sticks his head in and I wave him in. “Hey man! What’s up?”

  “I’m about to head to my parents’ house with Liz for dinner. I was going to see if you wanted to go but I forgot you work tonight.”

  “Yeah I wish I didn’t have to work. Maybe next time I can join you guys.”

  “Definitely man. I’ll let you know about the next dinner. Personally, I didn’t know about this one until about noon today.”

  “Who sprung it on you? Your mom or Liz?”

  “You know them well. It was Liz but I believe my mom sprung it on her.” We both shake our heads lightly. “Well Liz is picking me up so I better head downstairs. Have a good night at work.”

  “Thanks man. Tell everyone I said hi.”

  “Will do.” He gives me a two-finger salute before heading out the door.

  Two hours in
to my twelve hour shift and I’m ready to call it quits. The rookie I’m riding with tonight is driving me crazy. But it’s not really his fault he’s just trying to learn. I just wish training could be on my first shift of the week instead of my last. I normally like my extra shifts to be a little bit more laid back. That’s definitely not happening tonight.

  Tonight, Sam and I are staking out the spot the kid from last night told us where he got the drugs. We haven’t contacted the dealer yet because we want to try to get eyes on him first before we go undercover. Most guys that give out the drugs are the little guys in the organization and we’re trying to stop the whole thing. If you arrest one dealer, they just get two more to cover the customers.

  As were staking out the spot, Sam hammers me with every question you can think of. Why did you choose to be a police officer? Have you ever been hurt on the job? Have you ever had to shoot anyone? Have you ever had a gun pulled on you or been shot at? What’s been your hardest case? Have you ever worked anything other than narcotics? Why narcotics?

  Let’s just say I was ready for some action when a guy in all black steps out of the shadows in the ally just as a scarcely thin woman looking dirty and twitchy walks down the block towards him. Sam quiets down as we both witness the exchange of money for drugs. As the woman walks away, she doesn’t even hide the drugs. Based on the small white packet I’d guess her poison is cocaine.

  But instead of keeping my eyes on her, I watch the guy hide back in the shadows. Now that I know where he is it’s easier to see him now in the dark alley. Sam and I sit there taking photos of the deals for another hour when the guy finishes up his last deal and gets into an old white Honda Accord a block down the street.

  We follow the dealer for fifteen minutes across town and when he pulls off the road into a small parking lot outside an apartment complex, we park on the street watching him walk into the building. As we wait to see if he’s picking up more drugs, we send the photos to the station so they can run facial recognition to see if we can get his name and background history.