Chapter 222: Good Hearted Guy
I'm not sure what I was expecting. Total global meltdown, a zombie apocalypse. Disaster extraordinaire to drop on me from the sky. Yeah, something along those lines. But as I sat there in the kitchen, hands on my jittering knees, mind open to the coven just in case something happened for the fourth straight hour, I finally realized how silly I was being.
Everything was fine. No twinge of warning from Shaylee who seemed to be back to her happy normal. No message from Galleytrot declaring impending doom. Though it did strike me as odd he wasn't home when I arrived, nor did he show at any time during my nervously prepared-for-anything vigil.
In the end, with the tedious and petty day-to-day crap of the rest of the family touching my wide-open thoughts, I finally slumped sideways from hyper-alert to feeling bored and stupid.
Just because Mom was gone didn't mean everything was going to suddenly fall apart. And I'd had enough of feeling like that was the case.
With Dad locked in the basement and Meira eating the dinner I pulled together for her in the grumpy silence of her room, I didn't look forward to sitting downstairs by myself anymore. A quick call to Alison got her voicemail, and my two texts went unanswered. Shrugging, I hopped behind the wheel of my electric blue Mini and headed for Johnny's.
I didn't see Alison's red convertible parked out front, but I figured I'd check it out anyway. Minnie bee-booped at me as I armed her alarm and went inside.
The place wasn't super busy, but there were enough people around to make it feel like I wasn't alone anymore at least. While I sought out Alison and Beth's familiar perky self, I spotted Liam at a booth in the back.
He wasn't alone. I approached him with the beginning of a smile, only to realize who sat across from him. Page's wavering attempt at her own greeting just turned my stomach.
Liam seemed relieved to see me. "Hey, Syd." All casual. But the tension in his shoulders was obvious. Weird since he seemed to like everyone. Thank goodness he had some kind of taste.
"Hey." I glared at Page before turning back to him. "Have you seen Al?"
He shook his head. "Staying for a bite?" The plea in his voice was barely detectable.
"Love to." Now, how to get rid of my former nemesis? I could have told her to go, but she had reached a level of pathetic I just couldn't seem to add to. Not that I was softening, and neither was I willing to actually eat with her. I think I'd choke on the first bite if I was forced into that situation.
Liam handled it for me. "Page just stopped by to introduce herself." How did he manage to be so kind and yet convey the message she was no longer welcome?
She left, just like that, slinking off, though she glanced over her shoulder at us a few times, taking a seat not far away where she pretended to study a menu while looking around for someone, anyone to talk to.
I slid into the booth she just vacated, hating the heat her body left behind, but wanting to sit with my back to her so I didn't have to look at her. "Thanks," I said.
"She's... not really okay, I don't think." A frown creased his handsome face. "Just kind of gives me the creeps." A guilty look flashed. "That was mean."
I laughed, a genuine laugh. Was he for real? "Not really," I said. "Not when it's true."
I was surprised he didn't ask me her story. Instead, we had a lovely dinner of burgers and fries and great conversation. Nothing important or weighty, past his ability to debate the silliest things to death. It felt great to just relax and have a good time.
We were done, dessert ordered, when Liam's eyes flickered behind me and back again. I tensed, waiting for it, the mood ruined.
"You hate her." Spoken ever so softly. "I take it there's a good reason?"
"There is." I shoved aside the remains of my drink and stared out the window at the dark street. "It's a long story."
"I figured." He sat back. "I've been watching her," he admitted. "No one will meet her eyes or talk to her. So what she did, what happened, was kind of a town thing?"
"Yeah," I said.
Liam nodded slowly, let out a soft sigh. "It's none of my business," he said. "But I do know this. There's far more power in forgiveness."
I wanted to hit him all of a sudden, scream at him. Tell him she was the bitch who almost got my uncle killed, maybe ruined him for the rest of his enormously long life. That she betrayed all of us to the Dumonts.
But she was thralled. A small voice broke in, the one I hated. I'd heard it before. The soft, trembling voice whispering the Dumonts controlled her, made her do those things.
And while I knew it was true, part of me acknowledging she was forced into some of her actions, it took her initial agreement and jealousy to allow her to fall so far.
My ice cream melted without me taking a bite. Liam calmly and quietly ate his, seeming to enjoy himself. He didn't mention another word and when he was done he insisted on paying.
I would have offered to drive him home, but he didn't give me the chance.
"See you tomorrow, Syd. Thanks for having dinner with me." Liam smiled in genuine sweetness at me before turning and walking away.
At home, I stretched out on my empty bed, mind trying to process what he said. Would I ever forgive Page? The Dumonts? Shudder. No way.
No. Way.
And yet, deep inside, I knew Liam was right.
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