I close the book and lean my head back, shutting my eyes. I don’t know how much more I can take. Even if he tells me everything, I don’t know if I’ll be able to stay. This girl is either the same age or close to the same age as Noah. Liam left me in October and days later he was with someone else. If that doesn’t tell me how he felt about me, I don’t know what will.
The cabin lights come on in preparation for our arrival at LAX and the flight attendant comes by to pick up any trash. I’m tempted to put the book in there, but I’ll need it for later. I need him to read the same words that I have and deny each and every one of them. He needs to tell me in his own words that this book is full of lies – that he’s not the person Calista Jones is making him out to be.
This is my second time at LAX, and both times I’ve been beyond nervous. Finding a taxicab is easy - the driver tells me he knows the club and we’ll be there in about a half hour. My mind is traveling a thousand miles a minute as we drive down the freeway. I stare out my window, trying to catch as much of the city life that I can. I hate this place for what’s it’s done to me.
When we arrive, there’s a line of people wrapped around the block. I want to surprise Liam, but have a feeling this was a mistake. I should’ve called him, or at least Harrison or Jimmy, and asked to be put on the list. If Jenna were already here I wouldn’t have a problem, but she decided to visit her parents for a few days before flying out here to be with Jimmy.
I pay the cab driver and step out into the nightlife of Los Angeles with my suitcase behind me.
“Now who’s the cliché?” I say to myself. I look like the poster child for wayward travelers. The people in line, mostly women, glare or snarl at me. I get it, I’m older and carrying a suitcase. I look like a fruitcake. My surprise for Liam is not well thought out and I have a feeling I’ll be standing outside until I can get ahold of him.
As I approach the door, I can hear him singing. I wanted to be here for his show and it looks like I’m going to miss it. There’s a large man at the door with a clipboard. I know from stories Liam has told me that there will be a list of names on it. What are the chances he’s put my name down? I think I have a better chance at winning the lottery tonight.
“Hi, I know this is going to sound silly –”
“End of the line is down there somewhere.” He points down the block without making eye contact with me.
“Right. Look, my husband is Liam Page and I’m trying to surprise him.”
“Uh-huh, and I’m the Pope. End of the line.”
“Look let me show you.” I pull out my wallet and flash my driver’s license. I know he’s appeasing me when he flashes his light on it.
“Your last name is Westbury.”
“So is Liam’s,” I tell him, wondering how he doesn’t know this.
“End of the line, ma’am.”
My last ditch effort is to show him family photos. I hate that I have to let him see moments that we’ve shared together, but I have no other choice. I pull out my phone and open my photo app.
“Here, look through my phone. Liam’s my husband and I’m really trying to surprise him.”
To my surprise, he flips through the images, studying each one. He speaks into the radio that’s hooked to his shirt as he hands my phone back me. He doesn’t say anything, just continues to look at his clipboard.
“Is she cutting?” The voice belongs to a blonde with an all too small dress on. Even in her heels she’s shorter than me.
“No, she thinks she’s Page’s wife.”
“I don’t think, I am,” I snap back.
“Huh, he didn’t say anything about a wife last night.”
I see nothing but rage and wonder what a night in jail will feel like. I’m about to punch her lights out when my name is called. I turn sharply toward the door to find a short woman with jet-black hair and bright red lips. The girls in line start calling her name, Trixie, but she and I are having a stare down.
“Come with me.” She turns back in the club, leaving me on my own to meander through an angry mob of women.
The second I step in, people are dancing and drinking around me. I can hear Liam on stage, but can’t see him. I try to follow Trixie, but she’s too short and I’ve lost her. It’s okay, though, because I needed to be inside and now I am.
People are glaring at me as I work through the crowd, hitting them with my suitcase. This isn’t ideal, but right now nothing in my life is. I’m finally in a spot where I can see and I wish I wasn’t. In this moment I wish I were home, snuggled up in bed with my son and watching a movie.