What the fuck is going on?
And why do I get the feeling what she’s about to tell me will change everything?
“Oh, Shit.” Kota pulls into The Elephant parking lot ten minutes later to find a very drunk Hetch taking a swing at Sterling. On the drive over, Kota filled me in on everything regarding Hetch and what their family has been living with the last few years.
To say I was shocked wouldn’t be a stretch. From the last few weeks of spending time with him, I knew there was something he was dealing with. What, I wasn’t sure. Never in a million years would I have guessed it was witnessing, and not being able to stop, his father’s suicide.
“Stop!” I call out as Sterling’s fist connects with his face, knocking him down on his ass.
“Sterling, what the fuck is wrong with you?” Kota rushes forward with me, but instead of kneeling down to check on her brother, she gets up in Sterling’s face.
“Stay out of this, Dakota.”
“Like hell, Sterling.”
“Hetch?” I ignore their bickering and reach for him. “Are you okay?” He looks up at my voice, the haze clearing in his blank stare.
“What the hell are you doing here?” He finally notices me.
“What the hell is going on?” I answer with my own question.
“You shouldn’t be here.” He starts to stand, a little wonky on his feet.
“Well, clearly I should be. Look at you. You’re a mess.” I reach for his hand to help him stay steady.
“I didn’t ask you to come, Liberty.” He pulls back like my touch burns him. “You need to go.”
“Not without you I won’t be.”
“Kota, get her the fuck out of here.”
“Liam, you’re drunk. Don’t be an ass.” Kota gives up her argument with Sterling and joins ours.
“Why would you call her, Sterling?” He turns and narrows his eyes on his best friend.
“I don’t know, ‘cause you were talking shit for the last hour.”
“What sort of shit?” Kota presses.
“Will you all just fuck off and leave me alone.” He turns and starts walking in the direction of home.
“What sort of shit, Sterling?” Kota presses while I jog to catch up with Hetch.
“Hetch! Will you talk to me? Tell me what’s happening here?” I don’t recognize this man. He’s normally so self-assured, has it together, and yet tonight he’s someone else.
“I don't think I can see you anymore, Liberty.” His words slap the air, and even though he is drunk, and probably doesn’t know what he’s talking about, it still stings.
“What?” My pace slows as I try to get my head around the change of events.
This morning we were heading out for a drive, I met his mom, spent the day with her and Kota, and by the evening, we are over?
“You heard me.”
“I did, but I was hoping the second time you said it you would realize you’re full of shit.” I catch up, my earlier shock morphing into anger.
“I’m full of shit?” he mocks, and I know I shouldn’t engage him, shouldn’t be discussing it in his state, but he’s baiting me.
“You know you are.”
“How so, Liberty?” The way he speaks my name makes me feel unsettled, like he’s distancing himself from me and the easiest way to do it, is to act cold and heartless.
“I'm getting too close, aren’t I? Getting under your skin?” I know I hit the nail dead on when he physically recoils.
“That has nothing to do with it.” Does he think I’m stupid?
“No? Then tell me what it is?” My voice rises and I catch Sterling and Kota’s presence in my peripheral vision.
“I don't do relationships. I don’t take women out to my house, and I sure as hell don’t do lunch with my mom and sister. You brought all this on.”
“Liam—” Kota starts to talk, but I don’t want her involved.
“And it scares you?”
“No, I just don’t want this. I don’t want any of this shit. I was happy before you came along.”
“No, you don’t want it because you’re scared. Admit it. You’re running scared right now.”
“No, it’s because I don’t love you,” he corrects, and my body flinches at the rejection. “I don’t need to be dragged down with your bullshit drama. I don’t need the stress of having to worry about you. About the boys. I’m done. I’m so fucking done.”
“That’s enough, Liam.” Kota steps in front of me, blocking me from his line of sight, but it’s too late. He’s already hit his mark.
He’s trying to hurt you, Liberty.
Maybe he doesn’t love me the way I thought he did, but he still cares. He’s just too lost in his head right now.