“What if you go and he’s not happy there?” I asked. “But what if he is?” Aria countered. “What if this is the change we both need? What if it brings us both nothing but happiness?” That simply can’t be, because you wouldn’t be with me. I didn’t say it, even though it sat on the edge of my tong
Aria’s POV “Joe…” Isabella’s use of all capital letters in her text had me concerned, but Joe, as always, was my first priority. After dropping a bombshell on him like this, I wasn’t about to leave while he was still processing. He swiveled back to me, his big eyes damp, and my entire chest ca
Ignore, ignore, ignore. Then, finally, a number and name I recognized. Isabella. Answering this call, I brought it to my ear. “If this is a joke, I need you to tell me right now. I’m starting to freak out.” “If it’s a joke, I’m sure as hell not in on it,” Isabella replied. “But I don’t think
Liam’s POV Aria accepted the phone and brought it to her ear. “Yes? Oh, yes. Hello.” Standing nearby, I crossed his arms. I couldn’t hear what the executive was saying, only Aria’s responses. Still, I could guess what was happening here, just from how pissed that executive sounded on the phone.
With a nod, she walked out of the room, leaving her personal effects behind. She didn’t say that she believed I could save her and her job, but by leaving behind her pictures and awards, the same message was still conveyed. My determination swelled. Whoever was responsible for Aria’s trouble w
Joe’s POV Joe continued to worry about his mom while at school the next day. He was determined to help her, however he could, but he wasn’t sure where to even begin. He could get her something? Like on Christmas or a birthday, everyone loved having gifts to open. Joe sure did. But he didn’t have
Joe followed William into the boy’s bathroom so they could have a few extra minutes to talk privately. Joe was determined not to stay long though, not wanting to get in trouble for being late to homeroom. He didn’t know what to think about the half-brother comment. Liam was William’s dad. Joe want
Aria’s POV “You don’t have to look so skeptical,” Logan said. “I can assure you that I am being genuine.” I didn’t want to throw my friendship with Logan, but it was still difficult to reconcile what I thought we were compared to what we actually were, with Logan only pursuing me in friendship o
That was enough to quiet me for now. “I’m listening.” “His birthday is coming up. We’re all throwing a surprise party for him at his house.” When Robert said that, I assumed he meant the house Liam and I had shared together. It was still strange hearing it referred to as Liam’s house, even thoug
Joe’s POV Joe saved the precious prize, Liam’s hair first. Then he grabbed the money, knowing twenty dollars was quite a lot. William’s hair, however, he dropped, but he was pretty sure that it landed on his shirt. Only… he didn’t know which. He and William had similar hair colors and lengths
Liam’s POV I headed to Sophia’s house after work to spend time with William. I expected to find a babysitter there, not Sophia. I wondered if she would ever learn to be a responsible mother. William loved her so much, and she barely gave him the time of day. If she didn’t change her act, and soo
“It won’t happen again,” I said, meaning it. My feelings for Liam were tangled and complicated. I wanted him in my life romantically, but at the same time, I was terrified of what he might do with that much power over me. I didn’t want to ever feel as much betrayal again as I did when he chose Sop
Aria’s POV Walking into Liam’s office, I felt like a kid called in front of the principal. I knew if nothing else, I was definitely in for a lecture. I had been careless, sending that email instead of coming to Liam with my order form directly like I usually did. Then I had made everything wor
Joe’s POV At school, Joe sat next to William during lunch period. William had seemed really down lately, but he was even worse today, his shoulders slumped and his eyes downcast. Joe didn’t like seeing his friend sad, so even though Joe was feeling his own unhappy feelings regarding the fight be
But Sophia? For years, I’d been at her beck and call, overwhelmed with guilt and loss at the death of my best friend, her brother. I tried to step in to support Sophia, as he would have done. All she did was take and take and try to take even more. Despite the clear boundaries I’d tried to estab
Aria’s POV Logan’s words bothered me more than they should have. I would never be angry about Liam’s devotion to William, his son, but thought of his continued running off to serve all of Sophia’s desires left me with the same unresolved frustration I had felt six years ago. Liam had changed in
Liam’s POV It had been a good long while since I stepped into a boxing ring. Even longer since I’d actually wanted to throw a punch this badly. As Logan and I circled each other in the ring, our boxing gloves on and mouth guards in, all I heard in my head again and again were Aria’s words. Whe