One More Chance (Chance, Part 2) Page 3

  “Have you watched any of his football games?”

  “Yeah, but he didn’t play. He’s the backup quarterback.”

  “He’ll probably get to play next year.”

  “Maybe, who knows.”

  “I’m anxious to see how he is around you when he sees you,” she says with excitement.

  “Why?”

  “Because I don’t think he’s over you.”

  “I think you’re in for a rude awakening.”

  “We’ll see soon enough. But, in regards to us, I’m sorry. I was wrong for what I did to you over and over again.”

  “It’s fine, just don’t do it again. You’re my sister and I love you, but what you did was wrong.”

  “I know, it won’t happen again. I’ve learned a lot since that shit all went down.”

  “Good. So how’s college going?” I ask, changing topics.

  “Great actually. I met someone,” she says excitedly.

  “Oh yeah?”

  “Yeah, his name is Jake and he’s great.”

  “So, you’re dating him?”

  “Yes, we’ve been dating for about a month,” she says with the biggest smile ever.

  Kenzie ends up telling me all about Jake and how they met and I haven’t seen her this excited in some time. It’s great. Maybe she has matured some.

  For the rest of the week, I hang out with Kenzie, Brody and Isaac. Its great hanging out with everyone again, it almost feels like old times. Unfortunately, Monday’s coming quicker than I’d like, and we have dinner scheduled with the Masters tomorrow.

  “Mom, are you sure that Liam won’t mind that I’m coming for dinner tomorrow?” I ask her curiously.

  “Nope, I talked to Denise, he knows you’ll be there and he said that he didn’t care,” she says as she finishes making a pie.

  “Okay, well that’s good to hear.” I say lying through my teeth. He doesn’t care at all? Did I mean that little to him?

  “Don’t worry sweetie, it will be fine. If you want to leave at any point, I will understand.”

  “Thanks Mom.”

  “What’s going on?” Kenzie asks as she walks into the kitchen.

  “Nothing, just talking about tomorrow.”

  “Are you nervous?”

  “No, not really.”

  “Okay good.” The rest of the night is spent watching comedy movies with Kenzie and my friend Ashley from high school.

  Monday, I clean the house before Kenzie and I decide to go and get pedicures and manicures.

  “God, we need to do this more often,” Kenzie says as we are getting our pedicures.

  “I know right, this feels like heaven,” I say enjoying the relaxation.

  “Sure does.” Once we are done with our mani’s and pedi’s, we head home to help Mom get things ready to take over to the Masters house.

  “Mom, what else do you need?” I ask as we head into the kitchen.

  “I think your father and I have gotten it all. We are leaving in five minutes; you girls need to be over there in fifteen minutes. Dinner will be at six.”

  “Okay,” I say as we run upstairs.

  “What are you wearing?” Kenz asks.

  “Jeans and a shirt.”

  “You need to look hot Hails.”

  “I’m not impressing anyone Kenz.”

  “No, but you want him to see what he’s missing,” she says matter of fact.

  “Actually I don’t. He made his decision,” I say as I slip on a pair of skinny jeans.

  “Ugh fine,” she says as she heads to her room to change. I throw on a cute cowl neck sweater and my boots before heading into the bathroom to finish my make-up.

  “Damn, you look good,” Kenz says from my bathroom door.

  “Thanks. I’m going for comfortable but cute,” I say with a smile. “You look nice,” I say as I admire her light blue dress.

  “Thanks. Are you ready to go?”

  “Sure am.” We head down the stairs, out the door, and across the street into the Masters house. The place is loud with everyone talking, so we make our way into the kitchen. “Do you need any help?” I ask Mom.

  “Sure, can you girls take these into the dining room?” she says as she points to some of the dishes on the counter.

  “Absolutely,” we grab the dishes and set them on the dining room table before heading back to the kitchen to get more.

  “You girls look beautiful,” Denise says sweetly.

  “Thanks,” I say happily, “The food smells amazing,” I state as I take in the aromas that are filling the air.

  “Oh, well thank you,” she says as she grabs some food and heads towards the dining room. I grab another dish and take it out. I look for my name on the plates and see I’m sitting beside Dad and Isaac. I couldn’t be more relieved.

  Before I know it, everyone’s filing into the dining room to take their seats. Kenzie is across from me, which I’m thankful for. As I look around the table it’s Dad to my left, Isaac to my right, then Mr. Masters, Kenzie, Mom, Brody, Denise, Liam’s girlfriend I’m assuming and then Liam. At least this way, I don’t have to see him since my dad is in between us.

  “I’m so sorry, this is Nina,” Denise says to the table. We all say a quick hello in unison before filling our plates.

  After dinner, we all stay at the table and talk.

  “Hey squirt, I forgot to tell you,” Dad says to me, “We got a letter in the mail for you.”

  “What kind of letter?” I ask confused.

  “Did you apply for an internship for the summer?”

  “Yes,” I say excitedly.

  “Then I’m guessing it has to do with that.”

  “It’s been at the house all week?” I ask confused.

  “No, it came today. Where’s the internship at?”

  “California maybe.”

  “What?” Kenzie practically yells causing everyone at the table to turn and look at me. “You’re going to California?” she says looking anything but happy.

  “I don’t know yet, it’s one of the locations I applied for.”

  “Wow, trying to get as far away as possible huh?” Isaac asks, with a knowing look.

  “It’s just an internship, but it’s a great opportunity,” I defend.

  “Why California?” Brody asks.

  “It’s where the company is located.”

  “Is that the only one you applied for?”

  “No,” I say feeling nervous to tell them more.

  “Where else are your internships located?” Kenzie asks curiously. I eye her, letting her know I don’t want to talk about this right now, “Well?” she asks ignoring my looks.

  “All over really.”

  “I thought you told Quinn you applied for one in London,” Brody interjects.

  “London?” Kenzie shouts.

  “It would just be for the summer,” I say, trying to calm her down.

  “You want to move out of the country?” Denise asks curiously.

  “I don’t know, maybe,” I say, shrugging my shoulders.

  “Can I come visit you?” Isaac asks happily, causing me to laugh.

  “We’ll see. I need to get into one of the programs first.” It doesn’t take long for Kenzie to excuse herself and rush out of the room. I follow behind, knowing she’s mad I didn’t tell her about my plans. “Hey.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” she asks, looking hurt as we stand in the living room.

  “I wanted to see if I got into one first. No point in saying anything until there was something to share,” I say as I walk around the chair to where she is standing.

  “So, you won’t be here all summer,” she asks with a confused look.

  “I’m not sure yet,” I say face to face.

  “If you go anywhere, can I come visit you?” she asks looking hopeful.

  “Absolutely, even in London,” I say with a smile.

  “Oh my gosh, what happens if you fall in love with someone from London?” she asks looking excited.


  “I doubt that’s going to happen.”

  “But it could. You could find your husband over there.”

  “I’m going to do a job, not look for a husband Kenz,” I say laughing.

  “It could happen. I’m excited for you, just sad to hear you aren’t going to be here for the summer.”

  “We don’t know that yet. I only applied for three internships.”

  “California, London, and where else?” Liam asks as he enters the living room, looking anything, but happy.

  “Michigan,” I say quickly.

  “So you aren’t planning on spending the summer here at all then,” he says, as he approaches us.

  “No, I won’t be here this summer no matter what,” I say as confident as I can.

  “Why is that?” he asks with a knowing look, as he stops directly in front of me. I can’t help but look up at his handsome face. I can even smell him, God how I’ve missed him.

  “Because I plan on getting an internship,” I state confidently.

  “I’ll let you two talk,” Kenz says as she quickly disappears. I want to glare at her for leaving, but I can’t, I want to see and talk to Liam alone.

  “Look, I’m not here to argue with you. I said I would come to dinner because it’s what we’ve done forever, but if it bothers you, I can go home,” I say feeling nervous. I don’t want to leave, but I’m not sure how long I can be alone with him either.

  “Doesn’t bother me at all. I don’t really care what you do,” he states coldly.

  “Then why are you here asking me about my summer?” I ask, as I stare up into his beautiful blue eyes.

  “Just curious, I guess.”

  “Well by all means, don’t let me keep you from your life or your girlfriend,” I say as turn to walk away.

  “I’m having the paperwork on the house drawn up,” he says stopping me in my tracks.

  “What?” I ask confused as I turn to look at him.

  “Both of our names are on your house. I’m having my name dropped, so you’ll get the new deed soon.”

  “I don’t want your house, Liam.”

  “You’re living in it aren’t you?” he asks confused.

  “Yes, but that’s because I thought you were coming back, since you aren’t, I don’t want it.”

  “Then you can sell it or do whatever you want with it, it’s yours.”

  “No, it’s not,” I argue.

  “I’m not going to fight you on this Haley,” he says looking flustered.

  “I’ll be out by the summer. Then you can sell it or do whatever you want with it.”

  “And where are you going to go?”

  “I’ll move back in to the sorority house. It will be my senior year, so it will be fine,” I state like I have all the answers.

  “You love that house.”

  “I don’t want it,” I state bitterly.

  “Why are you being so damn stubborn?” he asks sounding defeated.

  Luckily, I don’t have to say anything else because Liam’s girlfriend comes walking in. “Hey baby, I wondered what happened to you,” she says as she comes up and wraps her arm around his waist.

  “Just dealing with a few loose ends,” he says before looking at me.

  “Have a good night,” I say hastily before walking away. Loose ends…the fucking asshole. I’m not a fucking loose end.

  I head back into the dining room, “Is everything okay dear?” Mom asks with a concerned look.

  “Yeah, I think I’m going to head home though and see what the letter says.”

  “Okay.”

  “Come back over then, so we know if we can celebrate or not,” Denise says happily.

  “I’ll come with you,” Kenzie says quickly. The two of us walk home, “What happened?”

  “He wants to give me the fucking house,” I practically shout.

  “Wow.”

  “I’m not taking it,” I state, getting angrier by the minute.

  “Why not?”

  “I want no hand-outs from him. I want nothing from him,” I say as I stomp up the driveway.

  “But, don’t you love that house?”

  “It was supposed to be our house, it isn’t. I don’t want it,” I state irritated as I pull open the front door with Kenzie right behind me.

  “So when are you going to move out?” she asks confused.

  “End of next semester. I’ll do a final scrub down and he can sell it.”

  “I’m sorry,” she says looking apologetic.

  “Don’t be.”

  “Are you going to cry?” she asks worriedly.

  “No, I’ve cried way too long already,” I say as we head into the kitchen. I grab the letter Dad was talking about.

  “How will you know which one you got?”

  “This letter will tell me if I got one at all and if so which one,” I say as I stare at it.

  “Open it already,” she says rushing me.

  “I’m nervous,” I say as my hands start to shake.

  “Do you want me to open it?”

  “No, I’ll do it,” I say as I rip the envelope open. I quickly skim the information.

  “Well, what’s it say?” Kenz asks eagerly.

  “I got it, holy shit I got it,” I say jumping up and down.

  “Which one?”

  “London, I got London,” I scream excitedly.

  “No flipping way,” she says as she grabs the letter to read it for herself. “I guess I need to get a passport soon,” she says excitedly as we jump up and down squealing in excitement. “I guess we should head back over and tell Mom and Dad.”

  “Yeah, I guess so,” I say as I grab the letter. We head outside and back across the street. As we enter the house I can hear people in the living room, so we head there.

  “What’s it say?” Denise asks excitedly.

  “I got London,” I squeal, causing Mom and Denise to do the same. Mom, Dad, and Denise jump up to give me hugs and congratulate me on my internship.

  “What’s all the yelling for?” Liam and Brody ask.

  “Haley got the internship, she’s going to London for the summer,” Denise informs them.

  “Holy shit, that’s awesome,” Brody says as he comes up and hugs me. Liam doesn’t say a word; he just continues to stand in the same spot.

  Liam

  “Aren’t you going to say something?” Kenzie says as she slaps me lightly on the arm. Haley just told us she’s leaving for London this summer and I feel like I can’t move. My feet are frozen to this spot on the floor and my mouth feels like I have cement in it. What do I even say?

  “What do you suppose I say?” I ask annoyed.

  “How about congratulations for starter,” she says, like it’s a no brainer.

  “Congratulations,” I finally speak.

  “Thanks,” she says with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on her. Before I know it, Kenzie is pulling me from the room.

  “What the hell is wrong with you?” I snap at her, though she did nothing wrong.

  “Wrong with me? What the hell is wrong with you?” she argues.

  “Nothing.”

  “Bullshit. If you think you are over her, then you are clearly mistaken.”

  “I am, I’ve moved on.”

  “Then why have I caught you staring at her all night? Why did you rush out to her when you found out she was applying for internships around the world?

  “I haven’t been and I was being nosey.”

  “Is that what you want to call it?” she asks, calling me out.

  “That’s it,” I lie.

  “And what about this house deal?” she asks with a knowing look.

  “What about it?”

  “Do you not know Haley at all?”

  “Yes, I do,” I say getting irritated.

  “Then you know she will never take that house from you.”

  “She’s not taking anything; I’m giving it to her.”

  “Oh yeah, because she takes handouts too,”
she says sarcastically.

  “Then what do you suppose I do?” I ask feeling defeated yet again.

  “Move into it.”

  “What?” I shriek.

  “You heard me.”

  “I play professional football Kenzie, in Minnesota. How would that work?” I ask annoyed.

  “Your season’s over, go now.”

  “Go where?” I ask stupidly. I know what she’s saying, but I won’t do it.

  “To Michigan, move into your house.”

  “No.”

  “Yes,” she snaps.

  “Why would I do that?”

  “Because you aren’t over Haley.”

  “You are wrong,” I argue.

  “I’m not wrong and you need to try to fix it before you lose her forever.”

  “You are wrong. I don’t want Haley. We tried us; it didn’t work. I moved on; she needs to do the same.”

  “Yet if she does, how’s that going to make you feel Liam?” she asks as she watches me closely.

  “Fine, I don’t care what she does.” I say, lying my ass off. Of course I’m going to care and whatever dickhead she dates better treat her amazing or I’ll personally kick his ass.

  “That’s bullshit and you know it,” she says calling my bluff.

  “No, it’s not.”

  “Just know, when you do truly lose her, you will have no one to blame but yourself. Hails is great and one of these days she is going to open herself up again and when she does, you can bet your ass, some guy is going to swoop in and sweep her off her feet.”

  “I hope so.”

  “You’re going to wish it was you though,” she says before walking away.

  “Fuck,” I shout as I run my hands through my much shorter hair.

  “What’s wrong?” Brody asks as he comes through the door.

  “Nothing,” I lie.

  “Hails?” he asks with a knowing look.

  “She won’t take the house,” I say changing topics.

  “No shit,” he says laughing.

  “Why won’t she take the house?” I ask frustrated.

  “You know Haley dickhead, she doesn’t take handouts. Not from you, not from anyone.”

  “But it’s not a fucking handout.”

  “No, you’re right it’s not. It’s you trying to give her you guys’ house. Can you see why she wouldn’t want to own that house?”

  “Fine, then we’ll sell the damn thing.”

  “Or you could fix things and move into it,” Brody suggests.