One More Chance (Chance, Part 2) (2 page)

“Great,” I say
feeling good for the first time in a really long time.

The first month goes by and I’m thankful the rumors have slowed down and
even stopped from some people.  I’ve put some weight back on and look much like my old self again. Quinn and I are sticking to our decision to remain single for the first semester.  It’s much easier for me than it is for Quinn apparently, but she’s having fun doing her thing.  We’ve been hanging out with Brody a lot and I’m grateful to have him back in my life.

“It’s Thursday, are we going out tonight?” Quinn asks as she enters the living room just as there’s a knock at the door. “I’ll get it,” she says as she heads towards the door.

“Hey, I thought I’d bring you ladies some pizza,” Brody says as he comes in.

“Hi, that sounds great,” I say just as my stomach growls, causing the both of them to laugh at me.

“So, I was thinking we could hang out here tonight and watch movies, if you ladies don’t have any plans that is,” Brody says as he takes a seat on the chair.  Quinn brings in some paper plates and napkins and takes a seat beside me on the couch.

“I was just asking
Hails if we were going out or staying in, I’m fine with staying in and watching movies.”

“Me too, what did you bring?” I ask eyeing the
DVD cases.

“A scary movie and a comedy,” he says.

“Comedy,” Quinn and I say in unison causing Brody to laugh.

“You two are a bunch of chicken shits,” he says as he grabs two slices of pizza and throws them on his plate.

“So what,” I say as I take a bite of my pizza.

“Maybe during the day,” Quinn says before grabbing her slice.

“Have you heard from Kenzie?” I ask Brody.

“Actually yeah, she texted me today, why
, did she text you too?”

“No, I was just curious.”

“She wants to come visit.”

“What?” Quinn and I yell in unison.

“I don’t know, some shit about missing me and wanting to see you.”

“Do you want to see her?” Quinn asks to no one in particular.

“Honestly, it makes no difference to me.  I’m not getting back with her,” Brody says. “How about you?” he asks as he looks at me.

“I guess, I mean she is my sister and we used to be close.  If she could get her shit together and stop messing shit up then yes, I’d love nothing more than to be like we used to be,” I answer truthfully.

“Do you see that happening?” Brody asks with a knowing look.

“Probably not.
  Wishful thinking I guess.”

“If she comes and causes any trouble
, I’ll send her ass home,” Quinn says not holding back.

“She’s not staying here,” I say quickly.

“She’s not staying with me either,” Brody states.

“Okay then, maybe she won’t come,” Quinn says happily before resuming eating her pizza.

We spend the rest of the evening watching the comedy that Brody brought over and then we talk until we pass out.

“Holy shit, I’m glad it
’s Friday,” Quinn says as she heads out for class.  Brody ended up spending the night last night and slept in one of the spare bedrooms. “Is Brody still here?”

“No
, he left about thirty minutes ago.”

“Oh
, okay.”

“Why?”

“Just curious.  I’ll see you later,” she says as she heads out the door.

I finish getting ready and head out to a busy day of classes
.  As soon as I hit the grass on campus, I can see people whispering and obviously something’s going on; I just don’t know what.  Luckily for me, I’m sure it won’t take too long to find out.

Thinking I’ll hear what’s going on during my first class, I’m highly disappointed.  No one was talking.  Af
ter class, I head out and have fifteen minutes until I need to be in my next class.

“Holy shit
, there you are,” Rebecca says as she runs towards me.

“What’s wrong?” I ask as she breathing heavy.

“Have you heard?” she asks with a worried look.

“No, but I know something’s going on.  What’s up?”  I ask as she tries to catch her breath.

“Liam, he’s going to be on campus today,” she blurts out.

“Why?” I ask, trying to decide if I’m happy or sad with the news.

“Some college interview thing.”

“Oka
y, well I need to get to class,” I say, playing the new found information off as nothing.

“Are you okay?” she asks
, looking extremely concerned.

“Yeah, I’m fine.  I won’t see him anyway.  I’ll catch you later,” I say
as I head towards my next class; it’s an English course, which isn’t much fun.

Once my classes are done for the da
y, I couldn’t be more pissed off.  I walk into the house and throw my bags down.

“Shit
, you heard about Liam coming today didn’t you?” Quinn asks, obviously able to tell I’m pissed off.

“Yeah
, I heard about it,” I gripe.

“At least you won’t have to see him.”

“Wrong.”

“What?” she asks confused.

“My stupid English professor is making us go tonight, to watch a real, live interview process.”

“Seriously?”

“Yep.  I’m so pissed, yet I’m not.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“You don’t have to. I’m going to stand in the back hopefully.”

“That’s fine, we’ll go together.  I’m sure Brody will come too.”

“Yeah, cause that will go over real well.”

“It’s already a shitty situation.  When do we have to be there?”

“It starts at six, but we have to get there early, because not everyone can get in.”

“We’ll leave around
five-thirty then?”

“Works for me.
  If we can’t get in, I won’t be upset,” I admit.

“Are you sure?” she asks with an inquisitive look.

“I mean I’d love to see him, but I don’t know if that would be good for me.  I’m actually doing better now, I can’t go backwards.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t let you.”

We make some food before I decide to call Brody to fill him in that we are going tonight.  He advised that he’s going to come along, though he probably won’t talk to his brother, because Liam’s still not talking to him either.

Brody gets to the house at 5:15 p.m., “Are you ladies ready to go?”

“Yeah, you don’t think he’d come here afterwards do you?” I ask nervously.

“No
, why?” Brody asks looking confused.

“Technically
, this is his house.”

“
It’s your house too.”

“I’d be surprised if he did,” Quinn states.

“Don’t worry about it.  Let’s go,” he says as we head outside to walk to the building where Liam is going to be interviewed.

“Holy shit,” I blurt as we get closer to the building, the place is decked out with cameramen and students everywhere, “Maybe we aren’t going to get in tonight.”

“Actually we are,” Brody says showing us three VIP passes.

“How did you get those?” Quinn asks curiously.

“Really?  He’s my brother,” he tells her like she forgot.

I stop in my track immediately, “Does that mean he knows we’re coming?” I ask nervously.

“He gave me three tickets, he has no idea whose coming with me, its fine Hails, relax.”

“So you guys are talking again?” I ask hopeful for him.

“Not much, but its progress, I guess,” he says with a shrug.

“That’s good at least,” I say as Brody leads us towards a separate entrance.

“How the hell do you know about this entrance?”

“Liam told me,” he says
, as we make our way through the hall that has no crowds or cameras.

“Are we going to run into him here?” I ask cautiously.

“No, he’s probably not here yet,” Brody says.  He leads us up to the area where Liam is going to be interviewed.  The place is empty except for some cameramen already setting up.

“You can’t be in here,” a security guard says, but Brody shows him the VIP passes, “Sorry, pick your seats wherever you like,” he says before heading into a different direction.

“Where do you want to sit?” Brody asks.                I look around, trying to find a spot that he wouldn’t see us, but that I would have a good shot of him. “Earth to Haley,” Brody says as he snaps his fingers in front of my face.

“Shit, sorry.  I don’t care, just not anywhere near the front.”

“Why don’t we sit by the door that we just came through, that way we can leave right when it’s over, so you won’t have to worry about seeing him? Plus, Brody, if you want to talk to him you can,” Quinn suggests.

“That sounds like a great idea,” I say as we make our way over to the chairs by the door we came through.

It doesn’t take long for the place to fill up once the doors open.  I’m actually glad Brody was able to get us tickets, so we could have seats before the interview happens.

“Holy shit
, he beefed up,” Quinn says loudly.  I can’t help but stare at the sexiness known as Liam Masters.  His hair is shorter than the last time I’ve seen him, but there’s still enough that you can tug on it.  His blue eyes are as hypnotizing as ever.  He’s wearing a pair of light washed jeans that hug his ass perfectly as he walks towards the stage; he also has on a Michigan shirt that is tighter on the arms now.  He definitely has increased in muscle and if I thought he was sexy before, it doesn’t compare to how sexy he is now.

“Wow,” I say admiring the beautiful man laughing on stage.  “He looks happy,” I say feeling happy for him, but also feeling like shit because that means he’s happy without me.

“Are you okay?” Brody asks.

“I’m fine,” I say as I stare at the stage, hoping this interview is quick.  I need out
of here, now.

“Are you sure
Hails?” Quinn whispers.

“Yeah, just hurts to know he’s that happy with me out of his life.  That kind of stings,” I whisper back to her.

“I’m sorry,” she says as she links her arm with mine, “You will find someone great, just you wait.”

“I hope so, because seeing him is making me realize how much I truly miss him,” I say
, trying to hold back the tears.

“Maybe we shouldn’t have come,” she says.

“I had to.”

“No, we could have made up an excuse or something.  Do you want to leave?” she asks.

“No, I’ll be alright,” I say before the interview starts.

Once it
starts, its torture.  I’m talking like I.Want.To.Slit.My.Wrists torture.  It is one thing to see the man you’re in love with; it’s another to hear his sexy voice and know he’s never going to whisper sweet nothings into your ear again.  He’s never going to hold you tight when you fall asleep or wake you up with kisses in the morning.

One hour and fifteen minutes, that’s how long the damn interview is.  It doesn’t help that they take a few questions from students in the audience either.  What hurts though is hearing one of the answers to a question where a girl asks him if he’s in a relationship and his reply is “Yes, and I’m very happy
.” That hurts.

“Are you ready to go?” Quinn asks
, knowing I’m going to be crying by the time we get home.

“Yep.
  Brody, we’re leaving, you talk to him, do what you need to do.  I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” I say as look toward the door we came through.

“Do you mind if I stay
?”

“
No, you should,” I say truthfully.

“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says as we stand and head towards the door.

We walk through the door, “Do you remember which way the exit is?” I ask confused as I look at the three hallways in front of us.

“Shit, no,”
Quinn says looking as confused as I am.

“How long did it take for you to screw my b
rother?” I hear from behind me. I turn to see a pissed off looking Liam.

“What?”

“You heard me.  Then again, don’t tell me, I don’t care anymore,” he says ignorantly.

“I’m not sleeping with him, not that it’s any of your business
,” I snap.

“I’ve moved
on, so should you, just not with my brother, that’s kind of pathetic don’t you think?” he says, looking hateful.

“Fuck you.”

“We already did that, no need for a repeat,” he says smugly.

“Wow, way to see you went back to being an asshole,” Quinn chimes in.

“It suits me better.  You should find better company Quinn.”

“What the hell is your problem?” I
shout.

“You,” he says piercing me with intense blue eyes.