Liam's name flashed across my phone. I had to choose to answer or ignore it. I look up at Jackson who is now trying to show no emotion.

"I need to take this..."

He slowly nods and walks outside.

"Hello?"

"Hey..."

I heard him sigh, "Look, I have been thinking about it and I really think we need to talk."

"I'm listening.."

"No. In person, can I pick you up?"

I look through the window and see Jackson kicking rocks. "Actually, I am over at the Brooks' house. My mom isn't coming home for a few more-"

"You are at his house?"

I was caught off guard by his sudden question, "What?"

"Are you staying in his house?"

"You can pick me up tomorrow, I have to go."

"Emilie, don't you dare hang up on-"

I clicked end call. I joined Jackson outside in the rocks, "Sorry about that, it was-"

"Liam? I know."

I nodded my head and shoved my hands in my pockets, looking around the yard.

"We should go back inside, mom is probably looking for us. She is very excited that you are staying with us," he sensed my change in mood, "but we are all sorry about what happened, Em. If you want to talk about it, you know where to find me."

He walked away leaving me to kick the rocks alone. I decided to try to call Sarah.

The call rang several times then sent me to voicemail, "Heyyyoooo it's Sarah! Leave me a message, and I may or may not call you back. Toodles, bitches!"

BEEP: "Hey, it's Emilie. Call me when you get the chance."

"Emilie, honey! Would you mind helping me in the kitchen?" Mrs.Brooks waved from the back porch.

I smiled and made me way to the doors.

"Here," she handed me the cutting board and a bag of tomatoes, "Can you dice these for me?"

I nodded, and shifted through the knife block on the counter until I found the right size.

"Mother," Justin plopped himself down on top of the island bar countertop and took a handful of my diced tomatoes, "Do you mind if I have a guest for dinner tonight?"

Mrs. Brooks closed her eyes in annoyance, "Justin, could you be more considerate of the guest already here?"

He smiled, "Don't worry, Emilie is friends with them."

Mrs.Brooks looked at me and sighed, "Fine, but they leave right after supper."

Justin tossed the handful of diced tomatoes into his mouth and mumbled, "sweet."

I had a feeling I already knew who he would have sitting at the table tonight, and I wasn't sure if I was relieved or nervous.

"You can toss the tomatoes in the pot on the stove when you are done," she opened the oven and placed a casserole dish inside, "Do you cook much at home?"

I shrugged, "I'm not home much, and when I am- Mom normally takes presidency in the kitchen."

She half smiled, "That's too bad, you seem like a natural. I would love to have your help in my kitchen!"

Her compliment made me feel appreciated, but it also made me miss my mom. And as I thought about my mom, I thought about my dad. I thought about how she was there, alone, dealing with her husbands death. I could feel my eyes starting to sting.

Mrs.Brooks noticed that I had stopped chopping, and turned to face me, "Honey, are you okay?"

I knew if I attempted to speak, I would fail. I just simply shook my head.

Mrs.Brooks took the knife from my hand, "Why don't you go upstairs and rest until supper is ready?"

I nodded, and found myself lying in the guest room bed only moments later. I must have dozed off to sleep because when I opened my eyes again, Jackson was standing in the corner of my room.

"Holy shit, man. You can't just stand in people's room watching them sleep!"

He didn't laugh, "I needed to talk to you."

"So you watched me sleep...?"

He sat down on the bed beside me, "I just have to ask you one thing..," he looked down at his hands rubbing his jeans, "Do you still love me?"

I didn't have an answer to give him. My brain started replaying the memories I had made with him over the past few years. The good times, and the bad. The fun memories, and the intimate memories. My cheeks blushed at the last, but I didn't know how to answer him.

"Let's be honest here, Emilie. Maybe I should be asking if you love him."

I shook my head, "What are you talking about?"

"You made such a huge deal about us sleeping together and yet you go and do it with your best friends brother?"

I felt a wave of hurt and confusion, "Jackson, I didn't sleep with him."

"Then what the hell happened last night?"

"Time for dinner!" Mrs.Brooks yelled from the bottom of the stairs.

Jackson looked absolutely pissed that our conversation was cut short, but I couldn't have been more relieved.

As we walk down the stairs I hear voices laughing and cutting up in the dining room. Just as I was about to turn the corner, I heard her.

"Thank you for letting us come tonight, Mrs. Amy!" Sarah has her normal perky voice....but did she say "Us?"

"Yes, Mrs. Brooks, thank you."

Oh shit. My heart sank to my ass.

Jackson and I both saw him at the same exact time, and I am sure we all three shared the same expression.

"Liam."

"Jackson."

They both nodded at each other but made no eye contact. Sarah's face flashed with confusion, but only for a split second then her attention settled back into Justin. They fed each other bites of casserole and fruit salad.

"So, Liam, anything interesting going on in your life right now? For instance, any girls?" Jackson stabbed his fruit salad with his fork and took a large bite.

My hands were sweating, and I had lost my appetite. With Sarah at the table, I couldn't let mine and Liams secret surface.

Liam stared blankly across the table, "I have my eyes on someone. You?"

I stomped my heel on Jackson's foot, and he let out a whimper. But my threat didn't do the trick, "I have had my eyes on the same girl for almost four years."

Sarah put her hands to her chest, "Aw that's so sweet."

Liam continued to pick at his food as Jackson used his fork to stab each food item on his plate. The tension was starting to build and wouldn't be able to be hidden much longer.

"The food is delicious, Mrs.Brooks."

She smiled and took another drink of her wine.

I kept my eyes focused on my plate, trying not to connect eyes with anyone at the table.

"So, Liam, lets be honest, why are you really here?"

Everyone at the table turned to look at Liam, who was staring directly at me. I don't know if it was God or Satan, but I was saved by the bell..again.

My phone rang, and my moms picture popped up on my screen. Everyone fell silent.

"It's my mom..." I grabbed my phone and walked to the back porch.

"Hey, mom."

"Hi, sweetie. How are you doing?"

"I'm okay...," I tried to sound strong, "You?"

She paused for a moment, "I am doing as well as I can. I am trying to make it home in a few days. Is everything okay at the Brooks'?"

Yet another question that I am unsure of how to answer, so I lied, "it's going good."

"Good," I could hear relief in her voice, "I love you, Emilie."

"I love you too."

"I will be back home to you soon."

I smiled through the phone, "Soon."

And with that, the phone call ended. Once the silence set in, I could hear the voices from inside.

I walk through the double doors into the kitchen.

"Jackson Colt Brooks!"

"I'm not the one who snuck a girl in here while you were gone!"

"Justin Allen Brooks!"

"I'm not the one who has slept with the neighbor girl!"

"Not for the lack of trying!"

"BOYS!"

I ran into the dining room to see Mrs.Brooks standing between Justin and Jackson who were flaming mad.

My shoe squeaked the floor, and everyone turned to face me.

Jackson looked pissed.

Justin looked pissed.

Mrs.Brooks looked frustrated.

Liam looked guilty.

Sarah looked confused.

And me? I looked like...

"Emilie... wake up."

"Emilie, honey."

My eyes barely open and blurry faces surround me.

"She is awake!"

"Emilie!"

I feel two arms lift me up to a sitting position, "What's going on?"

My head was throbbing, and my vision was still blurry.

Mrs. Brooks put her hand on my forehead, "Emilie, honey, you fainted."