Chapter 24

Liam

December 23rd, 2016 | 9:00 am

Lexi was officially getting adopted today. They had all gotten up bright and early to go to court, with the exception of Lexi who had never gone to sleep. She thought he didn't know, but Liam could hear her pacing the whole night. Liam's parents were currently in a meeting with the social worker, Liam and Lexi were sitting on benches outside of the room across from each other. Josh and Ryan had come as well, they were sitting next to him. He wasn't sure why they had insisted but Liam let them come.

Liam was more worried about Lexi, maybe calling Austin was the wrong thing to do, she seemed more upset than before. He just wasn't sure what else he could do. He wanted to be there for her, like his father suggested, like an older brother would, but she didn't know how to ask for his help, and Liam didn't know how to help her.

"Want to know why I was here last time?" Lexi asked softly.

Liam glanced up at her, taken away from his own thoughts. He nodded.

"When I was sent to rehab," she said. "I looked pretty much the same, sullen look, dead eyes, and I was still hurting because of something Austin had done."

Liam looked at her sympathetically. "I'm sorry I called Austin," Liam said finally. "I was just so worried about you and Maeve said he was probably the only person who could help."

Lexi looked into Liam's green eyes. She shook her head sadly. "You don't have to apologize."

"You seem pretty upset about it," Liam explained.

Lexi frowned. "Not necessarily you calling him though, I'm mad that for some unfathomable reason, he thinks staying away from me is what's best for me."

Liam took a moment to process that. "Well maybe he doesn't want you involved in his shady drug deals?" he offered.

Lexi rolled her eyes. "I used to go to the parties he sold at last year," she explained. "What changed?"

Liam shrugged his shoulders. He wondered if Maeve knew. Lexi wasn't all that into Liam questioning Maeve's motives but Liam didn't care anymore. He had to figure out what was going on, it was tearing Lexi apart. Liam wanted to change the subject though, she needed a distraction. Thankfully, Ryan beat him to it.

"So, are you going to change your last name to Summers?" Ryan asked teasingly.

Lexi managed a small smile. "I think Lexi Summers isn't right for me."

"Lexi Cross-Summers?" Josh suggested.

Lexi chuckled lightly. "Bit of a mouthful," she pointed out. "I thought about making it my middle name though," she added.

"Lexi Summers Cross," Liam said as if testing it out.

Lexi smiled. "I don't mind it."

A few minutes later, they called Lexi inside the courtroom. Lexi went and stood next to Liam's parents in front of the judge. Liam, Ryan, and Josh sat in one of the rows behind them. Macy, Lexi's therapist, was sitting to his left. No one else was in the room, except for a man at the door. The judge went through the formalities and then asked Lexi if she would like to be adopted by Liam's parents. She answered yes and then they signed some papers. Liam noticed Lexi smile slightly as she looked over the official documents. Maybe things would get better for her. Liam's parents hugged her and Macy came over and embraced her as well.

It was an awkward event, what were they supposed to say? Welcome to the Summers family Lexi. Congratulations! She was forced to be adopted because she had lost her dad. Was it really something to be happy about?

Bittersweet. That was the word. It was all over Lexi's face. As happy as she was, she had lost her family. Liam knew he and his parents couldn't entirely replace that for her.

After the courthouse, they all made their way back home. His mom made lunch for everyone and they all sat down to eat. Liam noticed Josh and Ryan fighting over the open seat next to Lexi. She didn't seem to notice, Lexi was staring at her plate.

"Lexi," his mother said gently. "Is there anything you need? For school? For your room?"

Lexi's cheeks flushed red. "You don't have to waste your money on me," she mumbled. "Letting me live here is more than enough."

"Oh Lexi, don't be silly," Liam's father said, shaking his head. "Parents aren't supposed to just give you a place to live, we have to spend money on luxuries too."

Lexi still looked a little embarrassed, but nodded. "Maybe later," she answered. "I'm just going to my room for now."

Lexi left the table and his parents watched sadly as she went up the stairs. Josh, who had won the seat next to Lexi, was now sulking as she walked away. Liam didn't even realize his friends liked Lexi that much.

"I just don't know how to make her feel welcome," Liam's dad said, shaking his head.

"I think she just needs some more time to adjust," his mother said.

Liam decided to give her some space too, things weren't going to get better overnight. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve and Liam's family was supposed to go to his grandmother's house. Lexi already felt awkward about that so Liam decided that for now, she could be alone.

Besides, he had other problems, there was a piece of mail waiting for him in his room. The letter from Duke, had arrived while they were at court, but Liam didn't want to open it until they had come back from Lexi's adoption. Once he had finished lunch, and sent Ryan and Josh home, he hurried up to his room and looked at the letter.

He opened it with shaky hands. He began to read it and his heart sank. He had been denied a spot for next year. Liam felt like his world was crumbling around him, what had he done wrong? He had all A's, he was on two sports teams, in three clubs, he had good letters of recommendation, and he volunteered at the hospital.

Liam angrily threw the letter away. He still had hope, maybe he could still get into Boston University or NYU, he hadn't turned those applications in yet, maybe there was a chance. He needed to go for a run, to clear his head and think. He quickly changed and left. He ran around the block once, then twice, then he kept going. He turned and made his way onto the main road. With every step, his mind drifted away from college and onto his run. He focused on his breathing as he sped up.

Eventually, Liam stopped in front of the old skatepark. He was out of breath. He hadn't realized how far he had gone, his frustration had taken him far. He was all the way on the other side of town. Lexi had lived pretty close to here. Liam had just built up enough energy for the run back when he heard voices from the skate pool. He knew people from his school hung around here, so he wasn't surprised, but he recognized those voices. It was Austin and Rick, they were fighting.

"You're lying," Rick accused.

"No I'm not," Austin said angrily. "I went over to Cody's place, he had my jacket and I went to get it."

"Oh yeah right," Rick retorted. "You get a call and drop everything for a jacket."

Liam moved closer and watched from above. He could just make out the two boys in the skate pool. Both boys looked angry at each other.

"Just tell me where you were," he asked. "I thought we were brothers, you don't keep secrets from your brothers."

Austin sighed. "It's not a secret, I'm telling you. I went to Cody's."

Rick shoved him, hard. Austin almost lost his footing. He caught himself and he furiously pushed Rick back.

"What's your problem?" Austin demanded.

"My problem?" Rick asked furiously. "My problem is that you just happened to ditch me one the one day when a certain girl might have called you."

"What does that mean?" Austin asked.

"You know damn well what it means," Rick said, rolling his eyes. "You mysteriously disappear on the same day Lexi's dad's funeral is?" Rick said angrily. "I'm not an idiot, Austin, I drove by and saw her there. You easily could have been there too."

"Back off, Rick," Austin said angrily.

He turned away from his friend and started climbing the ladder out of the abandoned skate pool. Rick grabbed his leg and forced him back into the pool.

"Don't forget the promise you made," Rick said angrily. "It's you and me, brothers for life, remember? We're in this together."

Austin glared at him. "How could I forget?" he said with a clenched jaw.

"Then come on, I know a few places to sell at," Rick said motioning for Austin to follow him out of the skate pool.

Liam quickly moved and started his run back home. Whatever he had just witnessed, he clearly wasn't supposed to. Liam thought about telling Lexi but it seemed like the wrong thing to do. She was already dealing with so much. It felt wrong to add to her troubles. Besides, she was supposed to be moving on from Austin.

Liam got back home and stopped by Lexi's room. Finally, she had fallen asleep. He was worried she would never sleep well again. As he turned her light off, Liam made a promise to her. He was going to look out for her just like a big brother would. Liam was going to keep her safe, she deserved time to heal. If keeping Austin's messy life a secret and far away from her is what he had to do then so be it. Liam was not going to let Austin damage her any further.