Escaping Reality

have his son back in his life years ago, but it was only about
    money.”
    Oh, God. The way he values honesty makes sense now. I want to go
    to him but I’m afraid he’ll stop talking. “He just…” He scrubs his jaw and
    starts again. “He was drunk driving today and hit a car with a family in it.”
    I grab my stomach. “Oh, God. No.”
    He nods. “A little girl’s mother is now in intensive care and she was in
    the car while her mother almost bled to death. I’d just found out when I
    went to Earl’s. I felt like being with you would somehow…” He hesitates. “I
    saw you with him, and I snapped. I’m sorry.”
    I rush forward and I go down on my knees in front of him, my hands
    settling on his knee.
    “ I’m sorry. I would never make you feel like I made you feel tonight
    on purpose.”
    “You didn’t make me feel this. I did. I think maybe I have a little too
    much of my pops in me for both our good.”
    “No. You were human tonight, Liam.”
    “You don’t get it. Every time he does this, I crawl out of my own skin.
    I have to go to New York. I booked the last flight out tonight.”
    I don’t even hesitate in my response. “I’ll go with you.” He needs me.
    I have to be there for him. I won’t be anywhere anyone will find me. I’ll be
    with Liam. I’ll be safe.
    “No. This will hit the papers and if you’re with me, you will, too. We
    both know you can’t have that happen.”
    I’m taken aback. What does he mean? What does he know? “Liam—”
    “We’ve already established you don’t want to be around me when
    I’m like this. I’m not done being an ass. I’ve got a lot more of my father to
    deal with and a lot more of the me you don’t like to follow.”
    “I can deal with you being an ass now that I know why.”
    “I can’t. Just please stay here in the hotel where I know you’re safe.
    There are cameras and security, especially in this suite. I need to know
    you’re safe.”
    He’s decided. I hear it in his voice. “Yes. Okay. I’ll stay, but I really
    want to go with you.”
    “Stay, Amy. And think about tonight when I’m gone.”
    “There’s nothing to think about.”
    “We both know that’s not true.” He sets me aside and pushes to his
    feet.
    I follow him to the bedroom and sit on the bed while he changes into
    faded jeans and a light blue pullover, and boots, then fills a suitcase. “When
    will you be back?”
    “I don’t know. I have to take care of this kid my father hurt and her
    family, and get him back into rehab.”
    Back into rehab. This is very much an ongoing battle for Liam.
    “Where’s your phone?” he asks.
    “I don’t know. I don’t even remember dropping my purse or briefcase
    when we came in the door.”
    His jaw tenses and he turns away, returning with my things. “I want
    you to put Derek’s number in your phone. I know you don’t know him, but
    he’s like a brother to me. I trust him and so can you.”
    I pull out my phone and Liam takes it, keying in the number for me
    before going down on a knee in front of me. His expression softens and his
    fingers caress down my cheek. “For the record, we’d make beautiful babies
    together.”
    My breath lodges in my throat and I lean into him, resting my
    forehead on his. “I don’t want you to go.”
    “I just hope you want me to come back.” He kisses my forehead and
    then digs out the key to the car, pressing it to my palm. “I’ll take a cab. Use
    it if you need it.” He reaches behind him and pulls out his wallet and a
    credit card.
    I shake my head. “No, Liam.”
    “I’m not getting on this plane thinking you might need something I
    can’t give you. Take it. The pin is 1117. We will both have piece of mind in
    knowing you have it if you need it.”
    Reluctantly, I nod and accept it. “Hurry back.”
    He pushes to his feet, stares down at me for several seconds and
    then grabs his bag and starts walking. Fighting the urge to chase after him, I
    dig my fingers into the blanket and wait for the sound I dread. The door
    opening and shutting with him on the outside.
    I am alone again.

Chapter Nineteen

    I wake up the next morning in an empty bed, with my cell phone on
    the pillow where I wish Liam’s head were resting. He didn’t call. He’d sent
    me a text message when he landed in New York that was nothing more
    than Are you okay? followed by walking into the hospital when I’d
    confirmed I was fine. I’d called him several times but he had not