Shady Acres

Cookout Pt 3.

POV Karyssa

"Sure why not" I said, grabbing Liams hand and standing up.

We walked over and got us a plate of food and went and sat at a table where Pal, Cat and her parents were sitting. As soon as we sat down my mom walked over to us.

"Kar, if you would have told me I wouldn't have invited him." She's states. I feel as though she is trying to make me the bad guy.

"No." I stated starting to get angry. "We aren't having this conversation. You know you shouldn't have invited him anyway you don't get to turn this around on me and make me be the bad guy. Please just let me enjoy my food in peace." I turned my attention to the plate and ignored her until she left the table.

When I finally lifted my head to engage in conversation with the rest of the table, I noticed there was a few more men sitting there deep in conversation with Pal and Liam. I tried to ignore the majority of their convo but what intrigued me was when I heard Pal say.

"This is the 3rd building burned down in the last 4 months for no reason."

When I glanced over at the men one of the other guys cleared their throat and nodded in my direction.

"We'll finish this later." Liam said, turning back towards me. "So, you agreed to let me get to know you a little better."

"Did I or did I agree to food?" I questioned knowing full well I did agree.

"I believe my exact words were and I quote ' You want to come back to the cookout, maybe get some food with me and get to know each other a little more'". With a smirk.

"Okay well what would you like to know?" I asked him, turning to face him a bit better.

"Anything. Everything." He stated like what I asked was a dumb question.

"Well, that was clear as mud." I'm not budging if he wants to know then he will ask.

"Okay... let's start shallow and work our way back out to the deep. Favorite color?" He asked, with what looked to be hope? In his eyes.

"Candy apple red. How about you?" I questioned back. I hope he knows this isn't going to be one sided.

"Everything I wear is back but if I had to pick a color it would be whatever color your eyes are." He said with the world's cheekiest grin.

"Smooth" I heard one of the guys say from behind Liam.

"Anyway next questioned." He chuckled out. " how old are you?"

"23." Was all I said. I'm pretty sure what the next question or thing that comes out of his mouth will be.

"Well I'm 30. How old where you when you got married?" Ah and there it is.

"I was 18. We were high-school sweethearts." Was all the information I gave him he can either pick up that I don't want to talk about it and change the subject or we can sit here in silence.

"Okay a little deeper." He spoke up after a few seconds. " Why come stay here with Pal?"

"He's my best friend. Has always been there when I needed him and always, I mean ALWAYS has my back no matter what. He doesn't pry and ask questions, just let's me know that he's there for me when I'm ready or willing to talk. He never questioned or complained over the past few years when we were constantly at my exs families get togethers instead of coming here. Always made me feel included when I showed up to places or events by myself. I couldnt ask for a better cousin or friend." I glanced over to Pal who was sitting across from Liam. He had a goofy smile on his face and a stray tear running down his cheek. I smiled back at him.

"Man, that was so sweet." Liam spoke up. "Okay, I don't think I can handle anymore emotional stuff, who's up for some horse shoes or cornhole?" He questioned standing up from the table.

"I'm down for cornhole. Me and Cat against you and Kar?" Pal questioned.

"I'm game if she is", Liam gestured to me.

"I have a better idea." Cat chimed in. "Me and Kar against you and Liam. Loser has to do dishes tonight." Cat said as Pal looked at her questioning and she just glanced at me and then Liam then back at Pal and then stared at me. I don’t know why because they are always on the same team but I'm pretty sure Cat is trying to play match maker. Which I mean if I was ready, I would have already jumped on it flirting at its finest, but I'm scared of getting hurt again to be honest.

"This is a game I can get behind" Liam answered Cats unspoken question.

21 - 4

Cheers broke out from me and Cat as I sunk my last bag in the hole. Pal has to do dishes tonight.

As the evening carried on, I got to know Liam a little more. He loves to draw and is a big motorcycle enthusiast. His dad left at 15 and just recently lost his sister. Has full custody of his nephew, who’s with his paternal grandparents.

As the evening turned to night, there were glow in the dark bracelets were passed out amongst the kids, so instead of seeing kids running around it looked like a rave party was going on. Once the fire pit was started Cat brought out a tray of smores supplies.

"Aunt K. Aunt K. Here you go." Kolton said, handing me a smore.

"That's okay Mr.Man you eat it. I'll make me one in just a minute." I said with a smile.

"Mama said I could only have one and I wanted to play with the firer some more so she told me to make you one, knowing you can't turn down a smore." They know me to well I have never been able to turn down a smore.

"Well thank you." I said, accepting the smore with a smile.

The night went on and fireworks were set off, Liam not once left my side. Sometimes I wish I could see what was going on in people's minds. He keeps glancing over at me with a goofy grin.

The folks who weren't staying on the property slowly started dwindling down, as a bunch of the woman folk started cleaning up the yard and food. Pal and Liam were in the kitchen doing dishes. Pal told Liam he didn't have to help, but Liam insisted since he was on the losing team.

I was sitting outside by myself and the only people who were left up were Me, Pal, Cat, and Liam.

"So," Cat said bumping my shoulder bringing me out of my thoughts, " you and Liam seemed to have gotten along pretty well today.”, she stated with the second most cheesiest grin.

"Yeah, he seems like a good guy, but I don't think I'm ready for anything romantic at the moment." I sighed.

"Well, what's a little s3x hurt between consenting adults? You know Grams always said, 'the best way to get over one man, is to get under another.'" She chuckled out.

"She sure did say that a lot. But I don't think I'm the rebound type. I just need a little more time. I know Shawn and I have been separated for 10 months, but the court hearing was just last week and today brought all kinds of feelings to the surface, I'm not entirely sure what and for who they were." I glanced towards the kitchen window where I could see Liam smiling and chatting with Pal.

"Welp I'm about to head to bed." Cat patted me on the knee. " don't forget to use the outside door to get into the apartment, there's still all kinds of stuff in front of the inside door. Good night, Kar, and Kar I'm happy you're here." She gave me a hug and then went inside. I could see from the corner of my eye, she went inside and told Liam to come out here.

"Hey." He said sitting beside me on top of the picnic table.

"Don't you need to be heading home soon, you have a little one?" I asked him.

"He's staying at his grandparents’ house tonight. I could go home or" he paused for a second and then continued "I could stay and talk to you tonight." He finished putting his hand on my knee. I stared at it for a few seconds and then placed my hand over top of it.

"Liam, I've really enjoyed your company today, but I can't give you anything more than friendship right now." I whispered with a small ach in my chest. As though if I said it any louder, I would bust at the seams.

"Hey, hey, hey " he wiped away tears I didn't even know I had fallen. " I completely understand that all you can give me is friendship, but once you think your willing to give someone more let me know I'd love to take you out sometime." He pulled me in for a hug. We stood there for a moment, I was pulling away I noticed he was yawning, I mean it's 2 am I have been yawning a lot as well.

"So, since we established that we are friends, are we friends who have each other's number or friends that just when you see the other out you say hi." Man, this guy is so cheeky.

"Yes, Liam you can have my number." I rolled my eyes pulling out my phone so we could exchange numbers.

"Cat said you had to use the outside door to the apartment, can I walk you to the door. You know as a friend." He smiled, there's that hope in his eyes again.

"Lead the way" I motioned in the direction we needed to go. We waved at Pal and Cat who was locking up the house for the night and made our way to the door.

"Well, Siren, this is where I leave you." He leaned in and gave me a kiss on the cheek before I knew what was happening. "Good night, Karyssa." I was shocked it was the first time he used my actual name.

"Good night, Liam." I said making my way inside. I poked my head back out the door in time to see him going back down the stairs. " Hey Liam, can you do me a favor?" I asked quickly. At the mention of his name, he stopped and turned to face me.

"Anything you want Siren." Back to the nickname I knew using my real name wouldn't last long.

"Can you text me when you get home or wherever you are going for the night." I asked, kind of embarrassed.

"If I don't text in about 20 minutes no give me 30 minutes I have to get gas. Call me? Make sure I'm still alive." He said, turned around and continued down the stairs, I couldn't help but smile as I stared at him.

About 10 minutes later

Incoming text

Unknown- he isn't good enough for you.

With a picture of when Liam kissed me on the cheek before he left

Me- Shawn I don't know how you got this number but leave me alone.

I continued to do my night routine before I laid down. After about another 10 minutes I heard another text.

Future husband- I made it back to my place Siren. I decided to get gas in the morning.

Me- future husband? Someone's a little full of themselves. But I'm glad you made it home safe and good night.

Future husband- I'm manifesting. And Good night Siren.

I smiled at my phone about to put it on the night table when I get one last text for the night.

Unknown- this isn't Shawn.