Page 64 of So Bad It Must Be Good

But there was this . . . thing inside of him. Something like a compulsion. How did you just not help your family?

He responded to Mom, then brought up a text to Kayla. He winced a little as he wrote the lie. Working a little late. Will call when I’m on my way.

He’d tell her the truth when he got to her place. It would be better to tell her in person, and who knew what it was about? Maybe Mom just wanted to see him.

You could have asked why she did.

He ignored the voice in his head and drove toward his parents’ house. Dad’s surgery was tomorrow. Maybe Mom wanted everyone together even though Dad had all but forbidden any family gathering.

Dad wanted to dwell in his worry and fear alone, and Liam couldn’t blame him for that, but this was hard on Mom, too. It was hard and scary for all of them.

He parked in front of his parents’ house, steeling himself to be strong. Strong enough not to fall into any Aiden traps of getting pissed, and strong enough to avoid manipulation. If he could help make Mom feel better, he would. If he couldn’t, well, he’d have to live with that too.

Mom came out of the house, closing the door behind her. She looked pale and worn and he knew this surgery was weighing heavily on her. Mostly, Liam surmised, because Dad was threatening to give up if it didn’t work.

There was nothing wrong with being here or comforting her. There was nothing wrong about giving to his family. Kayla would understand that in the wake of everything that was going on.

“Hey, Mom. Everything okay?”

She shook her head, hugging her arms around herself. “No.” She sniffled. Clearly she’d already been crying, though she wasn’t at the moment. “I’m worried, Liam. I’m so worried.”

“I know, Mom. But we have to try to be positive and just hang in there.” He pulled his mother into a hug, hoping to infuse some physical strength into her. “Worrying about what might happen after isn’t going to do us any good.”

Mom’s brows drew together as she pulled away from him. “After what?”

“After the surgery.”

“I wasn’t . . . I’m not talking about your father. I mean, I’m worried, don’t get me wrong, but we’ve done this before and he has an excellent doctor. I’ll be a mess tomorrow, but Aiden is who I’m sick over right now.”

Liam could not believe his ears. Couldn’t begin to comprehend . . . “What?”

“Liam, this week has been awful. Just awful. I think he’s been doing drugs. And I’m worried he might hurt himself. He’s so depressed. So low.”

Liam stepped away completely, though part of him still wanted to hug her, still wanted to offer help. There was still this part of him certain that if he helped enough . . . He didn’t let himself finish that thought. “Maybe he needs professional help.”

“I tried to suggest it, but . . .” She looked away, biting her lip as she wrung her hands together. “Listen, I think if we can get him to a better place, we can convince him to see a therapist, but right now? He’s so worked up about this Kayla Gallagher thing.”

Liam did his best to stomp out his temper before it started to bubble. “There is no Kayla Gallagher thing.”

“Well, Aiden did have his eye on her fir—”

“I have to go.” He had to stand up for himself when it came to this. He wouldn’t be manipulated into thinking he’d done something wrong or that he’d somehow stolen something. He and Kayla loved each other.

“No, please, baby.” Mom grabbed his hand, and he could have easily tugged out of her grip, but that seemed wrong. She was upset. Maybe it wasn’t right or fair that she was more worried about Aiden than anyone else, but Aiden was still her kid. Even if Liam was too.

“I know this isn’t fair. I know it. But can’t you just break up with that girl? Even for a little while? I know Aiden isn’t thinking straight, but he’s just certain you’ve stolen her from him. I know that’s not how women or the world work, but . . . I’m so afraid, Liam.”

“You want me to break up with Kayla because Aiden thinks . . . I’m sorry, how does that help?”

“He’s just so down. You don’t understand. I’ve never seen him like this. He thinks you have everything, and he’s worthless.” A sob escaped Mom’s lips. “I can’t lose all of you. What if he hurts himself, and something happens to your father, and you aren’t talking to me?”

“Mom.”

“Please.” She grabbed his hands, tears streaming down her face. “Please, I’ll never ask anything of you again. I’m so scared for him. Just . . . Just break things off with her for a bit. Until we can convince Aiden to get some help.”

“And if we never convince him?”

Mom started sobbing in earnest. “Don’t say that, Liam. Don’t say it can’t be fixed.”

---