Page 17 of Pity the Living, Not the Dead

“Hey,” he mumbled in return. I didn’t need a degree to know what was troubling him when he absently returned the kiss, but I did know he’d feel better if he talked it out.

Crouching in front of him, I took his hands in mine. “Liam, please talk to me.”

He sat his cup down on the table beside him, blankly staring at it. “I’m nervous as fuck about tonight.”

“I don’t blame you, but don’t forget, I’ll be there with you. I will not let anyone hurt you, nor will I allow them to ignore or dismiss your thoughts and feelings. This is about you, not them.” Even thinking of how he said they had discounted him in the past had my hackles raised.

“What did I ever do to deserve you?” he asked, those needy, tear-filled emeralds intently locked on mine.

“I’ve asked myself the same thing every day since we met. Seemed fate stepped in for both of us. It always amazes me when The Powers That Be see what we need before we do,” I admitted. While I did not believe there was one true creator, I did, however, believe there were elements out there that no one could explain. Not science nor man.

Just then Liam’s phone dinged and he glanced over at it. “That’s our cue. Liv will be there in twenty minutes.”

We dressed hurriedly and made it to the Aldrich family home as Olivia was pulling up. The first thing she did was reach for Liam and pull him into her arms. “You ready, baby brother?”

“About as ready as I’ll ever be. I see all the familiar cars are here.”

“Yes, they blew up my phone throughout the day, trying to get me to tell them what was up, but I never caved,” she assured him.

“Thank you,” Liam told her.

I took his hand in mine. “Are you ready, my love?”

“Nope, but there’s no backing out now.”

Hand in hand, we walked inside. Stained glass windows flanked both sides of the large, oak front door. There were hardwood floors as far as I could see, with a stairwell in the foyer leading to the second floor. Such a humble abode for a family I knew to be wealthy. The loud voices that filled the crowded home assaulted our ears as we entered. Each one talking over the other, never truly listening to anyone but themselves. I now understood why Liam sought his nightly quiet time down at the waterfront. When we reached the living room at the back of the house where everyone seemed to have congregated, more sets of green eyes that I cared to count turned to face the three of us. Olivia took Liam’s other hand as we both stood protectively by his side.

“Listen up,” Olivia said. “Liam has something to say that everyone needs to hear.”

“Who’s he?” one of the men asked, pointing at me.

Liam glanced up at me, and I nodded, giving him the go-ahead. “This is Elijah. He is my boyfriend.”

“You’re gay?” one of the brothers asked. I don’t know which one, since none of them had taken even a millisecond to introduce themselves, but his facial features shouted Aldrich.

“Everyone, shut it!” Olivia barked. About half quieted while the rest grouchily murmured amongst themselves. “I SAID, Liam has something he needs to tell you.”

“Go ahead, Li, this is your story to tell,” Olivia whispered to him.

“Hey, um. I won’t be going to work for the family,” he said. At his words, all hell broke loose again.

“Yes, you are,” an older man, whom I guessed was his father, demanded.

“I’m still trying to get past him having a boyfriend,” another tossed out, side-eyeing me.

The older gentleman began, “If this man has talked you into other things...”

I released a shrill whistle, silencing the anarchy. “This isn’t about any of you, this is about Liam, and you need to listen to what he has to say.”

“Thank you, Elijah.” Liam gave me a slight smile, probably all he could muster given the circumstances. “Finn, Dad, Mom,” he turned, facing his mother, “I have cancer. Stage four. It’s inoperable and has spread to multiple organs. I don’t have much time.”

“We’ll get a second opinion,” his father said, pulling his phone out.

“Dad, I already did,” Liam said, but his father kept on, ignoring him.

“Why is he here?” the one I assumed was Finn asked, trying to stare me down.

I fucking dare you.

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