Page 98 of Wicked Truths

I nod, but I don’t know that he can make those type of assurances.

* * *

Lyric and Ryder eventually leave with Storm to go check on the stage setup. Matted Whine, Ruin, and a whole host of other bands on the Ruined Records roster are here to do a few of their fan’s favorite songs.

Hawk pulls me into his chest as I try to pace the floor in front of him. “Are you okay?”

My head shakes. I know it’s selfish. I didn’t experience what Liam did, but it still feels like my chest is collapsing under the weight of it. His emotions are bleeding into me, and I don’t know how to stay calm when everything feels like it’s exploding.

Sullivan leans against the wall with a booted foot kicked up behind him. He’s obviously anxious too. He and Liam are close. He opened up to Liam before even me, which doesn’t bother me. I’m just sad Liam didn’t do the same in return.

My face brushes against Hawk’s shirt as he palms the back of my head.

“I just feel like he needs me,” I whisper.

God, maybe I am an asshole. This isn’t about me. The door opens and my head immediately swivels to see who it is.

Callan comes out, giving a sad smile. “He’s asking for you.”

“I’ll walk you back to the greenroom where Ruin is,” Hawk grunts, releasing me with a pat on the ass.

“Thanks,” Callan says, shoving up his glasses.

I don’t wait to see what happens next. I make a break for Liam. The door pulls open with what feels like very little effort, and I bolt inside.

Liam sits on the couch with his head in his hands. His scent is sour, and it makes my heart race as I approach. He glances up when he spots me and tosses himself back against the cushions.

Marcus nods from a few feet away and heads for the door.

Liam watches me carefully, but he doesn’t stop me when I climb into his lap. His arms wrap around me, hugging me so tightly it’s almost painful. “Now that you’ve had time to think about it, do you hate me?”

“God no,” I gasp, clutching him tightly. “Never. We’re bonded. You’re stuck with us, but more than that, it’s genuinely not your fault.”

He sighs, burying his face in my neck. “I was supposed to be the designated driver. I had a beer—one single drink—I would have been fine to drive, but I got sidetracked with someone.”

I grimace, but do everything I can to block my distaste from spilling through the bond. I know it was before me, but hearing about him with anyone else doesn’t feel good. I’d never hold it against him, though. He didn’t know I even existed back then.

“I know why you feel guilty. I think it’s a natural response to going through something like that,” I assure him.

“It is on me, though. You don’t get it.” His head shakes violently as I frown.

“Then explain it.”

“You won’t look at me the same way,” Liam says with a hitch in his voice.

“I can guarantee you that we will.” Sullivan takes the seat next to Liam on the couch, wrapping an arm around his shoulder.

“They were led to believe I was in no condition to drive.” Liam’s head shakes. “One of my ex hookups was at our show. She made it seem like I’d fallen back into old habits.” His shoulders bounce. “I guess I had. I wasn’t there when they needed me.”

“You feel guilty because someone else made the choice to lie to your friends, which led to them making a terrible mistake,” I repeat the information. “This isn’t on you, Liam. Every adult is responsible for his or her own actions. You can feel guilt and remorse, I think that’s natural. But answer me this—under similar circumstances if one of them was in your shoes, would you blame them?”

Sullivan rests his head against Liam’s as we hold onto him for dear life. “Do you want to go out there and put on a hell of a show in their memory, or do we sit this one out?”

Liam shudders out a breath. “We rock the fucking house down.”

I exhale in pure relief as his eyes meet mine. “We’re here for you. Always and forever from here on out.”

“I know.” He slams his mouth to mine.

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