Page 54 of Liam (Preston Brothers #4)

Liam

I don’t know what to do.

I don’t even know what to think, what to ask, and so… I say nothing. Not when Logan asks for the keys to the minivan. And not when I silently lead him to where I parked. Not when he gets behind the wheel. Not even when he pulls up to a familiar house I’ve only stepped foot in once before.

Roman’s truck is already in the driveway, and so I don’t ask questions when Logan steps out and makes his way to the front door. I simply follow behind him.

Roman opens the door before we get a chance to knock, and he leads us to the living room, where Addie is on the floor, her back pressed against the couch. She’s hugging her knees, her face hidden in the crook of her elbow, and she’s crying. Again. Or maybe she never stopped.

There’s no sound to accompany her cries this time, just the rapid shaking of her shoulders, and?—

I don’t know what to do.

I know I should do something because no one else seems to be, but I’m stuck.

In that space.

Somewhere between consciousness and oblivion.

A knock on the door has Roman rushing toward it, and I trail my gaze back to Addie. She hasn’t moved. “Where is she?” a woman says, and Addie finally looks up, her tear-filled eyes wide and focused on the voice.

A second later, a blonde woman appears in the doorway, and Addie bawls.

“Dayna!” she cries, her arms reaching out, and then Dayna is there, on her knees, holding a limp Addie in her arms. The pure agony in Addie’s sobs shatters my heart, tears it to pieces.

I look away, ignoring the piercing pain in my chest. Logan’s hand lands on my shoulder as Addie’s wails intensify, and Dayna soothes, “It’s okay, sweetheart. It’s okay…”

I search for the courage to face them again. Dayna’s behind Addie now, her legs on either side as she holds Addie upright, stroking her forehead as they rock back and forth, and I can’t?—

I can’t fucking stand to see Addie like this. So broken. So lost. So hopeless.

“Oh, Addie girl,” Dayna whimpers through her tears. “I’m so sorry.”

“I hate this!” Addie cries, kicking out her legs. “I don’t want to feel like this!”

Dayna increases the rocking, whispers in her ear, “I know. You’ll be okay.”

“I’m sorry!” Addie sobs.

“Don’t you dare,” Dayna says, shaking her head. “Don’t you dare apologize.”

“You shouldn’t have to be here!”

“I’ll always be here.” Dayna presses her lips to the top of Addie’s head. “You may not have grown under my heart, Addie… but you sure grew into it.”