After the meeting adjourned, Liam was trying to make his way back to his dorm room, only to be stopped by the one person he didn't want to see. Lauren. He averted his eyes, hoping it would show her just how much he didn't want to talk to her."Liam, I would love the chance to be able to sit down and talk to you," she told him softly, reaching out to touch his elbow lightly.He pulled his elbow back, almost like her touch burned him. "Right now is not the time," he bit out as coldly as he could."There's never a good time for you," she argued. "All I want is a chance to explain my side of things. There are always two sides to every story, Liam. I think you owe me that much."He finally looked at her, really looked at her, and he felt remorse for the way he was treating the woman had given birth to him. After dealing with Richard, he knew that he could change things in his life. He didn't have to be a bastard to everyone. He didn't want to be a bastard to everyone. Maybe this was

A few days later, Liam and Denise sat on the sun porch of what she'd finally started to call their house. It was late, almost midnight, and the kids had finally gone to bed. This had become their favorite time of day. Late at night after everything had settled down, they'd taken to coming out on the porch and discussing their day. Sometimes it was just a discussion, sometimes it led to more. Whatever it ended up being, Denise loved it no matter what."Anything interesting happen today?" he asked, pulling her close to his chest, relishing the way her head fit under his chin."Your Mom called. She said they have a job opening at the courthouse in the same department she's in."It hadn't been a bad idea when Lauren pitched it to her, but Denise had been unsure of how Liam would take it. She still wasn't very sure what her role in his life was besides companion."The courthouse, huh? With my Mom? What do you think about that?""I dunno," she shrugged. "My first thought was maybe

I wonder what I did to deserve this? Was it my fault, playing two clubs against one another, searching for the truth? Did I deserve to be raped? I think I did, and that's probably the worst thing. I try to make myself feel better, I really do, but then I realize that maybe I did ask for this."What are you writing?"Meredith slammed the leather journal closed and glanced up at Tyler. The man was beautiful. He stood easily 6'3, though with his motorcycle boots he probably topped 6'5. The Native American heritage was apparent in his high cheekbones, the long, straight black hair, and the suntanned tone of his skin. His brown eyes burned intensely as he watched her."Just journaling like the therapist suggested I do.""Speaking of, are you ready for your appointment?"She nodded. "I am, just gotta grab my backpack."Silent as ever, all he did was nod. He was so good to her, taking her wherever she needed to go, never asking for more than what she was willing to give, talking t

I went to the grocery store yesterday, and I was scared to death. Some kid dressed up for Halloween and looked just like my attacker. I had a complete meltdown in the middle of the store. What does that say about me? Even I can tell I've been shaken ever since. I don't think I've been this fragile since the actual attack. Last night I barely slept at all. I even heard Tyler come to bed. I've never heard him come in the room before. I'm so on edge, I don't know what to do. I feel like I need to reclaim some piece of myself, but I'm not sure how to do that. I want to feel like I can protect myself and hold it together. I need some kind of outlet besides writing because I feel rage beginning to overtake my personality. I'm starting to get angry and I don't want to take that out on Tyler. He admitted to me that he's been boxing with Layne. That they beat the shit out of each other and that's the only way he can come to me without the anger. I'm not sure that it's healthy, but it's got to b

"Oh my God, this is the grossest thing ever," Meredith squealed, causing Tyler and Liam to laugh.The group of them were in Liam's kitchen, preparing to honor a time-tested tradition."I'd have to agree, and I've had children," Denise squealed along with her, causing the guys to double over with laughter."You think it's so funny, you two do it."Tyler sighed, taking pity on Meredith, and stood up from the kitchen table. He took off his cut and his shirt, obviously not wanting it to get dirty. Meredith's mouth went dry as the Sahara as he walked over. Funny as it sounded, she'd never seen him without a shirt on before. He was very careful with his nakedness when it came to her. She gawked appreciatively. It was obvious he worked out, the man had what looked like an eight pack on his stomach, and his arm muscles bulged as well, veins showing in his forearms. While she had seen the tattoos on his forearms, she'd never seen the full sleeves or the ones that marked his back and che