Set 32

Posted by AdminHHAdmin, ? Views, Released on June 17, 2025

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Chapter 32

Just as I sent the message, the door opened, making me tense. I had been hoping that I’d be back in my room before Aide got home. I wasn’t sure how to feel about what had happened over the past 24 hours. What I did know was that if I saw him right now, my judgement would be clouded and I might give in to anything he tried. I wasn’t ready for the additional guilt that would bring.

The sound of Tammy’s voice was enough to make my heart drop into my stomach, my eyes widening.

“Hey Ellie! Just me!” Tammy announced herself as she rounded the corner into the kitchen, a smile lighting up her face at the sight of me. “Hey you!”

“Tammy, hey…” I stammered, trying to sound surprised (in a good way) while my heart was hammering in my best. “What are you doing here at…nearly midnight.”

“Looking for Aiden.” Tammy confessed. “We had a fight last night and now he’s not answering my calls or texts.”

“A fight? What about?” I couldn’t help but ask, my heart skipping a beat.

“Oh nothing serious. He was in one of his moods.” Tammy rolled her eyes. “Anyway, did you have a good time.

The previous night’s events flashed through my mind. The heat, the taste of bourbon, the laughter, the feel of Aiden’s lips

on mine…

“Um, yeah.” I muttered, my cheeks heating up in a blush.

“Great!” Tammy grinned. “Where did you disappear to anyway? I know you went out for some air but then you were just

gone.”

“Oh, I wasn’t feeling too great so I decided to come home.” I replied. It wasn’t a lie after all. I hadn’t been feeling great but perhaps not in the way I was trying to imply. “I didn’t want to ruin anyone’s evening so I decided to make a quiet

exit.”

“Oh that sucks.” Tammy was instantly concerned, her silver eyes searching me to see if there were any ailments. All she found was my bruised neck and tired eyes. “I’m glad you’re okay though. You looked upset when I last saw you.”

I felt my own embarrassment settled in my cheeks and chest. I had all but forgotten that I had nearly burst into tears as the thoughts of my brother being ashamed of me plagued me. It seemed silly but at the same time I couldn’t bring myself to totally believe I was being over–dramatic. Liam had known Tammy and Aiden for a long time. They seemed to know a lot about me and yet I knew nothing about them. Up until a short while ago, I’d never met them. Liam hadn’t even attempted to elaborate on his friendship with the pair even when I brought them up in conversation. He never pressed for details or offered up any bites of information. If anything, it was like he tried to brush past the subject of them.

“Liam’s coming home.” I blurted out, desperate to change the subject before I found myself wallowing in self–pity.

Tammy’s eyes widened in surprise before she let out a squeal of excitement, bouncing on her feet as she clapped her hands together. The display surprised me, I didn’t think Tammy would show such a display of emotion to the news. When had she last seen Liam? Had they spoken/since highschool?

“When? For how long?” Tammy gushed showing no signs of simmering her elation down.

“Two months and permanently,” I explained, feeling my own relief and excitement bubble in response to Tammy’s own

Chapter 32

energy. Apparently he’s going to work with Alden or something…

“Oh Ellie’s that’s amazing!” Tammy sang as she threw herself at me and hugged me tight. “You must be to happy

“Yeah. I hated my voice for sounding so weak as I hugged Tammy back. The guilt was brewing again.

“We should throw him a welcome home party. Oh god everyone is going to be Tammy babbled as she pulled away.

so excited when they hear the newsl

I could see her thoughts racing as she made plans and ideas popped into her head. There was something I had learnt about Tammy in the short time we had known each other and that was once she put her mind to something, she was going to do it and give it 110% while doing so. In truth a welcome home party did sound pretty neat. Sure it would be close to Christmas when Liam got back but it was only ever us two at Christmas when he was about. Maybe it was time to switch it up a bit now he was going to be back for good.

“Okay, I better go since Mr grumpy pants isn’t here.” Tammy suddenly announced. “I’ll message you at some point to talk about ideas!”

And just like that Tammy was out the door, leaving me standing in her wake and a growing realisation that I really needed to keep my distance from Aiden before my friend got hurt..