Fourteen.

Sidney’s POV

I was sitting at Max’s one night just with the guys. Then Liam walks in. I didn’t think it was that awkward but of course Max makes it that way.

“Oh this isn’t awkward or anything.” Max said.

“Shut up, Max!” Jordan said.

“Its not awkward at all. We just love the same girl.” Liam said so calmly. I just looked at him. Was he really going to go there?

“Sidney, could I talk to you?” Liam asked me.

“Yeah..” I said then got up.

“You should know something.. I still love Grace. Was I out with Caroline that night? Yeah, should I have been? No. But, that doesn’t make me love Grace any less. I know that Grace and I are meant to be together, because I love her more than my own life. I would rather see her happy, than be happy myself. I didn’t fight for her when she said she chose you, because she chose you. She thought that I didn’t want her, but I want her everyday. She needs you for some weird reason right now, you not me. So I let her go. I’m not going to try and steal her from you or anything like that, because she thinks you are the one she wants. And that’s fine, but just know that if you hurt her.. I will find a way to hurt you back. I love her, and I had my chance and I messed it up. But, none of that means I don’t love her enough. Because I love her more than you could ever love her. So you should just know, that I’m not the ass that you think I am. I may have hurt Grace in the past, but we made it through that. This is your chance to love her. She is an amazing girl, probably more amazing than you will ever know.”

“Why did you just tell me that?” I asked him. I had to admit it took a lot of guts to say that to me. I also think I gained a lot of respect for him from him doing that.

“Because you should know that if you don’t want her, someone does. And you should know that I’m not the ass you think I am.” He said.

“I don’t think you are an ass. But I also know that I won’t hurt her.” I said.

“I hope not. She deserves to be happy.” Liam said.

“I know. I’m glad she had you back then. I’m glad she has you now. She loves you more than I could ever understand.”

“Yeah, she just thinks I played with her heart just to be cruel.” He said.

“Why don’t you tell her then?”

“Because she picked you. I don’t want to make things awkward. I hope things work out for you too.”

“you don’t mean that.”

“I just want her to be happy. If you do that, then I’m supporting you.” He said.

“You are a good guy, Liam.” I said to him.

“Thanks.” Liam simply said. Then we walked back out into the room with the guys. From that moment on, Liam and I seemed to be good. We seemed to just be friends. I kind of liked him if you removed Grace from the equation.

Grace’s POV

“So how is Sidney?” Liam asked me.

“He is in Detroit right now.”

“I know that. I mean how is it with him?”

“I don’t get why we are together.”

“You don’t want to be with him?”

“I want to be with him. But, he is going to Canada soon. I don’t want to be sitting around waiting for like my one phone call with him. I don’t want to be worrying about who he is with and what he is doing. I like him and I wish things were different.”

“Don’t you think you will always worry who he is with?”

“I just think maybe this between us should be casual. I mean I don’t even know him that well.” I said.

“Did you tell him that?”

“Its hard. I tried. Plus, he has bigger problems than this. What do you think?”

“I think your timing sucks. I think that yeah he does have things on his mind and that he is leaving soon. But, do I think by you saying you want it casual or just saying lets be friends.. do I think that will make you worry about him less or miss him less? No, I don’t.”

“But do you see what I’m saying? Who knows what he does in the summer. Who knows how many girls he has waiting for him? I just don’t want to be played for a fool.”

“I don’t think that’s how it is. If you want to be casual, be casual.” He said.

“The thing is.. say they win this thing.. I don’t know him that well to be around with him during it. I mean I would feel out of place. But say they lose.. I wouldn’t even be able to help him through it. Because I don’t know what its like, I don’t know all the struggles. I just don’t think I’m what he needs right now.” I said.

“Maybe, maybe not. Regardless if he needs you or whatever, he still wants you.”

“I just don’t know, Liam. I just don’t know if this could work.”

“Grace, I’m not going to tell you anything. I’m not going to say be with him or leave him. I’m just going to be here for you. Because regardless of who you love.. I still love you.” He said.

“I know..” I said.

“Grace, I know that Sidney likes you. I know that if you want him, he will want you. I just think it comes down to what you want. I think it will always come down to that.” He said.

Middle of Series with Detroit.

“Hey! My parents are coming tomorrow, just fyi.” I told Liam while getting ready to watch Sidney’s Game 2 with Detriot.

“Do you want me to leave?” He asked.

“It doesn’t matter. KellyAnn is coming too.” I said.

“Oh well then why don’t you sleep in my room, KellyAnn can sleep in Rose’s room, and your parents can sleep in your room.” Liam said.

“I don’t want to kick you out.”

“You aren’t. Its your parents house.” HE said.

“Okay..” I agreed.

“Why isn’t Marlana coming?”

“She lives at school.” I said.

“Oh right.. I forgot.”

“Yeah.. you should definitely come out to dinner with us some night.” I said.

“How long are they staying?” He asked.

“Like 5 days. I think.” I said.

“Oh wow, why so long?”

“KellyAnn is looking for teaching jobs and has a few interviews. My mom is a teacher so she doesn’t have anything better to do and my Dad has time off.” I explained.

“Are you going to go out with Sidney?”

“I don’t think.”

“What?”

“It hasn’t been long enough to introduce him. They know I am friends with Sidney. But, if they meet him my mom will want to know every little detail and she will think its so serious. I’m just not ready for that.”

“How’s Sidney going to feel about that?”

“Yet again, he has bigger things on his mind.. than me.” I said.