Turns out, Aaron had been out jogging. He came back about ten minutes after the morning's mishap, and of course, that's when he decided to take a shower.

Figures.

The rest of the day was spent out by the trails near the lake, then sightseeing in the city. The boys stayed behind in the cabin as we went shopping at some of the local boutiques. I loved supporting small businesses and grabbed every opportunity to do so. We found some pretty jewelry, and I snagged a new pair of shoes. It was a perfect day with my girls.

Back at the cabin, we were camped out in Kat and Savannah's room getting ready for the night. Kat was patiently sitting on the bed as she waited for Savannah and me to finish with our hair and makeup. While I was finishing curling the last few strands of my hair, Savannah was fixated on perfecting a smokey eye.

"What do you girls think?" Savannah pushed her lips to the side as she put her pink rimmed glasses back on and angled her head back and forth while she assessed herself in the mirror.

"I think that you are definitely overthinking it, because you look amazing!" I gushed, squeezing her arm.

"I agree! In fact, I think selfies are in order." Kat chimed in, walking up to us in her form fitting jeans and black crop top.

I set down my curling iron, my last strand of hair now in place, and leaned into Savannah and Kat as we pursed our lips and then made silly faces as Kat took photo after photo.

"Okay, let me just grab my shoes and I think we are good to go!" I said as I made my way to where we had laid the shoes out.

"Can I still borrow a pair?" Savannah asked, walking up to me.

"Yeah, of course!" I looked at the several pairs of shoes before picking a pair of cream ankle boots to go with her blush colored, off the shoulder dress. "What about these?"

"Ooh, yes!" She grabbed them and sat at the end of the bed putting them on while I slipped into a pair of black, pointed heels to match my black, skintight romper. I had bought it on a whim during my last shopping trip with Savannah but was glad I did, because it hugged my curves in a flattering way with a small, laced midsection discreetly revealing my stomach, and while the low-cut neckline showcasing the sides of my cleavage was not something I would ordinarily wear, it was perfect for a night like tonight.

"We're going to go see if the guys are ready."

"Okay, I'm just going to grab my phone and purse really quick." I walked to the vanity where I had placed my phone and put it in my small, nude purse. Checking my reflection once more, my ruby painted lips pulled into a smile before walking out of the room.

Walking down the stairs, I could hear laughter coming from the living room where I knew my friends were waiting. I smiled to myself, happy with how everyone was getting along. Savannah had quickly become one of my best friends and clicked so well with Kat. It felt like the three of us had all been friends forever. Aaron was meshing well with the both of them despite being a bit standoffish at times, and Liam...well Liam was surprising me the most. He was being thoughtful and polite. He still had this quietness to him, but he was charming and even funny, managing to win Kat over in the amount of one day.

The difference between his usual demeanor towards me and how he was acting this weekend was puzzling. He was like one of those sliding tile puzzles that I couldn't solve--all the pieces were shuffled around, and I never quite knew how to get them all back in order, but the more I tried, the closer I got. The glimpses I caught of him only made me determined to see more, to see the whole picture of the puzzle that was Liam and what happened in the years that had passed between us.

I entered the room to see the back view of Liam and Kat, with Savannah and Aaron in front of them talking. Aaron was the first to look up, grinning once he saw me. He politely side-stepped Kat, walking toward me. Liam turned, now facing me as Aaron gripped my waist and pulled me in an embrace. Leaning in, he whispered, "You look amazing."

I pulled back and smiled, thanking him for his compliment, but as he stepped to my side and pulled me into him, my eyes met Liam's electric gaze. His hand was at his mouth, as he dragged it down over his chin, slowly sweeping his eyes up from my legs to my face. A flash of fire blazed in his eyes before quickly dying out, leaving smoke in his trail as he lightly shook his head and turned to walk toward the front door with Savannah and Kat close behind.

"You ready for some birthday fun?" Aaron winked, cheesing down at me.

Pulling my thoughts away from the extinguished heat, I simply nodded as Aaron led me out the door to the cars.

When we arrived at the club, Mile High, my ears were instantly pumped with loud techno music. Strands of neon lights bounced up and down with the beat, blanketing the club and its' dancers in a rainbow light show. The two stories made for plenty of space to both dance and relax as white, leather couches were placed along the outer edges of the club and tables and booths made up the top section. The majority of the club was made for dancing as sweaty bodies jumped up and down and gyrated to the beat coming from the D.J. perched high up on a stage. Circular platforms with poles for dancing were also scattered throughout random spaces on the floor, and I noted I would have to be a lot drunker than my current state of complete sobriety to ever get up on one of those.

As if on cue, Savannah and Kat pulled me toward one of the bars, the guys following behind us. I had become a fan of lemon drops, so I ordered one by myself for my very first time at an actual establishment, eager to show the bartender my hand that was stamped to showcase my age. Savannah was still twenty, so her thumbs down stamped hand stayed below the bar's countertop as Liam discreetly ordered a drink for her before heading back up to place one for himself. Getting handed my drink, I became a bit deflated realizing that getting alcohol had more thrill to it when it was illegal.

We headed to one of the couches to sit and sip our drinks, but a song came on that had me quickly setting my drink down. Grinning, I grabbed Kat's hand and yelled at Savannah to follow. We disappeared into the sea of bodies and began dancing, throwing our hands up and moving our hips to the song. It wasn't long before Aaron sidled up to me and grabbed my waist, dancing alongside me.

After a few more songs, I decided I was in need for another drink. Leaning in, I shouted to Aaron over the music.

"I'll be back. I'm going to grab another drink!"

"Want me to get it for you?"

"No, it's okay. Remember, I can actually get my own now." I grinned, showcasing the back of my hand.

He smiled, nodding his head and pulling me in close. "Grab me a Whiskey sour on your way back please."

I nodded, pulling away and heading to the bar. I placed my order and leaned my side against the countertop, watching the different scenes in front of me. Couples were making out on the couches with absolutely no shame. On the dance floor, men were standing with their drinks held up as ladies grinded on them, making no real effort at dancing. And women danced on the poles while men's eyes soaked up every move made.

Inhibitions became lost in places like this, and I had a feeling alcohol was only an excuse to act so freely. In truth, we all want to be who we are without feeling tied to the responsibilities that come with looking like we have it all together. Because no one is perfect. Life is messy and complicated and every so often, we all just need an outlet to showcase that mess without judgement.

My phone vibrated, pulling me out of my thoughts. I reached into my purse for it, only to see a message from an unknown number.

Unknown:

Still try to walk on your hands?

I scrunched my brows as I reread the text, before looking around. Confusion and curiosity getting the best of me, I replied back.

What? Who is this?

Just wondering if that's the reason you chose that outfit.

I peered up again, scanning the crowd in front of me in a bit of curious panic.

"You never did like wearing dresses." A whispered explanation came behind me, immediately causing me to tense and then relax as a smirk came over my lips.

Turning around, Liam's eyes sparkled with amusement, as he tucked his phone into his jeans.

"How did you get my number?"

"Nathan." He replied coolly, turning toward the bar and sliding my drinks closer to him as the bartender set them down in front of us.

"If you had wanted it, why didn't you just ask me?"

"Would you have given it to me?" His eyebrow lifted as he peered down at me, waiting for my answer.

"Before, or after this weekend?"

He chuckled, grabbing my drink and handing it to me before picking up Aaron's and holding it up.

"Here's to honesty."

"That's Aaron's."

He continued to hold the glass up in the air, eyebrows raised along with it as he silently challenged me. "I'll buy him another."

With narrowed eyes, I raised my own glass. "To honesty." I enunciated, before throwing my head back and taking the shot. Liam watched me then gulped down the Whiskey sour, eyes never straying from mine. He set the glass down, gently taking mine from my hands as well. We became locked in this staring match as the magnetism from our bodies seemed to draw us closer. His teeth pulled his bottom lip in as his eyes briefly dropped to my mouth. I gripped the counter, digging my fingernails into the bar's countertop. 

"S-s-speaking of which..." I stuttered, clearing my throat as I prepared to ask him why the sudden change in his attitude towards me, when my phone vibrated. Breaking from his eye-contact, as well as the slight spell we were in, I grabbed my phone. Checking the text, I immediately wished I hadn't, as my heart twisted in the same moment.

Mom
Happy Bday

That's all.

A single text.

No phone call, no sweet sentiments, just a happy birthday sent two hours before midnight.

Not that I was surprised. I was sure she forgot altogether, and if I am being honest, I wish she would have. It would have spared me the conflicted feelings of whether I should respond back or not. I didn't want to; it wasn't something I felt I owed her. But not doing so would make the reason of our non-communicative relationship my fault. She'll have reason to say she "tries," but I don't let her in. Though in reality, her "trying" consists of short texts randomly throughout the year or phone calls only when she needs something, meaning money.

After she manipulated me into giving her what money I had saved up on the side for extra spending when I went away for college, unaware of the money she had also stolen from my college fund account, I had pretty much given up even bothering to have a relationship with her.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Liam reached out, gently pushing the phone down away from my face and dipping his head to search my eyes. "You went somewhere just now. What was the text?"

I shook my head, throwing my phone back in my purse, and turned my attention to the bartender where I ordered Aaron another Whiskey sour and me another shot.

"Maddie, talk to me. What just happened?"

I kept my eyes trained on the bartender mixing the drinks, unwilling to look Liam in the eye. I was honestly ready to just slam another shot down and get back to dancing. But as my drinks were set down on the bar and slid to me, a sudden jolt to my side caused me to stumble. Strong hands gripped my arm and waist as Liam steadied me.

"Oh shit, sorry. Damn, though, I'd love to run into you again sometime."

I peered up at the man who had bumped into me. His wavy blonde hair a mess on top of his head and green eyes glassy. The smirk he wore was loosely tilted to the side, as if in a fight with the rest of his mouth to stay up.

"Watch it." Liam seethed, causing Mr. Sloshed to laugh and back up, swaying into the other person beside him. Liam reached out, gently directing my chin to face him as concern pooled in his eyes.

I sighed, giving in to his questioning look and spoke the only two words Liam needed to hear to understand. "My mom."

His eyes narrowed and lips pulled together as he nodded, his gentle touch on my chin slowly dropping. "Do you want--"

"Hey, there you are! Were you able to get us drinks yet?" Aaron asked, cutting off Liam as he came up beside me, causing Liam's hand around my waist to drop. He glanced between the two of us, eyes narrowing in on Liam as they shared a look, before turning his attention to me. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, just ready to get back to dancing. Here, they were just made." Reaching for his drink, I noticed Liam's sudden absence and forced myself to not look around for him as I handed Aaron his drink.

"Ready?" I asked, plastering on a smile.

"After you." Aaron winked, lightly pushing my lower back to lead us onto the dance floor.

I ignored my phone the rest of the night, pouring my anger and frustration into my dance moves with Aaron and the girls. Every so often, I caught glimpses of Liam, who was keeping his distance. Whether on purpose or because women, especially one in particular who was dressed in red, kept his attention, I couldn't be sure. But when our eyes would meet across the room, the music seemed to stop and everyone else would blur away.

I couldn't be sure if it was the alcohol or if that was just an excuse. Afterall, inhibitions became lost in places like this.