Chapter 69 She needs her brother

Chapter 69 She needs her brother
Buzz. My phone vibrates on the table.

Hayden: Can we meet?

For a few seconds I stare at the text message on my phone, trying to think what the hell he wants. 

“Who's got you in such a foul mood?”

“What?” 

“I asked who texted you, you look ready to murder whoever's on the other side of that message.” Liam says, taking a gulp from his beer.

“It's Hayden, he wants to meet.” I tell Liam, my eyes still staring at my phone before putting it back on the table in front of us.

“You're not gonna reply him?”

I scoff at Liam's words. Why the hell would I entertain that guy? 

“I have no business with him, so no.” 

Liam shakes his head at my words, clearly not agreeing with me. I take a sip from my beer and ignore him. Liam agrees with everything Victoria does so I don't expect him to be on my side.

I'd realised long ago that when it came to Victoria, Liam would always stand by her side.
It used to irritate me that my friend was basically more loyal to my sister than me, but as I got older I appreciated him. I know Liam will do anything for her, the same way I did with Lisa and Lily. But right now he's pissing me off.

“Isn't Victoria your business?” Liam asks, his brows knitted.

“If something was wrong, Hailey would have told me.” 

Hailey tried to get me to go with her to Victoria's, but I couldn't go there and watch her throw her entire life away for a man.

“You're angry. I understand that. But at some point, your anger stopped protecting you and started hurting Victoria.”

I open and close my mouth like a fish out of water, wanting to dispute Liam's words, but nothing comes out, because deep down I know he's right.

“Look dude, I know better than to tell you what to do, but don't lose your sister to anger because you don't know what tomorrow has in store for you.” Liam says, gulping down the rest of his beer and leaves.

…………..

After Liam's words earlier, I replied to Hayden's text message agreeing to meet him. As I drive to the coffee shop not far from his place because he didn't want to leave Victoria alone for a long time, my mind keeps going over the events of the past months. Each playing like a broken record in my head.

Parking the car on the other side of the road, I cross over towards the coffee shop and instantly see Hayden seated near a window, a grin on his face as he types frantically on his phone.

‘Is it my sister who has him grinning?’ I wonder.

He looks up from his phone when he sees me approaching after ordering coffee and nods his head in greeting when I take a seat next to him.

“I wasn't sure you would make it.” He says.

“Well I said I would come right?” My voice comes out bitter than I intended. “Why did you want to see me, is my sister okay?” 

“Victoria is fine, well almost..”

Irritated at him for not being direct I snap, “What does that mean? Is she okay or not?”

Hayden keeps quiet for a few seconds as though debating whether he should really tell me. 

“She needs you in her life, Noah.” He says simply and I knit my brows.

“But I am in her life, always will be.”

Hayden's patience with me seems to snap, he sits upright, and looks me straight in the face and for that I got to give it to him, he's brave.

“Are you really?” When was the last time you called her, checked up on her or simply be normal around her?”

“And whose fault is it that my sister hates me? Huh?”

“Get over yourself, Noah!” His voice booms and catches the attention of the waitress bringing my order. We keep quiet until she's out of earshot.

“I'm not here for myself so you can hate me all you want, but she does not deserve being treated the way you've been treating her.” He says standing, pulling money from his wallet.

“I had to sit the entire day, seeing her face fall each time someone came through her door and it wasn't you. She needs her brother.” And with that he leaves me still seated there watching as he orders blueberry muffins, my sister's favourite.

I watched him leave with the small paper bag in his hand, my coffee untouched in front of me. Somehow, somewhere along the way, he'd started remembering the little things I was supposed to know.

I was suddenly the one who knew nothing about my sister. Catching snippets of her laughter during phone calls with Hailey, heard about her life from Mum or Sam. Heck, even Liam knew everything that was going on in her life, while I remained outside in the dark, like an outsider peering through a window.
…………

“Penny for your thoughts?” 

“Huh?”

“You've been distracted all night, is it Liam? Where's he anyway?” Hailey asks, joining me on the couch.

“He's said he's meeting some old pals for drinks.”

“Okay.”

Hailey settles next to me, her head on my shoulder and we stay silent for a while, until she speaks up again.

“What's going on in your head? I saw your sister sporting the same look on her face all day when she thought no one was looking.”

Hailey's words pinch at my heart, hearing the second time that my little sister's not fine and knowing that I'm the reason for her not being okay.

“I met Hayden later today.” 

As soon as she hears my words, Hailey removes her head from my shoulder and focuses on me.

“And?” 

“He wants me to fix things with Victoria.”

“I hope you agreed.” 

“Noah!” She stands up when I don't say anything.

“I was just trying to protect her, I didn't want her to go through what I put Amanda through.” 

Hailey comes closer, but still keeps her distance, quiet, and afraid that I might stop talking.

“I was projecting my own guilt into their relationship, all because Hayden and I used to run in the same circles and I was scared he might be using her.” 

“Oh, Noah.” Hailey says coming closer, caressing my cheek and I lean into her touch, closing my eyes and take a deep breath.

“Deep down I've seen how Hayden makes my sister happy, but the pregnancy triggered my own unresolved issues, issues I thought I was rid of.” I admit putting my head in my hands.

No one knew the shame and guilt I carried over the years, only Liam did. Through the years I tried to find Amanda, but I never did. No social media. No traces of her anywhere.

“You made mistakes, but that doesn't mean you should carry that cross forever. You need to allow yourself to heal and forgive yourself, love.” 

“Do you think she would forgive me?” I mumble hugging her.

“Your sister? Of course!”

“I meant Amanda.”

“I'm sure she has forgiven you.”