Please Stay for Me (The Brotherhood Series) by M.W. McKinley

Author:M.W. McKinley [McKinley, M.W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: M.W. McKinley
Published: 2020-12-18T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Liam

"You've been scarce lately." Mum has her back to me as she checks the timer. The smell of yeasty bread rising in a pan fills the kitchen. When I look around, I can tell Dad cooked last night since the sink is full of pots. He always uses twice the number of pots than Mum does to make the same meal.

"Just busy with the band and things." I read the most recent text from Avery. She usually texts me her favourite photograph of the day. Today it’s a brilliant panoramic view of the Oxford skyline.

When I look up, I realize Mum’s staring at me. "What?" I say innocently.

"I know when you're busy with the band. So, I'm guessing these things involve whatever person is making you smile that way," she says while pointing at my phone.

I show her the picture. "There may be a girl. Her name is Avery."

"And she's a photographer I see.”

"She did our new band photos you complemented. She's American."

Mum keeps scrolling through my pictures. "When do I get to meet her?"

"Meet who?" Dad says as he enters the kitchen. His brown hair is sticking up in all directions, and he’s carrying Beethoven like a precious newborn baby.

Beethoven gives us both an uninterested glance before impatiently moving around in Dad's arms.

"The girl Liam is seeing," Mum replies.

Dad’s still paying attention to the cat as he puts him on the counter in order to open the fridge. He finally looks my way. "Did you run here?" he asks.

I nod. "Can I have my phone back now?"

Beethoven begins meowing insistently until Dad puts a plate with bits of beef on it in front of him.

"Isn't he supposed to be on a diet?" Beethoven glares at me before returning to his breakfast.

"I'm not reading your messages. I'm just looking at the photos. Is this Avery?" Mum flashes the phone in my direction.

"Yes. That was before a show at Eddie's."

Dad moves around the kitchen island and peers at my phone. "You said she's American. Is she studying abroad?"

I nod again and then blurt out, "I'm in love with her."

Mum and Dad both freeze, then look at me. Beethoven even looks up from his meal.

"What?" Mum asks.

"She's leaving at the end of the summer, and I'm completely in love with her. I mean, I've never been in love before, but I'm guessing that's what this incredible, yet horrifying, feeling is." I look at them for some sort of encouragement or words of wisdom because I’m losing my mind over this girl.

They’re both quiet a moment before Dad says, "Well, that's unfortunate."

Mum smacks him on the chest.

Beethoven meows since he always has to be a part of the conversation.

"There's more," I say.

"How can there be more?" Dad replies.

"You already met her. Well, maybe not met her, but you've seen her before."

Mum inspects the picture again. "Have we?"

"Years ago, in New York City, when she put money in my case at Lincoln Center."

"Blimey," Mum says quietly while still holding my phone.

"That pretty much sums it up.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.