Macie
The problem with living in a small town like Foxglove is that everyone knows your business. I hated it growing up and being the subject of rumours, especially during my parent’s divorce.
But that can also work in your favour. I’ve just found out that Liam Baker is returning to Foxglove for the first time in three and a half years. Okay, I found out at my weekly brunch with his mum, Rebecca. I’m both excited yet nervous. I haven’t had any contact with him since I drunkenly texted him when Sarah and I travelled to Texas for our 21st birthday. We did go with the intent of seeing him, but he was suddenly out of town that week. Liam didn’t reply to my text either and I’m not sure what hurt the most. We were so close growing up. From the age of 11, we all became inseparable.
I always feel my heart clench when I think about the past and how close we all were and try to work out what happened. The rest of us are still as close as ever but Liam. Just his name causes feelings I’d rather forget, and I refuse to feel that way again. I’m not that silly girl anymore that overthinks but sometimes I can’t help it.
5 years ago
We were sitting on the dock at Buster Bay, just Liam and I. He was leaving for Dallas the following day. I was so proud of him getting accepted into a university in America on a football scholarship. He was just sitting there looking down at his hands. I knew he was nervous, after spending pretty much every day of the last 7 years with him, I knew the signs.
“I’m really going to miss you Mace”. He turned to face me as he said it.
I tried to reassure him. “You have a fantastic opportunity with everything you’ve ever dreamed of”. I said as I went to hold his hand which was second nature by now.
Whenever we tried to reassure each other, we always held hands.
“I mean it, Mace. Are you not going to miss me?” I could see his eyes become watery.
“Of course I’m going to miss you Baker! But you need to forget about Foxglove now and focus on Dallas.” I tried to smile up at him, but I know the smile didn’t reach my eyes.
He leant in and stroked my cheek and I leaned into his hand. “I can never forget about you. You’re the one that I’m going to miss the most. Why don’t you come with me? I just know that you’d be accepted.”
“You know I can’t. There’s too much going on here that I have to help with. I can come and visit you anytime though.”
I can see the hope in his eye diminish as he slowly removes his hand from my face and turns to look out at the bay again.
“Liam.” He turns to face me with disappointment in his eyes. “You know why I can’t leave and besides, I will need you to introduce me to your teammates.” I wink at him, trying to lighten the mood.
His nostrils flared at that comment.
“Chill Liam. I get it. Teammates are off the table for me.” I say, crossing my arms over my chest, trying to look angry. He flashes one of his award-winning smiles at me as he quickly glances at my chest. He shakes his head and stands up.
“Come on Mace, let’s have one last movie night.” I followed him to his truck.
“It’s probably a good thing that you’re going to Dallas anyway. You’re probably bored of me always being around now. I mean, I stay at yours more than my dad’s.” I said as we were walking back to his truck.
I swear I heard him whisper “never” as he went to walk to the other side of the truck to get in. but it’s probably my imagination playing tricks on me again.
I shake my head to get rid of that memory. It’s one of the last good memories I have of him, and I don’t want to be thinking of Liam Baker today.
It’s approaching the end of August and it’s the night that Sarah and I are celebrating our 23rd birthdays. We were born 5 days apart, which means we always hold joint parties, and this one will definitely be a drunken one. We normally head to Pals. Pals is the only bar in Foxglove and it’s a standard small-town bar. There are dart boards and snooker tables on the left, a bar in the middle and a dance floor to the right. There are tables dotted around and stools at the bar. I get ready at Sarah’s as usual before we go out.
As it is our birthday night, we always buy each other an outfit to wear for the evening as a birthday present. I hand Sarah her gift and she squeals with delight as she opens it. I can’t help but smile at her reaction.
“Oh Mace, this is the best one yet!” She says as she is holding the red sequined dress up to her body. “Now open yours!”
I open the neatly wrapped present and there is a deep purple velvet dress. It’s one of those dresses that stops below the knee but has a high slit in the dress all the way to the top. If I’m not careful, I may well end up flashing everyone in Pals. I stand up and give Sarah the biggest hug.
“I just love it. You always have the best taste.” I say sincerely because it’s true.
We take our time getting ready, making sure to play the best music to get us in the mood. Roman came to join us and even brought along some champagne for the occasion. It’s always been us three.
Roman heads downstairs to grab some glasses so we take the opportunity to change into our new dresses.
“Are you guys decent?” He shouts through the door. Roman has always been considerate like that.
“Yeah, you can come in now.” Sarah shouts back.
As he walks in the bedroom with three glasses in his hand, he looks at us both with his mouth left open.
“Hey, Ro. Close your mouth.” I say whilst winking at him. He clears his throat then smiles.
“Girls, you’ve outdone yourselves this year. You’ve never looked so hot!”.
We both smile at him. I agree with him, Sarah does look stunning. The red sequined dress is long sleeved and stops mid-thigh. It has an open back, and the colour matches her perfectly.
I do admit that I feel pretty fierce in this deep purple velvet dress with the high slit. It’s an off the shoulder dress as well, so we’re both going braless tonight.
We all get in Roman’s truck to head to Pals. I have a feeling that tonight is going to be a night we won’t forget.
