Read Online The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard - Free Book Online

deal.”
    I huffed out a breath, realizing what a fool I was making of myself. I pursed my lips and nodded.
    “Hey, where should I put the fireworks?” Sean asked as he and Rachel joined us. I was grateful for their arrival, hoping my embarrassing overreaction would be forgotten. Sean’s arm was wrapped loosely around her waist. Apparently they were on-again today. It didn’t stop her from batting her eyelashes at the guys, though, and of course, she sneered over at me. Then as if I didn’t exist, she turned her back on me and launched into conversation with Nicole.
    I tried to relax, listen to the conversations around me, and have a good time. Just before twilight, the guys went out to the fire pit to get the fireworks ready. Nicole and Rachel were at the picnic table near the pool chatting with a group of friends. I saw my chance to take a minute alone so I headed to get another drink.
    “This is some party,” a familiar voice said from behind me. I turned to see Liam standing in the shadow of the pool house.
    “What are you even doing here?” I asked, looking around for the blonde woman he’d been with earlier.
    Liam smiled, and his eyes flickered to Ethan. “My new contractor invited me, of course.”
    “Where is...where is the blonde you were with before?” I ground out. Not exactly the way to convince me he really still loved my mother as he’d claimed.
    Liam looked tense and ignored my question. “You have every reason to hate me, Allison. I know that. But I’m here to help your mother, not harm her. There were circumstances that kept me away until now.”
    “They must have been some circumstances.”
    “I know that’s vague.” He coughed a little and looked down. “But it’s the most I can tell you at the moment.”
    I laughed, surprised at how cold it sounded. “No comment.”
    “I know that I’m responsible for your mother’s current state. But I really believe I can help her recover.”
    I twisted to look him in the eye. “I told you I don’t want you near her.”
    “Please, allow me to finish. Helping your mother isn’t the only thing I wanted to talk to you about today.”
    I frowned at him.
    “I believe she’s in danger.”
    “My mother is schizophrenic. There is no chance she can, as you say, recover .” I shook my head in frustration. “And, as far as any danger she might be in, there is nothing more dangerous than having her see you again.”
    “I’m not able to explain further right now, but I’m begging you, please try to trust that I’m telling the truth.”
    “Trust you? That’s a joke, right?” I crossed my arms over my chest.
    “We’ll be watching to make sure your entire family stays safe,” he continued without missing a beat. “But if I do contact you at your grandparents’ again, please understand that it's important.”
    “Wait, what do you mean ‘we’?”
    Liam looked away, and when he looked back at me, his eyes pleaded with me to understand. Ethan was walking across the lawn, looking from Liam to me with a concerned expression.
    “Ethan, your family's home is stunning,” Liam said. “Thank you so much for inviting me today, but I’m afraid I must be going.”
    “All right, man. Talk with you soon.” Ethan glanced down at me, a question still in his eyes.
    “Allison, lovely to see you again,” Liam added with a nod.
    I watched him walk away, every muscle in my body thrumming with tension.
    “You don’t like him much, do you?” Ethan asked, watching me as if gauging my reaction.
    “I don’t even know him,” I replied. Okay, I needed a change of subject. “Are they almost ready for the fireworks?”
    “I think so. Keep your fingers crossed that they know what they’re doing.”
    I laughed at Jeff and Sean across the yard, fighting over a box of matches. Ethan muttered something under his breath, and I turned to see Rachel sauntering over to us.
    “Such a great party, Ethan,” Rachel sputtered, taking a sip of her wine