------------------------

Dedication: JessicaMorel0 for being a fellow Australian, being a new reader to Bad Liar and being a supporter of mine. Thank you for your encouraging words <3

Recap:

"Okay, sure. I'll take you home."

"No," I say softly, meeting his eyes. "I don't want to go home."

He raises his eyebrows. "Where, then?"

I let out a breath as I tighten my grip in his.

"I want to go to yours."

------------------------

Miles-

Isobel-

"Really?" he whispers, his voice low and even.

"Yes," I nod. "Get me away from these people."

He nods, pulling me closer to him, instinctively.

"Not leaving so soon, are we?" a familiar voice asks, causing my blood to chill inside my veins.

I feel sick as I turn around, seeing Eli smirking at me.

"Eli," Miles grunts through gritted teeth.

"Hi Isobel, how are you?" he asks me, his tone playful and polite.

I decide not to answer. Mainly, because Miles is gripping my hand so tight, that it is painful.

"I've missed a lot," he says with a grin. "You two, rekindling your old flame? I would say I'm surprised, but we all knew it was bound to happen."

"What are you doing here?" Miles asks him, his tone warning.

"Thought I would visit my good friends," he replies breezily, the soft wind tousling his hair. "And maybe kick your ass, but it looks like someone beat me to it."

He lethargically gestures to Miles' beaten and bruised face.

"Eli, please," I sigh, feeling tired and frustrated. "Don't do this."

"Do what?" he asks innocently. "I'm merely having a conversation with you."

"We both know that's not the case," I snap, unable to compose myself and hold back my irritation. "You're not a nice person, don't stand here and act otherwise."

"Ouch," he says in faux hurt, resting his hand on his chest, somewhat looking amused.

"Yeah, in other words, fuck off," Miles growls, his eyes narrowed into slits.

"Shouldn't it be the other way around, Miles?" he asks with a cruel smile. "You're the one who slept with my girlfriend. You're the one who bashed me."

"Ow," I whine as Miles nails bite into my flesh.

He doesn't seem to notice. Tears prick at my eyes due to his grip.

"Let the poor girl go, can't you see you're hurting her?" Eli asks with a smirk.

Miles abruptly lets go of me, frowning. "Leave, now."

I nod, thinking he's talking to Eli.

"Isobel, now," he snaps and I turn.

"What? Me?"

"Now!" he roars, shoving me.

I stumble in surprise and fall over, due to the sand and the fact that I'm semi-drunk.

"Wow," Eli says with an eye roll, clapping his hand. "Man of the year goes to you, Miles."

He pushes around a seething Miles and helps me to my feet.

"Get your hands off her," Miles snarls, his jaw clenching, his fists balled at his sides.

"Thank you," I say to Eli, ignoring Miles as I begin to brush the sand off me, my left wrist aching from landing on it.

I know he didn't mean it, but he just shoved me.

"You deserve better than this," Eli says, looking somehow genuine as he does.

As I widen my eyes, Miles leaps towards us, his fist right-hooking into the side of Eli's face.

"Miles!" I scream in horror. "Stop it!"

Suddenly, Finn is there, sand spraying behind him as he runs to meet us, a look of anger, mixed with worry etched on his face.

"Finn!" I cry. "Get Miles off him!"

Finn rips Miles off Eli and forcefully pushes him back, the both of them grunting like animals.

"You touched my sister," he snarls to Miles, his upper lip curling menacingly. "I'm going to kill you."

"Jesus Christ," I snap. "All of you, stop it before I ring the police."

"Do it," Eli encourages me, rubbing the side of his face. "I dare you."

"Don't listen to a word he says," Miles spits over Finn's shoulder.

Ignoring him, I pull out my phone and begin to dial. This is the most effective way to stop an all-out brawl taking place. It's a surprise the police haven't already been called about the party, anyway.

"Is, what are you doing?" Finn asks me, finally deciding to pay attention to me.

"Police, please," I say into the phone, choosing not to reply to my brother.

"Is!" Miles shouts.

Once I'm connected with an operator, I tell them there is a party on Maine Beach, and that it is out of control.

Finn abruptly lets Miles go and storms off, to warn everyone, sending a seething glare over his shoulder.

"Good girl," Eli praises me in a soothing voice. "That was the right thing to do."

"Shut up," I snap, turning my back to him.

"Is!" Miles calls out to me but I don't stop.

I storm towards the wharf, where Samara and I stashed our shoes. By the time I get there, she is leaning on the wooden frame, talking to Emily. I grit my teeth so hard that it is painful.

"Oh, hey Is," Emily perkily smirks and I glower at her as fiercely as I can.

I grab my shoes and stalk off towards Samara's house.

"Hey! Slow down!" Samara calls out, running to catch up with me.

I can hear sirens in the distance. I pick up a jog, not wanting to be anywhere near the beach right now.

"Is!" she shouts, running after me.

We make it to her house. I slip around the side and hold my breath, seeing a streak of red and blue rush down the streak, straight to the party.

"What the hell is going on?" she whispers to me.

As my breathing slows down, I lean against the house, feeling my adrenaline ebb away. I suddenly feel the ache in my wrist and the sting in my hand more prominently. I examine my palm, in the dim light, to see that Miles drew blood.

"Woah, what happened?" Samara asks.

"Miles happened."

***

"You sure you're okay?" Samara asks me for about the fourth time this morning.

"I'm fine," I sigh irritably.

I swing my bag onto my shoulder.

"I'll give you a ride," she offers.

I cringe, thinking of her driving, but can't be bothered to walk to my house. I nod, following her out the door, the sound of her keys jingling being the only sound around us, as we make our way down her staircase.

"Thanks for having me," I say to her mum politely.

"You're always welcome. Have a good day!"

"You too," the smile slides off my face as soon as I turn my back to her.

"Please talk to me," Samara begs as she turns the engine on. "What's got you upset?"

"I hate that Miles has no self-control. I see that enough with Finn, he doesn't have to be like that, too. He let his anger consume him last night and he hurt me in the process." I sigh once more, staring down at the fingernail indent in my palm.

"I'm sure he didn't mean it." she defends him, which is actually kind of uncharacteristic of her.

"I know, but it's all so complicated. He has some issues he needs to work through. He also smokes and you know I've always said I will never date a smoker."

"Tell him to quit," she shrugs. "If he does, that will definitely prove that he loves you."

"Can I ask him to do that?" I ask her, chewing at my lip as I think.

"Of course you can. It's a bad habit. You'd be helping him in the long run."

I nod, mulling over her advice, all the while gripping the passenger door for dear life as she fails to give way at a busy intersection, causing a car to blare their horn at her. She responds with a colourful word choice and her middle finger being flung out the window.

"If he bothers to call me, I will report back to you with what happens," I inform her.

A few minutes later, we pull up at the front of my house. I blow out a breath, half-dreading having to see Finn and talk about what happened last night. I need to stop attending parties, only bad things seem to happen when I go.

"Let me know what happens!" she calls as I slide out.

"Will do, thanks for the lift." I tell her with a nod, before shutting the door.

I walk quietly inside, not wanting to attract much attention to myself. I plan to tip-toe up the stairs, when I hear mum and Finn's voices in the kitchen. I pause, trying to hear what they are saying.

"I don't know how much more of this I can deal with, Finn." I hear her say, her tone heavy with weariness. "You have no control over it."

"I said nothing happened!" he argues, sounding strained. "I do have control, okay?"

"No, you don't." she argues right back. "I had a phone call on Friday from your counsellor. He has recommended you go to anger management classes."

"For fuck sake!" Finn exclaims in exasperation. "I don't need to do that."

"I am getting anxiety over this, Finn," she sighs, her voice dropping low. I can see her in my mind, raking her fingers through her tangled, curly hair, a frown crinkle appearing on her forehead. "Every time you go to a party, or out with your friends, I get this bad feeling that something is going to happen to you. It makes... it makes me..."

"What?" he asks her, his tone much more gentle now. "Makes you what?"

"It makes me want to drink, Finn."

I draw in a harsh breath at her confession, my hand flying to my mouth.

"Ma," Finn murmurs and I have to step closer to the kitchen to hear him better. "Okay. I will go to Anger Management. I don't want to cause any stress on you."

My eyes burn as the sensation of tears prick at them. I blink furiously, refusing to let any fall. I have been so self-absorbed with me own problems, that I didn't even notice mum might not be okay. I never even asked.

"I love you, Finn."

"I love you, too, Ma," he chokes out and I know he is feeling as emotional as I am.

As a tear slides down my cheek, I quickly walk back to the front door. I open it and close it loudly.

"I'm home!" I call out loudly, hoping my voice sounds normal. "Going to shower!"

I dart up the stairs so they can't see me. When I slip inside the bathroom, I lean heavily on the door, before doubling over and pressing my palms to my knees.

That is something I really didn't want to hear.

***

Miles: Can we meet?

I bite my lip softly as I re-read those three words in my mind. Eventually, I let out a breath of air and respond.

Isobel: Okay. When and where?

Miles: Now. Wherever.

Isobel: Tommy's?

Miles: See you soon.

I decide that Tommy's coffee shop is a neutral place to meet up.

I exchange my outfit from last night to a pair of high-waist shorts and a maroon t-shirt. I roll the sleeves up as it is warm out today. I do my hair into a messy pony tail, before sliding into my sandals.

Quietly, I edge out of my room, to see that Finn has exiled himself in his own, his door shut.

"Mum?" I call out.

I creep to her door. I open it, to see that she is in bed. Letting out a heavy sigh, I gently close the door and make my way to my car. The trip down town only takes a couple of minutes. I snag a car park, pretty much right in line with Tommy's coffee shop.

As I'm stepping out of the car, I see Miles walking in. He's dressed in a white, V-neck shirt and black, denim shorts, his sun glasses pushed into his ashy blond hair. He always looks good in whatever outfit he wears.

Nervously twisting my fingers together, I head into the shop.

Miles is ordering. I wait for him to finish, my fingers beginning to ache with how hard I am tangling them together.

"Hey," he greets me softly.

He walks over to me. He wraps an arm around me and I flinch at his touch. He jerks away from me, surprise in his eyes. Letting out a breath, he shakes his head.

"Fuck." he groans, throwing his hand through his hair.

Swallowing uneasily, I make my way over two a two-seater table, near the back of the shop.

"Let me start by saying I'm sorry," he says quickly, sitting opposite to me. He leans on his forearms, looking like he wants to reach out to me, but doesn't. "Things got out of hand last night. I shouldn't have reacted like that. I'm really sorry if I hurt you."

I lean onto my elbow, planting my chin in my palm. I stare into his liquid-blue eyes.

"I know, but it shouldn't have happened." I say in a low, even voice, my finger swirling on the table, drawing invisible patterns.

"Eli gets under my skin," he murmurs.

"Yeah. I know."

"I'm really sorry, Is." he sighs, looking tired. The circles beneath his eyes indicate he had a sleepless night. "I can't stop thinking about it. I'm so sorry."

"You have issues, Miles." I say bluntly, leaning forward and cutting straight to the chase. "You need to sort things out, otherwise these kind of things are going to keep happening."

He opens his mouth to reply, when our order arrives. Two chocolate milkshakes are placed in front of us. I thank the young boy, he nods eagerly and trots away from us.

"I know I do. You need to help me." he urges. "I know it's not fair of me to ask, but I need you to help me. You make me want to be better."

I cast my eyes to the table as I play with my straw, taking in his words.

"For starters, Miles," I continue. "I think you should stop smoking."

I meet his eyes. He looks surprised at my request.

"Okay... It's going to be hard, but I will do it for you."

"Really?" I ask him.

"Of course. I would do anything for you." he tells me, his face undeniably serious.

I find myself smiling back, my doubts and worry slowing ebbing away.

"I don't expect you to be able to quit straight away, but I want you to try."

"I will. I promise. Anything else?"

"He doesn't know that I know yet," I say slowly. "But Finn is going to join up to Anger Management classes. I think you should go with him."

"What?" he deadpans.

"I think it would be really helpful to you. And also, it might be a way to re-bond with my brother. It will prove to him that you're trying to better yourself."

He scratches his jaw, looking a little uneasy.

"Can I think about it?"

"Yeah, of course."

He nods. "Okay. Anything else?"

"That's it, I think."

"I was really worried about you last night, Is." he groans softly, looking pained. "You ran away from me. I didn't know where you were or who you were with. Why didn't you answer your phone?"

"I stayed at Samara's house with her. I didn't answer because once we got inside, I pretty much passed out straight away."

"Okay, that's alright."

"Did you go back to your house after the party?" I question, not steering my eyes away from his unwavering gaze.

"Yes."

"With Emily?"

"She was there when I got home. I didn't talk to her." he answers.

"Really?"

"Really. I showered, tried to call you again and then went to bed." he explained.

"Okay."

He slid his hand across the table, his palm facing up. I reach out, to place my hand in his, when my phone begins to ring.

"Sorry," I apologise. "It's Finn."

"Take it," he assures me, before sliding his milkshake towards him.

"Hey," I answer, turning my body away from Miles.

I feel rude answering the phone, but he wasn't good this morning. I want to talk to him, to see how he is holding up.

"Where are you?" he asks, his voice sounding raspy and my stomach clenches. He's been crying.

"I'm out for coffee. Are you okay?"

"Not really. I need to talk to you. Will you be home soon?"

"Yeah, I will be."

"Okay, talk soon."

The line goes dead. I pull my bottom lip in between my teeth as I turn back to Miles.

"Everything okay?"

"I don't know," I sigh.

"Want to talk about it?"

"I'd rather not, if that's okay?" I ask him, taking a sip of my milkshake.

"Sure."

He places his hand down again and this time, I'm not interrupted when I loop my fingers through his.

"I'll always be here," he murmurs. "To talk. Or not to talk."

"Thank you, Miles, I appreciate that. I'm here for you, as well."

His thumb gently caresses my palm and I let out a sigh.

No matter how hard I try, I can't resist him. I can't help fall for his charm.

It's impossible not to.

---------------------

Thoughts on what happened in this chapter?

FOLLOW MY INSTAGRAM! laurenj_22

ADD ME ON SNAPCHAT! laurenj_22