39
Ty
It was the perfect date.
Hopefully, the first of many.
Without fear for our lives or our safety, we enjoyed the pleasure of each other’s company, simply, quietly, and with some appetizers and wine.
Liam told me about the novels he’d read during his stay at the IPB headquarters, and how he’d caught up on allThe X-Filesseasons, so we needed to find a new series.
This time, together.
Eventually, we had to leave, though, and head to Jesse’s award ceremony.
The date had ended too soon. Far too soon.
Liam had given Eric and Jesse a heads-up that he’d be attending as well. Said he was going to be in town and I’d told him about it, but left it at that. Kind of felt like we were spoiling date night by having to go to an event where we had to conceal the truth about how we felt. And I feared that revealing the truth and dealing with the consequences might take something away from what a great time we’d had.
When we arrived at the ceremony, Liam and I didn’t stand as close to one another as we typically did. I hadn’t realized how close we must have stood even when we weren’t together yet, but even a few inches was too far. It made me wonder what that must’ve felt like for Eric and Jesse during the time they had to keep their relationship from me. How much that must’ve weighed on them.
As we met up with Jesse and Eric, all I could think of as we hugged was: would they understand, or would they think this was some sort of fucked-up revenge for what they had done? No, surely not. Surely they knew by now that I was totally understanding of their situation. That I knew they couldn’t have helped how they felt for one another any more than I could have helped what I felt for Liam.
My Liam.
Mom arrived shortly after, which gave us an opportunity to catch up, along with giving me a hard time for not visiting enough.
“Just promise you’ll come by the house for dinner this weekend,” she insisted, and I agreed, although a part of me was bothered because it would pull me from Liam.
He was with me and I’d see him plenty, I told myself, but considering the madness we’d endured throughout this early part of our relationship, all I wanted was to be with him, in the quiet of emotions, without stress or worry. However, I knew Mom well enough to know I had to make time for her. I didn’t want her to think I was ignoring her, and just as much, I wanted to make sure she was doing all right. I’d worried about her while I was away, and being with her again reminded me that she was safe.
Jesse received his award and gave an impressive speech, because he was fucking Jesse Morgan and he seemed to be good at everything. When the awards had been distributed, and after a few more speeches about donating to the causes represented at the event, the band started playing, and couples made their way to the dance floor, which had been set up between the band and the tables around the room.
Jesse and I were chatting when a slow song came on.
“Okay, okay, you boys can finish chitchatting after I get a dance with my man,” Eric interrupted.
Jesse’s cheeks pinkened, and as I noticed the romantic melody playing, I told him, “Get out there.”
“Be right back,” he assured me.
“Notrightback,” Eric said. “I think I might steal my husband for a minute more.”
“Eh, you get him most of the time, so don’t think I won’t put up a fight,” I joked before they headed off.
Mom had slipped away to the restroom, so it was just Liam and me sitting next to one another.
“It’s a nice tune,” I confessed, a part of me wishing I could be going out on the dance floor to enjoy Liam’s company the way Jesse got to enjoy Eric’s. As though intuiting my wish, Liam pushed to his feet, a mischievous expression on his face as he extended his hand.
“What?” I asked, not at all confused about what his gesture meant, but that he was doing it. What was he thinking?
“Didn’t you say you weren’t interested in the awkward clichéd conversation? Seems like we might have a chance to get out of it.”
I was taken aback by Liam, in all his glory. Not just this tall, rugged, handsome man, but the gentler part—one I had been offered a glimpse of—that I somehow always knew was in there somewhere, and that he was more willing to show me these days than at first.
I looked to his hand, knowing he was right.
To dance with him would push us right through what felt like a huge obstacle, but maybe it would be a hell of a lot easier to talk to Eric and Jesse afterward if we just bit the bullet.
