The Girl In The Dirty Shirt

Chapter 76

We didn't speak the whole time he was home. Went to bed at different times, woke up at different times; and when we were both awake and in the same room, we didn't even look at each other.
He had stopped trying to apologize; he had stopped talking to me period.
The morning he had left for Cambridge he hadn't even told me goodbye. The only reason I knew he'd left was because his bag was gone.

I went to work and came home, everyone I talked to at work asked me if I was okay, asked how I was feeling. I hadn't slept well at all and I know all the drugs hadn't helped. They asked if things between Liam and me were okay; I lied and said they were, blamed the baby for keeping me up.

Liam hadn't called the whole time he was gone, not that it surprised me really, what did surprise me, was how much I missed him.
Noel's keys sat on the kitchen table, taunting me. Did he miss me? Was I wasting my time waiting around for him to come back?
He was due back today, so I guess I'd find out.

I sat around and waited, I couldn't think about anything else. I flipped through channels aimlessly and found nothing. I turned off the TV when the phone rang and got up to answer it.

"Hello?"

"So you can answer a call, thought I might have to leave another message"

"Hello, Noel"

"Hi darling, how y'been?"

"I've been better"

"Still 'avin' trouble with Our Kid aye?"

"I wouldn't know, I haven't talked to him since Amsterdam"

"What the hell do y'mean y'haven't talked to 'im since Amsterdam?  We've been back since then"

"We didn't say a word to each other the whole time he was here; then he left without saying goodbye"

"For cryin' out loud, quit actin' like y'don't love each other and talk about it; nothin' is gonna get resolved if y'don't"

"How the hell am I supposed to do that, it's not like he'll go to counselling, will he?"

"Do y'think Liam would go to counselling?" He asked a little sarcastic "You know him better than that"

"So then what am I supposed to do?"

"Talk to 'im, you two don't ever try talkin' you yell at each other"

"Because he doesn't listen"

"So sit 'im down and make 'im listen, if y'want to make things work, y'gotta talk Ly"

I sighed "I know"

"We'll be home in fifteen minutes"

"Already?"

"Yeah"

"Alright,"

"Goodbye, Lyla"

"Goodbye, Noel"

Ten minutes later the door opened and Liam walked in. I stood up and we just looked at each other.

"Hi..." I said quietly

"Hi..." he smiled weakly

I chewed my lip and he threw his bag down.

"Can...can we talk?" I asked hesitantly

He walked over and stood in front of me. I don't know why I was so nervous; I couldn't even look at him.
Liam stopped and reached up pulling my lip out from between my teeth.

"Stop bitin' your lip"

He dragged his thumb across my lip and we just stared at each other.

I moved half a step and Liam moved his hand to the back of my neck and pulled me closer; kissing me for the first time since I can't remember when.