All Over You

Slap On The Wrist

The next morning, I wander along to the cafeteria, mulling over my food options and pondering whether I should pick up Liam's favourite. We occasionally do eat lunch together if we take the same break, but he usually has to be in the studio setting up when I go on lunch. I grab a sandwich anyway, deciding he can just eat it later if he's busy. After all the events of yesterday I long for a peaceful day with transmission before going home and getting straight in a relaxing bath. As fun as life is with Liam, sometimes I crave the routine of ordinary life. I chose not to think of Liam's lie, instead focusing on the progress we've made as a couple. Nothing is ever linear and Liam's past will never permanently leave us. It's the moving forward that counts.

As if he knew I was thinking about him, my phone starts ringing and I giggle as Liam's contact flashes up on my phone. His contact photo is a really goofy shot he let me capture when he stayed at home with me around week ago. His beautiful eyes are hilariously crooked and his smile is as lopsided as ever. It makes me chuckle every time I get the pleasure of seeing it. I am still reeling from the way he called me his future. I've felt like I'm floating from the second he said it and am yet to come down. He's really trying for me. One mistake won't ruin that for us. 

"Yes, I'll get you lunch." I roll my eyes as I answer the phone, though the tone I'm met with sends chills down my spine.

"Tiffany, I'm in a lot of trouble."

I shudder, stopping in my tracks. I have never heard that sense of panic and urgency in his voice before. Alarm bells always ring when he uses my first name instead of nicknaming me in that playful sing-song voice of his. Something was happening and I freeze to my spot in the cafeteria. This is not how I expected my day to unfold. 

"What? Where are you?" I ask, my shaky voice echoing down the line.

"I was sent home. I think I'm going to lose my job."

I breathe out slightly now I'm reassured his life isn't in danger. Still, Liam's job means a lot to him and the prospect of losing it must be terrifying. Liam losing his job would almost be like losing his whole life. This entire encounter is so unsettling, my fingers tremble as they grip the device thats pressed up against my ear. 

"Liam? What happened?"

"Do you remember when I got a seat on the board? It was Bramble Studio's way of keeping me. Well, I gave Jen my old job and didn't tell anyone so apparently that's unlawful."

Jen's name doesn't shake me as much these day's, but her involvement in affairs can never be a good sign. I nibble a hangnail as I depict the whole thing in my head. 

"Why was it unlawful?" I dare myself to enquire.

"It didn't go through the board and I didn't hold interviews for the position like I said I did. Lesley has just sent me home pending a full investigation." His voice breaks with fear, and I long to comfort him.

"Shit, Liam. Are you okay?"

"No."

"Wait for me, I'll be over in five."

I hang up before he can argue and reignite his weird intolerance of anyone being inside his house. I abandon the lunch options I was deliberating over and sprint in the other direction. Liam is much more important to me than afternoon transmission. We have standbys and I'm sure my department will figure it out. I never miss the live show, so one time can't hurt for a worthy cause. I don't waste another second, dashing into my office and grabbing my things before messily throwing them into my bag.

"Where's the fire?" Geoff asks with slight amusement in his voice.

"Liam is the fire." I sigh, hovering in the doorway.