Strong (Book 2 in the No Control series)

Chapter 71

Liam insists that he needs to go for a walk, to think. While he's gone, I call Harry. He agrees to come right over to talk to Liam.

I sit at the top of the stairs, trying to hear their conversation from the kitchen.

"You can hit me if you want, Liam. I probably deserve it. You need to know though, I've moved on. I'm not in love with Lizzie...anymore."

Liam finally speaks. "So you just stopped having feelings for her?"

"It took some time. Seeing how happy you make Lizzie, how much she loves you. Knowing how well you treat her. That all helped. Honestly, Ella was the final factor. You have an incredible family, Liam. I'd never hurt any of you."

"Why did you tell her? Did you think she'd leave me for you?" I can hear the strain in Liam's voice.

"No, I never even considered her leaving you. I knew she loved you and I also knew she didn't love me, not in that way. I told her because I needed closure, so I could move on. It would have been harder on our friendship if I kept it bottled up."

"I think I've always felt like you've had a crush on her. It never really bothered me, until it was plastered all over the internet for the whole world to see."

I hear Harry laugh. "They've said a lot worse about us."

"That's true." Liam's voice sounds a bit less tense.

"Can we get past this?" Harry asks.

I hear Liam sigh. "I think so. I'm going to need some time. I still want to hit you, but not as much as before."

Harry laughs. "Well, that's a start." Then he lowers his voice, I can barely hear him. "Look, if you want me to stay away from Lizzie..."

Liam interrupts. "No, I trust Liz. You...I'm gonna need a little time though."

"I understand. I just don't want things to be weird between us all." Harry says.

"That might take some time."

"I better go. I'll see you at the venue."

I hear the front door open so I head down the stairs.

"Liam, you do know how much Lizzie loves you, right?" Harry says as he heads out the door.

Liam shuts the door then walks to me. I stand on the last step, leaving me closer to

his height.

"Are you upset with me?" I ask.

He wraps his arms around my waist. "No, Love, I'm not upset with you. Just promise me, in the future you will tell me about things like that. Then we can figure it out together."

I smile. "You're completely right, I should have told you. I promise."

He moves closer, our lips almost touching. "Is Ella still asleep?" He asks.

"Yes."

"Do you know what I need right now?"

"What?"

"I need to take my beautiful wife to bed and remind her that she made the right choice when she married me."

I touch the side of his face. "Your wife already knows that, without a doubt." I smirk. "However, feel free to "remind" me as often as you'd like."

He kisses me, biting my lip as he pulls back. "I love you, Beautiful."

I smile. "I love you more, Handsome."

He smirks then grabs my ass, lifting me and carrying me up the stairs. "You are so gonna get it, Mrs. Payne."