Let Me Put You In The Picture: Version 1

Chapter 165

            "Where are you?" He asked after hestitating like he'd been thinking of what to say.

"You know I can't tell you that." I replied.

"Yes ya can! You can tell me anything. You know that."

I sighed as I continued to hold my phone to my ear.

"Please Jules." He continued. "Just-"

"I haven't left the country." I cut him off. "Tell Our Kid I'll be home this weekend."

Tarporley had grown on me like every other northern place I'd been to, but it had the bonus of being the home of Cotebrooke Shire Horses. I considered saying fuck it to the life I'd built up in the last year and inquire about a career change to that farm but something told me that would be a big mistake.

Noel offered to hire a car to bring me home but I declined. The train was good enough and I wasn't about to tell him where I'd been. I needed that time away but now I needed to go back.

It was past dinner time when I arrived in Hampstead. I took a deep breath as I stood there in front of the door. After a few seconds, I got myself together and opened it.

"I'm sorry!" He exclaimed as he wrapped his arms around me and pushed his head down into my shoulder. "I'm so sorry!"

"Liam!" It was all I could do to breathe.

"Whatever I done, I didn't mean it! Please forgive me, Blue! I didn't mean to hurt ya! I love ya too much!"

"It's okay!" I assured him as I attempted to push him back.

He continued to hold on for a few more seconds before finally letting go. He stood back and I was able to look at him properly. His eyes flickered with excitement and tiredness at the same time. I'm sure he was wired. Not by drugs or anything but knowing him there was no way he'd gotten much sleep while I was gone.

His stomach growled quietly.

"Did you have dinner?" I asked.

"No." He replied shaking his head.

"Then let's get you something to eat." I led him to the kitchen.

"I don't want anythin' to eat! I wanna talk to you!"

There was small talk over dinner but I wasn't going to get into the big stuff just yet.

"C'mon, Blue!" Liam said as I helped him take his shirt off for bed. "Why won't ya talk to me?"

"I am talking to you." I told him as I unbuttoned his jeans and pulled his zipper down.

"Y'know what I fuckin' mean!"

"I do, yeah. But you're tired and need rest. We'll talk in the morning."

He sighed in acquiesce and crawled in bed beside me.

"Close your eyes." I ordered as I stroked his jaw. I could tell he was fighting it, trying so hard to stay awake.

"Not 'til you do." He said looking at me. "Turn that lamp off."

I did so and then we nuzzled in closer.

"I love you." He said softly into my ear.