Let Me Put You In The Picture: Version 1

Chapter 182

            Nic jerked on my hand to stop me from heading towards the door. We were only feet away but the look in his eyes said we needed to hold back...if only for a second.

"I dunno what happened between you and Matt and quite frankly, I don't wanna know." He said firmly. "But if you've done anythin' to hurt him-"

"I'm sorry!" I sobbed. "I didn't mean to. I just-"

"That's enough now!" He took a breath as he stared at the door. "What Liam doesn't know won't kill him...they're waitin' for you. C'mon!"

He led us on and I couldn't help holding my breath a bit.

"Why'd you go without a minder?!" Liam exclaimed as he came towards me and wrapped his arms around me as tight as he could. "You're not supposed to go without a minder!"

"I had Matt." I pointed out. "I wasn't alone."

"I just want ya safe." He said softly by my ear as he rested his head on my shoulder. "I'm supposed to keep you safe-"

"A lotta good ya done there!" Noel muttered.

We turned to look at him.

His eyes were as firm as ever. "We've got a plane to catch. Let's go!"

The seating arrangements on the plane would probably come as a shock to most people. The idea of all three of us traveling on the same flight...you can't make this shit up. Noel got the window seat. Liam got the aisle seat. And I was sandwiched between them in the middle. Apparently Noel booked the flight and chose our seats. But with me between them...I guess it made it up for not being separate.

"Can I get you something to drink?" The flight attendant offered as she stood in the aisle way with her cart.

"Yeah." Noel replied. "I'll have tea with lemon. She'll have orange juice. And he'll have English Breakfast. Black."

"I can order for myself thanks." I chimed in holding my hand up.

"Nah. I saved ya the trouble." He shook his head. "We both know ya always have orange juice. Especially in the mornin'."

"That may be so but Liam doesn't drink plain tea."

"Yes I do!" Liam defended.

I looked at him puzzled. "Since when?" I asked.

"Since he fell asleep when he was s'posed to be watchin' you!" Noel sniped. "He needs the caffeine to help him stay awake. The milk and that, dilutes it."

"What the hell are you talking about?!"

"Ya run off again." Liam said. "When ya shouldn't be-"

"I did not run off!" I argued. "I left you a note."

Maybe I should've given more of a warning but when I said I'd be back in two days, I really meant I'd be back in two days. I didn't want to run. I didn't even want to kiss Matt. But in the moment, I guess I just...who knows.

The plane ride got quiet after that. Noel fell asleep but Liam and I were wide awake.

I sat there and gently rubbed his arm up and down.

He sighed a little and sat back to get comfortable. He had his iPad out on his tray table so I turned it on and found his Trivia Crack app. I opened a new game and spun for a category.