It's Complicated // H.S & L.P

Chapter 16

I hung up the phone with Harry, disappointed, but not mad. He was supposed to come home from America tonight like the rest of boys for their week off, but he said he had to take care of something's so he couldn't make it. I sighed and noticed Liam staring at me from across the room, sitting stiffly, uncomfortably. I scrunched my nose at him, making a face but he only faked a smile.

"So, what did he say?" Liam asked, trying to act casual.

"He can't make it tonight, but he'll try to be back tomorrow" I said bitting my lips trying not to miss him. Liam shifted avoiding eye contact.

"Liam are you okay?" I asked, confused. He wasn't acting like himself; he was being really weird like he had something to say or was hiding something from me. It took him a second to respond.

"... No. It's not okay" He was talking more to himself them me.

"What's wrong?" I asked with a chuckle.

"Lee, can't you see?" He said nearly shouting, suddenly angry.

"He's never here anymore, you're always alone" He must have noticed me startled expression because he made an apologetic face. It was true, but he was just really busy with something. You knew that, you understood it, because to you love in knowing that the other person is just as imperfect as you.

"Liam, we've talked about this before... we're going to work it out..." I trailed off; Liam was shaking his head sadly.

"It's not fair to you, to keep you in the dark..." he said softly, as if hoping I wouldn't hear. I just looked at him expectantly, confused with an eyebrow raised.

"Leigh-Anne, he's cheating on you" he said taking a deep breath. He said it so fast. It was so simple when Liam said it. Everything else happened in a blur. There was crying, mostly me, but Liam might have swiped away a tear once or twice. He didn't like seeing me hurt or completely taken advantage of. I'd stood there shocked for a moment before collapsing into Liam's arms, unable to control myself.

"I shouldn't be too surprised or upset about this" I said getting a hold of myself.

"That's my fault and you shouldn't blame yourself for that" Liam said stopping me from blaming myself. I'd finished ranting and slumped down on the couch, wondering aloud if this was my fault.

"Oh, no babe..." Liam cooed, sinking down next to me, rubbing my back.

"You didn't do anything, some people just won't realize how good they've got until it's gone" I rested my heavy head on his shoulder, sniffing occasionally.

"You know, I'm really lucky to still have you around, none of my other friends would put up with me and what I've done" I felt Liam exhale swiftly. 

"So that's it? After all this time we're just friends" I could tell he was upset, but fighting it. I sat up pulling myself from him.

"Liam I just can't - I just... I mean you should know..." My eyes welled up as I realised this was how it was, how it was all along. He'd loved me through everything. He'd watched me love Harry more than him and tell him he had to step back so many times. He'd kept it to himself all this time and now I'd realise how much I'd hurt him. The thing that really broke me down was the realization that I felt the same way and it was only fair to both of me to act on it but at the same time I couldn't re-enter that. I hadn't confronted Harry yet and felt numb and bruised. I felt frustrated and annoyed that Liam didn't seem to understand that, it wasn't easy.

"What do you mean? Babe, I will never hurt you like him, do you realize how long I've waited for you?" He scooted closer and I didn't push him away.

"Liam... I'm not going to let this happen again, I know what guys do! They say sweet things, but then they move on before you're ready and leave you behind"

"Have I ever given you a reason not to trust me?" he said with a humourless laugh and leaned in.

"Just give in... just try" he breathed. Despite my judgment I did. I let him kiss me and soon I was kissing him back, pulling him closer by the soft fabric of his shirt. Our lips moved in sync, hungrily. He melted into me, hands around my waist. 

"Knew it" He mumbled as he smiled into the kiss. Liam then brushed my cheek with his soft fingers.

...

"I can't believe that you are here and lying next to me" Liam said once I opened my eyes. I gave him a quick smile.

"Did I dream that we were perfectly intertwined, like branches on a tree or twigs caught on a vine" I asked as I stretched out.

"No it's wasn't a dream, I'm just the underdog who finally got the girl and when you're ready I'm not afraid to show it to the world"

"Look Liam... I glad that we can be together but I still need to confront Harry" I said killing the moment. Liam's face hardens at my words.

"Well I wish I could freeze time and frame last night so I can replay it over and over again" He said taking words from his song.

"Liam... I'm truly, madly, deeply in love with but we can't start a public relationship until the one im currently in is well and truly over" I said holding his hand. Liam nodded and I slid out of the bed and got dressed to meet Harry at the airport.

"I guess I should get up as well, im meeting with my parent for lunch" Liam said sliding out of bed. I flashed him a smile and walked over to him.

"Just let me work things out, I want to do this so he doesn't end up hating on anyone" I said giving him a quick kiss on the lips.

"Leigh-Anne" Liam called after I started walking out the bedroom door.

"What is it?" I asked turning around.

"Im, truly, madly, deeply in love with you too" Liam smiled. I smiled at his words and continued towards the door.