Broken Promises

Chapter Seventeen

Liam's POV

I slowly got out of the car, trying not to clutch my stomach, as it was still very sore from the surgery. Emerson and Niall were by my side helping me. I was actually surprised at Emerson's willingness to help me and not really leaving my side since I woke up.

We haven't brought up the kiss we shared three nights ago, and while part of me feels shame for kissing her while still being with Danielle, the better half of me wants nothing more than to kiss her again. Spending so much time with Emerson in the last two weeks has brought up feelings that I thought disappeared many years ago.

When I look at Emerson, I no longer see the sweet and innocent girl I left five years ago; instead, I see a strong and independent woman who has built a fortress around her to avoid heartbreak. It pains me to think that I may have caused that.

All I want to do is be around her- I want to hold her in my arms, stroke her soft blonde hair, and kiss her rosy lips. I want to make her laugh and see her cheeks turn bright red when she gets embarrassed. I want nothing more than to be back in her life, and if it's not in the way that I truly want, I will settle for being her best friend once more.

Danielle has only contacted me once since I've been in the hospital, and I realize what I need to do. Our relationship has been rocky for a while, but I just didn't want to accept it. We have done long distance before, so I'm not sure why this time would be any different. But the tension I feel whenever I speak to her overpowers the love I once had for her. Combine the tension with the feelings I have for Emerson, I know what I need to do.

Haz opened the door for Niall, Emerson, and I as we entered the flat.

"Ah, home sweet home. I hate hospitals." I breathe. Niall and Emerson let me go and I walked over to the couch, taking my time getting into a comfortable spot. "Let's watch a movie! Whatever one you guys want!" I say.

Haz and Lou immediately sprinted over to the movie case and started fighting and shouting like two year olds over which movie to watch. Zayn went and claimed the other couch and instantly started snoring once his head hit the leather. Niall.. well, Niall of course was making popcorn and drinks.

"Do you want a blanket or anything Liam?" Emerson asks.

"Why don't you just take a rest, you have been doing too much in the two days, you need to rest too," I tell her, catching her wrist as she reaches down to grab a blanket from the floor.

Emerson only smiled and went down the hallway and came back a minute later with a pillow. "Lay down." She instructed. I slowly move down to rest my head on the pillow she gave me, and she tucks me into the blanket.

Emerson sits down on the floor, her head near my feet. I frown at the distance between us.

"What are you doing down there?" I ask curiously.

"Sitting..?" Came her response.

"Come on up here, I'm cold," I whine.

Niall must have heard me because his head popped out of the kitchen and chirped, "I'll cuddle with you, Liam!"

Chuckling, which I shouldn't do since it really hurts, I responded, "No thanks mate!"

"Aww! Whatever Liam, I see how it is. I wasn't going to share my popcorn with you anyway!" My Irish friend jeered childishly and stuck his tongue out.

Focusing on Emerson, I wait for her answer.

"Cuddle with your blanket, that's what it's there for." She smirks, but there was a tremble that I heard in her voice.