Finding Your Person

Chapter 25

Heading to breakfast with Liam had my nerves jumping right out of my skin. It's not like he acted any differently towards me, he was the same Liam that he was yesterday and has always been. Which only made me confused, as to whether or not last night meant anything to him. Maybe it was an in-the-moment type of thing?
The restaurant we went to was beautiful. It was a pretty breezy day, but the sun's warm beams were shining down on us. We decided that it would be nice to sit outside. We were seated at one of the few tables outside right under a huge oak tree that shaded our table completely. After we ordered our food, we watched as a few people would pass by and we'd try to commentate what was happening in their life. It was a pretty fun game, especially when you have a partner as goofy as Liam. Every once in awhile, a cool autumn breeze would blow, forcing all of my hair that was down straight into my face. The table wasn't very wide; I couldn't help but think how it would take no real effort for two people to lean across the table and kiss.
As the winds picked up, my hair stood no chance. It wiped me in all areas on my face. The last thing I wanted was for my hair to wind up in my food. I began pulling it back, however a few pieces in the front were able to break free from my grasp. My eyes met Liam who began to lean over the table and gently tucked the hair still hanging in front of my face behind my ear. As I brought my hands down from fixing my hair into a ponytail, I figured now would be a great time to bring up last night. With all of these butterflies dancing in my stomach at the slightest touch of Liam, I needed to know what was going through his mind.
"So, last night," I subtly blurted out.
"I was wondering when you were going to ask me about it." He let out a soft laugh. "Before you say anything, I need to say something, because I know you're probably confused or unsure of what I'm thinking. So, let me just put this out there." He paused before beginning, and I could feel my stomach twisting. "Mas, you are the most amazing girl I've ever met." All I could think of was here comes the 'but.' The 'but it was a mistake' or 'but I'm your brother's best friend, etc. "And I love you."
What the heck! I had no words, but it didn't matter because he kept talking. " I love when you raise your left eyebrow, when you're about to say something super sarcastic to me. I love how when you watch a romantic movie and the couple finally kiss or get together you can't help but spaz out and cover your eyes. You get all giggly like you are five years old and have never watched anyone kiss. Or the way your eyes light up with so much joy when you see a little kid or a baby. I've never even met any kid that didn't smile or laugh around you. It's like they're drawn to you. I love the way you dance in the passenger seat and sing every single song at the top of your lungs even though we both know you suck at it. When you look in the mirror right when your about to go out, you shrug your shoulders and say 'alright' as if you aren't anything special or are just average. Mas, you've never been anything less than extraordinary. And I could listen to your laugh all day, and I know you hate it, but it puts the biggest smile on my face. I know that you suck at taking compliments, and I also know right now you're probably thinking of fifty different comebacks and ways to belittle all of the things I just said, but don't. You need to hear this." He paused, and leaned his body over the table closer to me. He then continued, "Mas, you are the most compassionate person. I don't know anyone who's capable of giving more love than you. With that being said, you deserve more love than you know. And I know it, and I want to show you and give you all of the love in the world. Someone once told me that when you love someone you have to let them know. Don't even think about it, just say it. Say it a million times over if you have to." I couldn't help but smile BIG because I think that person was me quoting Grey's Anatomy. "So, I love you. Mas, I am in love with you. And I know you just got broken up with and you're probably not ready for anything, that's fine. Or maybe you don't feel the same way towards me and we can drop it and move on like nothing happened. I can also tell you I love you a million times again and again until you feel the same way, because honestly I don't want to drop it." He laughed.
"Wow, I thought I was a hopeless romantic. You bring a whole new meaning to that word hopeless."
He laughed, "Thanks, that's exactly the sarcastic response I wanted to hear after pouring out my heart and soul to you."
"Liam, I do love you."
"Check, please! That's all I wanted to hear; we can leave now." Liam threw up his arm, causing a scene. I swatted his arm down.
"Stop," I tried to say seriously, but was smiling way to hard. "But," I began.
"No don't give me the but," Liam interrupted me.
"I just ended a relationship that I had been in for over two years and I don't know if I'm ready."
"I'm up for a challenge." He smiled, leaning back in his seat, crossing his arms.
"I'm serious."
"I know. You don't have to make any decisions right now. Especially when you're hungry. You usually don't make the best decisions on an empty stomach. I've seen what irrational decisions you make on an empty stomach. So let's get some food in you and we can talk about it later."
"How much later?"
"As long as it takes for you to say yes." I shook my head at his response. "Tomorrow. We will talk tomorrow. Just let me enjoy your company today."
"Fine. I'll give you today because right now all I can think about are these waffles coming out." We looked over and saw the waitress bringing our food.
Our conversation throughout breakfast was just as easy as any of our other conversations, before he told me he loved me, and not at all awkward. The truth is, I did love him and to hear him say all of his feelings towards me gave me the best kind of butterflies in my stomach. Deep down I knew I always had a crush on him, but it seemed impossible to think anything would ever come of it.
Liam and I spent most of the day running around, tailgating with his friends before going to Brady's game. I was really into cornhole. I wasn't that good at it though, but I was amazing at KanJam. KanJam was a game played with partners, two cans and one frisbee. The rules of the game were simple. You and your partner stood at opposite sides behind both the cans. You both got a turn throwing the frisbee. If you threw the frisbee and your partner hit it into the can, it was three points. If you threw the frisbee and it hit the can itself it was two points, and if you threw the frisbee and your partner hit the frisbee against the can it was one point. On each can there was a slot where if the frisbee was thrown in the slot it was an automatic win. Let's just say I was pretty good, and my competitive side got the best of me. Liam thought it was so funny how I took the game so seriously.
Every once in awhile he would grab my hand as we walked through crowds of people. He also had a habit of throwing his arm around me, pulling me in and kissing the top of my head. Even though we weren't dating and I was unsure of what the future held for us, I knew he always made me feel like my best self.
Brady's football game had been intensely close, which only made the stadium even louder and more energized. Brady's team wound up winning the game, and as the final whistle blew, the stands went crazy. Liam grabbed my lower back and pulling me in forcefully, kissed me. Once he let go of me he began to cheer. I started slowly clapping, still stunned at that kiss that had taken me by surprise. He looked down at me and just laughed with a big grin on his face. Seeing him smile at me like that made me feel so weak, like I could melt down to a puddle.
Once the game finished, Liam walked me into the parking lot to find my parents who had been at the game but in a different section than ours. I always knew Liam didn't know what personal space was, but I never minded when he would lean on me or throw his arm around me. Now it was a little different in an even more extreme way. He wanted to hold my hand constantly after the game. He didn't want to let go of me, and if I let go of his hand he would grab me from behind and hug me. It was so nice having someone who actually wanted to love me, and show me how much he loved me.