Whilst you were gone.. ('The Irish Girl' Sequel) (DG fanfic)

Chapter 24: Ground, swallow me up

After last night I was pretty sure my choice was much harder now, I didn't mind it and it was good but considering I tried everything to stop myself moving on from Liam and after everything that's happened it's messed it all up. I used to be strong, independent and I was wise to games like Ryan's but now I might as well become a permanent character in the game, I knew I'd regret it soon but for now I don't.
I sat in the living room and a pair of hands covered my eyes, "Tom Felton? Is that you?" I asked jokingly and he laughed "Well, it's someone better" and I gasped "The rock?!".
I knew it was Ryan I was just winding him up, which I loved to do.
"Blue eyes!" Ryan groaned as he moved his hands away, "Don't get mad Ryan, I was only joking you big softie!" I teased and he smiled "Your lucky I'm in a good mood" and I winked at him "I wonder who made that possible?" Ryan blushed "You of course, I didn't get a chance to ask you this morning but, was it bad?" He asked and I can't believe he was even asking that question. And Ryan? Modest? Wow I really have changed him.
"Ryan, it wasn't bad it was great. Don't kill the mood" I said still laughing, "Don't worry I'm in no rush to, I'd rather keep you in the mood" Ryan flirted and I rolled my eyes "I could easily snap out of it" I felt my phone ring before Ryan could continue, it was Liam.
What a surprise, I got up to take it. "What?" I answered and he sounded a little panicky "Chloe, I'm in trouble I know your not my biggest fan but I need your help" and I began to worry "What's happened? Aren't you at jacks?" I asked and he began "I got in a row with him and I got the sack from my job, I was staying in a van until I got evicted and I'm desperate. I'm sorry to put this on you but your the only person I can turn to" Liam pleaded and I said "Okay, meet me at the cafe in town I'll get on my bike" Liam sighed in relief "Thank you so much Chloe, I owe you" and I thought to myself, "you don't owe me a thing" and I replied "It's fine lee, I'll be there soon okay?" And then he told me "Don't tell mike" and I didn't question it, I agreed and hung up.
I got changed into my bike leathers and grabbed my gloves, my hand had healed enough for me to get back on my bike.
Ryan caught me at the door, "Where you off to Chloe?" He asked and I lied "I'm off to see Stevie, he's back from Ireland and he wants to see me" No way was I telling him, he'll blab to mike to try and stop me. He seemed to buy it, "Oh okay, do you want me to tell mike?" And I nodded as I put my helmet on. I made sure I had another just incase Liam needs a ride, and Ryan didn't question that.
I got on my bike and pushed my foot on the pedal and rode up the road. I was shocked at how quick I agreed to meeting him, I had been so mad at him for weeks and I guess you can say it's instinct. I love him so it makes sense for me to worry, I don't want him to be alone or hurt. I couldn't bear the thought of it, no matter how mad I was. I got to the cafe in fifteen minutes and Liam was waiting outside with a guitar, and a rucksack. He wasn't lying when he said he wasn't with Jack, he seemed happy to see me.
"Chloe!" He called as I got off the bike, he ran into me and hugged me. It took me by surprise, "Well, hi Liam" I said laughing a little.
We went into the cafe and I insisted I buy him something to eat, "Are you sure clo?" Liam asked and I said "Yes, it's fine now eat!" I insisted and he smiled "Thank you clo".
I sipped on my coffee and asked "So, why did you call me? What about Frank?" And his smiled dropped as soon as I said his name.
"I've not spoken to him in months, it's complicated" and I raised my eyebrow.
"Liam, what happened?" I pressed and he explained "Well, it's embarrassing" I rolled my eyes and sighed "Liam, how long have you known me? Just tell me!" I groaned and he finally spat it out, "Well he's done alright, he's got a flat and I've made a big mess of everything as usual" Liam slammed his fist on the table and I grabbed it, I felt the same spark I did the moment our hands touched for the first time but now it was more powerful. Our eyes locked for a little while, both of us stared at each other. We didn't let go of each other's hands, everything stopped. It was just me and Liam, no one else. My world as I knew it was stripped back, I had gone back in time.
Liam was mine and I was his, both of us unbreakable. "Chloe, you can't say you didn't feel that" Liam breathed and I nodded "I did" I was panting and my heart was beating so fast, I remembered to breathe. "You can't deny true love clo" Liam continued and I held back tears, the guilt of last night crept up. I loved Liam with all I am, but how can I when I was heading the same way with Ryan. Both of them equally strong with affections for me, I loved them both but I wasn't sure who I loved more.
"I know but everything has changed love" I said softly and he sighed "I know but our love hasn't, has it?" He asked with his eyes pleading and I shook my head, "Of course not, I love you Liam but my hands are tied, you know that" I smiled and he threw his head back and groaned, "Oh come on Chloe! You can't keep pushing me away! You love me and I love you, I know I lied about Poppy and I know that hurt you but I love you, not her. I've always loved you. What's so hard?" Liam looked at me desperately and I wanted to give him the answer he wanted but I couldn't, "Liam, it's not about that! I'm still healing, I can't just snap out of it because your back it's not a magical spell. You know my mental health wasn't always great, you knew that Liam. So don't you dare sit there and tell me that I should just jump right back into your arms, I've backed off for a reason not just because you lied to me" liam stopped me mid sentence, "Of course I've always known! You even said it yourself, I held you together. That's why I can't let you go, I can't clo" and I slammed the table as I said "I. Am. Not. Repeating. Myself. Again!" I grabbed my jacket and stormed out the cafe with my helmet on, I wasn't in the mood for it.
Not when I already feel guilty for not telling him about being a serpent but on top of that, sleeping with Ryan last night. Liam tried to pull me back, "Chloe, please I need you" Liam pleaded and I pushed him off me "Just let me go Liam! Please!" I pleaded and he refused.
"No, we're not done yet Chloe" and I huffed angrily "Liam, don't" I warned.
"Just listen to me!" Liam cried and I shrugged, throwing my arms out either side of me. "Go ahead! I'm listening!" I replied and he began, "Chloe, when I left you I knew you'd be hurt even when Frank told me you were okay I could feel it. I wasn't too good myself and even now, I can see what Jack told me. You aren't yourself, I can't see the light in your eyes. I saw the way you hesitated when you came running to me at college, even if you didn't show it I knew you were in pain. I love you, and I've always been able to tell. What I'm trying to say is, we belong together me and you most people don't fall in love at a young age, but we did. Just please give me a chance" Liam pleaded and I wanted to I really did but could I go on lying to him about being a serpent and the way I feel about Ryan slows down the process as well, I don't want to hurt either of them but I know I'll have to. "Liam, I want you back more than anything in this stupid world but there's things you don't know, I haven't told you everything and last night.. I" I stopped myself and he raised his eyebrow. "Chloe? What happened last night? What aren't you telling me?" Liam asked and I sighed "I slept with Ryan" his face turned pale and his expression turned from desperate to like someone stabbed him right in the heart. "I'm sorry Liam, I can't choose yet I need to be sure what I want because at the moment my hands are well and truly tied and I didn't want to hurt either of you" my words came out too fast and I knew I was having a panic attack when I began to feel my chest and throat close up, tears flowed down my cheeks. Liam came over to me and held me, "Breathe, it's okay, I'm here" I'm pathetic I know but my body always took over.
"I'm sorry Liam but like I said, things have changed. I've changed, I can't lead you on you know me. I'm not like that, I need to be sure what I want" I told him and he nodded.
"I get it, but I hope you pick me" Liam said tucking my hair behind my ear. I blushed a little, "Well, I don't know liam. But I'm not getting into who's more likely to have me, it's complicated, is all I'm saying" we both left it at that, and got to the reason I'm here in the first place. "So? What did you need me for Liam?" I asked and he smiled his Liam smile, "Can I crash at the dumping ground for a while?" He asked and I said "Well, I'll have to ask mike but I can't leave you out here, I don't mind as long as you and Ryan do not fight over me" and Liam nodded. "Yes Chloe, but I can't promise I'll get along with him" I handed him the helmet and managed to strap the guitar on the back of the bike, Liam gulped as he got on the back and I laughed "You really don't trust me do you?" And he shook his head. "No it's just, I've seen you on that bike and you seem to like it to go fast". I smirked and said "Well, hold on tight" I pushed down the pedal and Liam's grip became tighter as I rode away.
Ever get that feeling where you want the ground to swallow you up? Well, I know the feeling.