Strong (Book 2 in the No Control series)

The next several shows are close by, so we get to be home every night.

I’ve just put Ella down for her nap. I head downstairs for some alone time with Liam before we head over to the venue.
“Hey, Handsome.”
He looks up from his laptop. It’s an expression I’m not used to, he looks angry.
“Are you ok, Liam?”
Turning the computer towards me, he asks. “Is this true?”
I take a seat at the table. Crap! The headline reads, Harry Styles in love with band mate's wife. I continue to read. Apparently one of Harry’s good friends has sold him out, there are details that someone could only know if Harry had told them. Of course there’s a bunch of exaggerations too.
I look up to meet Liam’s eyes, they are full of concern, and hurt.
“Baby, it’s not like that.”
“So it’s true?” Liam asks.
“Let me explain...please.”
I can only imagine what’s running through Liam’s mind as he sits stiff, waiting for my explanation.
“First off, this was a while ago. Harry has moved past all this.”
Liam’s hands clench into fists.
I put my hands over his fists. “Please listen.” He relaxes, I leave my hands covering his.
“Harry did tell me a long time ago, that he had feelings for me. But…”
Liam interrupts. “Did he ask you to choose between us?”
I squeeze his hand. “No, he didn’t. He knows that I love you, and that I would choose you every time. He never wanted to hurt either of us. Harry only told me so that he could get some closure, and move on. He’s done that.”
“Has he ever done anything...inappropriate?” Liam asks.
“No, he’s never done anything to make me feel uncomfortable. He loves you like a brother, Liam. I think he actually handled it all like a gentleman.”
Liam stands. “Do you have feelings for him?”
I stand, putting my hands on his chest. “I am not in love with Harry, nor have I ever been. He’s my friend, that’s all.”
Liam steps away, moving to the other side of the counter.
“Liam, you’ve said before that you thought Harry had a crush on me. Why is this bothering you so much?”
He looks down. “Cause I can’t ever lose you, Liz.”
I move over to him, lifting his chin. “You’ll never lose me, ever.”
He stays quiet, then speaks. “Why didn’t you tell me? When he told you?”
I sigh. “Looking back now, I should have. I just didn’t want anything to ever come between you four, especially me.”
Liam slams his fist on the counter. “Damn it, Liz, how am I going to get past this?”
I rub his arm. He looks in my eyes. “How? Everytime he calls you “Lizzie”. When he holds Ella, is he wishing she was his? Whenever he sings, do I have to wonder if he’s thinking of you?”
“Liam, you need to talk to him. It’s not like that, he’s over me.”
He puts his hand in my hair. “A man never “gets over” a woman like you, Liz.”

Notes