Page 78 of Just a Footnote

“Just relax.” Liam turns to look at him for a moment before returning his eyes to the road. “I’ve got you.”

If it was anyone else, Aiden would feel on edge. He doesn’t like being surprised, or feeling trapped with no information. But it’s Liam. Oddly, he feels a little excited. He reaches over, takes Liam’s hand in his, and tangles their fingers together. Liam’s lips part on a surprised exhale before squeezing their fingers together, then gently tugs Aiden’s hand to rest atop his thigh. Aiden can’t believe he almost forgot how warm Liam always seems to be.

“I guess we’re lucky you got hit and put on concussion protocol.”

Liam squeezes his hand. “Even if I hadn’t, I would’ve brought you out here to be with me.”

“You’re a good friend.”

“Aiden…”

Aiden squeezes their hands together now. “You are.”

Liam swallows, obviously fighting against saying something. A comfortable silence settles over the car as Liam focuses on the drive. Outside turns from city into pine trees and picturesque mountains. He rolls the window down a little despite the cold just to smell the fresh air. Liam laughs at him before rolling the window back up.

“You’ll be getting enough fresh air the next few days where we’re going.”

“I hope you’re not taking me camping. I won’t let you fuck me in a tent.”

Liam smirks, tilting his head a little to glance at Aiden. “Really?”

Aiden lets out a resigned sigh. “Fine, I would, but I’d complain about it the entire time.”

They pull off for Gold Bar, Washington, making Aiden sit up a little straighter in his seat. He knows exactly where they are.They filmedHarry and the Hendersonsin Gold Bar. It’s one of the most famous Bigfoot cities in America.

“Liam.”

“Just relax…” Liam says through a laugh. He pulls up outside a small side of the road joint that has a large Bigfoot statue outside. The statue looks just like Harry. Jumping out of the car, Liam grins at him through the window for a moment before making his way over to open Aiden’s door.

Aiden can’t contain himself. He jumps out of the car, loops his arms around Liam’s shoulders, holding him tight for the second time in the span of an hour. He presses his face into Liam’s neck. Liam’s hands come around him to hold him tightly against his body. Aiden doesn’t care that someone could see. He just needs to hold Liam, to feel him, to hear his heart beneath his ear.

Liam pulls away slowly, dipping down to brush a chaste kiss across Aiden’s mouth.

“Come on.” Liam tugs Aiden by the hand towards the statue. “I’m just stopping by here so you can see him. Our place is a little further up the road.”

All of Liam’s words jumble up inside of Aiden’s head. He mainly gets stuck on the wordsour place. He strangely likes the sound of that. Sharing a place with Liam, a living space, somewhere that’s theirs. The past twenty four hours have been the biggest mind fuck of his life.

Liam doesn’t let go of his hand as they walk around the espresso chalet. The place is quaint, that’s the only word he can think of for it. Aiden wanders around looking at the Bigfoot knick knacks. The entire time they look around, Liam’s thumb brushes his wrist bone, distracting Aiden from everything around him.

“Want coffee?” Liam asks when they’re done browsing the shop.

Aiden just nods because he can’t form words. Liam orders two black coffees, one Mexican spiced chocolate and the other gingerbread. Aiden watches as Liam pours milk into each cup, and a small dash of sugar.

“This way we can share,” Liam explains with a shy smile. The urge to kiss Liam is way stronger than it’s ever been. “Come on, our cabin is a little further up the highway. We can come back here later in the week.”

Climbing back into the warmth of the car, they take sips of the coffees once they get back on the road. Aiden ends up liking the gingerbread one best so Liam keeps the Mexican spiced chocolate flavored coffee. Soft music filters out of the radio, but Aiden can barely hear the words.

All he can think about is getting his hands on Liam once they’re somewhere safe. His eyes rake over Liam’s bared forearms, the veins there, the flex of his bicep as he turns the wheel down a gravel road off the highway. Attraction like this has never happened to Aiden before. Sex is sex. But not when it comes to Liam. He wants Liam under him but also wants to make him laugh. He wants Liam inside him, but also wants to just hold him, listen to his heartbeat.

A little a-frame cabin greets them as the sun sets behind the mountains. Trees surround the cabin nestled in the trees. There’s probably no one else for miles. Liam hops out of the car and grabs both of their bags out of the backseat, tossing them over his shoulder like they weigh nothing.

The cabin is beautiful. From the outside it looks small, but once they step inside it’s clear that’s not accurate. The floors and walls are a warm oak color and the furniture is vintage. A lush green velvet sofa along with two leather arm chairs rest in the living room where a fireplace is the feature instead of a television. Two levels make up the cabin. The first floor is the kitchen and living area that leads out to a balcony that overlooks themountains behind the cabin. The second floor is a loft area with a bedroom that overlooks the same view. The entire place is homey, quaint and sweet in a way that takes Aiden’s breath away.

Liam walks their bags up to the loft then rejoins Aiden in the living area. Quiet washes over them for a few moments, the realization hitting both of them that they’re alone for the first time in months.

“Liam,” Aiden says, his voice quiet and tender. He’s starting to fall apart. “Liam.”

That’s all it takes. Liam grasps Aiden’s face in his broad palms to take his mouth in a bruising kiss. All the air leaves Aiden’s lungs at once. He curls his fingers into Liam’s henley shirt, tugging him closer until they’re touching every place that’s possible. Distantly, he realizes that he’s crying. Liam pulls away to dot kisses under his eyes, across his cheeks, wiping away the tears with the pads of his thumbs. He’s so gentle, in the way he looks, touches, even in his mouth against Aiden’s. So fucking gentle. Aiden looks up at him, not sure what to say, feeling too small for such a big moment.

---