Page 61 of Addicted

That was right in the center of Liam’s old hometown. Liam felt his stomach drop and locked up, but Marci went on, unaware.

“And he saw Owen coming out of the courthouse down the street. He said that he was going to say hello but when Owen passed the market…well, he said Owen looked devastated, like he’d lost his best friend. It had something to do with his divorce, right?” Apparently, Marci had come to a similar conclusion. At least she didn’t know about Michael or Liam would be subject to even more questions.

“How do you know it wasn’t a speeding ticket?” Liam tried to deflect.

Marci huffed at him. “Because then he’d be ticked off, not sad.”

“Why are we talking about this?” Liam looked at the wall. They’d been speaking in hushed tones but he was still paranoid that Owen had suddenly teleported to his office and was listening in on the conversation. Besides, he didn’t like gossiping about people.

“Because when he called this morning to say he’d be a little late we went over a few things, you know, stuff that happened while he was away. He didn’t sound great but I figured he hadn’t had his coffee so I wished him a happy birthday and…”

“And what?” Liam felt the concern on his face.

Marci sighed, puffing out her cheeks.

“He said ‘Oh, thanks. I forgot.’ Who forgets their birthday? And he knows we’re having a small party for him tonight.“ She shook her head. “I was going to ask him if everything was okay but two couples walked in at once and I didn’t get the chance.”

“Okay…” Liam put his cup down. His mind was slowly coming back online thanks to the caffeine but he didn’t want to drink too much and make the shakes worse. “But why me? I mean, why are you askingme?”

“Do you think I should cancel the party?” She leaned in close and Liam thought it over while subtly moving his chair back a few inches. Owen didn’t deserve what was happening to him but he did deserve support and love from the people around him; besides, he wasn’t an insular homebody like Liam. Owen was an extrovert and he’d put his heart into The Pointe so maybe the party would cheer him a little.

“You know what? Yeah. I think he could use it. But let me see how he is when he comes in.”

“Good idea. He should be here soon.” Marci hopped off the table, putting her headset back on and straightening her suit jacket. Liam thought she’d leave but she eyed Liam’s stuffed messenger bag instead, which sat by his feet. “Did you get him a gift? What did you get him?”

“None of your business,” With a pointed toe, Liam pushed the bag under the table.

“Everything is my business,” she declared with a smile that told Liam she was only teasing.

“You’ll find out tonight. I hope.” Liam opened his laptop again and thankfully Marci took that as a sign, giving him a little wave before she left. Once Liam heard her on the stairwell, he grabbed his bag and double-checked his present for Owen. He’d found some wrapping paper and a bow in a Christmas box while he was hiding in the storage room and although snowmen weren’t birthday-oriented, it was better than his other option - a brown paper bag withOwenwritten on it in black marker.

Last night he’d had to go through more boxes than he’d wanted to but not as many as he could have and his mind was still reeling from everything he’d seen. So many little things he’d forgotten about had sparked his memories and made him feel wistful and melancholy - the dishtowels his mother always had in the kitchen, a small bird statue that she loved, the bowl that his father kept his keys in, a shoebox full of photographs, Liam’s baby clothes, the list went on and on.

He grimaced. If Aunt Diane saw it all, she’d have a fit.

Liam’s phone chirped and he scrambled for it, hoping that it was a reply from Owen but it was an email from his bank instead, proving Liam’s theory that emails only held bad news. It warned him of a low balance and he blinked a few times when he saw the numbers. How could he have spent that much?

Tears sprang to his eyes. If he wanted to make rent and bills then he couldn’t use another dime or he’d have to dive into the money his parents had left him. And he still had to meet Zach tonight, one final time.

He felt trapped and wished he could stop immediately. Withdrawal didn’t scare him but he was afraid of the ripples it would make in his social life. Owen needed him right now and he had to be strong and supportive, a good potential partner, not useless and struggling. He had to make it through the next four to five days before he could take some sick leave, some time away from Owen. Maybe he could taper a bit? But that still required him to stop at Bar None for a resupply. Any way he looked at it, he was going to pull money from his inheritance, and that made him feel like the biggest failure in the world.

The door to Owen’s office opened, grabbing Liam’s attention, and he put his pity party on hold. Had Owen finally come in? Quietly, Liam made his way around the corner and stopped in Owen’s doorway, stunned.

Owen sat with his elbows on the desk and his chin resting on his clasped hands, looking like he hadn’t slept in days. His eyes were flat and dull, the skin underneath them dark. Wrinkles littered his rumpled shirt, he wasn’t wearing a tie, and there was blond stubble on his chin which would have been sexy but the defeated energy coming off him was too disturbing. Knowing that Owen had lost custody was one thing but to have it confirmed, to see it in Owen’s dead gaze, was wrenching Liam’s heart straight out of his chest.

“Owen…” Liam tried to convey his support without drifting into sympathy. He knew an‘I’m sorry’would grate on Owen too. Owen needed a shoulder, not platitudes.

It took Owen a few seconds to register that Liam had closed the door and was next to him. When he looked up, his eyes were watery, as if he was trying to hold back tears and his voice was subdued, scratchy. “Hey there, Liam,”

Liam put his hand on Owen’s back, rubbing in a circle just as Owen had done for him. They stayed that way for a bit, not saying anything because nothing needed to be said. If things had gone well, then they wouldn’t be here like this. Owen didn’t have to rehash it for Liam’s benefit.

Liam didn’t even see Owen move but all of a sudden he was enveloped in a desperate squeezing hug. His arms flailed in surprise but he recovered quickly, returning the tight embrace, letting Owen hang on. Despite the circumstances, it made Liam feel good that Owen depended on him like this. It made their connection seem less one-sided.

“I’ve got you,” Liam whispered as Owen’s body shook. He seemed like he was trying to hold back sobs but the gulps of air he took told Liam that he wasn’t entirely successful.

“Thank you. I needed this.” Owen still clung to Liam, his cheek pressed into Liam’s hair, his words breathing over strands that were wet from his tears. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I didn’t call you. I thought I could deal with it but I couldn’t seem to process and I isolated. I’m an idiot.”

“No.” Liam pulled back a little, taking Owen’s face in his hands, his thumbs smearing away some of the wetness. “You’re not an idiot at all, not in any way. People deal with things differently.” Glancing at the door to make sure it was closed, Liam took Owen’s hand and led them to the couch. “Why didn’t you take another personal day?”

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