Page 63 of Addicted

Hesitant, Liam looked anywhere but at Owen, and then nodded. Owen ignored the reluctance, Liam was still randomly skittish, which was understandable. Bad things had happened to him and he’d dealt with it alone; however, Owen vowed to show Liam over time that he had nothing to worry about.

They crossed the street together, Owen placing his palm on Liam’s back once more, and when they reached the car he held open the passenger door, making sure that Liam was settled before closing it.

After wrestling the balloons and gifts into the back, Owen started the car to run the air conditioner but left it in park, glancing at Liam. He was hugging the bag to his chest, like he was trying to gather some courage so Owen decided to break the ice.

“You know what I wished for when I blew out the candles?” Halfway through the party, he’d been presented with a chocolate sheet cake that had the words“Happy Birthday to the Best VM Ever”written in green icing across the top, and Owen had held Liam’s eyes while everyone sang to him.

“You’re not supposed to tell or it won’t come true,” Liam relaxed the tension in his arms so he wasn’t crushing the bag anymore.

“Then you’ll have to guess.”

“That’s cheating.” Liam gave him a sidelong grin. “But from the way you looked at me during the whole thing I’m thinking it wasn’t G-rated.”

“That wasoneof my wishes.“ Owen enjoyed the pink that ran across Liam’s cheekbones.

“You can’t wish for more than one thing!” Liam looked scandalized.

“Who are you, the wish police?” Owen teased. “Besides, I would like to take you out on a date, several dates, before that wish is fulfilled.”

It was quiet in the car for a few heartbeats then Liam smiled softly and it warmed Owen’s bones. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

Putting his hand on Liam’s leg, right above the knee, Owen lightly squeezed the muscle. “I’d like that too. So, what did you get me?” Owen tilted his head at the bag, noticing the snowman wrapping paper sticking out of the side. “Is it a drum? Because you can’t beat that!”

It was his first bad joke in days and he hoped Liam would show him some mercy, but he didn’t. Instead, he rolled down the window holding his bag outside. “I’m throwing your gift out.”

“Wait, wait, noooo,” Owen put his arms up. “I surrender.”

Shaking his head with mock exasperation, Liam pulled the bag back in and closed the window. Eyeing Owen up and down he eventually relented and handed Owen his gift. “Happy birthday again. Open the big one first.”

“Thank you, Liam. It feels like Christmas!” he declared, realizing that it was two things taped together. Liam didn’t react, he only watched, hands clutched together like he was nervous.

The first package was bulky but light and, when Owen peeled back the paper. he found himself holding an apron, one that had writing on the front, in bold yellow letters.

“King of the Grill?” It was clearly for use in front of the barbecue and it seemed strangely familiar. Looking down Owen discovered another underneath it. He shook that one out too, laughing. “Mr. Good Lookin’ is Cookin’?” He’d always wanted something like this; he’d even bought one quite a few years back but Sharon had immediately made him return it, telling him that his humor was bad enough, he didn’t have to wear it across his chest. It was silly because Logan Gray had several corny aprons and-

“Were these your father’s?” Owen whispered.

“Yeah.” Liam was holding his hands so tightly the knuckles were white. “You said you set up your grill so I thought you’d like them? You always laughed when Dad wore one.”

“I love it.” Reaching across the console, Owen slid his hand between Liam’s, threading their fingers together. “It’s wonderful. The perfect way for me to remember Logan. I can’t believe you kept them.”

“I kept everything I could.” Liam’s voice was thick with emotion. “You have one more gift to open.”

Not letting go of Liam, Owen used his free hand to pull the tape off the smaller present and when he shook the wrapping free, he took in a breath.

It was a small framed picture of Owen with Lilly and Logan, from a backyard party that happened ages ago. The three of them were standing together, Logan to one side of Owen, positively beaming, sunlight lighting up his auburn hair which was very similar to Liam’s. On Owen’s other side was Lilly, with a soda in one of her hands and the other wrapped around his shoulder. Since she was small she was reaching up and Owen had an arm around her waist, balancing her. They all looked so happy; it made him remember how good he felt whenever he hung out with them. They had the kind of relationship Owen always wanted but could never achieve with Sharon so spending time with them gave him hope and healing.

“This is…” Owen could feel something welling up inside and he had to blink for a moment. It had been an emotional few days. “I don’t know what to say. It’s perfect, I’ll cherish it. I have some pictures of your parents on my old phone but nothing like this. Are you sure you want to give it to me?”

“I have plenty of others.” Liam was smiling but his brows were pinched as if he was holding back too.

Placing the photo and aprons gently on the back seat, Owen took Liam’s face in his hands. “Those gifts are incredibly special to me. Thank you, you’re beyond thoughtful.” Leaning in, he kissed Liam, trying to put all the sincerity he felt into it, and Liam gasped against his lips, humming slightly as the kiss deepened, their tongues sliding against each other. Owen’s cock started to perk up and, with a final peck, he pulled away, reminding himself that Liam deserved at least one date before Owen mauled him again.

Liam looked almost disappointed, squirming in his seat in a way that let Owen know that he was similarly affected.

“Buckle up, I’m taking you home.” Owen pulled out onto the street, heading south.

Liam frowned as Owen made a left turn. “Where are we going?”

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