Page 100 of Addicted

“That’s understandable. I’m happy you’re reconnecting with an old friend, especially one that’s close by.”

“I am too, although Ollie is more like a steamroller and didn’t give me the option tonotbe his friend. How many times did he call The Pointe?”

“At least four. And he dropped by. Left his number with meandMarci.”

“See? A steamroller. But he’s a fun steamroller. And I can’t wait to tell him about school.”

Although Liam hadn’t been able to finish the last month of high school, his stellar grades along with some empathetic teachers resulted in him graduating anyway so he didn’t have to get his GED. His transcript and diploma would be arriving in the mail and Liam had already started researching schools that had strong pre-law majors. Owen had privately worried that Liam might want to go away to college and would have supported him no matter what, preparing himself to suffer through a long-distance relationship, but he’d been beyond relieved when Liam stated that he was staying local and nothing - not even a crowbar - could separate them.

Giving his tie one final tweak, Owen took Liam into his arms again. “I know I say this a lot but I am really proud of you. You’re almost done with rehab, you’re working so hard, you’ve got a big heart and big goals. Your parents would be proud too.”

“Do you think so?” Liam fidgeted, looking away. “I spent so many years grieving that I ended up with an addiction.”

“But you’re working hard to control it. Understand it. If they saw all the effort you’ve put in, the books you’ve read, the introspection you’ve done…You accepted help and followed through. And now you’re building a life with me. They would still be proud of you. Very proud.”

Liam faced him again but his eyes were still full of questions. “And what about us? Do you think they would be proud of us?”

Owen released him, sighing and leaning back against the sink. “I’ve thought about it a lot. If we were still neighbors and I divorced Sharon for you then probably not. But so much has changed. The circumstances that brought us together couldn’t have been predicted by anyone. And if they saw in my heart how much I love you, how much I care for you, then I think they would approve.” And Owen silently promised Lilly and Logan that he would honor their memory by giving Liam the life he always wanted. He wouldn’t let them down.

“I think so too.” A slow smile spread across Liam’s face, his eyes lighting up again, their hazel depths making Owen’s heart beat faster. “You make me happy. Very happy.”

“Good because you make me happy too.” This time their kiss was soft and slow, and when Liam tried to deepen it Owen pulled back, giving him a last peck. “Don’t rev my engine again, Angel. We have places to be.”

Liam sighed dramatically. “I guess we do. Ollie will be here soon.” The doorbell rang and his eyes went comically wide. “Oh no! My hair isn’t even dry yet.”

“I’ll hold him off since I was responsible for you running late.”

“Thank you,” Liam reached for the blow dryer and Owen heard it running as he made his way to the front door, opening it.

“Hello again!” Ollie greeted Owen with a wide smile. He was dressed smartly in black corduroy pants that flared at the bottom, a long magenta peacoat with matching corduroy on the elbows, a striped black and gold scarf, and golden gloves. On anyone else the pieces would look silly, the colors clashing, but Ollie pulled it off effortlessly, every inch the fashionista that Liam had dubbed him. With his blond curls, pale blue eyes, and sharp cheekbones, Ollie could walk runways if he wanted to but, of course, he wasn’t more beautiful than Liam. While Ollie looked like an angel, Liamwasan angel, a divine being who had descended from the heavens to bless Owen’s life.

“Hello, Ollie. Come on in.” Owen swept his hand, gesturing toward the living room. “Make yourself comfortable, Liam’s running a bit late.”

“That’s okay. I barely made it on time myself, it took forever to pick out something to wear.” He stripped out of his coat, revealing a black knit sweater with a jagged collar underneath.

“Can I get you something to drink? A snack?”

“Oh, no thanks. I’m already full.” Ollie pulled out his phone, checked it, and then quickly slipped it back into his pocket.

“I thought you were going to lunch?” Remembering that he had to be at The Pointe in half an hour, Owen grabbed his keys from the wooden bowl by the door.

“We are but not right away. I want to take Liam shopping, and help him set up an Insta.”

“An Insta?”

Ollie looked at Owen with bemusement. “Instagram. Can you believe he doesn’t have one? It’s like he’s an alien.”

“Uh, yes, I guess that is unusual.” Owen didn’t want to bring up that he didn’t have any social media at all lest he be labeled as well.

“I’m trying to convince him to get a TikTok and a Twitter too but he told me one thing at a time. His face deserves to be out there, dontcha think?” Ollie placed a hand on his hip and blinked expectantly at Owen who could only nod.

“Ollie!” Liam made it to the living room, saving the day, and the two of them hugged tightly, Ollie doing a few little hops as they embraced.

“Li-Li! Oh mygawdthat color is brilliant on you! And I love what you’re doing with your hair!”

Li-Li?Owen bit his lip, trying not to laugh as Ollie continued, talking a mile a minute.

“Are you ready to shop? I am sooooo ready. I have five places I want to check out and a shoe store that I read about on Insta but first let’s take a selfie!” Stretching out his hand, Ollie put an arm around Liam and snapped a few quick photos. By the third one, Liam managed to not look shell-shocked and posed with his friend, holding up a peace sign while pouting his lips. It was such a happily normal thing for Liam to do and so removed from the timid, shaky, and sad person he used to be that Owen started to tear up.

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