Page 77 of The Tape Job
Fuck! That ignites something inside me. Well, let’s be honest. It was already ignited, but he’s just thrown gas on the fire, and now it’s burning wildly, waiting to be extinguished.
“There. Done,” he says, releasing his grip. But I stay where I am, enjoying the contact.
I don’t know what to say. I’m ashamed and beyond grateful, but this wasn’t part of my plan. “You didn’t have to do that.” A single tear trickles down my cheek.
“I know. But I don’t want you selling your stuff.”
“It’s only stuff,” I say.
“Yeah, that means a lot to you.”
“Thank you,” I croak out. Then before I know it, I’m bawling. Liam’s arms tighten around me again, and he spins me around, so I bury my head in his chest. He smells incredible, and I want to breathe him in forever. But he pulls back abruptly and looks at me.
“Your dad was helping you out… was that a long-term thing? What’s the deal, Vic?”
I sit in his cubby, ignoring the fact that he’s standing there in his boxers, his crotch practically level with my eyes. “Well, this job doesn’t pay great. I mean, it’s fine, but I’ve been living beyond my means, and—”
“Are you in debt?”
The tears return, and I nod without making eye contact. “But I should be okay now, thanks to you.”
“Should be? How much debt, Vic?” He crouches down so his eyes are level with mine. I can’t lie to him.
“Seven thousand.”
“Dollars or pounds?”
“Pounds.”
“Christ, Vic.”
“I know. I’ve been such an idiot. And now I’m having a panic about how I’ll manage when Jen and Ryan move out because I can’t afford to pay the whole rent on my own. Not on that place. I’ll probably have to move.” I can’t bring myself to admit that I’ve thought about asking Johnny if I can stay with him.
“But we can fix it. I can—”
“No. I told Jen the same. She offered to pay off one of my credit cards, but I told her no. Which is why I put the stuff up for sale.”
He sits down next to me. “I know you don’t want my help, but—”
“I can’t keep relying on other people, Liam. I need to grow up and figure this out for myself.”
“At least let me pay what you owe. Then you can start with a clean slate.”
“No. Thank you, but no.” I stand up and hastily wipe the tears away with the back of my hand. I glance at my watch and press Liam to move aside for me to get the shots of his sweater.
“I’m here for you, though,” he says, kissing my cheek before moving to get dressed. But I’m crying behind my camera and can’t even look at him. “I’m always here for you, Vic.”
Chapter 20
Liam
I have to time it perfectly. Because finding an opportunity to slip into Vicky’s room is difficult when you have the same schedule as one of her roommates. I’ve been thinking about her situation non-stop, and I can’t help but feel like I need to swoop in and fix things. Probably because I always want to be the hero in Vicky’s eyes.
She’ll be pissed off when she finds out I’ve been in her room. It’s her safe space and I’m invading. But I’m willing to risk it because I know she won’t let me help any more than I have done already.
I wait until Ryan has left to pick up Jen from work. I know I have a small window, because it’s a Wednesday and they stop at the store on the way home. On the other hand, Vicky is working late at a photo shoot for that Dean guy. I have about forty minutes, but my plan is to finish in twenty, leaving time for any major mistakes.
Letting myself into their apartment, I call out into the empty space, just to be sure I’m alone. When no one replies, I make my way to Vicky’s bedroom door and pause to take a breath, before reaching for the handle.
