Wanting Us Page 12

  I really want to continue this with Liz but I hope she understands that I want to talk to my mom. She gives me a smile and nods, letting me know she understands. This is why Liz is so amazing. I lean down and give her a quick kiss before rolling off of her and grabbing my phone. Knowing my mom is Facetiming me, I hold the phone out in front of me but I pause before answering because Liz is starting to climb out of bed. “I want you to stay. My mom will be happy to see you.”

  She pauses for a quick second before settling in next to me. I answer the call and my mother’s thin smiling face pops up. “Did you forget about… Liz?”

  Liz shyly waves at my mom. “Hi Michelle. How are you?”

  “Why does it look like you guys haven’t been out of bed yet? Wait… Oh my god! Are you guys together again?” I look at Liz smiling to find her looking up at me smiling too. We silently ask each other if we should tell her, but before we do, my mom interrupts us, “You are. I can see it in the way you are looking at each other. I’m so happy for both of you. You two lost a part of yourselves six years ago and this is the start to filling it again.”

  I pull Liz closer to me. “Thanks mom for being happy about us.”

  “Of course, honey. We should do dinner all together when you guys get back.”

  Liz is nodding as I say, “Definitely.” I pause for a second as I see the nurse walk behind her. “How’s everything going?”

  “Everything is fine. I have a doctor’s appointment this afternoon that Liz’s mom is taking me to after our lunch with the ladies. What are you guys doing today?”

  “We have plans to go to Broadway at the Beach.”

  Liz adds, “We’re also going to the Aquarium and WonderWorks.” Her smile shows how excited she is and it’s contagious.

  My mom’s smile grows from Liz’s. “That sounds very exciting. I hope you guys fun.”

  “I’m sure we will. We’ll take photos for you. Will you text me after your doctor’s appointment?”

  “Of course. Well I’m going to go. Nurse Nancy has made breakfast. You guys have a good day.”

  Liz waves bye to her. “Have a good day. Tell my mom I said hi.”

  “I will. I’m glad I got to talk to you.” Liz gives her a smile before waving bye again and climbing out of bed, giving me a moment with my mom.

  “I know breakfast is ready but I’m just curious about how your feelings today. Are you feeling any better than yesterday?”

  “I feel the same. Maybe the doctor will give me something to feel better.”

  “I hope so. I love you mom. Have a good day.”

  “I love you too, honey. Don’t worry about me today. Have some fun.”

  “Yeah. Easier said than done.” She chuckles and waves bye to me before ending the call. I throw my phone on the nightstand as I let out a sigh and fall back on the bed.

  Liz walks out of the Jack and Jill bathroom between Drew and I’s room and climbs back into the bed with me. “Are you okay?”

  I pull her to me and kiss the top of head. “Yeah. I just wish I could take her pain away. I know she downsizes the pain for me and Charlie and it kills me that she can’t get a moment of peace. The nurses told us that she’s not sleeping too much at night because of the pain.”

  “I’m sorry. I wish this wasn’t happening to you guys. You know I love your mom and she doesn’t deserve this. But she’s a fighter and she’s going to hide her pain from you guys because she’s being your mom. She’s protecting you.”

  We lay there in silence for a while as she draws hearts, stars, and smiley faces on my chest and I draw circles on her hip. I can tell that Liz is in her head thinking about something, so I let my thoughts go to my mom. How much longer do we have with her? What can I do to make her happy? I want the doctors to give her something so she doesn’t have to feel the pain.

  Liz breaks my thoughts when she moves and looks up at me. “I think we should do a huge surprise dinner for your mom instead of a dinner with just us. I was thinking we could do it at my parent’s house and we can invite Charlie, Karen, Gracie, Caleb, Drew, Mack, and of course my parents. Do you think she would like that?”

  “I think she would love that.”

  Liz is beaming up at me which makes my smile grow. She moves so she is straddling me and with both her hands on my cheeks, she kisses. Her kiss is soft and sweet but before I’m able to pull her deeper into it, she pulls away and sits back. “I don’t want you to think I don’t want to have dinner with just us and your mom. I just thought it would be something fun for her to have everyone around.”

  “That thought never crossed my mind. We’ll do dinner the three of us another time.”

  “Okay.” She leans in and gives me a quick kiss before climbing off me and the bed and heads towards the door.

  “What happened to staying in bed all day?”

  “I changed my mind. But another day definitely.” She walks back over to me and pulls me out of bed. “Come on. Get dressed. We have to cook breakfast since Mack and Drew did it yesterday.”

  Before she can walk away, I pull her back to me and wrap my arms around her. “Are you happy?”

  She places her hand on my cheek and looks at me in the eyes, knowing I’m asking if she’s happy with us. “Yes I am. Are you?”

  I lean forward resting my forehead against hers. “I don’t think I’ve ever been happier.”

  She leans up so our lips are only centimeters apart. “That’s pretty serious.”

  “I can show you how serious I am.” I lean in to kiss her but she turns her face so I get her cheek.

  “I can’t wait for you to show me how serious you are, but not right now.” She gives me a quick kiss and unwraps my arms from her.

  I start following her to the door. “I’m not sure I can wait.” She looks over her shoulder and sees I’m right behind her. I reach out for her and she squeals and runs to the door giggling. God, I love that sound.

  We spend all morning at Broadway as the girls pull us into every shop to look at all the knickknacks. After lunch at Joe’s Crab Shack we go to the Aquarium and WonderWorks. Liz pulls me around both places with so much excitement as she shows me all the things she thinks are cool. My favorite part was at the WonderWorks when we did the high ropes course above everyone because Liz was so nervous, she clung to me the whole time.

  We decide to have a chill evening so we came back to the house to start a campfire on the beach and eat dinner. Drew and I leave the girls by the fire as we head up to the house to grill some hamburgers. As we grill them, we watch Liz and Mack dance together to the music we have playing. I laugh to myself as I see Liz twirl Mack around and then dip her and they both bust out laughing. Looking to Drew to see if he’s laughing too, I find him looking at me and based on his look, we’re not about to have a light-hearted conversation.

  “Liam, I can see you make her happy and I haven’t seen her this happy in a long time. I just want to say I’m glad you finally kept your promise to me from that day.” On the day Liz broke up with me, Mack wasn’t able to keep the rumors from Drew. About an hour after Liz drove away, Drew pulled into the driveway, walked straight over to me and punched me in the face. I fell to the ground and waited for him to continue to hit me but he didn’t. Instead he helped me up and we sat on the front steps of his house as I explained to him what happened. The only reason why we’re still friends is because I promised him I’d earn her forgiveness and make it up to her someday.

  “It definitely took longer than I expected. But she’s worth it.”

  “I’m glad you think so because if you hurt her again, I’m going to have to kill you.”

  I chuckle a little at his big brother threat because I don’t plan on hurting her ever again. If anything, she’s going to break my heart. I grab onto Drew shoulder. “I understand but that won’t happen.” I pull him into a hug and we pat each other’s backs. “Now you have to tell me did you get that threat from Liz when she threatened you about Mack?”

  He gives me a look li
ke he doesn’t know what I’m talking about. “I will not confirm or deny that.”

  We both laugh as we pull the burgers off the grill and carry them to the beach where we have a makeshift make your own burger line set up. The girls are still dancing with each other when Liz’s phone starts to vibrate.

  “Hey Liz. Your phone.” She stops dancing as I hold it up. “Do you want me to answer it?”

  She just shrugs her shoulders and walks over to me as I put the phone to my ear. “Hello?” All I hear on the other line as a light static and what sounds like someone breathing. “Hello?”

  Liz looks at me confused as I hang up the phone and hand it to her. “Who was it?”

  I shrug my shoulders. “It just said blocked caller. No one said anything when I answered.” Worry washes over Liz’s face as she looks down at her phone. “Are you okay? Do you get a lot of calls like that?”

  She’s silent for a second before she tucks her phone in her back pocket. “Nope. Must’ve been a wrong number.” She interlocks our fingers and starts to pull me closer to the fire where Mack and Drew are dancing. “Dance with me.”

  I’m not going to say no to that. I pull Liz up against me and she rests her head on my shoulder and allows me to dance her around the sand to the beat of the music. All of a sudden fireworks start going off making the moment even better. Liz looks up at me and I lean down kissing her, making this moment ours.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Liz

  It’s been almost a week since we came back from the beach and Liam and I have been busy with work and planning the surprise dinner for his mom. While I’ve slept next to him every night, it feels like I haven’t seen him in forever. Tonight we have the dinner for his mom and I’m nervous and excited for it. I’m nervous because what if this is too much for her and excited because I know it’s going to be a good night.

  I have one hour left of work today before I head to my parents’ house to help finish setting up for dinner. We decided to have the dinner catered that way my mom didn’t have to be cooking all day. Instead her job is to distract Michelle so she doesn’t notice all the commotion at my parents’ house. I pull up my to do list one last time reminding myself I need to pick up the flowers, pick up Liam, set the table, and change my clothes. I’m mentally storing the list in my head when I notice a woman probably not much older than me walk off the elevator. She looks a little lost so I buzz the door to the executive suite to unlock it and greet her at the door. “Hello Ma’am! Can I help you find something?”

  I’m expecting a sweet smile and a friendly response but instead she glares at me. “I’m right where I want to be. I’m here to make a complaint.”

  I hold the door open for her, allowing her into the executive suite and show her to my desk. “May I ask what your complaint is about?”

  “Your Emergency Room is refusing to help me. It’s against the law for you to refuse to give me treatment. I want to talk to the President. He’s my brother.”

  “I’m so sorry to hear the ER will not treat you. Mr. Barnes is not in the office right now but I can get you with his Executive Assistant. Can I get your name?”

  Looking at her, she looks very ill. Her cheeks are sunken in and she has dark circles under her eyes like she hasn’t slept in weeks. I wonder what’s wrong with her? She seems nervous because she keeps switching between messing with her sleeves and rubbing her hands on her legs. “Amber Barnes.”

  I give her a smile as I call Julia and pull up her chart. “Hey Liz! What’s up?”

  “Hey. I have an Amber Barnes here who wanted to see Mr. Barnes. She says she’s his sister and she wants to file a complaint because the ER is refusing to treat her.”

  I hear her let out a quiet sigh. “I know who she is. You can bring her back.”

  “Okay. Thank you.”

  I stand up from my chair and Amber follows suit. “Ms. Barnes if you could please follow me.”

  As I’m walking away from my desk, I hear my IM ping. Amber is right on my tail as I walk down the hallway to Julia’s. When I round the corner, Julia gives me a strained smile that quickly turns to fake as Amber comes around the corner as well. “Hello Ms. Amber. How are you?”

  I leave Amber with Julia and quickly walk back to my desk to check the IM and Amber’s chart. The first thing that pops up on my screen is the IM message from Julia.

  Julia: Please call security. Amber is an opioid addict and she’s trying to get pain killers.

  Amber’s appearance and jitteriness makes sense now. She’s probably starting to go through withdrawals. I quickly pick up the phone and dial *99 for hospital security and explain the situation to them. When they assure me they will send someone I message Julia back.

  Liz: Security is on their way.

  Julia: Thanks. Only send them back if you hear her yelling.

  Liz: Okay.

  I quickly scan Amber’s chart to see that she comes by our ER about twice a year trying to get painkillers and that Mr. Barnes has medical power of attorney over her. He has placed several flags and notes stating she is an addict trying to get painkillers and to not give her anything other than ibuprofen. There are also several notes from nurses stating that she has been aggressive towards them when they refused to give her pain killers. The most recent one was from yesterday and two security guards had to escort her out of the hospital. No wonder Julia wants security here.

  Frank, one of the main security guys walks out of the elevator and uses his key card to get into the suite right as I hear Amber yelling, “Don’t give me that Julia. I need something for the pain.”

  I give Frank a friendly wave before pointing to the back where Amber is now cursing at Julia. Frank quickly hurries to the back of the suite and I can hear Amber yelling at him but after a couple of minutes Julia, Frank, and Amber all walk up the hallway and when they get to the door Julia calmly says, “I will let your brother know that you’re upset with him but you cannot come here like this and cause a scene.”

  Amber tries to lunge towards Julia but Frank has her by the arm. “Fuck you Julia. Who do you think you are?”

  Julia just stands there as Frank pulls Amber into the elevator. When the doors close, Julia lets out a sigh and turns towards me. “Well that’s our entertainment for the afternoon.” Julia sits down across from me. “We should be able to go home early with having to deal with her. I’ve been working for John for ten years and I’ve had to deal with Amber’s rehab escapes, arrests, and many many attempts to get drugs from her brother. There’s only one way to handle her. You call security.”

  I chuckle at her and for the last thirty minutes of the day we just chat about what our weekend plans are. When five o’clock hits, we both are at the door with our things, locking up before heading to the elevators.

  When we reach the ground floor, I give Julia a wave as I rush to my car. I need to get to the flower shop to grab the centerpiece and the vase of flowers we’re giving Michelle before they close at 5:30. Luckily the flower shop isn’t far from the hospital so I’m able to get there and grab the flowers within twenty minutes.

  But the problem is it takes me thirty minutes to get over to Liam’s place and we’re supposed to be at my parents’ house to help set up at six. Well that’s not going to happen. I quickly send a text to my parents letting them know we’re running late and won’t be able to help setup.

  Walking into Liam’s apartment, I find him pulling the cake out of the fridge and placing in on the counter. “Hey. Sorry I’m late. The traffic getting here was ridiculous. How was your day?”

  I walk over to him wrapping my arms around him and giving him a kiss. “No worries. I sent Mack and Drew to help setup. My day was pretty good. I spent the morning with mom and when your mom showed up, I let the caterers into the house and observed them until your dad came back from golfing. Then I went to pick up the cake and came back here to get ready.”

  I lean back to take in his blue button up and khaki pants. “You clean up nicely.”

>   “I have to look good for my women." I know he’s referring to his mom and I and not all women.

  “Oh yeah.” He smiles down at me, making my smile grow. “Well then I better get changed so I can look good for my man.”

  I step around Liam with my bag and he smacks my butt. “You wouldn’t want to embarrass your man.”

  I chuckle and raise my hand to my chest acting offended. “Are you embarrassed by my attire?” I wave my hand up and down my body. “I could go naked. What do you think about that?”

  I start unbuttoning my shirt and Liam’s eyes go straight to my cleavage that he can easily see as my shirt falls open. “That…that would definitely be an interesting look. I wonder how your dad and brother would react.”

  I roll my eyes and continue to his room. “Way to ruin the fun.” He laughs at me as I close the door and I start removing my shirt and pants. Liam is right behind me opening the door and leans against it, watching me undress. “Can’t I get some privacy?”

  He smirks at me and shakes his head. “Not from me.”

  Fine. Then I’ll give him a little show. I slowly open my shirt and let it slide down my arms exposing my barely covered breasts before turning away from him. Bending over, I wiggle my pants down my legs exposing my butt and black thong, knowing Liam loves it. He groans behind me making me feel wanted as I straighten. Turning around to face him, I grab my dress from the bed and step into it. “It’s kind of hot having you watch me dress.” Liam stalks towards me as he devours me with his eyes.

  “I’d rather remove your clothes.” The way Liam’s voice deepens and he towers over me, goosebumps roll all over me. Just being in the same room with Liam makes my body come alive and while he will always have this effect on me, a small part has to be because we haven’t had sex yet. Let’s just say the desire I had for him before doesn’t compare to the need I feel now. I want every part of him and to give every piece of myself to him. We didn’t want to rush into sex because we wanted it to be more, but if I’m being honest it could never be just sex with Liam. He has this pull on me that makes me want to be near him always, to tell him everything going on in my head, and to let myself be completely open to him.