by Jae
I know she’s referring to basketball, boxing, and possibly even me.
“Did you ever have to do anything to help him calm down?”
“It was always really easy to calm him down. Most people feel claustrophobic when their experiencing an attack, but Liam was the complete opposite. He loved being held and comforted; it made him feel safe. He was always so cute and cuddly that way.” Maggie responds, the last comment making me giggle. “The size of him now though… my lord!”
“I know; I still can’t believe it!” Nora agrees, shaking her head a little in disbelief. “He wasn’t a shrimp by any means. I think height wise he was probably around 5’10”, but he has to be well over six feet now! He’s always been thin too, but he was never so toned and muscular the way he is now. It completely blows my mind seeing him this way, especially with all of those tattoos!”
“He’s turned into a very handsome man, though.” Maggie adds.
“Oh, I have to agree with that without a doubt!” Nora smiles, making us all giggle.
It’s at this point that Liam decides to join us. He’s wearing a nice white athletic polo that’s tucked into a pair of nice black pants, and the white/red/black golfing shoes I recognize from the last time him and my Dad went golfing. His hair is messily pushed to the side, off his forehead, and he’s holding the same white fitted hat in his hand that I also recognize from last time too.
“Is everything going okay in here?” He asks, casually leaning against the doorframe.
We all nodded our heads, beaming at him.
“You ready to go?” I ask Liam, standing up as he nods his head.
“Where are your golf clubs?” Maggie asks, looking around the living room while she and Nora also stand up from the couch.
“They’re already in the back of my car.” Liam tells them before looking at me. “Where’s your bag and keys?”
“In the kitchen, I think.” I answer, trying to remember where I set them down last night.
Liam nods his head before moving back down the hallway. I then turn back to Nora and Maggie, both of them smiling at me.
“Would you guys want to come over to my house?” I ask. “I have a few more things I want to talk to you about and I know my Mom would love to meet you.”
They both agree and say they’ll follow me in their car. When Liam returns with my things in hand, we inform him of the plans. He nods his head and leads us to the front door, holding it open for us. I let Nora and Maggie walk ahead, waiting for Liam while he locks up.
“I like them.” I say quietly after Liam’s tossed his arm across my shoulders and I wrap mine around his waist.
“Good.” Liam smiles, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “That makes me happy.”
Once we reach the parking lot and are standing by mine and Liam’s cars, he hugs and kisses his Mom and Grandma goodbye. Nora tells him they’ll go out to eat soon to celebrate his birthday and that I have to come with. We watch them walk past five cars before they get into theirs, starting it up as soon as they get in.
“You’re going to be late.” I tell Liam as he open the driver’s side door of my Jeep and helps me into my seat.
“I want to say I don’t care,” Liam begins, turning my body so I’m facing him. “But it’s your Dad, so I feel like I really shouldn’t.”
I laugh, my head tilting slightly back and then to the side when Liam presses his lips to my neck. I close my eyes, soaking in the feel of his lips on my skin. He works his way up to my jaw before pulling my bottom lip between his teeth.
“I don’t like that I’m not going to see you all day.” He sighs, pressing his forehead against mine. “It’s my birthday; I should get to have you with me as much as I want.”
“I know, princess.” I joke, pecking his lips. “You’ll get me soon enough.”
Liam lets out a little groan before pressing his lips firmly to mine, both of his hands moving to either side of my face.
“I love you.” I say after I roll down my window when he shuts my door.
“I love you, too.” Liam responds, giving me another quick peck before walking away.
I pull out of my spot after I hear Liam start his Rover and roll down his window, stopping when I’m on his driver’s side and wait for his Mom and Grandma to pull up behind me.
“Come with me.” Liam pouts, slightly leaning out of his window.
“You know I can’t.” I respond, mocking his pouting face.
I glance in my rearview mirror to see Nora and Maggie now waiting behind me. When I turn my head to say goodbye to Liam, I jump in surprise to see he’s gotten out of his Rover and is reaching through my open window, shifting my gear stick into park and undoing my seatbelt. I watch his movements in confusion, but before I can say anything his hands are on either side of my head again and his lips are pressed to mine. I take my foot off the brake and completely twist my body towards his. The kiss is passionate and a part of me is surprised that Liam is displaying such affection in front of his Mom and Grandma, but I sweep it aside and put all of my focus on him. When we pull away, both of us are breathing heavily.
“Happy Birthday, Liam.” I smile, pressing a kiss to the tip of his nose.
“Thank you.” He responds, quickly kissing me one more time before reluctantly getting back in his Rover.
I glance in my rearview mirror again while I put my Jeep back into drive and see Nora and Maggie grinning from ear to ear, an obvious indication that they’d seen everything that had just happened between me and Liam.
“I’ll see you soon.” I tell Liam as I pull away, sticking my hand out the window in a peace sign when I see him raise his hand in a wave goodbye.
The drive back to my house seems to pass by quickly. I lead Nora and Maggie inside and head straight for the kitchen, knowing my Mom, Lydia, and Ella are in there preparing the food for tonight.
“Finally, there’s the birthday boy’s girlfriend!” Ella says, pulling me into a hug. “I was wondering when you were going to get here.”
“Hello, sweetie!” My Mom greets me from the stove, her back still facing me. “Did Liam leave for the golf course before you left?”
“Yeah, he’s on his way there.” I answer. “Mom, I have some people I want you to meet.”
My Mom instantly stops what she’s doing and turns around to face me.
“You guys this is Nora and Maggie, Liam’s Mom and Grandma.” I introduce, making the appropriate gestures. “Nora and Maggie, this is my Mom, Lori, my best friend, Ella, and her Mom, Lydia.”
“It’s so great to finally meet you!” My Mom exclaims after everyone’s finished greeting each other with hugs.
“You too!” Nora grins, Maggie also grinning and nodding her head in agreement. “I hope Liam hasn’t given you guys any trouble.”
“Oh, no, of course not!” My Mom laughs. “We absolutely adore Liam! He’s so great! I honestly couldn’t ask for anyone better to be with Daisy.”
My Mom’s words bring tears to Nora’s eyes. I can only imagine how amazing it is for a Mom to hear another parent say something like that about their child.
“That’s great.” Nora nods her head, blinking the tears away. “I’m so happy to hear that.”
Nora and Maggie sit at the table while I get them something to drink.
“If you don’t mind me asking,” Maggie starts, looking at all the food being cooked. “What’s all this for?”
“It’s for Liam’s party tonight.” My Mom answers, going back to what she was doing before we came in.
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” I tell Nora and Maggie when they give me confused expressions. “We’re throwing Liam a surprise party tonight at Lucky Lanes, the bowling alley.”
Nora and Maggie nod their heads, waiting for me to continue.
“I wanted to ask you guys if you would like to come.” I say, smiling at the somewhat shocked but also happy looks on their faces. “I wanted to ask you when we were talking at Liam’s, but I was afraid he w
ould overhear. Also I would’ve asked you sooner than that, but we’d never met and I’ve only recently learned about Liam reconnecting with you.”
“We would love to come.” Nora and Maggie confirm, both of them taking my hands in theirs. “Thank you for inviting us.”
After I finished giving them the address to Lucky Lanes and what time the party is starting, Nora and Maggie insist on helping make the food. I listen to my Mom tell Nora and Maggie stories about me when I was a kid and all of them gush over how cute Liam and I are together while Ella and I go over a checklist of the things we need to do today.
“Okay, first the cake.” Ella begins. “Tony, Connor, and Jack are going to pick it up and get the mini shooters that we’re going to add to it and meet us at Lucky lanes when we go to set up.”
I nod my head, pulling my phone out and opening the text Liam just sent me of his ‘first legal beer’ that my Dad bought him. I show the picture off, getting a good laugh from everyone before I send him a text back to be safe and have fun.
“Continuing,” Ella says, pulling my focus back to her. “Since you have to go get Liam and I’m getting ready with you, I gave all the decorations to Zoie and Taylor and they’ll start setting up. Our Moms obviously have the food covered, so I think that’s everything.”
I stare off for a second; going through a mental checklist of everything I’ve done the past week and then nod my head when I agree that this is all we have left for today.
“What’s with the worried look?”
“I just hope everything goes right.” I sigh, shrugging my shoulders.
“It’s going to be great, Daisy.” Ella smiles and gives me a reassuring hug. “Liam’s going to love it.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The day passes by faster than I expected and before I know it, it’s time for Ella and me to start getting ready. Ella uses one of the guest rooms to shower while I use my own. I let the water flow over my body while I think about tonight. Either Liam is going to love it or he’ll absolutely hate it. I feel like there will be no in between. Once I’ve finished washing up, I step out and dry off. Ella walks into my closet, a towel tightly tied around her body, a few minutes after I’ve gotten dressed in my bra, underwear, and a tank top. While Ella gets changed, I move into my bathroom to do my hair and makeup. I blow dry my hair, curl it into soft beachy waves and then apply a light smoky eye for my makeup. When I walk into my closet, Ella has just finished getting ready.
“This has to be a record time for you.” I joke, taking in her appearance. She’s wearing a black muscle tee with the words ‘Steal My Heart’ written in white letters on the front and studs embellished around the neckline, camo print skinny jeans, and a pair of black Chuck Taylor All Star Converse shoes. Her hair is down in messy curls and she has shimmery eye shadow with a thin winged eye and light pink lipstick for makeup.
“Thanks, I try!” She giggles while giving me a quick hug and saying she’ll see me later before colleting her stuff and leaving.
I get dressed in an ivory colored chiffon back boxy top, black and white vertical stripped jean shorts, and a pair of all black Canvas Authentic Lo Pro Vans shoes. I throw everything I need in my purse, including Liam’s birthday present, before leaving my house. I take my time driving to Liam’s since I left a little earlier than I had planned. When I arrive, I let out a few deep breaths before letting myself inside.
“Hello there, birthday boy!” I smile while leaning against the doorframe of the kitchen when I find Liam in there, my heart leaping in my throat at the sight of him. He’s wearing a white swoop neck t-shirt, dark jeans, and a pair of black Chambray Lo Pro Era Vans shoes. His curls are messily pushed off his forehead and I can see the long silver chain of his necklace tucked inside his shirt.
“Hey.” Liam grins, looking up at me from his phone.
I close the space between us, leaning my body against his while wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing a kiss to his lips. When I try to break the kiss, Liam picks me up and sets me on the counter, keeping our lips connected. I loose count of how long we stay like this, not that I really mind. When we finally break apart, Liam drops his forehead to my shoulder and wraps his arms around me in a tight hug.
“I missed you today.” He says softly.
“I missed you too.” I grin. “I have something for you.”
“You do? What is it?” Liam asks as he slightly pulls back from me so I can dig around in my purse.
“Here.” I respond, placing the small black box with a simple red bow tied around it in his hand. “Happy Birthday, Liam.”
“You didn’t have to get me anything, Daisy.”
I shrug my shoulders and motion for him to open it. I pull my bottom lip between my teeth while I watch him untie the bow then take the lid off the box. He stares at the object for a moment before taking it out, holding it between his fingers. It’s a circular silver pendant identical to the one he already has, but this one has a daisy carved into it on one side and the date of when we officially started dating on the other.
“You don’t like it.” I sigh when he doesn’t say anything. “I knew I should’ve gotten you a watch or more cologne; something more manly.”
“No, no.” Liam says suddenly, looking up at me with tears in his eyes. “It’s perfect, Daisy. I love it.”
“Really?” I ask, watching my favorite smile appear on his face while he nods his head.
“Yes.” He confirms, pressing his lips to mine. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I smile, taking the pendant when he hands it to me.
I wait while he pulls the necklace I’ve never seen him take off out from underneath his shirt and unclasp it from around his neck. I help him to make sure the pendant is facing the right way before sliding it onto the chain with the other one and then he clasps it back in place around his neck. We both stare down at the pendants for a few moments before he tucks them back under his shirt.
“I love you, Little Miss Daisy.” Liam smiles, wrapping his arms back around me and nuzzling his head into the crook of my neck.
“I love you too, silly.” I giggle, poking his sides. “You ready to get your butt kicked in bowling?”
“Me?” Liam asks, laughing while he pulls away and helps me off the counter. “Don’t you mean, you?”
“No.” I shake my head, following him out of the apartment. “I definitely meant you.”
Liam only laughs more while we walk to the parking lot. I climb into the passenger’s side as Liam climbs into the driver’s side. The entire drive to the bowling alley he tells me about his day of golfing with my Dad. From what I understand, they had a really good time and Liam had two beers; the second one he bought himself since he legally can now. When we arrive, we have to park half a block away because the parking lot it full. I’m a little nervous at first that Liam is going to say something about it and offer alternate plans, but instead he climbs out of his Rover without a word. I quickly send a text letting Ella know that we’re here and to have everybody ready before Liam opens my door for me.
“I can’t even remember the last time I went bowling.” Liam confesses after lacing our fingers together.
“I went last basketball season for team bonding.” I tell him, gently swinging our hands between us while we walk.
“Did you win?”
“No.” I grin, shaking my head. “I’m a horrible bowler.”
“I had a feeling I was going to win tonight.” Liam beams.
When we reach the entrance of the bar side, I stop Liam and try to think of a way to stall until I get a text back from Ella saying to come in.
“What’s wrong?” Liam asks, looking at me concerned.
“I… Uhh…” I start to mentally panic. What is taking Ella so long?
“Daisy?”
Not knowing what else to do, I pull him around the corner to the somewhat dark alley and push him against the building. I quickly rise up on my tippy-toes and press my lips to his, not wasting much tim
e before deepening the kiss and sliding my tongue into his mouth. I get so lost in the kiss and Liam’s hands sliding down my sides that I almost miss my phone vibrating in my pocket. Breaking away and taking a few steps back, I quickly check the text before dropping my phone into my purse.
“What was that about?” Liam chuckles, looking at me confused.
I shrug, making him chuckle even more while I grab his hand and pull him back to the entrance. I open the door and let Liam walk through first. I smile when I hear the entire room shout ‘surprise’ and loads of party poppers go off. The look on Liam’s face is one of shock before turning into my favorite smile as he takes in all the people and decorations.
“What the hell?” Liam laughs, looking down at me when I wrap my arms around him.
“Surprise!” I giggle, kissing his cheek.
“You did this?” He asks in disbelief.
I nod my head giving his cheek another quick peck before breaking away so the people crowding around us can say hello.
“Thank you so much for helping me!” I tell Ella when I find her back by the cake and food. “Oh my God, this looks amazing!”
“I know!” Ella beams, admiring the cake with me. “It looks even better than the picture and I think the mini shooters are the perfect touch.”
I nod my head, completely agreeing with her. “So please tell me you sweet talked the bartenders into letting us drink?”
“Oh, you know it!” Ella winks, bumping my hip with hers before picking up two drinks I didn’t notice were sitting on the table in front of us and handing me one. “It’s that Kinky stuff with 7UP.”
I take a small sip, testing it out, and then a bigger gulp. I smile when I see Zoie and Taylor making their way towards us.
“This is so awesome!” They exclaim at the same time, wrapping their arms around me and Ella in a mini group hug.
“I feel like I haven’t’ seen you guys in forever!” I gush, taking in their appearances. Zoie is wearing a white tank top with a cut out back that has twisted straps and a Technicolor tiger graphic on the front, multi-colored Southwestern pattern skinny jeans, and a pair of chocolate colored cutout faux suede thong sandals. Her hair is straightened and a thin line of eyeliner on her eyelids and shiny lips gloss for her makeup. Taylor is wearing a black semi-sheer white cross print tank top, acid wash cut off jean shorts with rhinestone embellishments, and a pair of black fold-over combat boots. Her hair is loosely curled and her makeup consists of a thin line of eyeliner on her eyelids. Ella gets them the same drinks that we have and we all mingle with the people around us.