Chapter 20

Chapter 20 — Waiting For Someone

"How long did you and Aaron go out?"

Liam gets straight to the point instead of beating around the bush, not seeing the point to it. He was thinking that maybe he could wait until the next day when he sees Jason again to start inquiring him but he just can't wait. He has to know now. Everything.

He needs things to make sense, if not it will certainly drive him mad.

And that is why the minute he has gotten both the kids in the bed, he picked up his phone and called Jason.

Jason lets out what sounds like a surprised cough, "I'm sorry. What?"

"You and Aaron — how long did you guys go out for?"

He sighs and Liam can imagine him pushing his hair back over his forehead, "That's– Why do you want to know?"

Liam shrugs, and only a second later realises that he can't see him, "I don't know," a second later, he decides the least he can do is be honest since Jason has been trying to be honest to him too, "I think Aaron still likes you,"

He hears a huff from the other side, followed by a small chuckle, "What?" Jason's voice sounds a little higher.

"You heard me,"

"Okay," he is still chuckling, but he doesn't tease or accuse Liam of making ridiculous assumptions. Instead, he asks, "Who told you this?"

"It's the only thing that makes sense,"

"Trust me, he doesn't,"

Liam doesn't know how he can be so sure, "What if Aaron admitted it himself,"

He hears no response for a while and he checks the screen to see if the call has been cut — it hasn't.

"Hello?"

"Um, yeah," his voice sounds very much strained now, "You talked to him about me?"

Liam is not stupid. He knows he's venturing into risky zone and thinking about it now, maybe it wasn't exactly a good idea to have talked to him about Jason. He should have cleared his doubts with Jason himself — this almost feels like going behind his back, but that is not what Liam intended at all.

His first instinct is to lie, make it look like he didn't talk to anyone and this is him just guessing but for some reason, he doesn't want to lie to Jason. He feels like he can't. And better bear the consequences now, then wait for it to build up into something big and have it blow back on him bigger.

"Yeah, I talked to him," he admits, "But it's only because I wanted to know exactly why he brought you up that morning," Liam quickly tries to defend his actions although he doubts it's an enough reason for him.

Jason doesn't say anything again for a few seconds, and when he does, Liam wishes he hadn't, "I have to go now. I'll talk to you later. Bye,"

"Ja–" but he's already cut the call before that.

It seemed better when he stayed quiet on the other end, not saying anything; now he has completely cut off the call and Liam doesn't know what he is supposed to make of it.

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Liam almost bites his nail off his thumb, waiting for Jason to show up. Maybe he's just running late, he tells himself but there's a good chance that he might not be coming in for work today as well.

Jason hasn't responded to any of his texts since the previous night after the call and hasn't attended any of his calls either. So, truly Liam has no clue what must be going through the man's mind right then.

Liam lets out a huff when he sees a car he wasn't looking forward to showing up pulls in the parking lot instead. Liam crosses his arms and purposely keeps his gaze away but that does not stop his boss from approaching him.

"Lost your way? Do you need an escort?"

Liam stamps down the urge to reply with a retort — he's really not in the mood to be engaged in a wit battle with his boss right then. So, he simply says, "No, I'm fine. I'm just waiting for someone,"

He was hoping that Aaron will leave him after that but of course not. He continues to stand before him, one hand in his pockets, and another holding a briefcase. Liam allows himself to look at him and sees that he is wearing a rather fit white shirt with khaki pants, his hair combed back. He feels this weird tingling feeling somewhere inside him, looking at him and forces himself to look away.

"Jason?" he asks, glancing at his watch, "Hmm, it's late. He's never late.

That familiarity, that certainty of his words when he talked about Jason, it only makes Liam wonder just how well the men know each other. But he stays silent, only nodding.

Aaron still doesn't move and Liam sighs, finally looking up at him, "What? What do you want?"

Without saying another word and as if stuck in a trance, Aaron starts moving in and Liam jerks back in shock. Maybe that's what pulled him back into reality because the next second he's flinching back too, shaking his head, and muttering something unintelligible under his breath.

Not looking at Liam this time, he mumbles, "You still have to work to do, so make sure you're in a few minutes," and with that, he quickly leaves.

Liam blinks after him, stunned. Distantly, his mind registers that this man just have a way of leaving him stunned and speechless every time they are left alone. He should definitely do something about and that too quickly. Because–

What the fuck was he just about to do?

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Liam is standing in front of Jason's apartment building. He should press the ringing bell but he hasn't. He's just been standing there for the past five minutes, looking up aimlessly, as if Jason might somehow sense his presence. He takes in a deep breath and finally gathers up enough courage to press the bell but before he can do so, the door magically buzzes open and an old man steps out.

Liam smiles at him gratefully while the old man looks at him suspiciously, but he does let him in without any questions and Liam would have hugged him if only he didn't look like he might hit him with his cane if he were take a step closer.

Liam remembers perfectly well which apartment belongs to Jason so it doesn't take long for him to reach his door. But once again, he's stuck. He doesn't knock. He doesn't know if he should.

He has made all the way here and only now he is considering if this might seem inappropriate. Jason hasn't responded to any of his texts or calls, and he missed work today — it's clear as day that he's been specifically avoiding him and showing up unannounced at his place, Liam isn't sure if that is the best course of action he can take.

The rational side of him — the side that is obviously lacking in him, whines at him that he should probably leave him be and give him space. But Liam has never been a patient man, and he's not exactly thinking in his right mind, he hasn't since that morning. He just needs to see Jason and talk to him and clear all the muddiness in his head.

But standing in front of his door, his throat dries up, his hands turn up clammy and it's suddenly very hot. He forces for his arm and hand to cooperate and he knocks on the door, his breath catching in his throat for a moment.

"Coming," he hears his voice distantly and Liam genuinely considers hiding or running away but he forces himself to stay put. He's not going to run away, that's not how he deals with things.

Jason opens the door, "I told you, Mr Mun–" he stops short when he sees it's not who thought he is at his door, and looks at Liam nothing short of shocked, "Liam?" he says as if it might not be Liam but someone else just in his form.

Liam forces his lips to stretch into what he hopes to be a pleasant smile and lifts his hand in an awkward wave, "Hey,"

Jason doesn't say anything and just stares at him.

Liam drops his hand and clasps both of his hands behind his back. He purses his lips to side and waits for the other man to say something but when he remains silent even as the minute passes, he takes the initiative into his own hands. He doesn't want to venture any deeper into the awkward silence than they already are in.

"Missed you at work today,"

That seems to surprise him as his eyes flick to Liam's almost instantly, his gaze searching as if gauging the truth to his statement. Liam lets him look closely since he means that — he did miss him at work today. It would have been quite boring if not for the internal turmoil he is currently experiencing.

Jason only gives him a small nod in return and steps aside, gesturing him to enter his apartment. Liam takes that as a positive sign and relaxes a little. He takes off his shoe and coat, hanging the coat in his hangar and turns to Jason.

This is very new to Liam and it doesn't exactly feel comfortable for him. He is not used to feeling so uncertain, so nervous, like he might just crawl out of his skin at any given moment. He needs to feel at least a semblance of boldness that he is accustomed to.

"Are you mad at me?" Liam asks, stepping closer to Jason.

"Wh– What?" he lets out a small laugh, and shakes his head, "No,"

"You did–,"

"I just needed some time to think. I'm sorry I should have told you that,"

"It's okay. Have you finished thinking?"

Jason sways his head from side to side and then shrugs, "Kind of,"

Liam licks his lips and takes another step closer; it's a definite good and encouraging sign that Jason doesn't step back, "And I know we have a lot to talk about, but if you're not mad at me and you're kind of finished of thinking–," his hand goes up to the side of his neck and tugs at him lightly towards him— Jason complies easily, leaning down, "–can I just kiss you first?"

Jason doesn't answer but instead just leans down and starts kissing him. It's a slow, tender kiss and Liam would have liked to keep on kissing him but Jason pulls back almost too quickly, and walks away to the living room, and sits on the armchair.

Liam follows behind him and occupies the couch. He is still nervous but at least he doesn't feel as untethered.

"I'm sorry," he apologises, unprompted.

"What for?"

"That I talked to Aaron about you,"

Jason shakes his head, "It's fine,"

But he doesn't meet his gaze when he says that and his eyebrows furrow, which only suggests that it really isn't fine.

"I know that it isn't," Liam presses, "You didn't answer any of my calls or texts after you found out about it,"

Jason sighs before nodding, "Okay, yeah. Maybe I was a little bit mad," he admits, but then quickly adds, "But not at you though. I was mad more at myself," he glances at Liam, grimacing before continuing, "I should have told you everything myself,"

Liam squints at him dubiously. That is definitely not the response he was expecting from him, "Yeah, but still I shouldn't have been so nosy. If you wanted to tell me, you would have,"

He nods slowly, "It's not that I didn't want to tell you. It's just I didn't know how to, and I wasn't sure if it mattered,"

"Do you still like him?" Liam gets straight to the point, he's not very good at dilly-dallying either.

"Wh- what?"

"I mean I think it would only matter a big deal if you still liked him and you were only using me," Liam shrugs, trying his best to appear nonchalant, but his heart is thudding heavily in his chest.

Because dammit, he may only have known Jason for like a month but he really, really likes him and he just cannot be fooled again. He isn't sure his heart can take it once more.

"Wh- N- I like you," he reaches for his hand and holds it firmly, "I really do. I wouldn't do that ever,"

"Good to know," Liam lets out a weak chuckle, relief flooding through him like a calming balm.

"Did Aaron say that to you? That I'm only using you?"

"No. No, he didn't," he leans back on the couch and lets out a heavy breath, "Truth be told, he didn't really tell me anything,"

"No?"

"No," he confirms, "I just couldn't stop looking at him and making all these theories in my head after you told me that you and him dated. He saw me acting weird and he guessed that you told me. And that's it. He didn't say anything else,"

"No?" Jason repeats as if it's the only word he knows all of a sudden.

Liam turns to him, and nods. A second later, he remembers something else and admits, "Okay, I might have called him a hypocrite as well,"

That earns him a snort, "You did what now?"

"Come on. He is one, isn't he? Lording everyone over with his company policy bullshit while he dated you, his staff. How is that fair?"

Jason only shrugs to that. A few beats later, he asks, "So, you don't really know anything yet, do you?"

Liam imitates him and shrugs, "Both of you can really be tight-lipped. Maybe I should try with Chloe next time," and when Jason narrows his eyes at him at that, Liam quickly raises his hand in surrender, smiling sheepishly, "Joking. Just joking. I'm not asking anyone about this anymore. And you don't have to tell me either. I'm not going to lie and say that I don't care because it's making me want to rip my hair out not knowing. But I can respect privacy; it's about time that I learn how to. And so, I'm going to give you your space,"

Jason smiles, shaking his head, "Thank you. But it's fine. What do you want to know?"

"Are you sure?"

He nods, "I really like you, and I don't want you to feel like I'm deliberately hiding something from you, so–" he waves his hand, "–fire away,"

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