He hadn’t read the book yet. I knew that because he had yet to bring it up. I had been nervous all morning, to the point of throwing up. But he hadn’t reacted. Instead the moment I opened the door he gave me a disarming smile and a kiss on the cheek before declaring that I was coming with him to see his family today.

I was shocked at first. Stumbling over my words, I had been preparing myself for defensive conversations. Not this one. If Liam noticed my awkwardness he never gave away any notions. Instead he waited patiently in my living room while I packed. Apparently we would be staying the night. It was Ruth’s birthday and they expected the celebration to last throughout the night.

I wasn’t sure where Liam’s mum stood on her son sharing a bed with his girlfriend. But I packed appropriate clothing just in case.

“So I told my parents about you’re book is getting published and they are so excited for you so there will probably be heaps of question and excitement aimed at you tonight.” Liam said happily from beside me as we climbed into the car. I bit my lip worriedly.

“They aren’t going to expect to read it are they?” I asked him softly. He shook his head and pulled out onto the road.

“Nah I told them that your own parents hadn’t read it yet so your lips would be sealed. Sorry I haven’t even had a chance to read it yet. But I do want to.” Liam suddenly said, trying to convince me. I shot him a smile.

“It’s okay, take your time. Its not like it’s going anywhere.” I said to him softly before reaching forward towards his CD player to search for a song I wanted to listen to.

By the time we arrived at Liam’s family house they had already started decorating.

“MUM!” Lima called obnoxiously through the house when we stepped through the front door. I shot him a look as he grinned innocently.

“You are such a child sometimes.” I stated to him before moving further into the house. Liam carried our bags behind me.

“OH you’re finally here!” I spun around in time to see Liam’s mum pull Liam into a hug. He awkwardly hugged her back while still holding onto our bags.

“Come here Jade!” She said after pulling away from Liam before pulling me into a tight hug. My eyes widened at Liam as I hugged her back. God she was a strong woman.

“Don’t kill her Karen.” Liam’s Dad laughed, walking into the hallway and greeted us both. Before we could talk Karen shooed him back outside to continue setting up.

“You can put your stuff in your room Liam. It’s all set up. Jade come with me, we desperately need some help decorating. The guests will be here in two hours and we’re not ever ready yet!” I could tell the party frazzled her. “I haven’t even started making food yet!”

“Why don’t you go in and finish making the food while I go help the others.” I suggested to her gently. She looked at me in thanks before hurrying back inside. I spotted Nicola and Ruth and headed over towards them.

“Where do you want me?” I asked them both. They turned curiously before flashing me large smiles and pulling me into a hug.

“Oh it’s so good you’re here! Me and Ruth have been talking about coming down to see you, actually. Some bonding time.” I smiled at them both happily. I really liked them they were great fun.

“I would love that a lot! You all definitely should.” I nodded happily at them. “Where do you need me to help?”

“Oh could you grab the other end of this and climb that ladder.” Ruth handed me one end of the lights well she took the other. We both climbed a different ladder and placed it up against the roof of the patio.

“Hurry up Liam!” Nic called out when we spotted Liam walking out the back of the house. I could tell from where I was that he rolled his eyes at her. Nevertheless he greeted them both with a hug and a kiss.

“I see they already have you working.” Liam commented to me, stepping in front and wrapping his arms around my waist. I smiled up at him.

“They are slave drivers.” I pouted up at him. A smirk slid across his face before he bent down and pressed a kiss to my pouting lips sucking on my bottom lip before pulling back. I laughed slightly before pulling out of his grip.

“I don’t know if that was sweet or just really sickening.” Ruth commented, staring at us as I blushed.

“I would go really sickening. Who wants to watch their brother try to get lucky?” Nic shook her head before turning to pick up more lights from the ground. I gaped at her response as Liam began to shake with laughter; I smacked his arm to stop him.

“You are so not getting lucky.” I mumbled to him as his face fell, all traces of laughter left his face. Smirking at the fact I won I headed over to help Nic with the new set of lights.

“So congratulations on the new book getting published! Do we get to read it before everyone else?” Nic asked me. I bit my lip as I concentrated on the lights in front of us.

“Sorry but you’re just going to have to wait like everyone else.” I teased her lightly as she pouted at me. I hoped Liam’s family could at least tell the difference between my character and Liam and wouldn’t hate me for it.

“So how are things between you and my brother? Has he been a tosser lately?” She asked me suddenly causing a choke of laughter to fall from my mouth as I shook my head at her.

“It’s been going great actually.” I smiled brightly, glancing to the left and watched as Liam easily picked Ruth off the ground as she screamed at him. A smile was lighting up his face that I couldn’t help but let mine match.

“He talks to us all the time. Sometimes ringing every day, only misses out on one every now and then. Never misses out on calling mum and dad though.” I turned back to Nic. “He’s the same Liam he was but different at the same time you know? I suppose you didn’t really know him beforehand.”

“I’m glad he’s taking to you all again. I know he missed you all.” I said softly to her before moving over and hanging the lights where she directed.

“Yeah well I guess during that time I had to realise that I couldn’t protect my baby brother from everything. I’m glad he has you to help him now.” I smiled softly at her in response before we both stepped back to admire our work on the lights.

“I think that parts crooked.” Liam teased, coming up to stand next to us as Nic flipped him off before walking away. Liam and I laughed as he pulled me into his arms.

“So I see you’re getting along with my sister.” I nodded up at him and glanced over at Nic and Ruth.

“They’re both so great. I can’t wait to get to know them more.” I told Liam truthfully.

“I love you.” Liam said suddenly as I glanced up into his serious eyes.

“I love you too.” I said back softly before reaching up to press my lips to his.

“Good, I was just checking that last night wasn’t a dream.” Liam sighed out as I pulled away. I grinned up at him before allowing him to press his lips to mine again.

“LIAM, JADE! Stop fooling around, there are things that need to be done.” Liam and I quickly pulled away to see Karen standing at the top of the back stairs, glaring at us.

“I think by the end of tonight my mum might actually have a panic attack.” Liam commented to me while I lightly slapped him across the chest. He winced and pretended to be hurt while I walked away.

“You should be trying to help her then!” I called out to him before following Karen into the kitchen.

“Do you want me to help in here?” I asked her sweetly wanting to redeem myself for making out with her son in the backyard.

“I don’t know.” She replied biting her lip. “How good at you at cooking?”

“I’ve lived by myself for a couple of years now. I’m pretty good.” I grinned at her. She smiled kindly before instructing me on what she needed help with. I obeyed her and instantly took over what she needed. I was happy to see her panicked look slowly leave her face as we worked our way through all the food she had prepared.

“You should go get ready.” I said to her as she glanced at the clock for the fifth time in ten minutes.

“But you need to get ready too.” She muttered shaking her head. I grabbed the cooking utensils out of her hand and began to push her out of the kitchen.

“You need to greet everyone. I can be a few minutes late.” I smiled at her encouragingly. She smiled before leaving the room. I glanced around the kitchen before checking on the pastries in the oven.

“Jade,” I spun around at the sound of my name to see Karen standing in the doorway to the kitchen. “Thank you.”

“No problem.” I grinned at her. She bit her lip and I eyed her wondering what else she wanted to say.

“Not just for helping today. But for bringing him back. Thank you for giving me back my son.” She said softly before scurrying away. I stood there silently as her words reached my ears. I felt the tears that slowly clouded my eyes, I couldn’t believe she had actually thanked me for that, I knew having him back meant a lot to her. But she definitely didn’t need to thank me for that.

I took a deep breath and turned back to the oven when I heard footsteps approaching the kitchen.

“Hey, do you need any help in here?” Geoff asked from the door. I plastered on a smile and shook my head before sending him away to get changed.

A few moments later Karen came back down the stairs properly dressed before shooing me away to get changed while she finished up. Smiling, I pressed a kiss to her cheek before bounding up the stairs towards Liam’s room, almost running into Nic along the way.

“Hey Li, are you in here?” I asked pushing the door open to his room and walking right in. My eyes widened as Liam turned around, his jeans were on but with the top button undone. No shirt was present on his body and I couldn’t help the way my eyes practically drilled into the abs that were ever present on his stomach.

“Jade?” Liam asked with a smirk. I blushed darker and headed straight for the wardrobe looking for the dress I had hung up when we got here. I froze the moment I felt Liam’s breath on my neck just before his arms wrapped themselves around my waist. His chest pushed tightly against my back.

Before I could respond his lips were pressed against my ear, nibbling at the bottom lobe before trailing down my neck. I instantly arched my neck to the side allowing him more access. I could practically feel the smirk that was permanently etched onto his face.

A knock at the door mad squeals of surprise fall from my lips as I jumped in Liam’s arms. His chuckles filled the room as Geoff called for us to hurry up.

“You’re absolutely terrible.” I muttered to him, grabbing my dress and stepping out of his arms. “I’m changing in the bathroom.”

I walked out of the room before he could reply and headed straight into the now vacant bathroom. I locked the door behind me and glanced into the mirror to see my face was still extremely red. Sighing I quickly changed into the dress and breathed deeply until the colour in my face had gone down.

I stepped out of the bathroom to see Liam waiting in the hallway for me. I glared at him when I saw the smirk still evident on his face. He tried to hide it.

“I preferred your cheeks redder.” He commented lightly, following behind me as I walked back into his room and threw my clothes on my bag before grabbing my make up and applying it.

“Yes well I prefer you with a shirt on.” I responded curtly to him, I couldn’t help but be embarrassed at my responses to him.

“Don’t lie.” He whispered in my ear. I jumped in surprise again, not expecting him so close to me.

“Piss off Liam!” I complained trying to fix the mistake he had made me do in my make up. He laughed before sitting at the end of the bed and waited for me to finish.

“Are you ready?” Liam eventually asked, standing up. I nodded and grabbed his waiting hand as he dragged me out the door. “Good because I can’t wait to show the woman I love to all my family.”

I stopped in my tracks suddenly as Liam paused at me resistance.

“I love you too.” I said as sincerely as I could. Liam eyed me confused and stepped back in front of me. He titled my chin up so he could look into my eyes.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” He asked me softly, I gave him a short nod in response.

“I just want to make sure you know that I do love you. A lot actually.” I admitted to him softly. His lips gently pressed against mine before he pulled back, his hand still caressing my chin.

“I love you too. A lot.” He replied simply, pressing a kiss to my nose and continued to tug me down the stairs. My heart thudded with joy at his words but the sick feeling in my stomach grew. I hope he still loved me after he read the book. I didn’t want us to change.

Notes

So this is a little cute chapter so now I can warn you that Liam will read the book in the next chapter. Be prepared! Be so prepared!

Love you all and your amazing comments!

xx