Chapter 137: Chapter 137

The movie had ended nearly twenty minutes ago.

Instead of heading home immediately, Logan and Liam decided to take a walk through the small park just a few streets away from the cinema.

The evening breeze was cool, carrying the scent of freshly cut grass as families strolled along the walking paths. Children laughed happily at the playground while a few couples sat quietly on benches, enjoying the beautiful sunset.

Logan stretched his arms above his head and let out a satisfied sigh.

"That was actually a lot better than I expected."

"I could tell you enjoyed it." Liam replied with a smile, his gaze lingering on Logan a little longer than it should have.

"Of course I did." Logan laughed. "The plot twists were insane. I don't think anyone could've guessed half of what happened."

He shook his head, still thinking about the ending.

"It was a really good movie."

He turned to Liam with a grateful smile.

"So... thank you for inviting me."

A playful grin spread across his face.

"And maybe... just maybe... it's a good thing your friend cancelled after all. Otherwise, I never would've had the chance to watch it."

Liam chuckled softly. "Maybe it was."

The two of them laughed together before continuing their walk.

After a few more steps, Logan noticed that a couple had just gotten up from a nearby bench.

"Oh." He pointed toward it. "Looks like we got lucky."

Without thinking, he reached for Liam's hand and pulled him along.

"Come on."

Liam stumbled after him, his heart skipping a beat the instant Logan's fingers wrapped around his hand.

He lowered his gaze, staring quietly at their joined hands.

If only Logan knew what such a simple gesture meant to him.

When they reached the bench, Logan let go and the two of them sat down.

Logan leaned back with a tired sigh before rubbing his stomach.

"I think I made a mistake."

Liam looked at him. "What happened?"

"I shouldn't have finished all those snacks."

He laughed sheepishly.

"I'm actually hungry again."

Liam smiled. "Want me to get us something to eat?"

Logan waved his hand dismissively. "It's okay. I'll be heading home soon anyway."

"No!"

The word escaped Liam's mouth much louder than he'd intended.

Logan blinked in surprise.

Liam immediately realized how strange he'd sounded.

"I... um..." He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I mean... I'm hungry too." He forced out a small laugh.

"And I know a place just around the corner that sells really good fried chicken."

His eyes brightened.

"If I remember correctly..." A smile tugged at his lips. "You've always loved fried chicken."

Logan laughed. "I still do."

"Then let me get us some."

Liam stood up from the bench.

"They also have really amazing drinks."

He smiled hopefully.

"We're already here, so... we might as well enjoy the evening a little longer."

Behind the smile, however, his heart pounded anxiously.

"Please say yes.''

"Just a little more time.''

"I have to tell you how I feel.''

Logan looked at him for a moment before chuckling.

"Fine."

He leaned back comfortably against the bench and spread his arms dramatically.

"Since you're so determined to spoil me today, I'll sit here and let you do all the hard work."

Liam couldn't help laughing.

"Deal."

He took a few steps backward before pointing playfully at Logan.

"But don't disappear while I'm gone."

Logan raised both hands in surrender. "I promise."

Only then did Liam turn and walk away.

As Logan watched him disappear down the path, he found himself smiling.

He gently shook his head.

Liam really has changed.

The timid, quiet boy who used to hide behind him whenever bullies came around was gone.

In his place stood someone more confident, kinder and willing to step outside his comfort zone.

It made Logan genuinely happy.

Back in high school, he'd always hoped Liam would find the courage to believe in himself.

Now, seeing the man he'd grown into filled him with quiet pride.

''I'm really glad you're doing well, Liam.'' He thought with a soft smile. ''You deserve it.''

While waiting for Liam, Logan's thoughts slowly drifted to Chase.

A small smile found its way onto his lips.

It had only been a few hours since they'd seen each other, yet he already missed him terribly.

Unable to resist any longer, Logan reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone and dialled Chase's number.

The call barely rang once before it was answered.

"Baby."

Chase's smooth, deep voice flowed through the speaker.

Logan smiled instinctively.

No matter how many times he heard that voice, it still sent butterflies fluttering through his stomach.

"Hey." He said softly. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing." Chase sighed dramatically. "Just sitting here missing my boyfriend who decided to abandon me today."

Logan rolled his eyes, though the smile on his face only grew.

"I didn't abandon you, babe. I told you I was going to see a movie with Liam."

"Liam, Liam, Liam." Chase grumbled playfully. "Doesn't he have anyone else he could've invited? Why does he always have to steal you from me?"

Logan chuckled. "You're being dramatic."

"I am not."

"You are."

"...Okay, maybe a little."

They both laughed.

After a moment, Chase spoke again.

"So... when are you coming home?"

"We're about to grab something to eat first, then I'll head back."

"You're done with the movie already?"

"Yeah."

There was a brief pause before Chase suddenly asked. "Want me to come pick you up? I can leave right now."

Logan laughed, shaking his head even though Chase couldn't see him.

"There's no need. I'll be home before you know it, I promise."

Chase let out an exaggerated groan.

"But I miss you."

His voice became softer.

"You have no idea how badly I want to hold you right now."

Logan's heart melted.

"I miss you too, babe." His voice dropped to a gentle whisper. "That's actually why I called. I just... wanted to hear your voice."

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

Neither needed to.

Just hearing each other's breathing through the phone was enough.

Then Chase smiled to himself.

"Come home soon, my love."

"I will."

"I've got a surprise waiting for you."

Logan immediately straightened on the bench.

"A surprise?"

"Mhm."

"What is it?"

"Nope."

"Chase."

"I'm not telling."

Logan laughed. "That's not fair."

"If you really want to know..." Chase teased. "You'll have to hurry home."

"So you're trying to tempt me into leaving early?"

"No." Chase chuckled. "I genuinely have a surprise for you. And trust me..."

His voice softened with affection.

"You're going to love it."

Logan found himself smiling so much that his cheeks were beginning to hurt.

"Fine." He laughed. "You win. I'll be home as soon as I can."

"I'll be counting the minutes."

"I love you."

"I love you more, baby."

Before ending the call, Chase added in a protective tone,

"And don't drink too much, alright? If anything happens, call me immediately. I'll come get you, no matter where you are."

Logan's smile softened. "I will."

"Good."

"See you soon."

"See you soon."

The call ended.

Logan slipped his phone back into his pocket, his heart feeling lighter than it had all day.

Just then, he spotted Liam jogging back toward him with a paper bag in one hand and two drinks in the other.

He looked slightly out of breath.

"Sorry." Liam said between breaths, smiling apologetically. "The place was more crowded than I expected."

Logan chuckled. "I was beginning to think you'd gotten lost."

"Of course not." Liam laughed as he sat down beside him. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting."

"Nah." Logan shook his head. "I was just sitting here enjoying the breeze."

Liam smiled before handing him a brown paper bag.

"I got you the fried chicken you like... and a can of Coke."

Logan's eyes lit up. "Thank you."

The delicious smell immediately filled the air, making his stomach growl.

"I was hungrier than I thought."

"I could tell." Liam laughed.

Logan playfully rolled his eyes before placing the bag on the bench between them.

Liam did the same with his own meal.

The first thing they both reached for were the small packets of sauce tucked inside the bags.

They tore them open, squeezed the sauce over their food, then quietly began eating.

Every now and then, they took a sip from their drinks, occasionally exchanging amused glances whenever one of them said something funny.

The conversation drifted effortlessly from one topic to another.

They talked about the movie, arguing over their favourite scenes and laughing about some of the unexpected plot twists.

From there, they moved on to university life, hockey, old classmates and countless random topics that seemed to make the time pass far too quickly.

Before either of them realised it, they had finished every last bite.

Logan wiped his hands with the tissue provided before crumpling everything back into the paper bag.

Liam did the same.

The two of them walked over to a nearby rubbish bin and threw their trash away before returning to the bench.

The evening sky had begun turning shades of orange and pink as the sun slowly sank lower.

Logan leaned back against the bench and let out a long, satisfied sigh.

"That really hit the spot."

He rubbed his stomach dramatically.

"I don't think I'll need dinner after this."

Liam laughed. "I knew you'd like it."

"I definitely did."

For a few moments, they simply sat there, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere around them.

Then Liam spoke.

"Do you remember our very first interaction?"

Logan turned to him. "Our first interaction?"

Liam nodded. "You'd given me your notes after those bullies ruined mine. It was because of you I didn't get into more trouble with the teacher."

He looked ahead as another memory surfaced.

"Or the time you stood up to those seniors who kept taking my lunch money?"

Logan blinked. "...That happened?"

"Mhm."

"And you got detention because you shoved one of them."

Logan stared at him for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"I seriously don't remember half of these things."

"I know." Liam smiled. "You probably forgot because, to you, they weren't a big deal."

His smile became softer.

"But to me..." He looked at Logan. "They meant everything."

Logan's smile slowly faded into something gentler.

"I can't believe you remembered all that."

Liam gave a small shrug.

"I remember more than you think."

His voice became quieter.

"You did so much for me, Logan."

His eyes never left Logan's.

"I don't think I'll ever be able to forget you."

Logan smiled sheepishly.

"I was only doing what anyone else would've done."

"No." Liam slowly shook his head. "Not everyone would've."

A quiet silence settled between them.

The laughter from the nearby playground drifted through the evening air, but neither of them spoke.

Liam looked down at his hands.

His heart had begun pounding so loudly he was certain Logan would hear it.

He slowly clenched his fingers together before taking a deep, steadying breath.

Then he looked back up.

"Logan..."

"Hm?" Logan replied, meeting his gaze with the same warm, innocent smile.

Liam swallowed.

"...There's something important I want to tell you."

Seeing the seriousness on Liam's face, Logan shifted slightly on the bench, giving him his full attention.

"Okay." He said gently. "I'm listening."

Liam took a slow breath.

His hands were clasped tightly together, his fingers trembling ever so slightly.

"I know this is probably going to sound strange..." He began quietly. "Maybe even selfish... considering how things are now."

He forced out a weak smile.

"But if I don't say this today..."

He lowered his gaze for a brief moment before looking back at Logan.

"...I think I'll spend the rest of my life regretting it."

Logan remained silent.

He simply watched Liam, waiting for him to continue.

Liam swallowed hard.

"Back then... in high school... I couldn't tell you how I felt."

"I was scared."

He let out a soft, bitter laugh.

"I kept convincing myself there would always be another chance."

"But before I knew it, I'd left the country."

His eyes became distant as memories flooded back.

"And every single day after that... I regretted keeping my feelings to myself."

He looked back at Logan.

"When I saw you again at the park that day..."

A genuine smile appeared on his lips.

"...I don't think I've ever been that happy."

"I couldn't stop thinking about how fate had somehow given me another chance."

His voice grew quieter.

"A chance to finally tell you everything I'd buried inside me for years."

Logan's heart sank.

By now, he already knew what Liam was about to say.

He wanted to stop him.

He wanted to spare him the heartbreak that was coming.

But the words caught in his throat.

So he simply listened.

Liam met his eyes, his own heart pounding so violently it almost hurt.

"I love you, Logan."

The words escaped in a trembling whisper.

"I've loved you since high school."

His eyes glistened.

"And even after I left... no matter how many years passed..."

"I never stopped."

A tear threatened to gather in the corner of his eye, but he blinked it away.

"I tried."

He laughed softly at himself.

"I really did."

"I told myself I'd move on."

"I told myself I'd forget you."

"But no matter where I went..."

His smile turned bittersweet.

"...my heart always found its way back to you."

He held Logan's gaze, letting every wall he'd built over the years finally crumble.

"I love you, Logan."

His voice was barely above a whisper.

"I've loved you for years..."

"And I still do."

"Liam—" Logan started but Liam shook his head and gently cut him off.

"I already know."

Logan paused.

Liam forced out a small smile.

"I know what you're going to say."

He let out a quiet, nervous laugh.

"You're going to reject me."

His eyes dropped briefly to his hands before he looked back at Logan.

"And I'm not going to ask you to change your mind. I already know why."

He inhaled slowly.

"I just... needed you to know how I felt."

"Because if I walked away without ever telling you..." He smiled sadly. "I might never forgive myself and I'd spend the rest of my life regretting it."

Logan's chest tightened.

"I..." He sighed softly. "I honestly don't know what to say right now."

"You don't have to say anything."

Liam's smile remained, though it was becoming harder to maintain.

"I wasn't expecting a different answer."

For a moment, Logan simply looked at him.

Then a gentle smile appeared on his face.

"...Thank you."

Liam blinked. "...What?"

"Thank you..."

Logan's voice was sincere.

"Thank you for caring about me for all these years."

His expression softened even more.

"And... I'm sorry I can't return your feelings."

Liam lowered his eyes.

Logan continued gently.

"You're a wonderful person, Liam."

"You've always been kind."

"You deserve someone who can love you with their whole heart."

He smiled sadly.

"And that person isn't me."

"I hope..."

He hesitated for a second before continuing.

"I hope one day you meet someone who's worthy of your love."

"Someone who'll love you the way you deserve to be loved."

"I truly hope you find that happiness."

Liam felt his throat tighten.

He had prepared himself for rejection.

He had repeated this conversation in his mind countless times.

He'd told himself he would smile.

He'd told himself he'd accept it gracefully.

But nothing...

Nothing had prepared him for how much it actually hurt.

It felt as though someone had reached into his chest and squeezed his heart until he could barely breathe.

Still...

He smiled.

A quiet laugh escaped him.

"...God." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I didn't think it'd hurt this much."

Logan's heart ached for him. "I'm sorry."

Liam immediately shook his head. "No."

His voice remained gentle.

"You don't have anything to apologise for. You didn't do anything wrong."

Silence settled between them once more.

Just as Logan was about to speak again, his phone suddenly rang.

He pulled his phone from his pocket and glanced at the screen.

A smile instantly spread across his face.

Chase.

He couldn't help chuckling softly.

"One second."

Logan looked apologetically at Liam before answering the call.

Liam noticed the way Logan's entire expression brightened the moment he saw who was calling.

He didn't even need to ask.

He already knew.

Before Logan could excuse himself, Liam smiled.

"It's okay."

Logan looked at him.

"You should go."

Liam forced another smile.

"You've already spent so much time with me today."

"I can't ask for any more than that."

Logan slowly stood.

"...Thank you, Liam."

His smile was warm and genuine.

"I really had a great time today."

"I'm glad." Liam nodded.

"I'll see you around."

"See you."

Logan gave him one last grateful smile before turning and walking away.

As he disappeared down the path, Liam watched him answer the phone again.

Even from a distance...

He could see Logan smiling.

Laughing.

Looking happier with every passing second.

Only when Logan was completely out of sight did Liam's smile finally disappear.

His shoulders slumped.

The mask he'd worn all afternoon shattered.

His chest felt unbearably tight.

He lowered his head, his fingers curling into fists on his lap.

"It should've been me..."

His voice cracked.

He shut his eyes tightly.

"Why..." A tear escaped before he could stop it. "Why can't it be me, Logan?"

The evening breeze swept through the quiet park.

But this time...

It did nothing to ease the storm raging inside Liam's heart.