Chapter 16
As each day passed Aaron became stronger, became more aware of his surroundings, He'd wanted to ask Liam again who Tyler was. It was puzzling him, he'd had dreams about it. Tyler was an ex, but there was still those insecurites bubbling away inside Aaron, that Tyler and Liam would meet again one day, and Liam would be taken away from him. The very thought made his blood run cold.
His thoughts were interrupted by his mum arriving, with car magazines and a clear tupperware box, which Aaron assumed could only be a cake from Pearl.
"Hey love. Got you these" Chas smiled, sitting down next to her son's bed. "Pearl also gave me this. She knows how you love Lemon Drizzle Cake!"
Chas placed the things on the table top that was standing next to Aaron's bed "Cheers Mum."
"How you feeling love?"
"I feel like I'm getting there, the pain isn't as bad anymore, but I'm just so tired all the time."
"You will be love. You'll be out of sorts for a while. I've arranged things with Paddy, You can come and stay at mine for bit if you want, just so you get back on your feet. With Rhona about to drop her sprog at any second, you need a relaxing atmosphere."
"And I'm going to get that at yours? Til you get smashed and screech along to Bonnie Tyler again!"
Tyler...That name sent Aaron back into his daydreams. He could see his Mum's mouth moving, but the words didn't register. All he could think of was Liam, holding hands with another man, being close to another man. It was only his Mum's hand waving infront of his face that banished the thoughts once again.
"Aaron love? You ok? Aaron?"
"Yeah sorry Mum, what did you say?"
"I said it's up to you. It was just a suggestion. Think about it, yeah?"
"Yeah i will do. You seen Liam today?"
"No love. We told him to go home last night and get some rest, have a shower and something to eat. Poor love's exsausted. He barely left your side this last week."
"Awh, Bless him." Aaron mocked
"Aaron, You really like him,. don't you?"
"Ah, Getting my mum quizzing me now?" Aaron smiled
"I'm just..."
"Concerned. Yeah I know! And yes Mum, I do like him. I never thought i would find anyone so soon after...well. You know. But I think I have. I can see a future with him, I can see us going somewhere, I can see us having everything that I had with Jackson. I just hope I don't fuck it all up this time."
"You won't lad. I know you won't let it happen again."
"Hey Mum, Did Liam ever mention anyone called Tyler to you?"
"No."
"Oh. Ok."
"Why love?" Chas asked
"He's an ex of Liam's, he's never told me about him even though I've told him everything about Jackson. You dont think he's hiding anything, do you?"
"Don't be soft! He thinks the world of you! Now don't push him into talking to you about it. Let him tell you when he's ready."
Aaron nodded and yawned
"You get some sleep, ok, I'll call Liam so he's here when you wake up. I've got to head off soon anyway, Alicia's done a disappearing act yet again and Diane needs me to work. I swear to god if that little witch doesn't tread carefully she'll find herself out of a job! I'll come see you in the morning love. Now don't go worrying about this Tyler bloke. Just concentrate on getting better."
Aaron nodded and slowly closed his eyes, Chas stood up, stretching after sitting on the hard plastic chair, she leaned over her son's sleeping frame and kissed him on the forehead, leaving a bright red lipstick mark behind. She laughed slightly as she saw what had happened, took a picture on her phone and turned out the light on the bedside table.