Page 30 of The Reality of Wanting Him (Love Without Labels #1)

LIAM

Producer: What’s surprised you most about this process so far?

Liam: How fast a connection can form when you’re not distracted by everything else. I didn’t expect to feel this sure about someone so quickly, but here I am, getting ready to bring them to my farm to meet my dad.

I knew these one-on-one interviews were coming, but that doesn’t make me dread them any less. The producers warned us that, at different points in the process, we’d have to sit down and reflect on everything so they could splice it into the episodes for dramatic effect.

Well, they didn’t say that exactly, but we all know what it’s for .

But now I’m sitting in the middle of the room they’ve turned into a studio at the hotel, mic’d up with all the cameras and big microphones pointed at me, as I sit opposite Andy and his beaming smile.

Why am I so nervous? This feels far more formal than the previous ones they’ve done where they sat us in a chair in the hallway outside of our apartments and had random producers ask the questions .

Besides the drama with Blake and Rachel—which admittedly was me assuming the worst—I’ve just been completely wrapped up in Blake.

Falling into this thing with him has been almost terrifyingly easy.

I’ve never felt this way before and I don’t think he has, either.

And that makes me more than a little nervous for what questions are about to come out of the producers’ mouths.

I have no idea how to talk about any of this.

Andy smiles at me from across the small studio setup, leaning forward in his chair like he’s about to dig into me. “Alright, Liam. Let’s start with something simple. Can you tell us how it’s been living with Blake?”

Easy enough first question, I can totally do this.

“Living with Blake has been interesting,” I start.

They told us to repeat back the question in our answer like we’re playing Jeopardy so the future viewers will know exactly what we’re talking about.

I can see the camera operator nodding, encouraging me to continue.

“I think people expect me to say that I was shocked by the whole straight guy picking me thing or comment on how Blake assumed that I was a woman, but honestly? I think I was more surprised by how much we get along.”

“Just how much do you like him?” Andy asks, propping his chin in his hands as he dramatically blinks at me, obviously intrigued.

My mind immediately wanders to Blake last night and how he rested his head on my chest as we talked about our future together.

It also flashes to him on his knees, looking up at me with want in his eyes, but I quickly cut that thought off.

I can’t risk getting hard on TV. Again .

He isn’t even here, but just thinking about my future husband is enough to make that a very real possibility.

And fuck, if that title isn’t sobering. My future husband. It's not even some far-fetched daydream; we could be engaged in just a few days.

I take a deep breath, trying to center my thoughts and focus on the conversation.

“I… I don’t know,” I finally answer, licking my lips to buy a few more seconds.

“I mean, I do know. But I also… Blake and I are very different people, and I thought that was going to be a problem. But instead, it’s working.

I think it might be working really well. ”

Andy grins and changes direction. “Let’s talk about the hometown visits coming up. Blake is heading to your farm soon. What are you most excited for?”

I can’t help but smile as I picture Blake on my farm. “I can’t wait for Blake to come to the farm. I want him to see my life. I want him to meet my dad. And…” I trail off, my throat tightening.

“And?”

I let out a slow breath. “I want to see if he fits there. If he’ll be happy. If he can adjust the image in his mind to the day-to-day reality of what running a farm is really like.”

As easy as this bubble we’re living in has been, I know Blake is used to expensive dinners, and fancy bars in the city.

He’s used to very little responsibility, and my life is basically defined by it.

There are early mornings, followed by long days of hard work struggling to keep my family’s farm running.

Blake says he doesn’t need luxury, but I have to see that for myself.

If I let myself love him and it turns out he can’t handle my world?

I don’t know if I’m strong enough to deal with that kind of heartbreak.

I’m a little surprised by how honest my answer is.

This whole process is so wild when I think about just how much Blake and I have already shared with the public when it comes to our relationship.

My first instinct is to try to hold back, to keep what little privacy we have left and not share any more details than I have to.

But I also know we had an unconventional start with the gender confusion.

And then there was the drama with Rachel—even if it was minimal, I know they’ll still eat it up.

As much as I hate to think about it, we’ll probably get a lot of screen time with all our drama aired.

Although, I’m not entirely sure what’s going on with the other couples, so maybe that’s a little egotistical of me to think.

Jace and Kieran certainly have their own drama.

I want to show that there’s more to us than those potentially viral moments.

I want people to understand that we’re a surprisingly good fit, a couple who has a real shot at making it.

Andy lets out a chuckle, pulling my attention back to him. “I think we’re all excited to see how Blake fares on the farm. You two certainly had an interesting beginning. Can you tell us a bit more about your dynamic—what it is that’s worked so well for you both when Blake is new to dating a man.”

“Believe me, no one is more surprised than I am after that first in-person meeting that Blake and I have ended up where we are in such little time,” I say with a laugh.

“But our relationship is better than I could have even hoped for. He pushes me to let go, to loosen up, and enjoy every moment. I’d like to think that I’ve helped him find out who he is outside of the lifestyle he’s accustomed to here in the city.

Blake makes me feel something I haven’t ever felt before, and even though this whole thing started under weird circumstances, it somehow feels more real than any other relationship I’ve been in. ”

Andy’s smile softens slightly, looking less fake than I’ve ever seen it.

“I think I speak for everyone who’s going to see your romance unfold when I say that I wish you both the best, and I can’t wait to see what happens next for the two of you!”

We wrap up the interview without any other painful questions, and I think, overall, it went pretty well. Now I get to be nervous for a whole other set of reasons —time to meet Blake’s best friend.

Blake didn’t actually tell me what we’re doing tonight, and I didn’t think to ask, so I can only imagine what he’s planned.

I’m finally arriving in a car that the show coordinated to meet him, and I can’t wait to be able to touch him again.

I didn’t realize just how much I’d missed him until I was done worrying about the interview.

I step out, taking in the arena and all the people around, wearing matching jerseys.

I should have guessed we’d be doing a sports related activity.

Whatever, I’m sure it’ll be fine for one night, plus I want Blake to be happy.

There’s a producer with me who directs me to a security line, and once we’re through, they scan our tickets.

When I finally step into the lobby of what I’m guessing is a fancy VIP entrance by the lack of crowds, I see Blake waiting for me with that charming smile already in place as he rushes to me.

I smile right back, and I can’t help but reach out, gripping the back of his neck to bring his lips to mine.

I kiss him hard on the mouth, needing to feel close to him after the stressful day we spent apart, not caring for a second that we have an audience or a camera pointed right at us.

Blake lets out a surprised noise but immediately melts into my hold.

He places both of his hands on my hips, holding tight as he enthusiastically kisses me back, like maybe he’s missed me just as much.

When I finally pull back, I catch the flush that spreads across his cheeks, and it sparks a possessive desire within me that I have no right feeling while in public.

“Sorry. I missed you and I couldn’t help myself,” I say quietly, just for him.

I’m hoping I didn’t embarrass him in front of his friend. But when I turn to face the man next to him, who I’m assuming is Chad, he’s watching us with what’s got to be the biggest grin I’ve ever seen in my life. I swear it rivals Andy’s.

Blake groans and shoves Chad’s shoulder. “Don’t be weird.”

Chad just laughs, the wicked glint in his eye giving away just how much he’s enjoying this.

“Who’s being weird? I’m literally being so normal about you casually kissing your boyfriend right in front of me.

No big deal.” Then he turns to me and sticks out his hand.

“Liam, right? At least, I hope you’re Liam and not some random dude kissing Blake right on the mouth. ”

“Yeah, I’m Liam,” I laugh as I shake his hand. “It’s good to meet you, Chad.”

“I’ve gotta say,” Chad says, glancing between the two of us with that shit-eating grin still in place.

“This was so not the outcome I expected when Blake signed up for this show. But I like it. I think you’re going to be really good for him.

It’s pretty obvious with how he hasn’t been able to go more than thirty seconds today without bringing you up, and how he hasn’t stopped smiling when he does. ”

Blake rolls his eyes. “You like it because you love being right.”