Chapter Forty-One
MADDIE
The last forty-eight hours I’ve been lost in my head about this damn fight.
We’ve been counting down the days for weeks as Liam has trained and prepared, and now the day he leaves is here.
Time flew by so quickly and honestly, I’m scared of what could possibly happen.
Things never seem to go the way they’re supposed to, and while Tyler has explained to me several times how ready Liam is, it doesn’t make me feel any better about the situation.
I understand the consequences, and it’s much more than him just getting his ass kicked.
Tonight, I can’t sleep. I’ve been tossing and turning, and eventually, I roll over and look at the time on my phone to see it’s just past three. I’ve laid here with my eyes closed, counted to one thousand backward, but nothing is helping me get my mind off Liam leaving in the morning.
We’ll say our goodbyes, and he'll get on that plane and not return to me. Just thinking about it nearly brings me to tears, but I try to hold it in, something I’ve gotten really good at doing.
Liam knows I’m upset regardless of how much I’ve tried to stay strong.
Our future is literally in his opponent’s hands, and the unknown of what could happen drives me insane.
Eventually, I drift off, but it seems like only an hour passes before I’m being woken up by Liam. He nuzzles into my neck, and I smile at the way his lips brush against my skin.
“Morning, baby,” he whispers, and I turn to face him. “I have to get ready to leave in a couple of hours.” His voice is strained and sad.
“Morning.” It doesn’t matter that my eyes are burning or that I’m exhausted, I get up too because I want to spend every minute I can with him before he leaves.
After I brush my teeth and pull up my hair into a messy bun, I go into the kitchen where Liam is standing shirtless, filling up a mug with coffee.
I lean against the counter and watch him, memorizing the way he looks right now.
Glancing over, he catches me gawking and smirks.
All the training he’s done the past few weeks has really done his body good.
After he takes a sip, he sets down the mug and walks over to me, then wraps his arms around my waist. I sink into his strong body, not wanting him to let me go, but our moment is interrupted when a throat clearing behind us grabs my attention. Turning around, I shoot daggers at Sophie.
“Coffee.” She points at the machine we’re blocking like she’s a caveman coming to claim hers.
I laugh, trying to ignore her. “I’m busy.”
Liam kisses my forehead, then we pull apart. Sophie goes to the fridge and grabs the creamer, pouring it into her cup. She releases a sigh and smiles after she takes a sip.
Tyler and Mason enter the kitchen, chatting about the upcoming events. It’s then I realize Liam’s and my morning alone is short-lived. I don’t know why the hell they’re all up so early anyway. It’s as if the smell of coffee brewing summoned them all.
Mason volunteers to cook breakfast, and I can’t help but obsess over the fact that we only have mere hours left.
Time is slipping between my fingers and there’s nothing I can do about it.
Feeling chilled, I grab a hoodie from my room, and as I’m walking into the kitchen, I overhear Tyler talking to Liam.
“After the fight, you’ll more than likely need to go to the hospital,” he tells him.
Liam asks why, and Tyler continues to explain that he’ll probably be messed up in some way and will need medical attention because he’s not going to walk away unscathed. Tyler says he’ll probably have broken ribs, black eyes, and be bruised. The visual my mind creates causes me to shiver with fear.
I sit next to Liam at the table, and the anxiety slowly takes over.
It scares the shit out of me that something bad may happen, and he’ll return injured.
As if he notices, he places his hand on my thigh and tries to calm me.
Mason finishes cooking and sets a plate stacked full of French toast in the middle of the table along with a jar of Nutella and bananas.
Sophie grabs the syrup and plates while I grab the silverware, then we all sit.
As we eat, I try to push my worries away, but it’s no use. My emotions are starting to bubble over. No one brings up the elephant in the room although we all know what’s coming.
Tyler and Liam will leave for Vegas, and no one knows what’s going to happen or when they’ll return.
The air is thick as we chat about randomness.
Once our plates are clear, we thank Mason for cooking, and although I offer to help clean up, Sophie says she’s got it.
She gives me a small smile and tells me to go spend time with Liam instead.
Liam grabs my hand as we walk to the bedroom. After we’re inside, he shuts the door, then slams his lips against mine, kissing away all my thoughts. He cups my face, bracing us, and pours all his emotions into me. I wrap my arms around his bare waist and hold him as close as I can.
“Liam,” I whisper as a tear falls down my cheek. “I’m so scared.”
He gently places his finger under my chin and forces me to look into his eyes. Searching my face, Liam shakes his head.
“I’m coming home to you, Maddie. I know you’re thinking the worst, but things will be better after this, and we’ll be able to finally live without fear. It’ll all be over.”
“But until you come back to me, fear is all I’ll have,” I admit, hating how weak I sound because I wanted to be strong for him.
The look of sadness on his face is evident as he rests his forehead against mine, sucking in a breath. “I’m so sorry to put you through this, baby. I wish things were different.”
I let out a ragged breath, knowing the next forty-five minutes will pass by in a blink. “Just please be careful. Please.” I close my eyes as I beg him to stay safe.
“I will. Trust me, I’ll do whatever it takes to win that fight and put this nightmare behind us.”
We pull apart so Liam can finish getting ready. He grabs his duffel bag and double-checks what he packed, then adds extra clothes inside before changing. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I watch him. Once he’s finally ready, Liam smiles.
“I love you,” he says, sitting next to me.
“I love you so much.”
He presses butterfly kisses along my jaw before meeting my mouth. Together, we’re lost in the moment. I wish I could freeze time and keep him here with me forever. Unfortunately, it’s not an option. Eventually, we break apart, and Liam stands.
“Should probably get going before Tyler yells at me.” He’s not happy about leaving either. I can see the turmoil brewing in his eyes.
“Yeah, you don’t want to miss your flight.
” I walk with him to the living room where Sophie, Mason, and Tyler are sitting around drinking coffee.
Liam announces he’s ready to leave, and everyone stands, but Tyler runs upstairs.
I plaster on a smile, but I’m dying on the inside as he wraps his arms around Sophie and gives her a big hug.
“Be careful, Liam. Kick some ass,” Sophie tells him.
If anyone in this room knows how much this is destroying me, it’s her. I might be able to somewhat hide how I feel from Liam, but with Sophie, I’m transparent.
Mason gives him a side hug and tells him to call as soon as it’s over. Tyler comes downstairs carrying a bag and says he’s good to go.
“I’m gonna be fine,” Liam says, glancing around the room. “I’ll be home in a few days.”
He grabs his bag, and I follow him outside. Tyler gets in the truck as Liam wraps his arms around me. It’s chilly, the cool breeze sweeping over my skin, and I shiver. Liam holds me, kisses me, and then leaves with an I love you and a reassuring smile.
Then I watch his truck until the taillights are out of sight.
Yesterday, after Liam left, was horrible.
I laid in bed and cried, sleeping for the better half of the day until Sophie forced me to eat dinner.
Liam texted me when he landed and called me before he went to bed, but I didn’t feel any better about him being there.
Talking to him reiterated how real the whole situation is.
Somehow, I fell asleep without him lying next to me.
My bed hasn’t felt this empty in a long time.
I wake up the next morning, my eyes red and puffy. After I shower, I put on some jeans and a T-shirt, then grab a hoodie. While going through my morning routine, I realize that I need a new pack of my birth control pills. I got a three-month supply and put the extras in my nightstand.
As I dig through the drawer, I notice a white envelope with my name on it in Liam’s writing.
What the hell is this?
Ripping it open and unfolding the paper, I quickly realize it’s a letter from him. Sitting down on the bed, I read it.
Dear Maddie,
It’s after two in the morning, and I can’t sleep. Knowing I’m leaving in a few days keeps my mind wandering, and though I’m content to hold you in my arms all night, I decided I needed to write you this letter.
I don’t believe in coincidences, but I truly believe I met you for a reason.
You’ve changed my life. Since the night we danced at that frat party, you’ve made an impact on me.
Through all those times I fought it, I still felt there was a reason you and I were meant to be together.
I hope you understand how deep my love for you is because I never want to be without you.
You’re it for me, baby.
Though I’m not much of a praying man, I’ve been praying like hell we get through this. That I come back to you, and we can start our lives together forever. A year ago, I had no idea what my life would be like, and now I only picture you and me. Oh, how your love has changed me.