16
After being firmly asked to leave the rink by Chase, I walked around campus for a while. Finally, my footsteps have brought me here, and I”ve been waiting for half an hour outside the door of Liam”s residence. It takes all my courage to stand there and face him. But now that he”s in front of me, I”m feeling increasingly nervous.
When he sees me, he stops for a moment, surprised. His gaze meets mine, and you can see the uncertainty in his eyes. A moment passes before he closes the distance between us. I take a deep breath. But I feel an invisible barrier between us, and my words tumble around in my mouth.
“Liam,” I begin hesitantly. “I can explain everything...”
He looks at me and I can see an inner struggle raging inside him. It”s as if he”s torn between wanting to listen to me and being angry about the article.
Finally, he shakes his head.
“This time, I”m the one who needs time, Emily. I need to focus on my training and the game ahead.”
My heart sinks at his words and I fight back tears. I was hoping he”d give me a chance to tell him I never meant to hurt him.
“I just want you to understand what really happened.” I beg.
I”m ashamed of myself for begging for the attention I didn”t want to give him after my altercation with his ex. He wanted to explain himself too, and I wouldn”t listen. So, I”m getting my money”s worth!
He shakes his head again and takes a step back, as if to protect himself from me, and I swallow my disappointment.
“Okay,” I murmur. “When you”re ready, let me know.”
He nods weakly, opens the door, and disappears from my sight.
I”m left alone outside, and the feeling of helplessness overwhelms me. I”d really hoped to be able to resolve this quid pro quo tonight, but instead the gulf between us seems to have widened even further.
It”s with a heavy heart that I head for my room.
***
Over the next few days, I spend a lot of time sorting out my thoughts and thinking about how we got here.
David, the editor-in-chief of the campus newspaper, flouted his authority, and my integrity for that matter, by carelessly altering the article about Liam. He had the nerve to sign my name to that piece of garbage! I”m extremely angry with him, but for the time being, I know he”s untouchable. If I go after the editor, I”m going to get shot at point-blank range, because that guy”s got connections. And he got his way by laughing in my face!
And what do I look like? Like the girl who knocked down her boyfriend to get some buzz...
I”m stuck between a feeling of shame and helplessness that knocks me out. I can barely concentrate on my classes. Cassy and Maddie can”t get me out anywhere. I feel like I”m being stared at and made to look like a horrible person, so I prefer to keep to myself.
It”s hard. Very hard.
Finally, I decide that I can”t just sit back and do nothing. Liam and I have a history. Our feelings can”t just be swept away overnight. Even if I was profoundly stupid to believe, even a little, in the words uttered by the infamous Sara. In fact, it wasn”t that I believed her, it was that she hurt me by implying that what Liam did to me, he had done to others. For a moment, I was naive enough to believe that I was exceptional and that we were experiencing all our first times together. But I wasn”t a virgin before I met him, and I”ve had one night stands and relationships too. But... I think I wanted to believe that we were experiencing something new together. Being reminded that it wasn”t true hurt.
Poor idiot...
All of a sudden, my ego got the better of me and I braced myself. Now I”m paying the consequences.
So, I take my courage in both hands and decide to go to the last hockey game of the season, which takes place today with his team. It”s crucial to his and Chase”s future. If they place and win, they”ll have a real shot at the draft! There”s no way I”m going to miss it! Especially as scouts from all over the country will also be present, and this is their chance to shine after their intensive training over the past few weeks.
This time, no notebook or camera, no, it”s okay, I gave it away! Another journalist from the campus newspaper was put on the case, and I”m relieved.
I find a place anonymously in the bleachers, a cap screwed on my head. I look really stupid, but I”d rather go incognito than get kicked out again or feel the stares of the other students weighing on me. Worse, to distract Liam from that fateful moment.
All around me, the atmosphere is electric. Die-hard fans are excited and hopeful.
For Liam and Chase, there”s a lot more at stake than just winning or losing. They must be very nervous...
Thankfully, the article doesn”t seem to have put a dent in Liam”s training, and I commend his fortitude for that!
From the referee”s first whistle, the fight is fierce. Their opponents are strong, and it seems they never miss an opportunity to provoke them. But neither Liam nor Chase is intimidated. They fight hard and show why they should play in the NHL.
Every shot, every save, every action on the ice has the potential to decide their future.
Towards the last few minutes of the game, with the score already well in favor of our university team, Liam starts to move. It”s as if he”s decided not to give up. He steals the puck and escapes with Chase towards the goal. It”s a breathtaking moment and the spectators hold their breath. Liam passes to Chase at the last moment. He prepares himself, shoots, and puts the puck into the goal with force.
Shouts are heard everywhere, and I can”t help but join in the fun.
They”ve won the season! It”s unbelievable!
Already, many people are rushing to greet their victory. Coach Franklyn is thrilled, I can also see Mr. Turner, and several other journalists. It”s great media coverage for them!
Without further ado, I descend a few levels towards the rink, waiting for the euphoria to die down a little before catching a glimpse of my favorite player.
After a moment, Liam sees me. An expression of surprise crosses his face, followed by a shy smile that warms my heart. I return it, and he finally winks at me. This simple little sign transports me, and I feel my whole body quake.
Does that mean he”s no longer angry with me? Or is it the euphoria of the moment that makes him act this way?
But before I can get any closer, he”s back with his teammates and disappears from my sight for a moment.
I”m about to turn back and head home, telling myself that he deserves to celebrate with dignity without me annoying him for the umpteenth time, when I hear my name behind me.
That voice I”d recognize in a thousand...
“Leaving already?”
I turn around and see him, his brown curls falling over his handsome face. He”s absolutely gorgeous... Leaning against the edge of the rink, he”s managed to escape for a moment, and I realize he”s done it for me, when it”s his moment.
“I... I didn”t want to disturb you... And... congratulations! It was an exceptional game!”
He smiles broadly.
“Would you like to celebrate with me?”
I look at him hesitantly, not knowing on which foot to dance.
“Without you, it doesn”t really make sense, to tell you the truth...” he adds, completing my decision to say yes.
“All right!”
I feel my heart skip a beat, but for all that, I mustn”t think he”s forgiven me everything. We must have a conversation, and I intend to do just that before the night is out.
“I”ll text you the address of the party. See you there!”
He waves me off and goes back to his team. As for me, I hurry back inside to put on a suitable outfit and get rid of this damn cap.
Once there, I am surprised by the number of people present. The fraternity house that organized the event has not skimped on the alcohol and the atmosphere. It”s almost as if they were sure our team would succeed!
Dressed in a short skirt, knee-high boots and a close-fitting top, I hope deep down I”m sexy enough to catch Liam”s eye. There are a lot of people, and I suspect he”ll be very busy. Never mind, I”ll go for it, putting my feminist principles aside for the evening.
When I catch sight of him, I notice how relieved he seems that the pressure of the games is over. He”s enjoying it, and I”m happy to see him like this. At least he”s over that awful article and isn”t hiding...
It”s hard to get close to him, but eventually he sees me and comes to meet me.
“I”m glad you”re here,” he says, almost embarrassed.
We stare at each other for a moment before he opens his mouth to speak again, but the music is loud, and I can barely make out what he”s saying.
“What?” I shout above the noise.
“I was saying I”ve been thinking and...”
Suddenly, a hand comes down on his shoulder, interrupting us. It”s one of his teammates who brings him a beer and starts replaying the game with him.
It”s going to be harder than I thought...
The hours fly by, and we haven”t really had time to chat. The truth is, it”s not the right time. I have to make up my mind. Just as I”m about to leave, I sense a presence at my back. I turn and face it, my knees suddenly soft.
“Can I walk home with you?” asks Liam.
The question surprises me, but I can see the nostalgia in his eyes. I nod without a word, far too stressed for what”s to come.
On the way home, we”re pretty quiet. As he doesn”t seem to want to leave me on my doorstep, full of apprehension, I let him in. Fortunately, Cassy is away with her family for a few days. So, we have the room to ourselves.
When the door closes, the atmosphere becomes a little more tense.
“Liam...”
“No, wait a minute. I”d like to speak first.”
I nod.
“I”m sorry my ex said all those horrible things at the Spring Gala. She was wrong about everything. Because with you, it”s different. Very different. I”m not the guy she knew. And no, despite what you wrote, I wanted to tell you in person: I”ve never had anything to do with drugs. That was her problem, her addictions, and I left her partly because of that. And also because, at the time, I wasn”t seriously considering a relationship.
I swallow, digesting all this information.
“I didn”t write this article.”
His eyes widen in surprise.
“I knew it!” he exclaims.
“But the look on your face makes me think I”ve just told you I”m the Queen of England.”
“Rho, Em! It”s not that! It”s just that, deep down, I couldn”t convince myself that you”d written that load of crap. It”s a relief to know.”
“How could you think for a moment that I could write that?”
I”m a little offended to hear it in person.
“Don”t blame me! I mean when your girlfriend, with whom you”ve finally decided to have a serious relationship and whom you love, ends up with her name at the end of something despicable…”
It”s my turn to round my mouth and widen my eyes.
“And you were so angry after the altercation with Sara, so disappointed...” he continues.
Seeing that I”m still not saying anything, he continues.
“What”s up? Why the long face? This time, it looks like I”m the one who just told you I”m the Pope.”
“No, but you just said you loved me...”
“Oh... I...”
I approach him to end the distance between us. My hands rest on his forearms, and I find his strength, and his warmth.
What I missed... More than I could admit to myself...
“Well, yes, I love you, Emily. It”s out of control. Scary, too. But so good and amazing. You knock me down with a bat of the eye and pick me up with a smile. You consume me with a kiss, or with a particularly sexy evening gown...”
He smirks at the memory of our torrid embrace before the end-of-spring, Gala. I laugh softly.
“I love you, Liam. It”s just as uncontrollable and unbelievable. And it scares me too. But what I do know, and at least what these last few days have proven to me, is that I can”t imagine my life without you.”
I feel his breath quicken against my mouth, and my heart starts to race.
“And the article, it was David the editor who took the liberty of taking it back from me before it was published. I hadn”t written that at all! So yes, he had asked me to find some gossip, and I should have told you about it beforehand, but I thought I could avoid writing it and move on. Except he threatened to tell the New York Post that I was being picky and all...”
“What an asshole!”
“As a result, when I read what he”d published, I wanted to report him. Maddie talked me out of it, though she was as disgusted by his behavior as I was. The guy”s got a stranglehold on the campus newspaper and a lot of connections. If I said anything, denial or otherwise, he”d blow me up with a snap of his fingers, and word would get out. Everything gets out in this business, not to mention the fact that the guy will do anything to protect himself by ruining others.”
“I can understand that. Your career was also at stake...”
“I wanted to tell you, but…”
“But I wouldn”t listen.”
“You had to concentrate on your training, and you were right! It paid off. I”m so proud!”
He smiles, almost blushing.
“We chose our respective passions, at the risk of jeopardizing our love,” he says.
“How about a promise that this will never happen again?”
He nods and leans toward me, his lips very close to mine.
“Emily, I swear I”ll talk to you about everything from now on. And that nothing will ever stand in the way of our relationship again.”
“Liam, I swear the same.”
Finally, he kisses me and it”s as if the ground opens up beneath my feet. He holds me tighter and grunts with pleasure as our tongues mingle. Stumbling backwards, we make our way to my bedroom, where we frantically strip off our clothes.
I need to feel him against me. His skin, his breath, his kisses...
Liam kisses me passionately and I feel myself getting hotter. I wrap my legs around him and let my hands roam up and down his back.
“I”ve missed you so much,” he murmurs between kisses.
He places little kisses on every inch of my body.
When he reaches between my legs, I let out a little cry of pleasure. With his tongue and fingers, he slowly sweeps me off my feet. I think I”m about to explode when he jerks me around. He caresses my back and gently bites the back of my neck. His caresses are electrifying. I need more than this, I need him.
My hips develop a life of their own and tense towards him. When he finally penetrates me, a great sigh escapes me. To be one with him is amazing. With steady strokes, he pushes me into ecstasy and just as I”m recovering from this wave of pleasure, he turns me over again and pulls me onto his lap. I lean down and kiss him, letting my mouth move from his lips to his neck and torso, while my hips slowly rotate. Liam”s hands sink into my butt and he moans softly. Soon after, a new wave of pleasure washes over me and my legs tremble. Liam smiles in satisfaction and looks at me lovingly before turning me onto my back. After a few quick thrusts, he too falls off the cliff and collapses on top of me. We both breathe hard as our bodies recover.
Finally, Liam slides over and pulls me against him. He holds me tight, and we fall asleep. Together.
Rays of sunlight tickle my nose and I wake up gently. At the memory of our reunion, I smile like an idiot and stretch out, careful not to wake my beautiful sleeper.
I get up to prepare coffee and breakfast for us when the door suddenly opens.
Cassy stands in the doorway, wide-eyed at who she sees in my bed, and a big smile spreads across her face.
“Wild night?” she asks, laughing.
I blush immediately and step in front of her to block her view.
“I”m glad you were able to sort out your problems, sweetie,” she continues, giving me a hug.
“Liam”s still asleep, so please, could you...”
But already in my bed, the sheets are stirring.
“Oh, hi Cassy...”
“Hi Liam!”
She doesn”t seem the least bit embarrassed. Finally, she turns away and finishes preparing the breakfast I”ve left unfinished. Liam takes the opportunity to put on his pants and T-shirt, before coming over to give me a delicate kiss.
“Hello,” he says serenely, running a hand through his hair.
Cassy hides her smile behind her coffee cup, and I nudge her gently, which only makes her smile more.
We eat breakfast without speaking to each other, but a pleasant silence envelops the three of us.
Later, Liam and I go for a walk in the campus park. He tells me about his training sessions and how he”s preparing for the draft. I admire his ambition and am determined to support him in this. We also talk about my career as a journalist and how we can better reconcile our passions and our relationship.
“Have you ever thought of specializing in sports reporting, Em?”
“Uh... Not really, no...”
But that doesn”t mean it”s a stupid idea.
“You”re really good at conveying the atmosphere of a game, and you know a lot about it now, at least about hockey.”
“That”s right, it could be a good idea!”
“And it would save you from having to write articles on juicy subjects, which doesn”t seem to be your forte.”
He laughs at that last sentence, and I blush.
“Yes, it would be a thorn in my side! I hate that kind of journalism... You”re right, I”ll think about it!”
He smiles at me, and gently takes my hand before placing a kiss on it.
Scandalous journalism has never been my cup of tea, and perhaps a specialization would clarify my path a little more.
When we arrive back at my place, we both feel like we”re starting a new chapter. It”s not perfect, but we”re ready to work on strengthening our relationship and overcoming obstacles together.
I”m determined to make a change professionally too. I”ve already gained experience in sports reporting and it”s time for me to forge my own path.