Page 59 of Worth the Risk

“What’s wrong?” Ryan is the first person to notice my frantic state. His question is filled with concern as he stands up to meet me. I show him the text, unable to form words. He reads the screen, nodding continuously. “Let’s go.” He grabs my hand to drag me down the stairs.

“What’s going on?” Eliza looks between her brother and me at the same time Ann asks, “Is everything alright.”

“Everything’s fine.” Ryan's voice is calm and even. “Liam just wants to see Emilia.” I don’t know how he sounds so sure and relaxed. My brain is going a million miles a minute and I can’t even form a complete thought. Ryan guides me down the stairs and through underneath the stands towards the tunnel that leads to the main building.

“Emi. It’s okay. He’s fine.”

“How do you know?” The words are barely a whisper.

“I just do. I’ve known something is off with him for a while. I know you’ve noticed it too but I think maybe, he’s finally ready to talk about it.” Taking in his words, I nod. I knew there was something going on with him earlier and in general recently. Whenever he talks about baseball it feels like there’s this pressure over him. We make it through the tunnel and into the main building. I’m not sure where to go from here but as soon as we pass a room, I hear the door open and I whip my head around to see my handsome green-eyed man staring back at me. Though, the red around his eyes and pale skin sends me on high alert. I run to him, desperate to lay my hands on him.

“You’re okay?” I search his body for the answers.

“I’m okay.” He stops my frantic searching by gently grabbing both sides of my face, forcing me to look at his eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to scare you. I just needed to see you.” He looks past my shoulder to Ryan. “Thank you for bringing her.”

“Anytime. I’ll wait to bring you back. Take your time.” Liam nods in appreciation to his brother before grabbing my hand and leading me into the room he was just occupying. The room is filled with workout equipment. From yoga balls to stretch bands to light dumbbells. There’s also a few exam benches separated by flimsy partitions. Liam heads to one of the benches, sitting down I follow behind him, our hands still locked together.

“This is a training room.” He states simply, I wait for him to continue, I know he didn’t bring me here to just show me this room. “I had a panic attack.” My jaw unhinges and my heart breaks. I’ve had a few in my life and they are not fun, especially when you’re alone.

“Liam.”

“I’m okay.” He rubs circles on my wrist with his thumb. “I’ve been feeling weird about baseball for the past year.” He lets out a big sigh, I know this is something he’s never given voice to before. “I’ve always been so determined to get to the major league and it’s so close I can almost taste it. For the past few months I’ve been reminding myself why I’m doing this. Who I’m doing this for. It just hasn’t been enough I guess. Then today, Coach Russo was talking about scouts and I just freaked out internally. It’s like my body knew this isn’t what's right for me before my brain could even admit it.” He pauses, watching his thumb continues to rub circles on my wrist until he brings up his gaze, his eyes looking into mine.

“I don’t want to play in the majors anymore, Emi. I want to be an athletic trainer. I love helping people, helping athletes, it’s my passion. You’ve inspired me, you know? Seeing how you light up after your internship. I want that. I wanted to feel that and I’ve realized I do. When I’m helping.”

“Oh Liam.” I stand, placing both my hands in his, we’re closer to eye level like this and I want to be able to look at him and make sure he truly hears me. “Your dad would be so proud of you.”

“You don’t…” He starts but I shake my head, cutting him off.

“I may not have met him but I do know him, through you, through the stories you’ve share and through your actions. You’re an amazing man Liam and he would be so proud of you for following your dreams.” I earn a small smile from him and I can only hope he truly hears what I’m saying.

“Emi I... I love you.” My eyes widen at the statement and my face breaks into a full-on cheesy grin. Hearing those three words from him means everything to me.

“I love you too.” His pupils dilate and he’s on his feet in seconds.

“You do?”

“I do.”

He picks me up, locking his hands underneath my thighs and kissing me passionately. There’s a quick knock that has us both looking to the door. Ryan pops his head in. “I know I said take your time but I think your coach is going to lose it if you don’t get in there soon.” He hikes his thumb over his shoulder to the locker room. A giggle escapes me and Liam shakes his head.

“I should probably go.”

“Probably.” I place another kiss on his lips before he sets me down. Then we walk hand in hand to the door Ryan has disappeared back behind.

“You know I’ve never been to a baseball game before?”

“Really?”

“Yeah. So maybe you can win this one for me?”

“Always.” He winks before heading into the locker room.

Chapter 39

Liam

I feel so much lighter with my heart's true desires, true passion out in the open. I know I’ll have to tell the rest of my family later about the epiphany I had but knowing Emi will be there and that she supports me takes the weight off. Heading into the locker room, I channel the newfound energy from Emi telling me she loves me, ready to pour that into my captain's speech.

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