Page 13 of Off The Ice

“I didn’t ask you to do that. I told you, it’s fine.”

“I know, but—”

“You’re staying here, aren’t you? At least for a few weeks. So, stay. You don’t have to go sneaking around. Just do your thing. I’ll probably be gone a lot of the time, anyway.”

I crossed my arms over my chest, feeling skeptical about an offer that he had been forced into giving.

“I don’t know about a few weeks.” I thought about how absurdly long that would feel to both of us. “I think I’ll ask around today, see if there are any coworkers I can stay with. Hopefully, I can be out of here in the next day or two.”

“Whatever you want.” He shrugged. “Just know that you being here isn’t a huge deal. I can manage.”

But I can’t,I thought.I can’t stay here knowing the whole time that I’m imposing.

Instead, I nodded curtly, offering a smile of thanks because, at the end of it all, it really was kind of him to offer. Even if he didn’t mean it.

“Do you want coffee?” he asked. Then, at my bewildered expression, he added, “You’ve been eyeing mine since you got down here.”

Well, he was observant.

“Only if you have enough,” I said, finally inching closer.

He grabbed the coffee pot, pouring a fresh cup.

“So, where were you planning on going this early, anyway? I doubt they’re sending kindergartners in at this hour?”

I laughed out loud at that.

“I need to go home and grab some clothes. In case you didn’t notice, I can’t exactly wear this to school.” I gestured down to his oversized hoodie and sweatpants, clearly made for someone twice my size.

His face tightened as he gave me the once-over before pushing the mug of coffee across the counter toward me.

“Will he be there?” he asked in a clipped tone.

“Dave?” I asked, taking a sip of the black coffee, reveling in its bitterness. “Yeah, but he’ll still be asleep.”

“And you’re sure you want to go there?” he asked skeptically.

As a matter of fact, I wasn’t sure.

I absolutely didn’t want to go back to the home we’d shared, the same one I’d woken up in just the morning before, thinking it was just another ordinary day. Now, I had to feel like an intruder, going back to get my own belongings.

But Liam didn’t really want to hear any of that, so instead, I shrugged.

“It’ll be fine. I mean, I need to get my stuff, don’t I?”

“Do you want me to come with you?” He surprised me by offering. “We can bring some of it back here?”

“Uh, no. That’s okay.” I laughed nervously before quickly adding, “Thank you, though! It’s just that I should probably figure out what my plan is before I start moving any of my things out.”

“Okay, well.” He scratched the back of his head. “I don’t have a spare key or anything, but I can get one made today and leave it under the doormat for you.”

“Liam.” I groaned, dropping my face into my hands. “This is so weird. I can’t stay here. Last night was more than enough. I think it’s better if I just head out now and get out of your way.”

He shrugged. “If that’s what you want.”

“It is,” I said, only partly meaning it.

There was no way I’d find another place as nice as this. Heck, I might not even find another place, period. But I’d rather sleep in my car than feel like a burden to another guy. It was a shame, though, because that guest bed of his was the most comfortable night of sleep I’d ever had.

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