Page 143 of Off The Ice

“I saw him,” I said, feeling a little breathless as I watched Liam stand up and pace. “Just now.”

He was silent for a minute, pacing back and forth with both his hands on top of his head. I followed his movements, heart racing in my chest.

“Why?” he asked, pausing to look at me.

“Why what?”

“Why did you see him?”

“He showed up at my work. He wanted to talk.”

“I’m sure he did.” Liam snorted. “But why wouldyougive him the time of day after everything?”

“I couldn’t just walk past him and pretend he didn’t exist. I owed it to him to hear him out.”

“You owe himnothing,” Liam countered, angrier than I’d ever seen him. “I can’t believe he even had the audacity to show up and try.”

“So, it’s true then?” I asked, holding my breath. “You hit him?”

“Yes,” he bit out.

I held my face in my hands. “Oh, Liam. You shouldn’t have done that.”

“Why not?” he asked. “You care about him that much still? After everything he did to you?”

“No, you idiot,” I yelled. “I don’t care about him. I care aboutyou!You could’ve gotten arrested for that! It already made headlines because of who you are.”

“It doesn’t matter.” He shook his head. “I don’t care.”

“You should,” I told him. “It’s your career.”

“It’syou.”

My breath hitched; not sure what he meant by that.

“You told him we were dating?” I asked.

“Yeah, I did,” he said without apology.

“Why?”

“Because I wanted him to leave you the fuck alone, but clearly he didn’t get the message.”

“It doesn’t matter.” I shook my head. “He didn’t bother me.”

He couldn’t bother me even if he tried because Dave didn’t mean anything to me anymore.

“So, what did you tell him?” Liam asked.

“I told him the truth.”

Liam let out a sardonic laugh. “And what’s that, Cass?”

“That you’re my friend’s brother and you’re letting me stay with you.”

Liam’s face tightened, and he walked in the opposite direction. I followed him, needing to understand whatever piece of this story I was missing.

“Why do you care if he talks to me? Are you trying to protect me? Because I don’t need you to save me from Dave. Not at the cost of your reputation or your career!”

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