Page 33 of Red Zone

I secured Lily’s stuff over my shoulder then went to lift my heavy camera bag, but Liam took it deftly from my hands and transferred it to his shoulder. I offered a shaky smile, telling myself not to get used to him helping or entertaining the fairy tale of him being a part of our lives.It’s only for a few more months.I had to keep reminding myself of that, steadily ignoring the part of me that wanted to grow close to him.

I found a good spot, dropped Lily’s bag, and motioned for Liam to hand me my camera equipment so I could set up. He set it beside me then put Lily down. She dragged her bag to him, chattering about everything in it as he nodded agreement. Once my camera was ready with the lens I wanted to use attached, I snagged Lily’s toy camera and handed it to her. “Hey, baby girl, let’s get to work, okay?”

“’Kay, Mama.” Her expression turned serious as she mimicked my every move.

Liam chuckled. “God, she’s so cute.”

“Why don’t you do some pull-ups then jog through that trail? Is there anything else you can think of that would be good for training?” I glanced at Lily. “Back up, Lils, so Liam can do his part.”

Panic coursed through me, my heart hammering against my ribs, praying that he didn’t put two and two together about how his name and Lily’s both started with L.What the hell was I thinking?That I would never see him again. I’d been so naive. Lily did as I asked, her camera up and ready. I steadied her when she stumbled with her gaze focused on Liam and her camera.

Without being told twice, Liam went to the pull-up bars set at various heights on the workout portion of the structure set apartfrom the playground where Lily usually played. I was proud of myself for focusing on getting the shots I needed and ignoring the tension thrumming through me from how he interacted with our daughter.

I snapped pictures of Liam stretching, jogging, and doing various foot drills. He was so photogenic with his athleticism and gorgeous face. The scar along his cheek only enhanced that dangerous, intense edge, and I loved how focused he was in everything he did. Snow continued to swirl around us, peppering his dark-brown hair and only adding to the ambiance of the photo session. When I thought I’d gotten enough, I called him over, packing up my equipment. “I think I got all I need for now.” Excitement buzzed through me as I visualized the article layout I could get started on, leaving sections blocked in for his volunteer work. During one of our library sessions, I’d also snapped a few candid shots.

My uncle’s daunting D1 football schedule would be included. It was an insane regimen that all his athletes followed, beginning at five a.m. and ending at midnight. There was room for variation, but the most dedicated athletes were in the thick of it, following the timeline to a tee.

“Mama.” Lily dropped her camera in my bag. “Swings?”

“Sure thing, Lily-bean.” I adjusted her hat with the cute pink puffball on top. Her cheeks and nose were red, but she seemed warm enough. “Just let me put this stuff in the car.”

Lily ignored me and raced toward the swings. I sighed then motioned to my headstrong daughter. “Can you?”

Liam laughed. “I got her.” He took off after her, closing the distance in a few long strides, then swung her into his arms to her peals of laughter.

I stood frozen at the effortless affection that had developed almost instantly between the two. A shuddered breath left my lungs, and I shivered, reminding myself I’d done the right thing.Right?God, I couldn’t go there. I pivoted on my heels and hurried to put everything in the car and lock it up before joining Liam and Lily. On a whim, I pulled my camera back out, leaned against the car, and snapped a few candid shots of Liam pushing Lily on the swing, both wearing carefree grins. I had to pause, hand to my chest, and blink past the mist in my eyes—they looked so alike.How could he not see it?I put my camera back in the bag then crossed the distance to them, leaning against the swing set pole.

Liam caught my gaze. “She’s adorable. Is her dad in the picture?”

Fuck. “No, not really,” I mumbled, busying myself with my phone and the text from my aunt. Grasping onto her message, I changed the subject so fast that he probably had whiplash. “Looks like we’re having an impromptu barbecue with the football team tomorrow.”

“Yep, Coach sent out an email mandating everyone to attend. We had an emotionally challenging meeting where everyone was informed about Jackson’s death. They had counseling set up. It was tough. Now there’s even more team building in the wake of finding out some disturbing information about Jackson’s blood work.”

“He told me.” The easy levity present a few seconds ago dissolved at the thought of the strange substance found in Jackson’s blood that might have caused his death.

I coaxed Lily from the swing, promising her she would see Liam tomorrow. He walked me to the car, helping to lock Lily safely into her car seat. When I closed the car door and turned, he hadn’t moved and crowded me against the car. Snow kissed my face as I tilted it to meet his earnest gaze, my breath catching in my throat as he tucked a wayward strand of hair behind my ear. Then he bent and brushed his lips over mine in the lightestof touches that had me melting faster than the snowflakes on my suddenly heated skin.

The warmth of his lips lingered long after he pulled away, leaving me breathless and reeling. I wanted to believe it could mean something—this spark, this connection—but the reality of everything I hadn’t told him loomed large between us.

He backed up, that mischievous, sexy-as-hell grin curving his lips, causing the dimple in his cheek to flash. “I’ll see you tomorrow, gorgeous.”

Words failed me, and I nodded, getting into my car as fast as possible.I’m in so much trouble.

As I drove home, Lily humming happily in the back seat, my chest tightened. Every moment Liam spent with her made it harder to hide the truth.But what would it do to him if he found out now—so close to the combine, with his future on the line? What would it do to us?

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

SKYE

The library was silent, save for the faint hum of the air vent and the scratch of Liam’s pencil on paper. His brow furrowed as he worked through the equations I’d assigned, the flickering light overhead casting shadows across his face.

“You’re close,” I murmured, leaning to point at his mistake. My arm brushed his, and the brief contact sent a jolt through me that I tried to ignore.

Liam shifted, turning his head to look at me, his proximity making it impossible to breathe evenly. “Close isn’t good enough,” he said, his voice low, the usual humor replaced with something quieter, heavier. “I need to get this right.”

The intensity in his gaze made my pulse stutter. “You will,” I said softly. “You’ve been improving. You just need to?—”

“To stop doubting myself?” he interrupted, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

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