Page 81 of Battered Moves

I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. I feel like an idiot. He looks at me expectantly, smiling and waiting for me to say something.

“U-Uh, hi,” I manage to stammer out. “I just wanted to say that I’m a huge fan of yours. I’ve watched the show since the beginning, and I think you’re amazing, Liam.”

“Thank you so much, that means a lot to me,” he says with a grin, clearly flattered.

“I’m sorry, I’m just nervous. I’ve never done anything like this before,” I say, and I can feel my face turning red.

He chuckles.What a lovely sound.

“It’s okay, don’t worry about it. What’s your name?” he asks.

“Gunner, Gunner Fox” I say.

“Nice to meet you, Gunner,” he says, holding out his hand for me to shake.

I take it, and it feels like electricity is running through my veins. I don’t want to let go, but I know I have to.The line is getting longer behind me, and I don’t want to hold everyone up, so I look back at Liam.

“I just wanted to say thank you for everything you do. You’ve inspired me in so many ways. I started taking dance lessons because of you, and I made my way here from the US just to tell you this,” I say, blushing.

He smiles again.It’s like the sun coming out from behind a cloud.

“Thank you, Foxy. That’s so sweet of you, and it means more to me than you know,” he says, the nickname making my heart pound.

He stands up and comes around the table they set up for this meet and greet.

“Can hug you?” he asks.

“Of course,” I say, my whole body trembling as he puts his arms around me.

I’m much bigger than he is, but having him hug me gives me a sense of security I’ve never felt before.I let go, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes.

Liam turns and gets a card from the table and hands it to me. I look at it and see an address written on it.

“We have a P.O. Box for fan mail. Maybe you’ll write me sometime? I’d love to hear how your dancing is coming along, and I’ll make sure to answer you as soon as possible.”

I think my heart just flew out of my chest.

“S-Sure, that’s so kind of you. I’ll write you,” I stutter.

He grins and sits back in his seat, “Olivia should be back in a second.”

“Don’t worry, I am here to see you,” I say, smiling at Liam. “It was so nice meeting you.”

“Same, Foxy. I’m looking forward to hear from you.”

Then I turn and walk away, feeling like I’m leaving a piece of my heart behind.

As I sit in my seat on the flight back to Florida, I take out the notepad and pen I bought at the airport, then take a deep breath before I start to write.

Dear Liam,

CHAPTERTHIRTY-THREE

Liv

“Liam,” I whisper, my voice trembling. My entire body quivers in fear. “How? Frank told me you were in the institution again.”

“Funny what a man will do and who he will betray when you threaten his wife, don’t you think?” he says, chuckling, and my blood freezes.

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