Page 89 of All That She Needs

The game started again, and the pace picked up. Keith wasn't holding back this time, charging toward the basket right away. Liam stepped in to block, but Keith spun past him and sent the ball up for a shot. It bounced off the rim, then rolled in. The score was tied at one.

Liam leaped for the rebound, grabbing it before Keith could get to it. He passed the ball to me, and I was already set at the three-point line.

I didn't waste any time. I took the shot, feeling the ball leave my hands, and watched as it whooshed through the air, landing perfectly in the net with a smooth swish.

The game wrapped up. I stood there, suddenly frozen. Nervous sweat started to form, and it wasn't from the exertion.

"Good game, Kayden," Liam said with a nod. "Not every day Keith gets beaten at basketball."

Keith chuckled, brushing off the loss with a grin. "Yeah, let's do this again sometime. Next time, we'll play a proper game."

My mind whirled on the words 'next time.'

"Now. Let's talk over there." Liam pointed at an area off the court with a few round tables, each with four chairs.

Oh, fuck. What's happening here?

Liam and Keith walked ahead, and I followed, my confidence suddenly faltering. I'd never felt more like a little kid than I did right then, and they hadn't done or said much to me beyond the basketball game.

Behind me, Theo followed, his head down like he was heading to detention.

"Water?" Liam asked, glancing over towards us. He opened the chiller by the wall.

I nodded. "Yeah

He grabbed four bottles of water at once and brought them to the table where the three of us were sitting. As he handed them out, he said, "You probably know we brought you here to talk about something."

I twisted the cap off my water and took a long drink before responding. "I have a guess, sir."

"Liam," he corrected with a grin. "Please, no 'sir.'"

"Okay," I muttered. I wasn't sure why, but calling him by his first name still felt off.

"Mind telling us what you thought what this was about?" he asked, before taking a sip of his own water.

"I'd rather you tell me, sir—uh, Liam. There's a chance I might be wrong about this."

Beside me, Theo sighed. "Come on, Liam. Let's not drag this out. I'm getting very anxious here. You want to lecture me about helping Kayden hack into his dad's phone, don't you?"

"And hack into that woman's phone," Keith added, his voice laced with irritation. He glanced at Liam, as if searching for something in his memory. "What's her name again?" He paused, and then the realization seemed to strike. "Oh, right. Vanessa?"

"Yes," Liam replied, his gaze steady on mine. But there was something about his expression—no judgment, just a quiet concern, as if he was unsure how I'd react to hearing her name.

"I did it with good intentions," Theo muttered defensively, crossing his arms. "I'm just trying to help."

"Help who?" Keith snapped, his voice rising, clearly pissed off.

Theo shrank under their combined glares, his posture deflating. "Helping Liam..." he mumbled.

"And why the fuck do you think I needed help?" Liam asked; his voice was only a soft growl, but I shuddered a little at the sound. "I've told you many times before, Theo—stop meddling in my business. But you never listen."

"But she kept playing with your heart, Liam. You love her so much, and she—" Theo started, but the sharp glare Liam shot at him immediately silenced him.

"Why you decided to help Kayden, Theo?" Keith asked, sounding bewildered. "I don't quite understand that part."

"Well..." Theo paused for a moment, likely trying to find the right words. "He's her son. I was hoping that when you get her back and finally move forward with her, you wouldn't face much resistance from Kayden."

"Fuck, Theo," Liam sighed, shaking his head. "You're making it sound like I'm so hopeless that I need help with my relationship."

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