Page 109 of Off The Ice
“What? Those college flings that you got bored of after a week?”
“I didn’t get bored of them, Mags. God, you make me sound like a douche. I just—” I paused, unable to explain myself.
Didn’t feel a fucking thing for any of them.
But now? I felt everything. Way too fucking much.
“Liam, she’s mybest friend.You can’t have a fling or whatever it is you’re trying to do with her because it’ll just get too messy.”
“Jesus Christ, Mags. I never knew you thought I was such an asshole.”
“I don’t.” Maggie sighed, running a hand over her face. “I’m sorry. I’m just worried about her. She has a lot going on.”
I know that.
“She can be… vulnerable. She’s a relationship girl, and you’ve never been able to offer that to anyone, so I think it’s only fair that you admit that to her upfront. I mean, this is already so complicated. She’slivingwith you.”
“I know that, Maggie. You’re the one who made that happen,” I said defensively.
But I’m the one making her stay.
“I know.” She sighed defeatedly. “I’m just so scared for her to fall for someone who’s not serious about her again. You don’t know what it was like watching that forsix years.And they’ve only been broken up a month...”
Shit.She was right. Cassie wasn’t in any place to start something new. I needed to get a fucking grip on myself and learn how to be there for her as afriend.
Suppose that meant never telling her how I felt, fine. But I sure as hell wouldn’t stand by and let her go back to Dave the Dick.
“Don’t worry, Mags,” I lied through my teeth. “There’s nothing going on.”
She stared at me, her green eyes a mirror of my own.
“I don’t know what’s happening to you,” she said hesitantly. “But you’re different with her.”
I clenched my jaw. I couldn’t deny it. It would be way too fucking obvious if I even tried.
“Just promise me you’re not going to hurt her,” Maggie said imploringly.
Easiest fucking promise of my life. “I swear.”
She nodded, content with my answer, and then sighed again, looking off to where Brody was laughing with a group of the guys.
“You know,” I said, trying to lighten the moment. “Ididn’t give you a hard time when you decided to go out withmyfriend.”
Maggie rolled her eyes.
“Do you like him, Mags?” I asked. “For real?”
She stared at me. “ I do.”
“Is that not… good?” I asked, trying to figure out why her admission sounded so sad.
“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “It’s probably not good for him.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means I’ve never figured out how to not hurt people I love,” she admitted softly. “I get so scared of them hurting me that I think I try to ruin it before it can get that far.”
“Brody would never hurt you, Mags.” I shook my head. “Hepursued you. He was a pain in the ass about it, too.”
