Page 66 of Puck'n Bully
Even those around me, kept me with them because I always did what they wanted me to do. No matter how hurt I was, no matter the pain, I always played like my life depended on scoring goals.
My teammates and coaches praised me for the things I did on the ice. Off it, they couldn’t care less about me.
Liam is different.
He doesn’t need to be here. He has every reason to walk away from me and yet, he’s holding onto me tightly.
Despite the pounding headache, I force my eyes open.
For a moment, I struggle, trying to focus on the darkness outside the car’s window. The city lights have faded, replaced by a vast stretch of black veil.
It takes me a second to realize we’re driving by the ocean.
We’re no longer in Knightswood.
“Liam, where are we going?” I mumble in a hoarse voice.
His hold on me tightens. “I’m taking you somewhere safe.”
Does Liam even know what he’s doing?I wonder, watching the dark sky.
But I’m too exhausted and too battered to care anymore. Choosing to simply trust Liam, I close my eyes and do my best not to black out.
Even though I tried to stay alert, I must’ve dozed off at some point.
When I open my eyes again, I realize the car has stopped. Liam speaks in muted tones and the next moment, I feel him and someone else hauling me out of the car.
I groan loudly as the pain in my muscles and joints flares up.
“Please be gentle,” Liam says but I know the instruction isn’t directed at me.
I hang onto Liam and the cab driver’s shoulders as they drag me through a familiar wrought-iron gate. The subtle scent of roses hangs in the salt-heavy air, triggering a moment of déjà vu in me.
I’ve been here before. This is the beach house Liam brought me to when we first met.
They guide me inside the dimly lit house and carefully lower me onto a couch. I bite back a groan as my body protests against the sudden movement. But the soft warmth of the couch feels good as I sink into it.
My battered body feels so comfortable, that I almost doze off again.
“We’re in your grandmother’s house,” I say, becoming aware that the driver is gone.
“Yeah,” Liam says in a quiet voice. “I couldn’t take you back to your dorms. What if your dad came back to find you?” He swallows, like the very thought of my father fills him with dread. “I didn’t want to take you back to the shithole I’m currently living in. Walking up those dirty stairs alone would’ve killed you.” A wry chuckle escapes him as he gazes at me. “So, I brought you to the next best place. No one knows about this beach house, so I can look after you without being troubled by anyone.”
I can’t believe what he’s saying to me. After kicking me out of his life, he’s treating me like our fight never happened.
“I’m going to remove your shoes and clothes,” Liam says in a grim tone. “Just bear with me, okay?”
“Okay,” I say, simply grateful that he’ll do those things for me.
Liam kneels before me and starts by taking off my shoes. He works quickly, unbuttoning my jeans next. I bite back groans as the tiniest shift of my legs makes my sore muscles protest.
Liam steps in between my legs and moves in closer to get my jacket and shirt off. His familiar scent wafts into my nostrils, soothing the pain in my body and heart.
I feel Liam’s hands skimming over my chest and abs, scanning the bruises on my skin. His expression is a mix of panic and focus as he studies each of them.
My breath hitches at the sight of him. He’s being so damn careful and so devastatingly gentle. He’s touching me like I’m a precious, fragile piece of crystal.
“Were you at the game tonight?” I ask him.
