Page 60 of Southie
For him to walk away from me would take a toll on him because I’d made that same decision to walk and stay away. The longer we were apart, the more miserable I became. I didn’t want that for either of us.
My mother had told me there was no time frame on love, and it was something Mrs. Daugherty had reiterated. There was something about Liam Daugherty I couldn’t shake and, to be honest, I didn’t want to. Our relationship was destined. There was no other explanation for these feelings we were having for one another so quickly. Now, the real task began—keeping our relationship a secret.
* * *
My father’s eyes landed on me when I exited his office a few minutes after Liam, fury emblazoned in them. The smirk on Damian’s face as he stood beside my father with his arms across his chest let me know all I needed to know.
I ignored them both. Today, my mood had shifted and neither my father nor Damian would dampen it. Liam was back in my life.
While Liam headed toward the locker room, I readied my camera to take the promotional shots my father had asked me to take. After an hour of shooting different fighters around the gym, I made my way over to where my father stood.
“Daddy, I think I got enough shots, today. I’ll present to you the best ones for your approval.”
With his arms crossed over his chest, his anger radiated from him. “Stay away from that boy, Milla. I warned him what would happen if he didn’t stay away from you.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Daddy.” I feigned innocence, but I knew Damian had told him the truth. However, I wouldn’t admit anything was going on between Liam and me until I was ready.
“Don’t lie to me, little girl. Damian already told me what happened in the office.”
“I don’t know what Damian told you and I don’t care. He’s just mad I won’t go out with him.”
“What?” my dad asked with widened eyes.
“Oh, Damian didn’t tell you? He didn’t tell you for the last few months he’s been hounding me here and at school about going out with him?He won’t takenofor an answer,” I said, a little louder so everyone in the gym could hear over the sounds of their workouts.
My eyes narrowed on Damien who was in the ring sparring, but he had all his attention on me and my father. When my father glared at him, I smirked. If he wanted to get back at me for being with Liam instead of him, I could play hardball too.
I looked at my father. “Of course, he didn’t. He’s just mad Liam stood up for me when I told him to leave me alone. Trust me, Daddy, nothing is going on between us. I haven’t seen him since that night in your office.”
“If that’s true, why were you in the office so long with him, Milla?”
“Daddy, if you wanted to know, why didn’t you just come into the office? I know you saw when both Damien and Liam came in there.”
“Milla, just answer the damn question.”
I rolled my eyes. “He properly introduced himself since we weren’t introduced that night in your office. Then he asked if I took photographs professionally because he’s interested in getting some engagement photographs done of him and his fiancée.”
The lie rolled off my tongue effortlessly. I wouldn’t let my father or Damian ruin whatever Liam and I were trying to build. I had almost done that already, and I refused for anyone to come between us even if it was myself. Liam having a fiancée seemed like the best lie to keep my father off our backs.
“Make sure it stays that way,” he growled.
“Whatever, Daddy. The man is getting married. I’m staying at a friend’s house tonight. So, don’t wait up.”
“What friend?”
“I’m grown, Daddy. That’s something you don’t need to know. I only told you so you won’t be worried when I don’t come home.”
He sighed. “Milla, I’m just worried, that’s all.”
“Let’s be honest. You’re not worried about me. You don’t like not having control over what I do.”
“Well, after that fiasco with Franklin can you blame me?” he growled. “Someone needs to control the decisions you make because you can’t seem to make them yourself. Your mother and I told you that boy was no good! And what did you do, Camilla?”
My eyes narrowed. “I’m just going to leave before I say something I shouldn’t.” I pulled my phone out to text Liam to meet me at the corner. “What happened with Franklin wasn’t my fault! He almost killed me!”
“Milla.” He dragged his hand across his face.
My head shook, and I rushed toward the office to pack up my equipment, ignoring my father calling my name. I didn’t want to hear anything else he had to say. Ever since the incident with Franklin, whenever I made a decision he disagreed with, he brought it up. Like me being physically abused had been my fault, not Franklin’s.
