I sink into the armchair across from her. “He's also unpredictable and impulsive. He bought a four-hundred-thousand-dollar car and totaled it the same day. He gets into bar fights when he's upset. That's not what I need in my life.”
“Maybe not what you need,” Sadie says. “But maybe what you want?”
“Those should be the same thing.”
“But they're not always.” She sits up fully now. “Look, I'm not saying throw caution to the wind. But you've spent your entire life planning everything, controlling everything, making surenothing goes wrong. Maybe it's okay to let go a little. To be with someone who makes you feel something, even if it's scary.”
“It's not just scary. It's professionally risky.”
“Then be careful. But don't overthink this so much that you miss out on something real.” She sighs dramatically. “I saw the way you were around. Carefree, like you don’t have a care in the world.”
“He reminds me of Kai,” I say quietly. “I can't do that again, Sadie.”
“Oh, please.” Sadie rolls her eyes so hard I'm surprised they don't fall out. “Liam is nothing like Kai. Nothing.”
“They're both athletes,” I point out.
“Kai was a narcissistic asshole who was so full of himself he couldn't see past his own reflection.” Her voice turns sharp with old anger. “I never understood what you saw in him, honestly. The way he paraded you around like an accessory when it suited him, then ignored you the second someone more interesting walked by? That's not what Liam does.”
“You don't know that. You just met him.”
“I spent a whole morning with him, Avery. And you know what I saw? A guy who couldn't take his eyes off you. Who listened when you talked. Who made stupid jokes just to see you smile. Who made the effort to get to know me.” She leans forward. “Kai never looked at you like that. Ever. He looked at you like you were supposed to be grateful he chose you. Liam looks at you like he can't believe you're real.”
My throat tightens.
“Kai was a performer. Everything was about his image, his status, how things looked to other people. And the gallery tour this morning? Liam didn't care about looking cultured or impressive. He was just happy to be there with you. Making you laugh.” She shakes her head firmly. “That's not Kai. That's not even close.”
I want to argue and list all the logical reasons this is a bad idea. But all I can think about is how he makes me feel. “I'm terrified.”
“I know. But sometimes the best things are terrifying.” Sadie grins. “Now, help me pack. My flight’s at four and I need to make sure I haven't forgotten anything.”
As we head to the guest room where her bag is, I let myself sit with Sadie's words. Maybe she's right. Maybe I am overthinking this.
Maybe, for once in my carefully planned life, it's okay to just see where this goes. Maybe every athlete is not like Kai.
18
Avery
Hudson is waiting outside my building at exactly 1:30. I slide into the back seat, and Liam is already there, looking edible in a Renegades polo.
The second the door closes, his mouth is on mine.
I twist away, gesturing at Hudson in the driver's seat.
“He's not bothered,” Liam murmurs against my jaw, his hand cupping the back of my neck. “Are you, Hudson?”
“Not at all, Mr. Novak,” Hudson says smoothly, pulling into traffic without even glancing in the rearview mirror.
But it's not fine. It's embarrassing to make out in the back of a chauffeur driven car. Except his mouth is moving against mine with such obvious need that my objections dissolve.
“I've missed you,” Liam whispers between kisses. “It's been twelve hours and I've missed you.”
“Your math is wrong,” I chuckle, but I'm kissing him back, my hands sliding into his hair. “We just spent the morning together.”
“Not alone. Not like this.” His hand spans my waist, pulling me closer. “I need our time alone, Avery. Just you and me.”
I've missed this too. The taste of him and the way nothing else matters when we're touching. I sink into the kiss, letting myself have this moment of just feeling instead of thinking.
