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"Are you hurt anywhere else?" he asked, eyeing me up and down. At first the adrenaline pumping through my veins had kept me from noticing any of the pain, but now I realized I had a few scrapes and bruises. My elbow was still bleeding and my palm that I'd used to catch myself was scraped up as well.
"Just some little cuts," I answered, "but my head hurts."
Liam clenched his jaw and nodded. "Let's go," he said, reaching around me to grab my purse and then half-lifted me out of my seat. He carried most of my weight as we walked toward his car. My feet worked just fine, but I knew he was just as scared as I'd been a few minutes ago. Maybe it made him feel better to help me.
We stopped at an Emergency Clinic on the way to his house and they gave me six stitches on the back of my scalp. They explained that head injuries bleed much more than other injuries, but we still needed to watch out for any symptoms of a concussion.
While I was getting cleaned up, Liam called Coach Davis and explained that'd I'd be sitting out from practice tomorrow and would let her know how I was doing. Honestly, once the scrapes and everything were cleaned up and I was back in Liam's car heading home, I felt much better. Exhausted, but better.
We were quiet most of the way to his house. Liam had his hand on my knee and he'd glance over or squeeze his fingers to make sure I was staying awake. I think I just felt tired from all of the tears. I was usually better about pain. After all, soccer was an intense sport, but a lot of the emotion and tears stemmed from the man's verbal abuse rather than the injuries.
"I keep hearing the man's voice," I admitted when we were a few minutes away from Liam's house.
"Was he asking you for a picture?" Liam asked, eyeing me cautiously.
"He was demanding a photo— but he was also asking really personal questions about us. He asked if you took my virginity and if I liked that you were my coach... you know..."
Liam's hand gripped the steering wheel even tighter and I knew my confession didn’t sit well with him. I had to tell him though, the paparazzi's words were slimy; I didn't want to keep them to myself and let them rot.
"That won’t happen again. I’ll make sure of it. Do you hear me, Kinsley? I'll never let him near you," Liam bit out harshly.
I nodded and glanced out the passenger side window. Liam couldn't be with me all the time, but I believed that he would keep me safe when he could, and that's all that mattered.
When we go to his house, he helped me out of the car and then led me straight to his bathroom. I leaned back against the sink and he slowly helped me out of my dress, bra, and panties. His touch was gentle and soothing against my skin, and I sighed into him, letting him hold my weight. He drew a warm bubble bath and then gently set me inside.
When I was comfortable lying in the bubbles, he kissed the top of my head and headed for the bathroom door. "Wash up. I'm going to start dinner," he said with a tight smile. I knew he wasn't over the events of the day yet, but neither was I.
"Liam—" I said, getting his attention. He spun around in the doorway, and for a brief moment, I let myself take in his handsome features: the sweet lips, the straight nose, the chiseled jaw.
"I love you."
He closed his eyes for a brief moment, as if soaking in my words, and then he smiled and glanced back at me. "I love you, too."
It was over dinner that Liam asked me to move in with him. I was taking a bite of the spaghetti when he said plain and simple, "Move in with me."
My heart paused for a moment as I finished chewing. Then I glanced up at him as if he were insane. "Here?" I asked.
"It doesn't matter where. If you don't like this house then we'll find another."
That's not really what I had meant, but I couldn't comprehend his request.
"We've been dating for two months," I stated as if maybe he'd forgotten.
"Two and half actually, but it doesn't matter."
"Is this because of what happened today?" I asked, setting my fork down on the edge of my plate.
He sighed. "It has a little bit to do with that. I've wanted you here with me from the start. We have such busy schedules that it would just make sense for us to live together. When I'm not working or practicing, I want to be with you."
