Chapter 54
“What are you doing, love?” His voice is soft, intimate, like we’re the only two people here. Like Zane isn’t standing a few feet away, watching our every move. “Shouldn’t you be inside resting?”
Before I can respond, he’s already closing the distance between us. His hand finds my arm, warm and firm, fingers brushing over my skin with the kind of ease that makes my breath hitch.
Goosebumps break out instantly.
I know he feels it. The way my body reacts to him, the way the air between us tightens, but he pretends like he doesn’t. Like he doesn’t notice the way my lips part slightly, the way my grip on his phone falters.
“Your phone was ringing,” I manage, holding it up like it’s some kind of shield. But my voice comes out softer than I intended, and when I glance down at the screen, my frown deepens.
The call ended.
“Sorry,” I murmur.
“Don’t apologise, love,”
Liam doesn’t even glance at the phone. His eyes stay on me, searching, lingering. His fingers flex slightly against my skin, a barely–there movement, but I feel it everywhere.
And judging by the storm brewing in Zane’s expression, he does
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“Emilia,” Zane says, his voice tight. His jaw flexes like he’s trying to keep himself in check. Then, after a sharp breath, he tries again. “We need to talk.”
Before I can even react, Liam steps in, voice smooth but laced with irritation. “Emilia doesn’t need to do anything, Whitmoore.” He drags out Zane’s name like it tastes bitter on his tongue. “Especially when it concerns you. I’m not exactly comfortable letting my girl around her ex–who obviously still carries a torch for her.”
My stomach betrays me, flipping at my girl like it has no sense of self–preservation.
“I don-” Zane starts, then visibly stiffens, his hands balling into fists at his sides. But he doesn’t lash out. Instead, he looks past Liam, straight at me, like the words barely registered. But I know they do.
I know it takes everything in him to ignore Liam.
Seeing the tension between them, I wonder if something happened.
“Emilia. Now.”
I fold my arms, tilting my head. “And who exactly do you think you’re talking to like that?”
His frustration flares for a second, and I catch the way his fists clench before he forces them to relax. “I’m trying to help you.”
Liam lets out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “That’s funny. I
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don’t remember her asking for help.”
I shake my head, a silent signal to let me handle this. I know exactly what shade of insane Zane is.
I exhale, keeping my voice even. “Zane, I already told you how I felt when you showed up at my bakery. I don’t need your help. I don’t need you.”
I can feel Liam’s surprise at that new piece of information, but I ignore it. This isn’t the time. I can’t explain the nagging feeling in my chest, even though I know logically it’s really none of his business.
“And you think you need him? That he sees you as something more than a pastime till regular season starts?”
Liam starts, shooting me a slightly apologetic look. “Man, what’s your problem?”
I can feel another argument brewing. I rub my temples and speak up before they go at it again.
“Zane, I’m only here for old time’s sake. And because I’m genuinely happy you found someone willing to put up with you for the rest of her life, so please do not test the limits of my goodwill.”
Both are lies, but he doesn’t need to know that. I’m only here because… I actually don’t know anymore. Because I wanted to prove I was someone without him? That if I had his favourite hockey player by my side, I was somehow worth his love?
I don’t know anymore.
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The latter is more or less the truth. I’m glad Zane has Becca, better her than me. But it’s still weird not being by his side.
Oh, well. I’ll get over it soon enough.
“You never change do you?” His voice drips with condescension and I know which Zane I’m dealing with.
The one from the bakery. The staple during our ten year relationship.
“Excuse me?” I cross my arms.
“I don’t know what you think you see in her, Liam. Maybe it’s what I did when we first got together, but don’t you see how embarrassing it is?” At his words, it’s my turn to stiffen at Liam‘ s side. “Picking up something I threw away. When you throw it away again, who’s going to pick it up this time? She’s in New York now so maybe one of your teammates-”
Liam moves before I can even process what’s happening.
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