Liam’s voice. A little closer than expected.
I stepped into the hall and found him at the end of it, near the door. Suit on. Roller bag upright beside him. One hand on the handle. The other adjusting his cuff.
He looked… good. Crisp suit, charcoal gray, tailored to fit. My eyes swept over him before I could stop myself. I suddenly became aware of my reflection in the hallway mirror.
Great. Should’ve brushed my hair.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I just wanted to let you know I’m leaving.”
I nodded slowly.
“We start our three-day road trip.”
“I know,” I said, smiling. “Brooke and the girls roped me into touring the city while Nolan’s gone.”
He nodded back, sheepishly. “Right. Of course, you know your brother’s schedule.”
My expression softened. “Thank you for letting me know.”
He lingered.
“Liam,” I said gently. My chest felt tight. I made myself breathe evenly.
His eyes flicked back to mine. His fingers curled tighter around the roller bag handle before letting it go.
“I want to wish you luck,” I hesitated, heartbeat ticking in my throat, searching his eyes, hoping I wasn’t pushing too far. “But I know how superstitious players can be. What can I say to you before games?”
He looked slightly caught off guard. His hand slid off the roller bag handle and into his pocket, but his eyes stayed on mine.
“My dad used to say…” he trailed off, eyes distant. “Don’t forget to thank the goalposts.”
I let out a surprised laugh.
He did too, slightly embarrassed.
“And what can I say?” I coaxed.
His gaze came back to mine, steady now. “Stay locked in.”
I turned to the hook by the door, pulled down his jacket. I let my fingers trail lightly over the lapel, thick wool, a faint trace of Liam’s cologne.
When I turned to hand it to him, he reached for it. For a second, we both held it, his fingers closing around the other side. He didn’t look away. Then I let go.
“Okay then. Safe travels, Liam.” I paused, then added, “Stay locked in.”
His eyes stayed on mine. He exhaled. Gently nodded.
Then he was gone.
I was still holding my breath.
After the Call
Claire
Igrabbed my coat from the hook, checking the weather on my phone. Light rain, mid-fifties. Not exactly ideal for sightseeing with Brooke and the girls, but we’d manage. The first two days had been crisp and sunny, exactly why I’d saved the museum for today.
The museum was surprisingly quiet for a weekend. Emma and Sophie had darted straight to the new dinosaur exhibit, leaving Brooke and me a few feet back by the railing, listening to their excited whispers echo off the high ceilings.
