“It’s healing,” he answered in a roundabout way.
Just the sight of him was going to make me cry, though I wasn’t sure if it was because he was alive or because he had broken my damn heart. But either way, I couldn’t seem to hold the waterworks back anymore.
Tearing my gaze from him, I headed into the kitchen to hide thefact that I was close to a total meltdown. “Is there a reason you’re here?”
“I just wanted to explain things.”
“Oh?” I said, distracting myself by reaching for a mug that was high up on the top shelf.
“Bailey, there were things I didn’t tell you…”
I huffed in amusement at that, but pushed my anger into pouring myself coffee instead of turning around and yelling at him.
“Bailey, will you sit down?”
“I have to get ready to leave,” I said, spinning around with my mug in hand.
Hot liquid splashed over the side of the cup, scalding my hand. In the next second, I dropped the mug, sending it crashing to the floor. Coffee sprayed over my legs, burning my flesh.
“Son of a bitch!” I shouted, dancing out of the way of the mess I’d created.
Liam was already there, snagging me around the waist and hauling me out of the way. Setting me on the small island, he rushed over to the sink and ran a cloth under the cool water before pressing it to my hand.
“Are you alright?”
“Fine,” I snapped in irritation. “Just annoyed that you’re ruining my morning.”
His lips twitched as he started gathering pieces of my broken mug. His movements were slow as he struggled to bend over, which only made me feel bad for being so mean to him.
Sighing, I hopped down and grabbed the broom out of the closet. “Here, let me.”
“I’ve got it.”
“You can barely bend over.”
“I said I’ve got it,” he snapped.
“You’re such a stubborn asshole!”
“I’ve been told!” he shouted, getting to his feet.
Pain creased his brow as he sucked in a shattered breath. Annoyed with him, I grabbed him by the arm and dragged himaway from the mess before sweeping up the rest of the shattered pieces.
I may hate the man, but I didn’t enjoy seeing anyone in pain.
When that was done, I grabbed paper towels and mopped up what was left of the spilled coffee, taking extra time to wipe down the cabinets just so I didn’t have to look at him.
“Are you going to talk to me?”
“About what?” I asked, pretending to be too busy to actually give him my attention.
“Bailey, there are things I need to tell you.”
“Can’t it wait? I have to get to work.”
“No, it can’t. I’ve waited long enough.”
“Fine,” I snapped, throwing the soaked paper towels in the sink. “Go ahead. Say whatever it is you need to say and then get out.”
