“Come on, Alie,” I mutter to myself. “Please don’t do this.”
I try texting her instead.
Liam: Please answer me.
Liam: Aaron is lying to you. He’s manipulating you. Please don’t let him get between us.
Three dots appear, then vanish.
My stomach is in knots. I can handle pressure, pain, and some of the best defensive players in the game. But I can’t handle being ignored or silenced.
I try again.
Liam: You know I can’t leave camp. I feel really fucking helpless right now, Alie. But I am here. I’m not going anywhere.
I stare at the screen until it blacks out, but press the side button, showing me my lock screen picture of the three of us in Central Park. I won’t lose them before we’ve even gotten a chance to have a life together.
My anger returns. Sharp and helpless. Because there’s nothing worse than being trapped somewhere you have to be while the people you love are somewhere you can’t be.
I’m so lost in my thoughts that I don’t even notice the person walking toward me until I run smack into them.
“Oh shit, sorry,” I say, grabbing her arms so she doesn’t fall.
“Jesus H,” she mutters. Then she holds my arm because whatever expression on my face must be loud.
“Liam,” she says carefully. “Are you okay?”
“No, Presley, I’m not actually.” I release her and pinch the bridge of my nose.
She doesn’t react, just studies me.
Then she nods once. “Talk to me.”
I gesture to the bench I was just sitting on, and we both sit.
“What happened?” she asks frankly.
I blow out a breath, forcing out the words before I change my mind about talking to her about this.
“Aaron showed up at Alie’s office yesterday.”
Presley’s mouth tightens. “Of course he did.”
I blink. “You’re not surprised?”
She snorts. “I’ve been waiting for him to do something. His silence with Alie was just too suspicious. He was plotting and planning until he could get back to New York.”
My jaw clenches. “He’s telling her that I’m lying about not knowing about Sera. And that I didn’t want her.”
Presley’s expression sharpens, anger flashing in her eyes so fast that it’s almost … comforting.
“Well, that’s fucking bullshit.”
“I know.” My voice cracks on the last word. “But he’s gotten in her head, and I can’t do anything about it because I’m here.”
Presley leans toward me, lowering her voice. “Okay, listen.” She holds up a finger. “Aaron is not doing this for Alie. He’s doing it because he’s selfish and he wants control.”
“I’m trying to tell her that he’s lying,” I grind out.
