Page 75 of Landing Liam

Her lips tremble as she processes what I’ve just said. “Liam, are you sure? Once it’s out there, you can’t take it back.”

“I’m sure,” I reply firmly. “If I’m going to move forward, I need to be honest. With myself, with the world. And I need people to know the truth, not the lies that are out there now.”

Her blue eyes search mine, and I can see the weight of my request settling on her. “Thank you,” she says softly, her voice thick with emotion. “Thank you for trusting me with this. I promise I’ll do everything I can to tell your story with the respect it deserves.”

For the first time in a long time, I feel as thought the dreaded weight of this secret is starting to lift. “Thank you,” I murmur, a small smile breaking through the tension.

We sit there for a moment, the silence between us charged with unspoken emotion.

I take a deep breath, the reality of my decision sinking in as I meet Maggie’s gaze. “There’s one more thing I need you to include in the story,” I say. “I need you to break the news that I’m officially retiring from snowboarding.”

Her brows lift slightly, and she tilts her head, her expression thoughtful. “Are you sure you want to retire?”

I nod slowly, running my thumb over the back of her hand. “Yeah. I’ve had a great run, Maggie. I’m leaving a sport I love on the highest of highs. But it’s time. I’ve always shown up for the fight, always given it everything I had. Now it’s time for me to take care of myself. My body gave me seventeen incredible years. It’s time I started giving something back to it.”

Her lips curve into a small, understanding smile, though I see the curiosity sparking in her eyes. “And what comes next?” she asks gently, as if she’s afraid to disrupt the fragile moment between us. “What’s next for Liam Thompson?”

I let out a quiet laugh, the sound almost wistful. “New dreams,” I say simply. “I’ve poured so much of myself into snowboarding. I’ve loved it with everything I’ve got, but I’ve always known there was an expiration date. No one can do this forever. Now feels like the right time to pivot, to start chasing something new.”

“New dreams,” Maggie echoes, her interest evident. “What kind of dreams are we talking about?”

I pause, considering how to put it into words. “I want to give back,” I finally say. “I’ve been working on an idea—a program, really—for young snowboarders. A place where they can learn, train, and grow without the pressure I put on myself. A space where the love for the sport comes first. Where they’re taught not just how to be great athletes, but how to take care of themselves, too.”

Her smile grows, her fingers squeezing mine gently. “That’s… amazing, Liam. Truly. I can already see how much of a difference you’ll make.”

The warmth in her voice settles the unrest inside me, helping me see I’ve made the right decision. “It’s a little scary,” I confess. “Stepping away from something that’s been my whole life. But I’m ready. It’s time for me to live a little differently. To take care of myself for a change.”

“And to chase those new dreams,” she says, her voice full of encouragement.

I nod, feeling the beginnings of a smile tugging at my lips. “Exactly.”

Her gaze softens, and for a moment, we just sit there, hands entwined, the gravity of the conversation hanging between us. “Thank you for trusting me with this,” she finally says. “I’ll make sure the world knows the real Liam Thompson—an honest fighter who never quits.”

Hearing her say that feels like the final puzzle piece clicking into place. Whatever comes next, I know I’m not facing it alone.

“When do you want to get started on the story?” Maggie asks me.

I take a deep breath before exhaling slowly. “Now. If you’re up for it.”

Her brows knit slightly, and she tilts her head. “You don’t want to hear what Jack and I have figured out about the leak?”

I shake my head, leaning back in my chair and meeting her gaze with determination. “We can deal with that tomorrow. Tonight, I want to focus on this. On telling my story. On finally getting it all out.”

Maggie studies me for a moment, then reaches into her purse and pulls out a small notepad and pen. The action is deliberate, almost reverent, as if she understands the gravity of what’s about to happen. “Okay,” she says softly, flipping open the notebook and clicking the pen. “Let’s start right now.”

I can’t help the small smile that tugs at my lips. Her readiness, her dedication—it reassures me that I’ve made the right choice. “From the beginning,” I say, the words carrying years of silence.

She nods, her blue eyes locking with mine, filled with a mixture of resolve and compassion. “From the beginning,” she repeats, her pen poised and ready.

And just like that, the walls I’ve spent years building start to come down. Word by word, piece by piece, I let her in.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Maggie

My eyes feel heavy as Liam guides me up the stairs to the guest bedroom. I should’ve called a cab. Maybe even an Uber. Staying here—especially in his family’s home—probably isn’t the wisest choice. But despite every logical argument running through my head, I can’t bring myself to leave.

The hallway is lined with family photos, and I catch glimpses of a younger Liam in each frame. He looks happy, carefree, always surrounded by his family. It’s a glimpse into the parts of his life that built him, the moments that shaped the man I’ve come to admire.