Chapter 14 Tension
Ava Reed
The tension in the room was thick enough to cut through. My father stood from his seat, in a tired and unbothered manner. His sharp gaze landed on me first, before slowly shifting to Liam.
“So,” he started, crossing his arms, “where did you two meet?”
Silence.
I glanced at Liam out of the corner of my eye. His expression was blank, but I could see the muscle in his jaw tick. He wasn’t going to say a damn word, and neither was I. What could we say? ‘Oh, you know, just at a masked party, where we proceeded to have a mind-blowing sex in the house you helped me pay my first rent’? Yeah, that’d go over well.
Dad sighed, raking his fingers through his salt-and-pepper hair, frustration seeping into his posture. “I shouldn’t expect any problems from you two, right?”
Still, we stayed silent. I felt like a kid again, getting lectured for sneaking out past curfew.
Dad exhaled through his nose, his patience clearly thinning. “I was going to lay down some ground rules, but judging by the way you two act around each other, I don’t think I need to worry about most of them.”
Liam finally spoke. “What rules?” His voice was steady, but there was a challenge in it.
Dad’s gaze darkened. “No dating my daughter, for a start.”
I let out a sharp laugh before I could stop myself. “I’d rather chew hot coals.”
Liam rolled his eyes so hard it was a wonder he didn’t sprain something. “Likewise, Snowflakes.”
Dad gave a curt nod. “Exactly why rule number two won’t be a problem.” He leveled us both with a stare. “No sex.”
Liam choked.
I stiffened, feeling my entire body go rigid. My skin prickled as heat crept up my neck. I shot my father a look, but he didn’t budge, standing firm with that same unreadable expression.
I could feel Liam’s eyes on me, but I refused to look at him. Nope. Not happening.
“Any other rules?” I asked, my voice a little too sharp, trying to steer the conversation away from the absolute mortification I felt.
Dad shrugged. “Just one. Do whatever it takes to get Liam back in shape for the championship game in six months.” His voice was all business now, all coach.
Liam’s expression hardened at that, and I could almost see the determination ignite in his eyes. Despite everything, I knew he wanted this. Wanted to be back on the ice, wanted to prove he still had it in him.
Dad clapped his hands together. “I’ll leave you two to figure out the living arrangements and set up a plan.” He gave us both one last stern look before walking out, his presence leaving behind a suffocating silence.
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding and finally turned to Liam. “Well, that wasn’t awkward at all.”
Liam huffed a laugh, shaking his head before running a hand through his hair. “Your dad is intense.”
I snorted. “Welcome to my world.”