Chapter 83 The request
Chapter 83: The Request (Liam’s POV)
I kept my eyes on the road, but my hands were shaking on the steering wheel. Seeing Elena in that house, surrounded by people who treated her like a toy, had made my blood boil. I had spent the last few hours calling every contact my father had just to make sure Julian couldn't hold her mother's hospital stay over her head anymore. It was the first time I had ever used my family name for something that actually mattered.
Beside me, Elena looked tiny in the passenger seat. She had her eyes closed, and the heater was finally starting to color her cheeks again. She looked exhausted, but for the first time in weeks, she didn't look like she was waiting for someone to hit her.
"I'm sorry I took so long," I said, my voice sounding rough even to my own ears. "I had to make some calls. I had to make sure they couldn't hurt you anymore."
She leaned her head back against the seat and looked at me. "You saved me."
"No," I said, glancing at her. "You saved yourself the minute you took those shoes off. I just provided the ride."
I pulled the car over into a quiet side street and turned off the engine. The rain was drumming on the roof, creating a small, private world for just the two of us. The silence in the car wasn't heavy anymore; it was calm.
I looked at her, and the words just came out before I could stop them.
"Can I kiss you?"
Elena opened her eyes wide. She didn't pull away, but she looked surprised. "Liam?"
"I've wanted to do that since the first night you moved into the basement," I admitted. I let go of the steering wheel and turned in my seat to face her. "But I was an idiot. I was too busy trying to keep my reputation and stay in the elite good graces. I watched you get hurt because I was a coward."
"You aren't a coward," Elena said softly. She reached out and touched my arm. "You're here now."
"I don't want to be just 'here' as a friend, Elena. I want to be the guy who makes sure you never have to wear shoes that hurt ever again. I want to be the person you call when things get bad."
I reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Her skin was warm. "But only if you want to. I’m not Julian. I’m not going to force you into anything."
Elena looked at my hand, then back at my eyes. A small smile touched her lips—the first real smile I had seen in a long time. "You talk too much, Liam."
"Is that a yes?" I asked.
"It’s a yes," she whispered.
I leaned in slowly. I wanted to give her every chance to change her mind, but she didn't move. When our lips finally touched, it wasn't like the movies. It was quiet and a bit desperate. It felt like an apology and a promise all at once.
I pulled back just an inch, my forehead resting against hers. "I'm not letting you go back to that school alone tomorrow. We’re going together."
"They'll hate you for it," Elena reminded me. "Julian will try to ruin your hockey career."
"Let him," I said, and I meant it. "I’d rather play in a community league for the rest of my life than spend one more day watching them treat you like trash. You're more important than a game, El."
She sighed, and I felt the last of her tension disappear. She leaned her head on my shoulder, and for a few minutes, we just sat there in the dark car.
"Where are we going now?" she asked.
"To my place. My actual place," I said. "Not the basement. And tomorrow, we go to the hospital to see your mom. No more deals with Julian. No more games with Maya."
"I can't believe Maya did that," Elena said, her voice dropping. "I really thought she cared."
"Maya cares about Maya," I said. "But you don't have to worry about her anymore. You have me. And I’m not going anywhere."
I started the car back up and pulled out into the street. I felt lighter than I had in years. I didn't have the captaincy, and I probably didn't have many friends left at Northview, but as I looked at Elena resting beside me, I knew I had finally won the only thing that mattered.
We were pulling up to my apartment complex when my phone buzzed in the center console. I ignored it, but then it buzzed again. And again. I handed it to Elena. "See who that is? If it's Julian, just block him." Elena looked at the screen, but she didn't block it. Her face went pale. "Liam... it's not Julian. It's a message from the hospital." I slammed on the brakes. "What? Is it her mom?" Elena shook her head, her hands trembling as she read the text. "No. It’s from the front desk. They’re saying your father just stopped the payment for the private wing. He told them he wouldn't pay a cent for 'the girl who ruined his son's career.'"