6

CHAPTER 6

LIAM

I was seconds away from losing it. Nic’s punch still throbbed across my jaw, but the real fire was in my chest, burning hotter with every smug word out of his mouth.

The campus courtyard felt like an arena…thousands of eyes still on us, cameras flashing and phones recording. One wrong move and the headlines would write themselves: Liam Hayes Loses Control. My father’s campaign team would have a field day burying me.

I didn’t even realize I was squeezing Ava’s hand until her fingers twitched in pain. Before I could force myself to let go, she stepped forward, rose on her toes, and wrapped her free left arm around my neck.

The world narrowed to her. She hugged me in front of everyone.

Her breath brushed my ear as she whispered, “First off, you’re squeezing my hands and it’s extremely painful. And secondly, you can’t lose it in front of so many people… So calm down.”

Her voice cut through the rage like a blade through ice. I exhaled sharply, the tension draining from my shoulders. I released her hand and slid both arms around her waist instead, pulling her closer. She felt warm and solid against me, her heartbeat steady where mine still hammered. “Sorry about your hand,” I murmured into her hair.

“Let me the fuck go.”

“Just give me two more minutes…” I tightened the hug slightly, a smirk tugging at my lips despite everything. “Nic’s face is about to blow up with rage.”

The crowd’s murmurs swelled around us.

“She hugged him?”

“Are they really dating?”

“I think she approves of the relationship.”

“Wow, wow, wow. They are so cute.”

Cameras clicked furiously, flashes popping like strobe lights. I held her a beat longer than necessary, letting the moment sink in for every lens and gossip account. Then I slowly pulled back, keeping one hand at the small of her back as I turned to face Nic.

He looked like he wanted to hit me again. Vanessa clutched his arm, eyes wide.

“Uuhm, sorry…” I said, voice dripping with false politeness. “You were saying?”

Nic opened his mouth, but I didn’t give him the chance. I steered Ava away through the parting sea of students, my arm firm around her. Whispers followed us like shadows, but I kept my expression calm and protective until we reached my Porsche. I opened the passenger door for her, then climbed into the driver’s seat. The door shut with a heavy thud, cutting off the noise.

The engine purred to life. Ava sat stiffly beside me, cradling her hand in her lap and flexing her fingers. The silence stretched thick between us as I pulled away from campus.

“I hugged you because you were on the verge of breaking my hands…” Her voice was quiet, laced with genuine fear. “It’s scary.”

Guilt slammed into me harder than Nic’s punch. “I’m so sorry. Let me see.” I reached across the console, but she pulled her hand away, pressing closer to the door.

“Are you upset?” I asked.

She didn’t respond. Just stared out the window, the city lights flickering across her face. I felt like shit. I hadn’t meant to hurt her physically or otherwise. This whole arrangement was supposed to protect her image as much as mine, but here I was, already screwing it up. I’d seen the way she looked at me in that moment, like I was something dangerous. It twisted something deep in my gut.

I drove the rest of the way in heavy silence and jaw tight. When we reached my apartment building, I parked in the underground garage and led her up to the penthouse. Olivia was already there, tablet in hand, looking as composed as ever.

The second we walked in, Olivia’s sharp eyes assessed us both. “Well. That was dramatic. Even for you, Liam.”

I shrugged out of my jacket, wincing at the bruise forming on my jaw. “How bad is it out there?”

“Not all bad,” she replied, sliding the tablet across the island. Ava hovered near the doorway, still quiet. “Campaign advisers called. They’re loving this. Women and family voters are eating up the ‘protective boyfriend’ angle. Hashtags are trending: #LiamDefendsAva, #HockeyPrinceCharming. The punch is being framed as Nic’s jealousy exploding. Your father’s team is cautiously optimistic for once.”

I nodded, scanning the headlines she pulled up. Some were already calling me noble. Others still questioned if it was all staged. But the optics were better than I’d hoped. “Good work. Send the usual notices to the worst accounts targeting her.”

Olivia continued efficiently. “I’ve drafted some statements if we need them.”

“Thanks, Olivia.”I said then glanced at Ava, who still hadn’t said much. “Give us a minute?”

Olivia nodded and gathered her things. “Dinner’s in the warmer. Try to eat, both of you.” She offered Ava a warm smile on her way out. “You handled that well out there, honey.”

Once we were alone, the penthouse felt quieter than usual. I poured a glass of water and slid it toward Ava. She took it but barely sipped.

“You okay?” I asked, leaning against the counter.

Ava finally looked at me. “I don’t know. One minute I’m confronting my cheating ex, the next I’m fake-dating the guy who almost lost it on campus. And you…” She gestured at my hand. “That grip. It reminded me how different our worlds are. How out of control this could get.”

I crossed the space between us slowly, stopping just short of touching her. “I’m not going to lose control with you. Ever. Today was just Nic pushing every button he knows I have. But you stepping in like that?” I shook my head, a real smile breaking through. “You surprised me. In a good way.”

She looked away, I could see the exhaustion in her eyes, the weight of the last few days pressing down on her. I wanted to pull her close again, but I held back.

We eventually moved to the living area. I warmed up the food Olivia had prepared….some grilled chicken and vegetables and set plates on the table. Ava picked at hers while I filled the silence with lighter talk: stories from recent practices, the upcoming rival game, even a joke about how the team would react to seeing her in my jersey. She didn’t laugh outright, but I caught the slight twitch at the corner of her mouth.

After dinner, I led her out to the balcony. The city stretched below us, lights twinkling like stars against the dark. The cool air helped clear my head.

“You know,” I said, leaning on the railing beside her, “my next home game is this weekend. Big matchup against our rivals. The arena’s going to be packed.” I turned to face her fully, my voice steady but sincere. “Come with me. Sit in the family box. Wear my jersey. Let them see us together properly.”

Ava raised an eyebrow, studying me. “Wait, don’t tell me I have to attend every event you host.”

“Yes you should .” I held her gaze, letting a hint of my usual smirk show. “How else are we going to convince people that this is real?.”

She didn’t answer immediately, turning back to the city view. But she didn’t say no.