“I’ll be a charming son-of-a-bitch.” He flashes an over-the-top smile. “Tell your boyfriend that if he doesn’t show up, I’ll hunt him down.”
“He’ll be there,” I reassure him with a kiss on the cheek. “He promised me that he would be there.”
Chapter 48
Liam
“Fuck.” The word falls from my lips as my call to Athena drifts to her voicemail.
We haven’t connected in days.
Her rush to get the flowers done for a last-minute wedding and my overbooked schedule haven’t given us a chance to connect other than via text message.
One of my colleagues came down with the flu, so I took on her clients as well as my own.
I’ve been in the office from sunrise to sunset for the last five days.
I’m tempted to reschedule the basketball court session I’m on my way to, but Gareth Quillan is ready and willing to meet up, so I need to show up for him and his son.
I adjust the waistband of the black shorts I’m wearing. I tugged a black hoodie on with it because the wind has been whipping its way through Manhattan today.
Tying my hair back isn’t something I do much of anymore, but if I’m going to stand a chance on the court today, I need a clear path of vision.
I try Athena one last time before I toss my phone in the backpack slung over my shoulder.
There are a thousand things I want to say to her starting with I love you.
It’s time.
I feel it inside, so why not share it with her?
I’m hoping that those three words and the gift I’m getting for her birthday will be enough to cement a place in her life for the long haul.
If I thought I stood a chance of her saying yes, I’d ask her to marry me.
I’m gone for this woman. My heart belongs to her.
I need to step up and take care of a few things so it’ll be hers forever.
I round the corner toward the basketball court when a wave of dizziness hits me.
I didn’t stop for lunch today, and dinner is at least an hour away.
I level my steps with a hand on the back of a bench. A few deep breaths help, but I drop to the seat and close my eyes.
I’m running on empty. I know it. I’ve stretched myself too thin the last few months.
“Hey, Wolf!”
I recognize Rhys’s voice, so I raise a hand when I look to the left.
He’s standing at the entrance to the court.
“I’m on my way,” I call back, taking an extra two seconds to catch my breath.
“My old man will go easy on you.” He yells. “He’ll spot you ten points.”
I may need it.