OFF THE ICE he's my everything

Chapter2

Madison

I sat down, looking at the food I cooked tonight, and even though I knew Liam wouldn't be coming back tonight, I still ended up cooking it. My eyes were constantly darting towards the clock hanging firmly on the wall. It was a golden-colored timer, quite expensive, I know.

I slowly watched as seconds turned into minutes, and one hour slipped into another. Right now, it's currently 11:59, and in one more minute, it's going to be 12 midnight. I took a deep breath, wiping the tears at the corners of my eyes. I hate to admit it, but yet again, he has gone back to his ex, and it's my turn to be heartbroken.

I always know this would happen every time, so why haven't I learned my lesson? I always end up disappointed. I stood up and grabbed my bag from where it was tossed on the couch, taking one last glance at the food on the table and the popcorn we were supposed to use for movie night. Guess I'm the one being dumped. I walked out through the door. The taxi was already outside, so I got in, and the ride back to my apartment began.

I leaned my head against the car seat, zoned out in my thoughts with my eyes closed, until the driver's voice snapped me back to reality as we got to my apartment. Quietly, I came down and began to walk gingerly. I dragged my lazy steps, my eyes half-closed, and finally made it to my door. I inserted my card, and the door opened. As I got in, I dropped my bag on the table and grabbed a bottle of alcohol. I just want to sleep till whenever. Maybe I'll feel better when I wake up.

I uncorked the wine and gulped down almost half of it in one go. I bit my lower lip to suppress my tears, knowing that both of them were probably cuddled up in each other's embrace while I'm here wallowing in the sorrow of getting dumped for the hundredth time. It started back in high school, and till now I'm supposed to be used to this, but no... this heart of mine refuses to learn.

I hate you, Liam.

I hate you, Liam.

I kept mumbling as tears blurred my half-closed eyes and trickled down. I managed to drop the bottle on the table, and as I tried getting onto the couch, I staggered back to the ground. I closed my eyes, slipping into oblivion.

The rumbling sound of the rain and the thunderous knock on my door ended up waking me up. I stretched my body and held onto my head, which was banging like it was about to split in two. I staggered a few times, holding onto the couch as I made my way to the door.

Who could be knocking so early in the morning?

I sighed as I held the doorknob and opened it, but the scene right in front of me threw me off guard, and the sleep immediately disappeared from my eyes.

"Liam?" I called in surprise, seeing how he was drenched in water from head to toe, and his eyes were freaking red like he'd been crying.

"Wait, I'll get you a towel," I said to him and hurried back inside.

I came back with a towel and passed it to him, but instead of taking it, Liam suddenly pulled me into a tight hug, almost crushing me.

"Liam, is everything okay?" I muttered, patting his wet hair and trying to soothe him.

"It's Rinee. This time, I'm done with her for good."

I almost rolled my eyes on hearing that because it's the same sentence I've been hearing from him for the past few years, so I didn't want to ask further. He'll probably go back to her by this evening if she asks him to.

"It's okay. Let's go inside. You have to get changed," I said to him, and he finally pulled away as we both walked inside.

He went into the bathroom to change while I searched for something he could wear. After searching for some time, I decided to settle for the clothes I bought him last Valentine's Day but couldn't give him because he bailed on me and went to celebrate with his girlfriend. I wasn't angry. I just felt it wasn't my place to give him gifts like that.

Without thinking much, I grabbed them and left. I gently knocked on the bathroom door, and when he opened it, only his hand popped out, so I handed him the clothes and went back to the living room to wait for him. I immediately took away the bottle of wine and put a few things in place. I can't get caught being heartbroken over my best friend.

I was done and slumped down on the couch. My head was still banging like hell.

"These clothes..." Liam muttered, walking towards me as he kept checking them out.

"It fits so perfectly, like it's mine. Who did you get it for?"

"Ummm..." I stuttered for a moment. "A friend."

"A friend? That has the same body proportions as me?" His brows narrowed.

"Of course. You don't think you're the only guy I know, do you?" I laughed nervously and stood up, avoiding his question.

"What do you want to have for breakfast? I'll make it for you."

"Breakfast?"

"Hmmm." I nodded.

"Mad?" he called and grabbed my hand.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Of course. Why ask?" My face stretched in confusion.

He looked at his Rolex watch.

"It's past 7 p.m."

On hearing that, my eyes flew to my wall clock.

Shit...

Did I end up sleeping the whole day?

"He... he..." I covered up my shame and laughed nervously.

"I was just joking to make you feel better." I sat down and stared at him. "Did my joke make you laugh?"

"A little." He flashed me a quick smile and took a deep breath. He leaned forward a bit, his arms resting on his thighs as his palms clasped together.

"I got back home and realized I forgot my phone at Rinee's place, so I quickly drove back to get it. But when I got there, I saw another car parked outside. At first, I thought it was one of her friends, so I didn't think too much about it and proceeded inside. The door was half-open. I heard weird sounds, moans and skin slapping but the stupid me thought it was the TV, so I went in. But right there on the couch in the living room where we cuddled last night...

"I saw Rinee having s*x with my rival hockey player."

"Wait... Lane?"

"Hmmm. She didn't even try to lie or defend herself. She... she... didn't beg me either." His tears forced their way out as he fought to blink them back.

"Mad?"

"Hmmm..." I answered, my brows lifting as he turned to stare at me.

"This time I'm done for good."

"Mmm." I nodded while almost being forced to scream in his face and tell him that he's still going back to her.

He suddenly adjusted his position, resting his head on my thighs.

"Can you tuck me in?"

I smiled and began to caress his hair gently.

"Mad?"

"I'm right here," I whispered, seeing he was half asleep.

"Thinking back now, I think you're the only one who has never left my side, not even once. Not even when I became too much. Not even when my parents didn't believe in me that I could play hockey. You were the only exception."

"Shh... sleep."

"I fear that everyone else could leave me, but if you do... I'll lose myself."