OFF THE ICE he's my everything

Chapter3

Madison

I yawned tiredly and opened my eyes, only to realize I was now lying on the couch, covered in a blanket. I looked around the living room, but there was no sign of Liam.

Has he left?

I was about to grab my phone from the table and call him when I noticed his phone as well.

Ohh, he's still here.

I breathed a sigh of relief and went into the room to search for him, but he wasn't there. As I reached for the doorknob of the second room, a fresh aroma of scrambled eggs and bacon hit my nose. I immediately let go of the doorknob and slowly turned, following the delicious scent toward the kitchen.

I was just outside the kitchen when I froze.

Right before my eyes stood Liam, shirtless, with his back facing me. Broad shoulders, tanned skin, toned muscles, and a perfectly built body.

Damn... why am I suddenly feeling so hot?

I fanned myself before clearing my throat and walking into the kitchen.

"Finally, the princess is awake." He smiled and used a fork to pick up a piece of scrambled egg before bringing it to my mouth.

"Come on, Princess. I woke up early to make this for you."

I smiled and opened my mouth as he fed me the egg. I chewed for a moment.

"How is it? Do you like it?"

Wanting to tease him, I scrunched up my face and shook my head.

"No... no, this is bad."

"Really? I tasted it, and I thought it was nice."

I turned toward the sink as if I were about to vomit.

"Are you okay?" he asked, hurrying closer.

"Boooooom!"

I splashed water on his face as my laughter echoed through the kitchen.

"I was just messing with you." I pouted, and his worried expression melted into relief.

"Come on, Mad. You got me there. I was about to throw everything away and order something else."

"No, no. The food is nice." I patted his shoulder. "Can we eat now? I'm starving."

"Sure."

After breakfast, Liam decided I'd be accompanying him to practice.

I'd been wanting to ask him something all morning because it was unlike Liam to be doing so well after a breakup.

Damn... is he really okay? I know he's not.

We got into the car, and just as he was about to drive, I grabbed his hand.

"Something is off."

"What's that?" His gaze shifted to me.

"You."

"Me?"

"Hmm." I nodded. "Are you really okay? It's unlike you to be this calm after yesterday."

His lips curved into a grin.

"I walked in on my girlfriend f*****g my rival, and you think I'd still go crawling back to her?"

"Are you serious this time? You won't go back?"

He stayed quiet for a moment before shaking his head.

"I'm done with her."

"Hmm." I patted his shoulder and turned up the music to lighten the mood as we drove off.

Throughout the ride, I couldn't stop looking at Liam.

Why does he feel different this time? I've never seen him this composed after a breakup. Rinee might actually lose him for good.

"Am I that handsome that you can't stop staring at me?" he asked with a smirk.

"Shut up and drive. I'm worried about you." I rolled my eyes, smiling.

"Damn... I have the most caring best friend in the world."

His voice dragged out in a ridiculously sexy way. Realizing I'd been staring too long, I quickly looked away.

We finally arrived at Blackridge, and as usual, I waited outside while Liam went to get changed.

I sat on one of the benches outside the dressing room, scrolling through my phone to pass the time.

"Hey, Madison."

I looked up to see Rinee.

"Is Liam here with you?"

I ignored her and kept my attention on my phone.

"You know, I've always noticed the way you look at my boyfriend. You hide behind the 'best friend' title, but at the end of the day, you'll always be just that—a friend. Me? I'm the one he'll always come back to."

I shrugged.

"Okay."

Then I returned to my phone.

"I'm talking to you, b***h! How dare you ignore me!"

She raised her hand to slap me.

"What's going on here?"

Liam asked as he walked out of the dressing room.

Rinee immediately lowered her hand and hurried to his side, wrapping her arms around him.

"Baby, I've been asking her about you, but she's been cursing me out. I honestly think your best friend is jealous of me."

She leaned against his shoulder with a pout.

"Jealous of you?" Liam asked.

"Mmm." She nodded.

Seeing them together made my heart clench.

I should have known this would happen, but my foolish heart had believed him.

I turned to leave when someone grabbed my hand and pulled me back. I nearly collided with Liam.

"You think you're worthy enough for her to be jealous of you?" Liam scoffed.

He gently removed Rinee's arms from him before wrapping one firmly around me.

"I know you expected me to come running back like always. Well, don't bother anymore, Rinee. I'm done playing your games."

She smiled confidently.

"You're lovesick when it comes to me, Liam. You can't live without me."

"Hmm, you're not wrong." Liam nodded. "But that was before I caught you with my rival. That's when I realized it was all a game to you. It took me far too long to see what a fool I'd been."

"Are you breaking up with me?"

"Breaking up? As if we were ever in a real relationship." He laughed bitterly. "Go find another puppet."

"You'll come back," she said confidently.

"Too bad. I already found someone else."

"Wait..." Her face darkened. "What do you mean?"

Liam looked down at me with a smile.

"Her. She's everything you'll never be."

Wait... is he talking about me?

His gray eyes locked onto mine.

"Don't piss me off, Liam. There's no way you're dating Madison. She's your best friend."

"And who says I can't date my best friend?"

"You're only saying that because you're not over me."

"Okay."

Liam chuckled. Before I knew it, his hand cupped the back of my neck as his lips crashed against mine.

"Open up," he whispered.

Still stunned, I parted my lips, and he deepened the kiss. My fingers instinctively clutched his hockey jersey as I held onto him.

When he finally pulled away, a teasing smirk spread across his face.

"Liam...!"

Rinee yelled.

"You kissed someone else right in front of me?"

Her eyes filled with tears while I was still trying to recover from the shock.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you." Liam smiled. "Hey, Rinee, meet my new girlfriend, Madison..."

He paused.

"And we're now living together."