Episode 9
515 Words
EPISODE 9: Lines in the Sand
Liam didn’t speak to me for the rest of that night.
Not in a sulking way, not in anger—just… silence.
A heavy, deliberate quiet that followed me from the kitchen to the bedroom, pressing on my chest until I could barely breathe.
When we went to bed, he kissed my forehead like everything was normal.
But his hand lingered on my arm a second too long.
A silent warning.
By morning, the shift had started.
At breakfast, Liam made a show of calling Cameron into the kitchen.
“Thought you might want to join us,” he said, pouring him coffee. “Family should spend more time together.”
Cameron shot me a glance as he sat down, a flash of something dangerous in his eyes.
I kept my gaze on my plate.
The conversation was polite.
Too polite.
Every word laced with subtext I could feel like static.
“How’s the motorcycle coming?” Liam asked.
“Almost finished,” Cameron replied. “Should be ready to ride by next week.”
“Good,” Liam said, sipping his coffee. “Rory loves motorcycles. Don’t you, babe?”
My fork froze midair. “They’re fine.”
“They’re more than fine,” Cameron said, his mouth curving just enough to make my stomach knot. “They’re unforgettable.”
Liam’s smile didn’t waver. “I’m sure they are.”
I couldn’t eat another bite.
---
Later that afternoon, I found Cameron in the garage, wiping grease from his hands.
“You shouldn’t bait him,” I said, keeping my voice low.
He didn’t look up. “You think I’m scared of him?”
“You should be,” I hissed. “He knows, Cam. He’s just… waiting.”
Finally, Cameron’s eyes met mine. “Then maybe it’s time I stop waiting.”
I shook my head. “You don’t understand—”
“I understand perfectly.” He tossed the rag aside, stepping closer. “You’re marrying a man who wants to own you, Rory. And I’m not letting that happen.”
“This isn’t a game,” I whispered.
“It’s not,” he agreed. “It’s war.”
---
That night, Liam surprised me by announcing he was going out for drinks with an old friend.
His tone was casual, but the look in his eyes told me he wanted me to know he was leaving me alone in the house with Cameron.
The door had barely closed behind him when Cameron appeared in the doorway of the living room.
“Guess it’s just us,” he said.
My pulse spiked. “This is exactly what he wants—to catch us—”
“Then maybe we should give him something to catch.”
I stared at him. “Cam—”
But then he crossed the room, every step deliberate, and I realized something terrifying—
He wasn’t just trying to win me back.
He was trying to beat Liam.
And somewhere deep down, a part of me I hated… wanted him to.
- Writer
