Silent Flames

Episode2

Scarlett's POV

The video was everywhere. On every sports blog, every news feed, every gossip account with a half-decent following. Liam Kane, star forward of the Ridgeport Ravens, throwing a punch at a rival player in the middle of a nightclub.

The clip was grainy, taken on some shaky phone, but it didn’t matter. The internet didn’t need clarity to decide a villain. By the next morning, hashtags like #KaneThePain and #Suspend17 were trending.

I knew this because my phone wouldn’t stop buzzing with notifications from Maddie.

“Did you see it???”

“Your mom is going to LOSE it.”

“I hate to say it, but he looked hot throwing that punch.”

I groaned and shoved the phone under my pillow. If there was one thing I didn’t need before my morning coffee, it was another reason to think about Liam Kane. Except fate clearly had a sense of humor because when I trudged into my mom's office later that afternoon, guess who was already sitting there?

None other than Liam Kane himself, sprawled in the chair opposite my mom’s desk like he owned the place, one arm thrown casually over the backrest. My heart sank in my chest instantly as I stared at him with wide eyes.

“What is he doing here?”

My mom didn’t even look up from the papers she was furiously signing. “Sit down, sweetheart.”

I refused to budge, glaring at Liam, who suddenly winked at me. The audacity. “I’ll stand,” I muttered.

“Suit yourself,” Mom said, tossing the pen down and rubbing her temples. She looked like she hadn’t slept in days.

My mom was Ridgeport Ravens’ head of public relations. She had been with the team for over a decade, managing crises, image overhauls, and every PR nightmare the players could conjure. Now, her loyalty was absolute, and her reputation at stake with every headline.

“You’ve seen the video,” she began. “You know the damage. The league’s threatening suspension, the press is circling like vultures, and the team’s reputation is tanking.”

Liam stretched, lazy and unbothered. “Relax, ma’am. It’s not the first fight I’ve been in. Won’t be the last.”

Mom’s eyes snapped up, ice-cold. “Don’t test me, Kane. You’ve been skating on thin ice for months. One more screw-up, and you won’t just be benched, you’ll be out.”

For once, Liam didn’t have a comeback. He tightened his jaw and clenched his fist, but didn't say a word. It was a good thing, and I believed he’d finally learn what consequences felt like. Mom exhaled slowly, then leaned back in her chair.

“Management’s come up with a solution. It’s unconventional, but it might save your career.”

Liam arched a brow. “This should be good.”

I folded my arms, already feeling suspicious. “What kind of solution?”

Mom hesitated for a moment, her gaze flicking between us. Dread surged through me instantly, as I realized that whatever it was, it had to do with me and Liam. And that's why we were summoned here.

“You,” she said, pointing at Liam, “need an image overhaul. The fans need to see you as something other than a hotheaded thug. They need softer edges, responsibility, and to be a good influence.”

“Great,” Liam said dryly. “Sign me up for puppy commercials and charity bake sales.”

“Not quite.” Mom turned her eyes on me. “You’re going to help him.”

My heart sank, and I blinked rapidly as I gazed at her. “I’m sorry, what?” I couldn’t help asking.

“You heard me. The two of you will spend time together publicly. Appearances in charity events, maybe a few carefully staged dates. The press will eat it up, Ridgeport’s bad boy reformed by none other than the coach’s daughter. It’s clean, it’s wholesome, it works.”

“Absolutely not,” I blurted out, unbelieving.

“Seconded,” Liam said, though he looked more entertained than outraged. “Come on, ma’am, we both know your daughter hates me. Probably more than you do.”

“True,” I shot back. “And I’d rather fake date a traffic cone.”

“Funny,” Liam drawled, “because a traffic cone probably has the same personality as you.”

I glared daggers at him. “Overrated egomaniac.”

“Uptight princess with a fractured face.''

''What?!''

“Enough.” Mom’s voice echoed in our ears, cutting both of us off. She pinched the bridge of her nose, clearly seconds from exploding. “You two can be enemies all you want in private, but in public, you’ll put on a show. Do you understand me?”

There's silence in the room when she finished speaking. I couldn’t respond, neither could Liam. My heart pounded violently as I thought about how furious Dad would be when he heard of this. What’s Mom thinking? There are other girls out there, why must it be me?

“No,” I said with a stern face, shaking my head vividly. “This is insane. I’m not some prop you can use to polish his reputation.”

Mom’s expression softened, but only slightly. “I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t important. The team’s future depends on this. My job depends on this, and I know you're the only one that's capable of handling this.''

I bit my lips bitterly and thought about it for a moment. Mother was right, everyone is scared of Liam, but I'm the only one that could look him in the eye and tell him how disgusting he looks.

And again, Mrs Merrick wasn't just the head of PR for the Ridgeport Ravens, she was my mother. The woman who gave birth to me, who had sacrificed everything for the game. If helping Liam meant enduring his smirk for a few weeks, so be it. Maybe she’d discussed it with my father, and I believe there would be no problem.

But still, the thought of holding Liam Kane’s hand in public made me want to scream. Dammit! I never dreamed of this day.

“Princess,” Liam said suddenly, “I get it. You don’t want to be seen with me. Can’t blame you. But look on the bright side. We’ll both get something out of this. I keep my career, you get to play hero for your parents. Win-win.”

I clenched my fist and glared at him so hard my eyes burned. I wanted to hit him, wipe that smug look off his face, make him understand we were not on the same page.

“Fine,” I snapped. “But don’t think for a second this means I like you.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he replied with a stern face.

Mom let out a long breath, relief flickering in her tired eyes. “Good. Then it’s settled. First event’s Friday night. I’ll have PR send the details.”

I turned toward the door before Liam could say another word, storming out of the office. But even as I shoved open the doors and stepped into the cool evening air, one thought burned in my mind, making me tremble slightly.

I was going to fake date Liam Kane. And if the spark in his eyes as I left was any indication, he was going to enjoy every second of it.

“Mother,” I muttered under my breath. “I can’t believe you can do this.”