by Marie Scully
Liam climbs from Flame’s back, and Ben hugs him quickly, congratulating him. Then Sarah, Bill, Jimmy, and Pat do the same. That leaves Liam in front of me last.
“Nice race, handsome,” I repeat the same thing I’d said to him several months earlier.
“Yeah.” He wraps me in his arms. “Yeah.” He leans closer. “Big win. Flame did amazing. But I won something months ago that means more to me than any race.”
My heart beats faster as he continues. “When you came into my life, you made me care about you in ways that I never thought I was capable of. I love you, Danny. You mean more to me than anything.”
Holding his gaze, I let all my emotions out in my voice. “When Mom and James died, I never thought I could let anyone in again. Then Noel made it past my barriers, then Ben and his family, but then you came, and you changed my life like an earthquake. At first, I was mad and scared, but then I couldn’t imagine my life without you. Thank you for helping me find myself again. I love you, Liam.”
He bends down and kisses me as the crowd that’s formed around us cheers.