Unshakeable

by Abby Reynolds

  And I knew they would surface when I saw Liam fight.

  But I had to do it. I had to conquer my fears and move on. It would be painful and difficult but it needed to be done.

  Liam studied me the days leading up to the match, Everything I did didn’t go unnoticed. He trained alone in the basement, lifting weights and punching the bag that hung from the ceiling. He ate more than usual, devouring protein-packed meals. I enjoyed watching him work out and perfect his already flawless body, but it reminded me of what was coming.

  The night before, Liam cuddled with me in bed.

  “It’s not too late to change your mind.”

  I kept my eyes closed, not wanting to look at him.

  “Baby.”

  I released the breath I was holding. “I’m okay.”

  He tightened his hold around my waist and pulled me close. His naked body kept me warm every night, and now he was a furnace, keeping the chill out of the sheets. “Are you sure?”

  “I’m just…nervous.”

  “Tell me.”

  “I’m afraid it will remind me…”

  “It will,” he said gently. “But you’re going to work through it. I’ll be there the entire time.”

  “And I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  “I won’t,” he said firmly. “I never get hurt.”

  “But, he’s going to hit you and—”

  “Believe me, it doesn’t hurt. When you’re in the middle of the match, you don’t feel anything. All you think about is the opponent before you. There’s nothing else going on. I don’t think of anything else.

  “Every bash to my face and strike against my ribs doesn’t do any damage. The worst thing I’ve ever received is a bloody nose.” He placed my hand on his chest, pressing into the skin. “I’m invincible, baby. Don’t worry about that.”

  “Okay…”

  “We’re going to get through this.”

  “I know. We always do.”

  He rubbed his nose against mine. “We always do.”

  Silence fell between us. Our eyes locked and his fingers moved through my hair. My heart started to slow the longer we stayed quiet. I was terrified of the following day, but being frightened wouldn’t change anything. It would come to pass no matter what. “I saw Scotty today.”

  Liam didn’t react. For a moment, it seemed like he didn’t hear me. He was unusually quiet. “And what did he say?”

  “He talked about being a fighter. I told him to go for it.”

  “You did?”

  I nodded.

  “Good.”

  “Scotty has been my rock for the past year. He’s done everything and anything for me. And now I need to do the same to him. And I know he would never do anything if it really bothered me. So he must think I’m better.”

  “You are better.”

  I smiled. “I know.”

  He placed a kiss on my forehead. “Did he say anything else?”

  “Like what?”

  He shrugged. “Just things going on in his life.”

  “No. He doesn’t talk to me about his personal life. He’s always been pretty private about that. And he didn’t mention school or work.”

  Liam moved his hand to my hip, his favorite place, and caressed the area. I was used to the touch. Whenever we were in public, his hand would slide up my shirt and feel the area. His hand was magnetic when it came to my skin.

  Liam closed his eyes and cuddled close to me. I’d grown accustomed to the sound of his breathing while he slept. The night we slept apart, I immediately noticed its absence. It initially annoyed me when we first slept together, but now I couldn’t live without it. Slowly, his breathing changed and he feel asleep.

  I stayed wide awake, dreading the following day.

  Liam wore his running shorts and a t-shirt. His gear was packed in his bag and he was ready to go. I wore jeans and a t-shirt, unsure what to wear. I changed five times before we left the house.

  The drive was spent in silence. Liam turned on the radio but that didn’t dissipate the tension. Since I had nothing positive to say, I said nothing at all. His hand moved to my thigh and caressed me. Wordlessly, he comforted me.

  When we arrived at the bar, he turned off the engine and didn’t move. I looked out the window, seeing the groups of people walk inside. I felt his eyes on me but I didn’t look at him.

  “Keira.”

  Hesitantly, I turned to him.

  “There’s nothing to be scared of.”

  “I know… I’m sorry for being weak.”

  “You aren’t being weak. I understand your fear. But I promise you. It will be fine.”

  I nodded then pulled my knees to my chest. “Are you nervous?”

  “I’m never nervous.”

  “Have you ever lost a match?”

  “No.”

  I wanted to ask more questions to stall but I couldn’t think of anything.

  “It’s time.”

  I took a deep breath then opened the door. Liam took my hand then walked me inside, his bag over his shoulder.

  The bar was packed. Loud music played, and the sound of laughter reached my ears. Liam guided me to the stairs in the corner and we went underground. The room was vast and empty. Only a single mat lay in the center. People were already crowded around, exchanging bets and cash.

  When everyone saw Liam, they roared and clapped. Liam held my hand firmly as he moved through the crowd. Girls blatantly checked him out.

  “Hey, Liam!” one girl said.

  “I got my money on him,” a man said. “That new car is coming my way.”

  Everyone seemed to know him. He was like a celebrity. When I locked eyes with Adrianna, I quickly looked away. Every time I saw her, I wanted to bash her face in. I was starting to get the rage Liam always referred to.

  Scotty, Bran, and Tony were near the edge of the mat. They patted Liam on the back and cheered for him.

  “You nervous?” Bran asked.

  “You ask me that every time,” Liam snapped. “And the answer is always no.”

  “Well, you’ve been out of the game for a while.”

  “I’m never out of the game,” he said simply. “I have a job for you.”

  “What?” Bran asked.

  “Watch Keira while I’m in the match.”

  “Well, Scotty is here,” he said.

  “I don’t give a shit. Just watch her.”

  “Okay.” He raised his hands in the air. “Whatever you say, boss.”

  Adrianna approached Liam, a smile on her face. “Good luck, babe.”

  Did she just call him babe? Oh, hell no.

  “Get the fuck away from me,” he snapped.

  She rolled her eyes then walked away.

  Scotty’s eyes darted back and forth between them but he didn’t comment.

  I was glad Liam got rid of her. I didn’t think I’d be able to handle her tonight.

  Liam pulled off his shirt then stuffed it in his bag. Cheers and cat-calls rang through the room. Girls whistled and hooted, marveling at his perfect body.

  I was liking this less and less.

  Liam shoved the bag at Tony. “Hold this.”

  “Got it.” He put it over his shoulder.

  Liam hooked his arm around my waist, making it clear he was with me. “You doing okay?”

  “Yeah.”

  He kissed my forehead and held me close.

  I knew the opponent reached the basement when more cheers rang out. He headed down the stairs then pulled off his shirt. He was bigger than Liam, muscles packed all over his body.

  That made me nervous.

  He moved to the other side of the mat, his boys surrounding him.

  Liam caught my fear. “I’ll be fine, baby.”

  The ref walked to the center of the mat then raised his hands, silencing the room. “Alright. The time for betting is over. Let’s get this started. We got Liam Yates from La Jolla, and we got Shane from LA. First one down loses.”

  The crowd che
ered as he stepped off the mat.

  God, this was really happening.

  Shane moved onto the mat, his gloves around his hands. He hopped from side to side, keeping his energy up.

  I squeezed Liam tightly, not wanting him to leave.

  Liam grabbed my face and brought my face to his. “Baby, it’ll be alright.”

  All I could do was nod.

  “Promise me you won’t run. No matter what.”

  I took a deep breath but didn’t speak.

  “Promise me.”

  Running was always my way out. I remembered where the stairs were just in case I needed to leave. What if it was too much for me? What if I saw Finn in my mind, torturing me?

  The ref called Liam again but he didn’t move. His eyes were glued to mine. “I need that promise.”

  I nodded.

  “Say it.”

  “I promise.”

  He gave me a hard kiss before he walked onto the mat, leaving me with his friends. Scotty came to my side then patted my back. I ignored him, watching Liam as he tightened his gloves and took his place in the corner.

  My heart was beating so fast, I thought it would give out.

  The ref raised his hand. “Begin.”

  Liam and Shane immediately moved to the center, their fists raised and their eyes glued to each other. Liam was a different person as soon as he was on the mat. A darkness settled in his eyes, a fury unlike any I’d ever seen. Bloodlust and hatred burned like a fire.

  Shane charged Liam and aimed a punch for Liam’s jaw, but he missed when Liam dodged out of the way. Shane backed off then waited for another opening. They hopped around each other, their eyes never leaving each other.

  Shane aimed another swing for Liam, but his strike missed again. Liam suddenly faked to his left then punched Sean square in the nose, giving another punch to the gut.

  Shane cowered back for a moment before he returned with his own strikes. He kneed Liam in the stomach then punched him hard in the jaw. Blood dripped from his chin, but he didn’t react.

  I gasped and covered my face, unable to see Liam hurt.

  “He’s okay,” Scotty said. “Don’t worry.”

  Liam performed a move faster than I could process. Several punches landed in Shane’s face, making his mouth and nose bleed, and then a few jabs were aimed at his ribs, making him bend at the waist. Liam grabbed his neck then kneed him in the face.

  I covered my face again at the sight. I’ve never seen him be so aggressive. Liam didn’t let up. He aimed a hard punch directly into Shane’s sternum, making the crowd cringe, and then pushed him to the mat.

  When Liam stepped over him, about to step on his shoulder, I closed my eyes and tried not to scream. It was too familiar, too similar. I remembered the way Finn stepped on my collarbone, shattering it into two. It was the last image I remembered of that night. I woke up three days later in the hospital.

  Scotty rubbed my back but didn’t have any words of comfort.

  When I removed my hands, Shane was back on his feet, his shoulder still in tact. He seemed tired, like he could barely hold his fists up. Liam seemed just as energized as when the match began.

  They exchanged jabs for several minutes, neither one getting the upper hand. Liam stayed back, bouncing on his toes while Shane tried to launch a powerful strike. I suspected Liam was trying to tire him out.

  I saw people in the crowd exchange money, knowing Liam would win the match. Liam held his ground before he made his final move. His fists slammed into Shane’s face repeatedly, hitting him so hard that Shane couldn’t cover his face. Blood sprayed into the air and I felt sick to my stomach.

  Shane stumbled back but Liam didn’t let up. He grabbed him by the neck then slammed his head into his knee, making him collapse to the ground. I screamed when I saw how aggressive he was. People glanced at me but didn’t say anything.

  Liam rushed him, giving him several punches while he was still on the ground. He was violent and deadly.

  The ref blew the whistle and finally pulled him. “Liam Hayes is the victor.”

  The crowd cheered and clapped.

  All I wanted to do was run away. I had to get away from this. That night surfaced in my mind like it just happened. Seeing Liam be anything but tender and loving was my darkest fear. I wanted to run but my promise kept me rooted to the spot.

  Liam looked at me from across the mat. His face was unreadable but I knew he was grateful I didn’t take off. But he also saw the pain on my face. I had no idea what I looked like, but I knew I didn’t look happy.

  People swarmed Liam, congratulating him. He ignored them then pushed through the throng, trying to get to me. Scotty protected me from the crowd as it swelled and moved. I wanted Liam to reach me but I was scared at the same time.

  When his hands finally hooked around my waist, I pressed my face into his chest, trying not to cry. The crowd cheered and roared around us. People bragged about the money they just won, and others were angry over their loses. Liam pulled his gloves off then tossed them aside. He held me in his arms and pressed his face close to mine. The blood still dripped down his chin. Without thinking, I wiped it away with my fingers. He didn’t react. All he did was stare at me. I knew what the look meant.

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  His eyes lightened slightly. “Thank you for not leaving.”

  “I promised I wouldn’t.”

  “Would you have left if you hadn’t?”

  “Probably.”

  “Well, I’m glad you didn’t.”

  I placed my hand on his chest, the blood staining his skin.

  “I’ll never hurt you,” he said. “That will never change.”

  “I know.”

  He cupped my face and kissed my forehead. “I’m still the same man.”

  “You were just so…I’ve never seen you move like that. You could have killed him.”

  “But I never would.”

  “It’s just…it reminded me. I kept thinking about what he did to me. You had the same look in your eye, the need for bloodlust.”

  Liam grabbed my hand and placed it over his chest. “But I don’t have the same heart.”

  “That was never in doubt.”

  Liam leaned in and kissed me gently, just like he did when we were alone. The crowd still swelled around us. People moved to the bar upstairs to order rounds, and people still bumped into us as we passed. But we ignored them, absorbed in each other. I steadied my beating heart and concentrated on the feel of his lips, remembering every night we spent together. We’d accomplished so much together and I didn’t want that to be in vain. So I tried to forget the past and move forward. Because a future with Liam was what I wanted. Needed.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Liam

  Days passed and we didn’t discuss the fight. Keira did better than I thought she would, but I knew she was still shaken by what she saw. I was brutal and vicious when I fought.

  But that’s why I always won.

  After the torment she experienced a year ago, I understood why she would be terrified by what she saw. But she didn’t leave me and didn’t seem like she intended to.

  I gave her the space she needed, not being affectionate like I usually was. We didn’t make love and I never tried to initiate it. I would know when she was ready.

  When I came home from school, I saw Keira in the backyard. She was pampering her garden, helping her plants grow. Her mouth was open so I knew she was singing. I went outside then shut the door quietly behind me. She didn’t hear me and continued to sing.

  I rolled up my sleeves and checked the plants, making sure the leaves weren’t being devoured by snails and parasites. Keira taught me how to care for the plants. I would never do it as good as she, but I still liked sharing the experience with her. I grabbed the watering can and deposited the water into the soil. When I examined the plants at the end of the row, I noticed the orange color. The flowers were small and only a few had blossomed, but the identification wa
s undeniable. It was a California Poppy.

  I knew she did that just for me.

  “Do you like it?”

  I looked over my shoulder and noticed her. When her voice disappeared, I didn’t catch it. I was too absorbed in the flowers.

  “It’s beautiful.”

  She sat on the bench then stared at the flower. “They’ll be lovely when the rest of them bloom.”

  I nodded. “Thank you.”

  “Now she’s here with us.”

  My heart warmed at her words. I loved it when she did little things like that. Gestures that showed me she really cared. She wasn’t in love with me because of my abilities in the bedroom or because I was strong. She loved me for me—no other reason.

  I moved to the spot beside her.

  She crossed her legs then stared at her garden, pride in her eyes. She spent more time out here than she did in the house. But I loved seeing the happiness on her face.

  I grabbed her hand and held it on my thigh. Feeling her touch was what I’d been missing for days. She didn’t pull away. In fact, she scooted closer to me, her head rested on my shoulder.

  I brushed my lips against her hair, cherishing the wonderful scent. I closed my eyes, feeling peaceful. The sound of the birds and the feel of the sunlight relaxed every muscle in my body.

  I imagined sitting in this garden when we aged. She and I would still love each other as much as we did now. Our youth and beauty would fade, but our love would remain timeless. I never had these thoughts about anyone else, just her. She was the other half of my soul, the person I wanted to spend an eternity with.

  “I miss you,” I whispered.

  “I miss you too.” She squeezed my hand.

  “Are we okay?”

  “Yes. I just needed my space to recover…”

  “Is my fighting career over?”

  She paused for a long time. “No.”

  “It’s not?”

  “It was hard to watch. I’m not saying it wasn’t. But I survived. I got through it. And you should keep doing it.”