EPILOGUE
Liam zipped up his duffel bag and looked around his barren apartment. He didn’t really consider it his home or a place he looked forward to coming back to. There were no pictures on the walls and not many clothes in the closet. The furnishings in his small apartment were nice, but there was nothing personal about them. They were purely utilitarian.
He looked at himself in the mirror. He was wearing kakis and a white form fitting t-shirt – a typical outfit he often wore. But for some reason, he didn’t quite recognize something in his reflection. There seemed to be something different in his gaze – something softer. Liam sighed, whether he wanted to admit it or not, something about him had changed over these two months. He’d grown not only to love coaching his football team but was finding purpose in it and passion. He still couldn’t get over the fact that these guys not only looked up to him, but also followed his instructions and then improved themselves. Although Liam didn’t want to admit it, he was affecting positive change. And although he’d affected positive change in the army, this time was different. This time, the change was on a more personal level.
And…then there was Miranda.
It was impossible to deny her influence on him. Up until now, Liam had never been in love before, although he wasn’t sure he could admit out loud that he was in love, everything was still so new to him. Something about Miranda had changed him, softened him. He loved that he’d changed her as well. He loved how he made someone feel good and feel empowered. He’d never had that kind of effect on a woman before and it was moving. Although Liam struggled to admit it, the closest thing he’d ever felt to being home was that night at Miranda’s where he and Elise and Miranda had shared a meal and laughter together.
This was why Liam was hesitating about leaving. Not his crumby apartment, but the purpose he’d found coaching the football team and the small bit of home he experienced with Miranda and Elise. He felt like he might just be getting the life he always dreamed of but never thought he deserved, and that was why he had to leave. He felt truly afraid he would somehow find a way to mess it all up.
A knock sounded on the door.
Before Liam even opened it, he knew who it was. There was only one person who knew his current address and that would be Caroline. Liam went to the door and opened it.
Caroline was standing there in well-tailored dark grey skirt suit - her thick silver hair up in high ponytail. “Hello Liam. Can you talk?” she stated more than she asked.
Liam opened the door wider and gestured for her to come in.
“I don’t have much time. I have to be at school for a morning meeting. I just came by to say goodbye. I had a feeling that you might try to sneak out of town without first seeing me.”
Liam looked down at the floor. She was right of course. He’d never been good at goodbyes and thought that he could leave early this morning without having to say any of them.
“I’m also here to offer you an unsolicited order that you can take or leave.”
“What’s the point of issuing an order if I’m allowed to disobey it?” he asked one of his eyebrows arching.
“The point is to offer you a strong suggestion that would affect your overall wellbeing,” Caroline said coolly. Obviously, she had no time for Liam’s smart-ass remarks. Which was too bad because Liam always had a lot of them. “I want to urge you to stay.”
Liam opened his mouth in protest but before he could utter a word Caroline held up a sharp hand silencing him. “Not forever, unless you should choose otherwise,” she said giving Liam a shrewd glance that he had trouble deciphering. “But for another week. The big state championship is this week and the team is struggling not only without Harrison but also without you. They need you to win and I think that you owe them that.”
Liam shifted his weight uncomfortably. “I don’t know if the Marines will let me extend my leave,” he said putting his hands into his pockets. “I’ve kind of already used up my favors with them,” he muttered as he shuffled.
Caroline gave him a knowing look. Clearly, she knew about his string pulling getting the English department that grant and funding. She raised her eyebrows but said nothing.
“Besides, I think I’ve caused enough havoc at E.B. already,” Liam said looking into her icy blue eyes.
“Thanks to you, Harrison is behind bars and awaiting trial and our football team is in the championship. The only way you would truly cause havoc is by leaving now,” Caroline said sharply. Liam could do nothing but shake his head.
“Sorry Caroline, I have to follow the orders of the Army before I follow yours,” Liam said in an act of defiance.
Caroline seemed to shut off as she realized there was no pushing him any further. She nodded. “Fine. You should at least say goodbye to Miranda. You owe her that.” And with that Caroline turned quickly and walked away.
Liam listened until he couldn’t hear the click of her black stilettos. He closed the door and sighed. He ran his hands all through his hair. Of course, Caroline knew exactly what to say to make him change his mind. He looked at his packed duffle bag then picked up the phone and dialed it.
“Hello Jamie, it’s Liam. I have a favor to ask. I need to extend my leave by a week.” Liam heard Jamie sigh on the other side of the phone.
“You’re killing me Stoner.”
Liam smiled at the tone in Jamie’s voice. He knew he was about to get his way.
* * * *
Liam stood on the football field of E.B. High school. The grass was spongy underneath his feet. If felt comforting. So did the bright floodlights spilling onto the field keeping the darkness out. He was filled with a warm alien feeling for him and that was the feeling of peace. He looked around at the empty stands. He remembered when a little less than just an hour ago, they were filled with screaming fans when E.B. quarterback threw the game winning pass in a classic bootleg play for the game winning touchdown. Liam felt his shirt. It was still damp from all the players dumping the water cooler onto him.
He smiled. His team had welcomed him back with cheers and hollers of approval. They even gave him a get-well card, knowing that his broken ribs were still recovering. He crossed his arms feeing pleased. After a game like that many of those guys would be signing with college recruiters and getting full rides to schools. A pang of remorse clenched in his gut as he realized that soon he would be leaving this place. Just when for the first time in his life he was beginning to get comfortable.
He suddenly saw a small figure walk out onto the other side of the field. He slowly walked towards it. It didn’t take Liam long at all to recognize the figures shiny honey blonde hair and bouncy step. It’d been six days since Liam had seen Miranda last at the hospital. He’d had the best sex of his life in that hospital bed. Never in his life had he been so turned on by a woman as he was by Miranda in that moment. She was at the same time exactly what he thought she was, kind beautiful sensitive and also the exact opposite wild, surprising, dominating.
He was scared to see her. Afraid of what he would say and even more what he would do. When it came to Miranda, he was utterly helpless against her big sensitive hazel eyes.
They met right at the 50-yard line.
“Congrats on your big win, Liam,” she said as she wrapped her fuzzy blue cardigan tighter around her body.
Liam took off the letterman jacket that the team had given him and put it around Miranda’s shoulders. “It was the team’s win. They brought the heart and the skill and all I did was stand on the sidelines looking pretty.” Miranda laughed and Liam melted inside a little. He wished he could listen to that musical little laugh of hers all day long. “How Elise?” he asked as he brushed back a golden lock of Miranda’s hair that had fallen on her face.
“She asked about you the other day,” Miranda said. Her hazel eyes lighting up with excitement. “She wanted to know when you would be coming over next.” Miranda then looked down at her feet. Her hips were slightly twisting.
Liam noticed she would this when she was nervous.
“I told her once you were feeling better, but I guess I found myself wondering that too.” Miranda laughed nervously.
Liam reached out with two fingers lifting up her chin so her eyes met with his. He couldn’t bear to have her feeling embarrassed or shy in front of him. Not even for a second. He leaned in and gently pressed his lips against her soft sweet ones. He would kiss away every trace of shyness and embarrassment from her. Finally, after a long moment of breathless kissing, he let go.
“Come over tomorrow night,” Miranda boldly and breathlessly as she nuzzled into Liam’s neck.
Liam felt her body melt into his. Every curve of her warm body met perfectly with his. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. Trying to make this moment last as long as possible. “I can’t,” he whispered.
Miranda slowly pushed away and looked up into his eyes, questions swirling around in them. “Why not?” She clutched both of his biceps.
“I have to ship out to Afghanistan tomorrow,” Liam said his whole body tensing. He wasn’t sure if he could handle breaking Miranda’s heart. But she sighed knowingly and he felt his body relax.
“Of course, I always knew that your time was limited. When will you be back?”
“At the end of the school year,” Liam said, slowly stroking her soft cheek. “Then I’m going to apply for a job here full time.”
Her eyes lit up. She jumped on Liam as he hugged her close to him and spun her around. Soon, Miranda’s lips were crushing against his. She was devouring him. She grabbed him by the collar of his shirt pulling him into her. He cradled her face in his hands kissing her back. Kissing her was like breathing air. He needed this woman. He needed to have her in his life.
They broke apart and Liam caught his breath. Miranda leaned in and hugged him. Liam cradled her in his arms. Something caught his attention. It was a thin tall dark figure stood up in the stands.
It was Caroline looking at him.
She seemed as if she was nodding in approval. She then turned and went down the steps, disappearing through the exit.