Liam’s jaw twitched. “Not getting picked for a college. Not getting picked for the lower leagues.”
“Does that possibility bother you?”
He lifted a shoulder and sat back. “I don’t know. That’s the problem.”
“It is a real possibility. Not many of us make it. What about the other side? Going to college now without being on a team? Do you know what you’d study?”
He scoffed. “No clue.”
“Then what’s the harm in playing another year?”
Liam rested his head in his hands, flicking his hands over his hair. He was silent, but agitated.
“There’s something else.”
“Okay.”
I took a sip of coffee. And waited. “I kinda have feelings for someone, but I don’t want it to seem like I’m just clinging onto hi—them.”
“‘Kay. I’m going to need more to go on than that.”
“You can’t tell my mom.”
My stomach twisted. I wanted him to confide in me, but I didn’t want to lie to Emma.Lies of omission are still lies.“If it has to do with your safety?—“
“No, god!” He hissed, then lowered his voice, looking around to make sure we were alone. “I kind of have feelings for Owen.”
I was careful to keep my expression calm. “Alright.”
“You can’t tell Mom,” he insisted.
“I won’t, but I need to know why not.”
“She doesn’t know that about me.”
I stilled, trying to make sure I handled this the right way. Liam was trusting me with something big. Something I already suspected, but something big nonetheless. I lowered my voice. “That you like men?”
He sighed. “Yeah. I don’t want her to freak.”
I smirked, thinking of her sweet response when I came out to her. “I don’t think she’ll freak.”
“You don’t know her like I do,” he said.
“Maybe not, but . . . She knows I’m bi.”
Liam’s head snapped up. “You are?”
“Yes.”
He stared at his fingers on the table, presumably letting that sink in. “And what did she say about it?”
“She’s supportive.”
He rolled his eyes. “No way.”
“Would you rather your mom be a bigot?”
“No. Ugh. I’ve had a lot of time to worry about this, okay?” He grimaced, then ran his hand over his hair again. “How did you tell her?”