the girl in the door way

The diner was packed and twice as loud as Nora expected.

The hockey team had pushed two long tables together in the back corner, and within minutes, she understood why Jake had insisted she come. Everyone talked over everyone, arguing about hockey games and stealing fries from each other’s plates.

And Liam sat at the center of it all.

He was different here. He laughed freely, listened to his teammates, and seemed comfortable in a way she had never seen at the apartment. The arrogant roommate who spent most of his time teasing her was nowhere to be found.

Halfway through dinner, a freshman glanced at the menu before quietly putting it down.

“I’m good,” the boy insisted when someone asked if he wanted a burger. “I’ll eat later.”

Liam barely looked up from his conversation. He picked up the menu and tossed it toward him.

“Order whatever you want.”

“Thanks, Captain,” the freshman said, grinning.

Liam returned to his conversation as though nothing had happened.

Nora watched him for a moment before looking down at her water.

This was becoming a problem.

The arrogant, careless jerk she had met on her first day was easy to dislike. This version of Liam was considerably harder to ignore.

Then the bill arrived.

Liam reached for it, but the diner owner appeared beside their table and pulled it out of reach.

“Not tonight, Mr. Carter.”

“I’ll pay, Sal.”

“It’s covered.” Sal smiled nervously. “Tell your father we said hello. Tell him everything’s in order.”

The conversation around the table died.

Jake lowered his gaze, while Ryan suddenly became interested in the ceiling.

Liam’s expression changed. The warmth disappeared from his face, leaving behind something cold and unreadable.

“I don’t have an account here,” he said.

“You do, son,” Sal replied, swallowing hard. “You always have.”

Liam pulled a stack of bills from his wallet and placed them on the table. Without another word, he walked out.

Sal stared at the money but didn’t touch it.

Around Nora, the players slowly resumed their conversations, speaking louder than before as though nothing had happened.

But she had seen their reactions.

Whatever was going on with Liam’s family, it wasn’t a secret to everyone.

Nora found Liam outside, standing beneath a streetlight with his hands shoved into his pockets.

“What was that?” she asked.

“Nothing.”

“Your father has an account at a diner you claim you don't have an account with, and the owner looked terrified. That doesn't sound like nothing.”

Liam finally turned to face her.

“People in this town think my last name gives them permission to interfere in my life. I hate it.”

His answer sounded reasonable, but something about it made her suspicious.

She decided not to push him.

“My scholarship depends on this placement,” she said instead. “I can't afford to get distracted or make mistakes.”

His expression softened slightly.

“Then don't let me get in your way.”

For once, he wasn't teasing her.

“I can handle living with you, Carter.”

“I know you can.”

His familiar smirk returned. “I was never worried.”

Nora rolled her eyes, refusing to let him see how much his sudden sincerity had unsettled her.

They started walking home together.

The autumn air had grown colder, and Nora pulled her sleeves over her hands. Liam noticed her shivering but said nothing. He simply pulled off his team hoodie and held it out.

“I don't need your clothes,” she protested.

“Take it, Nora. I'll survive.”

She finally accepted it and pulled it over her head. The fabric was still warm, carrying the faint scent of cedarwood and clean soap.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

They continued walking, their shoulders nearly touching. Nora had just begun to relax when Liam's steps slowed.

“Don't look back,” he said quietly.

Naturally, she looked.

A black sedan approached from the far end of the street, moving slowly beneath the streetlights.

Her stomach tightened.

It was the same car she had seen outside the apartment.

“Liam—”

“Keep walking normally,” he instructed.

His hand settled against her lower back, guiding her toward the shopfronts. When they reached a brick wall, he turned her toward him and positioned himself between her and the road, raising one arm beside her head.

“Pretend you like me,” he murmured.

Nora stared at him. “That would be a stretch.”

“Do your best.”

The sedan crept alongside them.

For several seconds, it remained there, its engine humming as someone watched them through the dark windows.

Liam kept his eyes on Nora. His thumb brushed her jaw, and she could feel the tension in his body despite his attempt to appear relaxed.

Finally, the car drove away and disappeared around the corner.

Neither of them moved immediately.

“That's the same car from the day I moved in,” Nora whispered.

Liam's eyes sharpened. “You noticed?”

“I notice everything.”

“That's what worries me.”

He started walking again, leaving her to hurry after him.

“Who was that?” she asked.

“Someone who thinks I owe him money.”

“Do you?”

“No.”

Nora wanted to believe him, but she remembered the blood on his cuff, his injured knuckles, and the warning he had written on the back of her note.

Whatever Liam was involved in, it was becoming harder to ignore.

Back at the apartment, Liam disappeared into his bedroom and shut the door.

Nora remained in the kitchen, still wearing his hoodie. After a moment, she pulled it off and draped it over a chair.

It was just a hoodie. It didn't mean anything.

She was heading toward her bedroom when she heard Liam's voice through the partially closed door.

“Yes. I saw him.”

Nora stopped.

“Tell him it's not necessary. I said I'd do this the way he wanted.”

A pause followed.

“No. She doesn't know anything.”

Nora's pulse quickened.

“I know what the deal is.”

She backed away from his door and hurried into her bedroom, closing it quietly behind her.

Friday morning came with a problem Nora hadn’t planned for.

She was still wearing Liam’s hoodie.

She had meant to leave it on the chair, but the apartment had been cold, and she had fallen asleep in it. Now she was walking into the kitchen wearing his clothes and trying not to think about how comfortable she had been.

Liam stood in front of the open fridge, staring into it.

“What happened?” she asked.

“We’re out of milk.”

She glanced at the orange juice in his hand. “That’s not milk.”

“Excellent observation, Shaw.”

She rolled her eyes and moved toward the kettle.

As she passed him, his gaze dropped to the hoodie. He noticed it but said nothing, a faint smirk appearing on his face.

Nora hurried out before he could comment.

Friday’s practice felt tense. Even Jake was quieter than usual.

When it ended, Liam sat on the treatment table, his injured wrist resting in his lap. The swelling had gone down slightly, and the bruising had faded to a dull greenish-yellow, but it still looked painful.

“You’re supposed to be resting that,” Nora said, reaching for the tape.

“I am resting.”

“You held a hockey stick for two hours.”

“Occupational hazard.”

She gave him a pointed look before beginning to unwind the old tape.

The skin beneath it was still tender. She worked carefully, supporting his wrist as she examined the bruising. His pulse beat steadily beneath her thumb, and when she glanced up, she caught him watching her instead of his injury.

She looked away and focused on the task.

The door swung open.

“Liam?”

Nora looked up.

A girl stood in the doorway, looking as though she belonged there. She had long, glossy dark hair, an expensive university jacket, and boots that probably cost more than Nora’s monthly groceries. A small bakery bag hung from one hand.

Her gaze settled on Liam before shifting to Nora.

Something in her expression tightened.

“Hey,” Liam said, straightening slightly.

“Hi.” She placed the bakery bag on the counter. “You always skip breakfast when you’re stressed about a game.”

“I’m not stressed.”

“You always say that, too.”

Liam nodded toward Nora. “This is Nora.”

“I know,” the girl replied.

Nora blinked. “You do?”

“People talk.” The girl offered her a practiced smile. “I’m Madison.”

She didn't offer her hand.

“Madison’s been around the team a long time,” Liam explained.

“Since before he was captain,” Madison added. Her eyes moved from Nora’s hands to the hoodie she was wearing. “So you’re the new roommate.”

“Yes.”

“How convenient.”

Liam’s mouth twitched, but he remained silent.

Madison picked up her purse and headed for the door. Before leaving, she glanced back.

“Liam. Tonight?”

His expression changed, becoming guarded.

“Tonight.”

Madison smiled as though that was the answer she had expected.

“Good.”

She left.

Nora pressed the end of the fresh tape against Liam’s wrist.

“Is she a friend?”

He stared at the empty doorway for a moment.

“Something like that.”

Nora nodded and packed away her supplies. Whatever their relationship was, it had nothing to do with her.

At least, that was what she told herself.

Madison didn't return to the training room, but Nora kept seeing her throughout the afternoon.

She sat in the front row during drills, lingered near the locker room hallway, and stood with two other girls by the lobby doors. Each time Nora passed, their conversations seemed to pause.

Eventually, Jake caught Nora watching them.

“You okay?” he asked.

“I’m fine. Who exactly is Madison?”

Jake glanced toward the lobby. His expression shifted.

“Just don't worry about her.”

“Why would I worry about her?”

“Because she's Madison.”

“That explains absolutely nothing.”

He adjusted the strap of his gear bag and lowered his voice.

“She doesn't like changes around here. And Liam's family doesn't like it when things get messy.”

“His family? What does that mean?”

“Just do your job, Nora. Don't turn this into a story.”

Before she could ask anything else, he walked away.