I sort of love that she has so much confidence in her son right now because mine is lacking. She grew up this way, with the media always in her face about things. I can’t imagine what her parents’ divorce was like for her, knowing how things get twisted in the media.
“Thank you.” I hold up the mug, and she smiles before turning her attention back to the television. I sit down in the chair and watch Liam run across the screen. The announcer is screaming as he ticks down the yardage from this run. The kid Mr. Powell hired to film the games follows his every move until Liam enters the end zone.
“That’s going to be me someday,” Noah tells Bianca as he fast forwards through the other team’s offensive run. “I wear number eight just like my dad.”
“Why did you choose that number?” she asks him.
Noah shrugs. “I don’t know. I’ve always liked it.”
Bianca beams at Noah and turns her attention back to the TV when he presses play. I’m on screen now, cheering for the team. Secretly, I was only cheering for Liam and Mason, but no one ever needs to know that.
“You were so pretty, Mom.”
“Gee thanks, Noah.”
“Your mom is beautiful, Noah. You should tell her so every day.” My mouth drops open at Bianca’s words. She doesn’t look at me as she speaks and, for that, I’m thankful. I turn my attention back to the TV and pretend the last few seconds never happened.
As soon as my phone starts ringing, I’m moving out of the room and upstairs to our bedroom. “Hello?”
“Hey, I got your message.”
His words give me pause. He sounds curt and disinterested.
“Are you busy?”
“Not at the moment,” he sighs, sending me into high alert.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, knowing something is bothering him.
“Same ole shit, just a different day.”
“Right.” I close the door to our room and sit down on our bed. This room is too big for one person and feels so empty without Liam here. I’m starting to hate it.
“Um…” I clear my throat. “Why do you want a divorce?” My voice is barely above a whisper and tears are streaming down my face as I ask the question.
He doesn’t say anything, but I can hear rustling around in the background. Is he with her now?
“Li –”
“Josie, what the fuck are you talking about?”
“This guy called and asked if I could confirm that you filed for divorce.”
“And what did you say?”
“What does it matter? Answer the question, Liam. Do you want a divorce?”
“Goddamn it, Jojo. Why the fuck would I want a divorce? Do you really think I’d go to some slime ball fucking reporter to tell them before I talked to you first? Is that what you think of me?”
“No, but the pictures I saw…”
Whatever Liam was doing, he’s now still. There’s nothing but static air between us.
“Liam?”
“What?”
“Do you love her?”