Maya's POV
"Sit still."
My voice shook as I said it.
Liam winced when I lifted the ice pack away from his shoulder. He was trying hard not to show it, but the pain was written all over his face.
"I am still," he said.
"No, you're not," I replied. "You're tensing."
"I can't help it," he muttered.
I grabbed the roll of sports tape from the table, my fingers trembling. I had seen trainers do this before. I had helped teammates back in high school. But this felt different.
This was Liam.
This was his future.
Jenna stood a few steps away, arms crossed, watching us with worry all over her face.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" she asked.
"I know enough to help," I said. "And ice alone won't cut it."
Liam glanced at Jenna. "I'm not dying, by the way."
She snorted. "You looked like it when you walked in."
I shot her a look. "Can you grab another towel?"
"Yeah," she said quickly and rushed to the kitchen.
I took a deep breath and focused.
"Tell me if it hurts too much," I said.
"It already hurts," he replied. "Just do it."
I gently wrapped the tape around his shoulder, careful not to pull too tight. My hands were shaking so badly I had to pause.
"Hey," Liam said softly. "You okay?"
"I should be asking you that," I replied.
"I'm serious," he said. "You're shaking."
I swallowed. "I don't want to mess this up."
"You won't," he said. "I trust you."
That word again.
Trust.
It sat heavy in my chest.
I continued taping, moving slowly, remembering every step I had watched trainers do a hundred times. Around, across, support first, pressure second.
"You're really bad at hiding pain," I said.
He laughed quietly. "Guess I'm not good at everything."
"That's okay," I replied. "No one is."
Jenna came back and handed me the towel.
"Here," she said. "And ice packs from the freezer."
"Thanks," I said.
She watched me tape his shoulder again. "You two look very intense right now."
"We are," Liam said. "This is life or death."
"It's college," Jenna replied. "Relax."
I gave a small smile, even though my nerves were still tight.
As I finished the last strip of tape, Liam let out a slow breath.
"That feels… better," he said.
"Really?" I asked.
"Yeah," he nodded. "Still hurts, but it feels supported."
Relief rushed through me.
"Good," I said. "That means it's doing its job."
I sat back on my heels, suddenly exhausted.
Jenna checked the time. "It's almost two. I'm going back to bed."
She paused and pointed at Liam. "If you pass out, I'm calling an ambulance."
"I won't," he said.
She pointed at me next. "If he passes out, you're calling an ambulance."
"I will," I promised.
Satisfied, Jenna disappeared back into her room.
The apartment went quiet again.
"Thank you," Liam said softly.
I shrugged. "It's just tape."
"It's not just that," he said.
I looked at him.
"You didn't have to help me," he continued. "You could have told me to go home. Or called someone."
"I know," I said.
"Then why didn't you?" he asked.
I hesitated.
The answer felt bigger than I expected.
"I don't like watching people suffer alone," I said.
He studied my face. "Even when it's not your problem?"
"Especially then," I replied.
He was quiet for a moment.
"You're different," he said.
"From what?" I asked.
"From everyone who only sees me as a player," he said.
My chest tightened. "You're more than that."
He smiled faintly. "You keep saying that."
"Because it's true," I replied.
I stood up and put the tape roll away.
"You need to sleep," I said. "And tomorrow, you're seeing a doctor."
"I said I would," he replied.
"I'm holding you to it," I said.
"I know," he said.
I handed him a glass of water. "Drink."
He did.
As he set it down, his eyes met mine.
"Why are you helping me?" he asked quietly.
The question stopped me cold.
"I…" I started.
Why was I helping him?
Because I cared.
Because I understood pressure.
Because I saw myself in him.
Before I could answer, his phone buzzed loudly on the table.
We both froze.
He looked down at the screen.
His face drained of color.
"What?" I asked.
He swallowed. "It's my dad."
My heart dropped.
"Do you want to answer?" I asked.
He stared at the phone like it might explode.
"I don't know," he said. "If he hears my voice…"
Another buzz.
Then another.
"He won't stop calling," Liam said. "He never does."
I sat beside him. "You don't have to explain everything."
"But he'll know something's wrong," he said.
"Parents always do," I replied softly.
He picked up the phone, then hesitated.
"Maya," he said.
"Yes?"
"If I don't answer, he'll show up tomorrow," he said.
That made my stomach twist.
"And if you do answer?" I asked.
He looked at his taped shoulder.
"Then everything might come out," he said.
The phone buzzed again.
Dad Calling.
Liam closed his eyes.
I reached out without thinking and rested my hand over his good one.
"Whatever happens," I said, "you won't face it alone."
He opened his eyes and looked at me.
For a moment, the world felt very still.
Then he answered the call.
"Hey, Dad," he said quietly.
I held my breath.
And I knew that after tonight, nothing between us would stay the same.