Chapter 32
Aria’s POV
I pulled up in front of Joe’s school, watching as the kids trickled out of the building. Joe spotted me from across the playground, his face lighting up as he waved.
I smiled back, stepping out of the car as he ran over, his backpack bouncing with every step.
“Hey, bud,” I greeted, opening the door for him.
“Hi, Mom!” Joe beamed, hopping into the car and immediately buckling himself in.
“Guess what? We had art class today, and I drew something really cool. I’ll show you when we get home!”
“Can’t wait to see it,” I replied, pulling away from the curb. “What did you draw?”
Joe fidgeted in his seat, his excitement practically vibrating off him.
“It’s a surprise, but you’re going to love it. Oh, and I was telling my friends about Liam. They think it’s so cool he works with cars.”
My heart did a little flip at the mention of Liam. I kept my voice steady. “Yeah? What did you tell them?”
“Just that he’s really nice and lets me help him with stuff at the track.” Joe grinned, looking out the window as if imagining it all again.
“Do you think I can go back soon? I like hanging out with him.”
I bit my lip, unsure of how to respond. Joe had always been curious about Liam, but lately, it seemed like something was shifting.
He was starting to see Liam as more than just a guy from work.
“We’ll see,” I said, keeping my tone light. “Maybe we’ll visit again sometime.”
Joe didn’t press further, but his gaze lingered out the window, lost in thought. I could feel the weight of the conversation settle between us, heavier than I wanted it to be.
Liam was becoming a fixture in Joe’s world, and that made things... complicated.
At home, Joe burst through the door and dropped his backpack on the floor, already digging through it for his drawing.
“Here it is!” he exclaimed, pulling out a piece of paper and rushing over to show me.
I knelt down to get a better look. The drawing was simple, but unmistakable: Joe had drawn himself and Liam standing next to a racecar at the track.
Joe’s stick figure had a huge smile on its face, and Liam’s was taller, a bit more detailed, with a cap on his head and a wrench in his hand.
“See?” Joe said, pointing. “That’s me, and that’s Liam! We’re fixing the car together. And look, I even drew the racetrack!”
I stared at the drawing for a moment longer than I should have. It was innocent, sweet even, but there was something about it that hit me harder than I expected.
Joe didn’t just like spending time with Liam—he saw him as part of something bigger. Part of us.
“It’s great, Joe,” I said, forcing a smile as I ruffled his hair. “You did a really good job.”
Joe beamed up at me. “I’m going to give it to Liam next time I see him. Do you think he’ll like it?”
“I’m sure he will,” I murmured, folding the drawing carefully.
But inside, I felt the knot in my chest tighten. Joe was getting attached, and the idea of Liam becoming more important in his life scared me.
That night, after dinner, Joe brought up Liam again as I tucked him into bed.
“Mom?” Joe asked, his voice soft as he snuggled under the covers. “Do you think Liam likes being around us?”
I paused, smoothing out the blanket. “I think so. Why do you ask?”
Joe shrugged, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. “It just feels... different when he’s around. Like having a real family.”
His words landed like a punch in the gut. I swallowed hard, pushing back the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. “Joe, we already are a family. You and me.”
“I know,” Joe said quickly, glancing over at me. “But it feels like... more when Liam’s here. Like how it’s supposed to be.”
I didn’t know what to say. Joe’s innocent words tugged at something deep inside me, but I couldn’t let him get too attached.
Liam was unpredictable, and I couldn’t risk Joe getting hurt if things fell apart again.
“I get it.” I said finally, leaning down to kiss his forehead. “Goodnight, bud.”
“Night, Mom,” Joe whispered, closing his eyes as I turned off the light and left the room.
The next morning, I arrived at the office earlier than usual, still thinking about Joe’s words from the night before. His drawing, his questions—it was all swirling in my head, and the last thing I needed was to see Liam today.
But I couldn’t avoid him forever.
I stepped into the building and made my way down the hall toward my office when I saw something that stopped me in my tracks.
Liam was standing near the reception desk, holding a bouquet of flowers. My heart stuttered in my chest for a brief moment, betraying me.
But then, he handed them to a woman I recognized from another department, a smile on his face as they exchanged a few words.
I felt a rush of heat to my face, my stomach twisting uncomfortably. I quickly turned and headed the other way, not wanting to see any more.
Of course, he was still playing games. Of course, he hadn’t changed. I’d been stupid to think, even for a second, that there could be something more.
Liam was Liam—charming, but never reliable.
I made it to my office and shut the door behind me, letting out a long breath. I had work to focus on, but all I could think about was Joe’s growing attachment and the bitter realization that Liam wasn’t someone I could depend on—not for Joe, and definitely not for me.
Later that afternoon, I was at the track, overseeing some of the team’s preparations when a man with a press badge approached me.
I recognized him from some of the earlier interviews we'd done this season.
“Aria, can I grab a quick word with you?” he asked, his voice friendly but persistent.
I didn’t have the energy for this. “Make it quick,” I said, giving him a tight smile.
He wasted no time, pulling out his recorder. “There’s been a lot of talk lately about the team’s struggles and rumors of some tension between members. Can you comment on that?”
I kept my expression neutral.
“Our team is working hard, and like any team, we face challenges. But we’ve had some great wins recently, and we’re staying focused on the season ahead.”
The journalist pressed on, undeterred. “What about the rumors of infighting? Some sources say there’s been a rift between key members.”
I stiffened slightly but kept my tone even.
“We’re all professionals here. Sometimes disagreements happen, but we’re united in our goal of winning.”
“Do you think those tensions are affecting your performance on the track?”
I glanced over at the garage, where Liam was still working with the team.
“No,” I said firmly. “Our recent performance speaks for itself. We’re improving with every race.”
The journalist nodded, clearly fishing for more, but I wasn’t giving him any. I’d learned how to handle these situations—keep it short, keep it professional.
After a few more questions, he finally wrapped up the interview, and I breathed a sigh of relief as he walked away. I hated these moments, the constant scrutiny.
It made everything feel more intense than it already was.
As I turned to head back to the garage, I spotted Liam out of the corner of my eye, still deep in conversation with the other woman from earlier.
They weren’t looking my way, but it didn’t matter. I had my answer.
Joe might have drawn a picture of Liam being part of our family, but I knew better. This wasn’t a fairytale, and Liam wasn’t some knight in shining armor.
He was just Liam. And I needed to protect Joe—and myself—from getting caught up in the illusion that he could be anything more.
