Page 60 of Landing Liam

“I just got off the phone with her,” I say, trying to sound confident. But the truth is, I don’t even know where to start. Gail has handled messy situations before, but this feels different. This feels personal.

Mom’s hands tighten, her thumbs brushing against the tension in my shoulders as she pulls me into a hug. I feel her trembling slightly, and the realization that she’s as scared as I am sends a pang of guilt through me. “We’re going to figure this out,” she whispers fiercely. “We always do.”

As she steps back, Mia strides forward, her no-nonsense attitude cutting through the tension like a blade. “Alright, troops!” she declares, hands on her hips, her sharp gaze sweeping over everyone. “Let’s get a plan together. What do we need to do to clear Liam’s name before tonight?” She looks down at her watch, her lips pursing. “We’ve got ten hours before they hand out awards. That’s enough time to shut this nonsense down—if we’re smart about it.”

Her confidence sparks a ripple of murmured agreement among the group. Taylor exchanges a determined look with Dad, and even Izzy, usually quick with a joke, wears a serious expression as she steps closer.

I glance around at the faces of my family, each of them radiating a different kind of determination. Taylor looks like he’s ready to punch someone in my defense—classic older brother energy. Mia’s already whipping out her phone, probably emailing half the internet to track down the source of the article. Izzy leans into Dad, whispering something in his ear, her sharp mind undoubtedly hatching a plan of her own.

And then there’s Mom, standing steady in front of me, her hands clasped as if she’s holding the entire family together through sheer willpower.

It should comfort me, knowing they’ve got my back. It does, in a way. But there’s a gnawing fear beneath it all. They believe in me—trust me—and the weight of that trust feels like it might crush me. What if I can’t clear my name? What if, for once, their faith in me is misplaced?

“I know you’re all ready to fight for me,” I say, my voice rough with emotion. “But there’s something I need you to know first.”

Everyone turns to look at me, their expectant gazes making my skin prickle.

“There’s someone,” I start. “Someone I’ve been… spending time with.”

Izzy raises an intrigued eyebrow. “Is this the infamous someone the family group chat’s been buzzing about?”

“Shut up, Iz,” Taylor mutters, though he leans in slightly, clearly interested.

I ignore their banter and continue. “She’s smart, gorgeous, and… complicated.” I exhale sharply, running a hand over the back of my neck. “She’s also a journalist.”

The word lands like a pebble in a still pond, ripples of reaction spreading through the group. Izzy’s jaw drops, Mia’s eyes widen, and Mom’s lips part slightly in surprise.

“A journalist?” Dad echoes, his tone cautious.

“Yeah,” I say. “She’s here covering the competition.”

Izzy narrows her eyes, her arms crossing tightly over her chest. “And you didn’t think that was worth mentioning sooner?”

“It didn’t seem important,” I snap, though even I know how weak that sounds. “I didn’t think—”

“That’s the problem,” Izzy interrupts. “You didn’t think. Do you know how many people would kill for dirt on you right now?”

“Enough,” Mom says sharply, silencing the bickering. She turns back to me, her expression unreadable. “Liam, do you trust her?”

The question stings more than it should. I drag in a deep breath, the stress of the past twenty-four hours pressing down on me. “I… I don’t know,” I admit. “But I need to find out.”

Mia steps forward, her face thoughtful. “Okay, let’s not jump to conclusions. If she’s a journalist, maybe she’s just doing her job. It doesn’t automatically mean she’s the one who leaked anything.”

“But it doesn’t mean she didn’t leak it, either,” Izzy counters, her voice edged with frustration. “And if she did, Liam, you need to know before this spirals any further.”

“I’ll talk to her,” I say. “I’ll get answers.”

The silence that follows is heavy, but there’s no mistaking the tension in the air. My family doesn’t need to say it for me to feel it: They’re not just worried about my career—they’re worried about me.

And honestly? So am I.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Maggie

I yank my jeans up and grab my phone, already dialing Odie’s number. My stomach churns as I pace the room, glancing at the text thread Liam clearly read. The memory of his expression—hurt, closed off, distant—burns in my mind.

“Why are you calling me this early?” Odie groans, his voice groggy on the other end of the line. “It’s barely morning.”