Gemotions

The sterile white walls of the therapy room felt like a cage. Liam’s jaw clenched as he sat across from David, his former nemesis, now a counselor. David looked different. Softer. He had traded his cocky grin for a thoughtful frown. It was infuriating.

“So, what’s going on, Liam?” David asked, leaning forward, his voice a low, reassuring rumble. Liam wanted to tell him to go to hell. He wanted to scream about the playground taunts, the stolen bike, the years of feeling less-than.

He swallowed hard. He had to be here, for his wife. He needed to get over it.

“Everything’s fine,” he mumbled, avoiding eye contact. He hated the way David’s gaze still seemed to penetrate him, though it was now laced with an unbearable tenderness.