Gemotions

The sports game was all he’d talked about for weeks. Liam had been so excited for it. Now, staring at the polished wooden floor of the fancy restaurant, he couldn’t meet his eyes. A work dinner. He’d agreed to it weeks ago.

The clinking of silverware grated on his ears. He forced a smile, but his jaw ached with the effort. A lump formed in his throat every time he felt his phone vibrate.

He kept replaying the conversation with Liam. The disappointment, barely concealed in his friend’s voice. He felt a deep-seated coldness spread through him, a chill that seemed to emanate from the very center of his being.