Page 47 of The Reality of Wanting Him (Love Without Labels #1)

I’m not a violent person, I can’t remember ever wishing anyone else physical harm.

But right now, I can’t stop myself from fantasizing about all the horrible accidents that could result in my mother’s untimely demise.

Not like I have anything left to lose today.

But as much as I truly hate my mother right now, I know it wouldn’t actually help anything.

And Liam would probably be disappointed if I did anything to hurt anyone.

Plus the fucking camera is right in my face.

Fuck, I’m so sick of these fucking cameras! Can’t a man have a public breakdown without being recorded?

I take a deep breath and attempt to remain calm as I call her out on her bullshit.

“Liam asked me if my parents had given me an ultimatum to get married by thirty or be cut off, and obviously the only people who know about your threat are the two of you. So tell me, Mother, why did you feel the need to interfere in my relationship hours before I was set to get married?”

As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I know the answer.

“Is it because he’s a man? Are we really adding ‘homophobic’ to the long list of reasons you’re a shitty human?

I bet all the queer people who donate to your charity will just love to see how you sabotaged your own son’s same-sex marriage. ”

“Debra, is that where you disappeared off to?” my father scolds, sounding appalled by my accusation. Maybe one of my parents will prove they give a shit about me after all.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” my mother hisses, eyes bouncing between us and the camera, no doubt calculating how she can redeem her reputation.

“You were the one who was clearly lying to the poor boy. He didn’t deserve to have you trick him into a relationship.

” Her tone is dripping with false concern now, and it makes me feel physically sick to think that Liam might actually believe that’s what happened between us.

“I didn’t trick him into anything!” I nearly shout. “I’m in love with him. I told you that! And the last few weeks have been the first time in my life that I’ve ever been truly happy.”

My mother rolls her eyes, and I know whatever final, desperate part of me that was holding out hope that I could one day have a good relationship with this woman, is officially gone.

My siblings are gaping at us, gazes pinging between my mother and me.

My father must have seen her roll her eyes too, because he gasps at the motion before turning to me.

“Blake, the only reason I agreed to this ridiculous ultimatum in the first place was because I could see how unhappy you were. I know I’m too focused on my job, and I’ve never been good at making time for you, but I really did hope it would be the push you needed to find something you’re passionate about. Love can be a powerful motivator.”

His admission completely surprises me. My father has always been the easier parent for me to get along with, but after my football career ended, it was like we didn't have anything left to talk about. I thought that meant he no longer cared.

Now he’s making it sound like he’s always wanted me to be happy?

Could he really have been that shitty at showing it all these years? Or did we both let my mother’s actions overshadow his own?

“I was never planning to actually cut you off. You’re my son, I just wanted you to have some direction in your life, and I thought this would be the motivation you needed.”

“Seriously?” I definitely do shout it this time.

“Well, yeah.” My father shrugs, and I ignore the huff of complaint from my mother, too shocked by this new information.

Before I’d signed up for the show, I’d been consumed by their ultimatum for so long.

Trying to find someone to marry was all I cared about until I met Liam, and I shifted my focus to learning more about him and planning our future on his farm.

It’s unbelievable to think after all this time, it was just an empty threat.

At the same time, I know I never would have met Liam without it, so in a fucked-up way, I’m glad they did it. No matter how devastated I am right now to not be marrying him today, I wouldn't trade the time I’ve spent with him for anything.

Wait a fucking second.

His words echo in my head again. “ I just know that I can’t marry you today. I can’t say yes to someone who doesn’t choose me for me without an ulterior motive. ”

Liam said that he couldn't marry me today. Not that he never wanted to see me again.

He said he couldn’t say yes to someone who doesn’t choose him, but I do . I would choose Liam over the money in a heartbeat. I would choose him over anyone and anything.

And I intend to do just that.

If Liam needs me to prove to him that I’ll choose him every day for the rest of our lives, I will. Even if we never actually get married. Even if I never touch another cent of my parents’ money to show him how much more he means to me than it ever did.

I look down at my finger and twist the ring he gave me, the one his mother made for his father. He wouldn’t have given it to me if he didn’t love me, if he didn’t want to build a life with me.

I promised him my future, and I intend to keep that promise.

If he needs some space to cool down, I’ll give it to him.

But I’m not giving up on us.

I promised to help them on their farm, and I have a feeling I know someone who might be slightly more willing to hear my side of things when I explain how much I love his son and just want him to be happy.

He might even let me stay with him until Liam is ready to talk.

Liam deserves to be happy, and I’m selfish enough to think I could be his happily ever after. Until he explicitly tells me to get out of his life, I’m not going anywhere.