The name echoed in Ethan's mind, a sour, discordant note in the quiet of the morning:
Liam.
He had slept terribly, the image of GridironGuru's smug face announcing his best friend as his new Head of Recruitment replaying on a loop.
It was a betrayal so profound, so completely out of left field, that his brain didn't even know how to process it.
Was it a joke? A mistake?
Or was Liam, their Liam, the one on the inside, actually working for the enemy?
He trudged downstairs, the weight of the mystery heavy on his shoulders.
The cheerful scene in the kitchen was a jarring contrast to his dark mood.
His mom was humming, watering her plants by the window, looking stronger and more vibrant than she had in months. His dad was trying to read the newspaper while Gaffer, the fluffy golden retriever, waged a tactical war against his slipper.
"Morning, honey," his mom said, turning with a bright smile.
"Pancakes are on the table. Your father managed not to burn them this time."
