Chapter Forty
LIAM
I’ve been tracking this asshole for the past week between training, and the longer he takes me on this cat and mouse chase, the thinner my patience becomes.
I have a lead on a house and watch it for hours, but I can’t see him clearly enough inside to merit barging in without a warrant.
I don’t need one if I know without a doubt the fugitive’s in a residence, but this sneaky bastard hops from one place to the next.
After another failed attempt, I decide I’ll try again in a couple of days. Tomorrow’s our Christmas party with everyone, and with the fight on our minds, it’s been tense around the house. I’d like just one day when we can forget and have fun together.
“Hi, baby.” I wrap my arms around Maddie as soon as I see her standing in the kitchen with Tyler. They’re laughing, and I notice Tyler’s face is covered in grease. “What’s going on?”
I move around her and grab a beer from the fridge.
“Tyler taught me how to change the oil in my car,” Maddie states, and Tyler snorts into his drink.
Narrowing my eyes at both of them, I watch them.
“Oh, really? I find that unbelievable.” I laugh when Maddie scowls.
“Excuse you, I could very well learn how to do that sort of stuff…if I wanted.”
I smile as I take a sip. “And did you?”
“Well, technically…no. I watched and handed him tools.”
Smirking, Tyler shakes his head when Maddie isn’t looking. But damn she looks so proud. “Awesome, job, babe. Next, have him teach you how to change a tire.”
“Uhh…that sounds out of the realm of things I can do, so how about you just always be available to come rescue me if I need it.” She wraps her arms around my neck and smiles. “What’s the purpose of having a big, strong man if I can’t have him changing tires for me?”
Chuckling, I nod. “It’d be my honor to always be around to rescue you.”
I wink, and Tyler groans.
“And that’s my cue to leave.”
“Oh, c’mon, Beanstalk. I was just gonna tell Liam all about our little chat today.” She beams at him, but Tyler shakes his head, takes another sip, then leaves the kitchen.
“Why do you tease him?”
“I never had any brothers growing up,” she explains. “This is my chance.”
I laugh, bringing her lips to mine for a soft kiss.
“I got him to admit there’s a girl back home,” she tells me. “Eventually, I’ll crack him and get the whole story.”
“You’re relentless.”
“That’s why you love me,” she quips.
The following night, Hunter, Lennon, and the kids come over, and together, we put up the tree and decorate the house.
Part of it feels foreign, a tradition I never got to have as a kid growing up, but it makes me appreciate it even more.
Sophie cranks Christmas music while Lennon sings and Maddie hangs lights and garland.
We give Tyler the honors of putting the star on top since he’s the tallest, and it’s the first year with all of us together. Hell, it might be the last too.
Now that Mason and Sophie are married, I suspect they’ll be looking for a house of their own soon.
It’s hard for me to think about the future, though I want one with Maddie more than anything.
Until after the fight, we’re living in limbo, but soon, my debt with the O’Learys will officially be paid off. At least I hope for good this time.
The girls made us watch a Christmas movie after we ate dinner.
It was more fun than I thought it’d be, but they really know how to put together a feast. Then as we ate, Sophie suggested we all share a favorite holiday memory.
We all died laughing as Sophie and Lennon shared memories from their childhood.
Most revolved around making Maddie believe Santa walked around the house, leaving cookie crumbs on the floor.
They even put reindeer poop tracks outside for her to find too.
Being the youngest, she got the brunt of their pranks, which Maddie didn’t find hilarious at all.
“You look beautiful,” I whisper in Maddie’s ear as she sits on my lap. The sparkly red dress hugs her like a second skin.
“I wore it for you,” she leans back and murmurs. “Even if you can’t tear it off later.”
Fuck if I don’t wish I could.
“Trust me, I would in a heartbeat,” I tell her.
I’m dying to touch her. To give in to our desires and make her my Christmas meal, but the pent-up tension and aggression is helping me in the ring during training, so I can’t risk getting weak now. There are only ten days left until the fight, and I plan to make every day of training count.
After the movie, Sophie announces it’s time to exchange gifts.
We did a secret Santa with the girls and guys separately, and I got Hunter’s name.
Knowing he’s an Aaron Rodgers fan, I managed to outbid a person online for a signed jersey and football.
Then of course I got Maddie something, but it’s nothing compared to what I really want to give her.
I love her, but I also don’t want to rush anything before we’re truly ready, so I kept it simple.
“Dude, yes!” Hunter shouts when he opens his present. “This will get passed onto my son and his son and then his son’s son…for generations, man.” He’s so happy, and I can’t help but laugh.
“That’s going on my mantel, isn’t it?” Lennon deadpans, then shoots me a playful glare.
I throw my hands up and shrug. “You knew what you were getting into when you married him. Plus, it’s better than the Playboy centerfold blowup poster I was gonna buy.”
Lennon points at me. “Better watch your back, Evans. This gives me fuel to get you back next year.”
“It’s on.” I wink.
After everyone exchanges their gifts, Sophie makes her special peppermint hot cocoa with candy cane straws and marshmallows. Mason sneaks behind her and adds in vodka, and she scolds him for it.
The entire evening is surreal.
I’ve never had this experience before. My father tried his very best to give me what he could, but the warmth and laughter in the room are new to me.
“You want your gift tonight, or should I wait until Christmas Day?” I ask Maddie as we stand in the kitchen, getting hot chocolate refills.
“Hmm…” She smiles wide. “Now.”
I laugh because I knew she’d say that. Reaching into my back pocket, I grab the thin pieces of paper and hand them to her. “Sorry they aren’t wrapped…”
Her eyes light up as soon as she realizes what they are.
“Oh my God!” she screams so loud, you’d think we were already at the concert.
“Billie Eilish tickets! Are you kidding me?” She flings herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck, and I catch her.
“How did you get these? They sold out in like minutes!” She pulls back and searches my face.
I shrug as if it was no big deal to jump through hoops to get them. “I know people.”
Maddie looks at them again. “The concert isn’t until next summer.” She arches a brow, tilting her head at me. “Does that mean you think we’ll still be together then? Or is this like when a guy makes plans six months in advance so the chick will sleep with him now?”
“Fuck, you caught me.” I grip her hips and pull her closer.
“I love it, thank you.” Maddie kisses me softly, and I lean in, wanting more of her. “I hope you know what you signed up for.” She smirks, shaking her hips. “I have every song of hers memorized.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less, honestly.” I press my lips to her forehead. “I can’t wait.”
“Me too. We’ll hopefully have a lot to celebrate by then.”
Hell, I sure hope so.
“I feel bad now. All I got you was a personalized ornament.” She frowns. “It…has our faces painted on it. With our names on the bottom. And the year.” She slaps herself in the forehead. “I wanted to commemorate our first Christmas. It sounds super lame now that I’m saying it out loud.”
Grabbing her wrist, I remove her hand and tilt her chin up to look at me. “It sounds…amazing. Thoughtful. Very Maddie. And I already know it’s gonna be the best gift I’ve ever received.”
On Christmas, I take Maddie to my aunt’s house, where my dad and stepmom are temporarily living.
I’m devastated about the fire that destroyed my childhood home and them losing everything.
Luckily, they’ll get an insurance check to help them start over and buy a new house or build one.
My dad deserves to know the truth, but I can’t tell him.
That would be opening a can of worms about the O’Learys, and this is one of those “the less he knows, the better” situations.
It was hard enough to explain to him that Victoria and I split and the babies weren’t mine. He was so excited to become a grandpa, and having to witness the disappointment in his eyes nearly shattered me.
I think he was confused that I quickly jumped into a relationship with Maddie after, but he didn’t voice a concern, so I assumed there was no issue with me “moving on” so fast. He knows I’ll do whatever I want, but I’m grateful for his blessing either way.
I want him to like Maddie and for us to be able to spend quality time together.
And if this is the last time I get with my dad, I want it to be special and memorable for him.
“Dad, I got you something,” I tell him as we sit in the living room with beers in our hands. Aunt Ruthie made hot apple cider, but then my uncle Matt came in carrying a six-pack.
“You didn’t have to do that,” he says, setting his beer down. We never exchange gifts, but I wanted to this time.
“I know, but I saw this, and it made me think of you,” I explain, handing over the small package Maddie wrapped. It’s also so he has one thing from me…just in case.
After giving me an incredulous look, he takes it. I drink my beer as he unwraps the paper, then smiles when he realizes what it is.
“This is a pretty nice lookin’ watch, Liam.” He takes it out and holds it under the light.
“Turn it around,” Maddie tells him, beaming.
My dad does as she says, then squints to read the engraving.
“My hero,” he reads aloud. My father’s hardly an emotional person, but he chokes up. “Wow, Liam.”
I stand and round the coffee table, then wrap my arms around him. “I mean it, old man. You stepped up and took care of me. I think about that every day. You’re my hero, always.”
My dad shifts and returns the hug, holding back tears in the process. “I love you, son.”
“Love you too.”
Aunt Ruthie serves everyone pie and turns on the fireplace.
“So, Maddie…” my stepmom begins. “You were Liam’s roommate before you two started dating, right?”
Maddie nods and takes a large bite of her dessert, I suspect to avoid having to talk about our relationship since they think it’s recent.
“How did things change from roommates to dating?” she asks. I know she’s not being judgy, but it’s uncomfortable.
“Well…” Maddie swallows her food, then smirks at me. “He finally came to his senses and saw what was right in front of him the whole time.”
Alright, that’s mostly true.
My dad chuckles, looking at his wife with pride. “Sounds like an Evans man.”
I smile and shrug. “I thought she was too good for me.”
“Oh, she is…” Aunt Ruthie teases. “Being in love is a good look on you, Liam.”
Reaching over, I grab Maddie’s hand and press a kiss on her knuckles. “It sure is.”
We end up watching A Christmas Story, and as Maddie snuggles into me, I look around and soak in my surroundings. This has been one of the best days I’ve had in a long time, one spent with family and the love of my life, eating, drinking, and celebrating.
If I don’t come back, it’s not only going to affect Maddie but also everyone who loves me.
And that feeling is enough to gut me.
The next day, I’m back to training and reality.
“Come on, Liam, keep your shoulders tight,” Tyler scolds. I swing at him and miss, then he swoops his foot underneath my legs, and I fall flat on my back.
Motherfucker.
“Get up,” he demands, not giving me the chance to rest. “Your opponent gets you down, he’s going to do whatever it takes to keep you there.
You fall, you bounce right the fuck up. You got me?
” Tyler sounds pissed, and I’ve been off my game all day, but yesterday really brought everything into perspective for me.
Realizing how much this one fight might change my life is wearing me down.
“You should’ve just let me fake my death months ago when I asked you to,” I chastise him.
“Or I could grab my gun and get the job done for real?” he mocks with a frustrating glare. “But then you know that means leaving me with Maddie, and we’ll probably grieve together and get close. Then I’ll turn on my Southern charm, and well…I’ll let you use your imagination for the rest.”
“You fucking bastard,” I hiss, jumping to my feet and storming toward him. He blocks every punch I attempt, smirking like an asshole.
“Whatcha gonna do about it when you’re dead?” He moves his head to the side, and I miss his face. “You gonna give up and let me have your girl?”
“Over my fucking dead body, you motherfucker.” I get a punch to his gut and another to his jaw.
“That's all you got? If so, I’ll have Maddie in my bed by Valentine’s Day.”
I fueled with rage, wrap my arms around his waist, and push my head into his stomach, pushing him into the ropes and punching him in the ribs.
Tyler has his arms around my head, tightening his grip as I attempt to lift his body over my shoulders.
“She’s gonna look so goddamn sweet underneath me,” he continues in labored breaths. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed those perky nipple piercings.”
Standing and meeting his eyes, I grit my teeth and drive my fist in his gut. Over and over until I grab his throat and squeeze.
“You’re supposed to be my friend, you asshole.” I seethe, pushing my thumbs into his windpipe. “Talking about my girl like that makes you the biggest douchebag in the world.”
Tyler fights back, trying to loosen my grip, but the adrenaline pumping through my blood fuels my rage. I curse at him when he brings his knee up and drives it into my groin, making me drop to the ground.
He falls with me, sucking in air as he tries to catch his breath.
I climb on top of him, throwing fists to his face, but he holds up his arms and blocks me.
In one swift movement, he drives into my waist and flips me over, landing on my side.
Tyler grabs my arm and pulls it behind my back as he pushes his knee into my ribs and other arm.
“Goddammit,” I hiss when he yanks my arm harder.
“You fuckin’ done?”
“Fuck you,” I spit.
Tyler releases me, then stands as he chuckles. I look up as he shakes his head and crosses his arms over his chest. The asshole was purposely pissing me off.
“You’re ready.”