Chapter Thirty-Three
Liam
I stood on Evie’s porch, the warmth of her kiss lingering on my lips like a secret I wanted to keep replaying in my mind. She smiled at me, her hair tousled by the crisp evening breeze, and I could still feel the press of her fingers on my arm as she said goodnight.
"Drive safe," she said softly, her eyes catching the golden glow of her porch light.
"I will," I promised, hesitating momentarily, reluctant to leave. “Lock up behind me.”
She nodded, her smile small but kind as she closed the door.
I waited until I heard the soft click of the lock before heading down the steps to my truck.
The night was quiet, except for the snow under my boots. I climbed into the cab and turned on the heat, rubbing my hands together as I let the engine warm up. As I glanced back toward her house, the cozy glow from inside made me feel at ease. That was the thing about Evie—she had a way of making everything feel like home.
But as I backed out of her driveway, something caught my eye. A car was parked a few houses down, barely visible in the dim streetlight. The faint glow of a phone screen illuminated the driver’s face, and he was looking straight at Evie’s house.
I pulled to a stop, gripping the wheel. The guy didn’t move, didn’t even glance my way. He was just sitting there in the freezing cold, as still as a statue.
My gut twisted.
What was he doing?
No one sat in their car in nine-degree weather unless they had a reason, and I didn’t like the one my mind was conjuring up.
Could this be her ex? Was he already trying to make his presence known?
I pulled out my phone and dialed Nate, the sheriff, and an old friend. He picked up on the second ring.
“What’s up, Liam?” Nate asked, his voice casual.
“Hey, there’s something weird going on near Evie’s place,” I said, keeping my eyes on the parked car. “A guy is sitting in his car, staring at her house. Hasn’t moved.”
Nate’s tone shifted immediately. “You think it’s her ex?”
So he knew the details. This town worked fast.
“I don’t know,” I admitted, glancing back toward Evie’s house. “But it doesn’t feel right.”
“Alright. I’ll send a deputy over to check it out. You still there?”
“Yeah,” I said, my fingers drumming against the steering wheel. “But I’m not just sitting here. I’m going to talk to him.”
“Liam—” Nate started, but I cut him off.
“I’ll be careful,” I promised. “Just let me know when your deputy’s close.”
“Fine,” Nate said, though his tone was laced with frustration. “Don’t do anything stupid.”
I ended the call, slipping my phone into my pocket as I turned my truck around and parked a few feet behind the other car. The guy still hadn’t moved, his face illuminated by his phone as he scrolled.
I stepped out, the icy air biting at my skin as I walked toward the driver’s side of the car. The guy noticed me when I was a few feet away, lowering his phone and rolling down the window slightly.
“Evening,” I said, keeping my tone even. “Cold night to be sitting out here.”
“Just waiting on someone,” he replied, his voice curt.
I nodded slowly, taking in the man’s features. Mid-thirties, scruffy, with tired eyes that flicked nervously toward Evie’s house.
“That so?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. “Because it looks to me like you’ve been watching that house.”
He shifted in his seat, clenching his jaw. “Like I said, I’m waiting on someone.”
“Funny,” I said, my voice hardening. “If you’re waiting on someone, maybe you can explain why your car’s been parked here for a while, and your eyes haven’t left that house unless they’re staring at your phone.”
His gaze darted to me, then back to his phone. “None of your business.”
I took a step closer.
“Here’s the thing—it is my business. That’s my friend’s house, and I’m not too fond of people lurking around where they shouldn’t be. So why don’t we skip the games, and you tell me who you’re waiting for?”
The guy’s lips pressed into a thin line. His knuckles whitened on the steering wheel.
“I don’t have to tell you anything.”
“Alright,” I said, pulling my phone from my pocket. “Then maybe you can explain it to the sheriff. He’s on his way.”
That got his attention. His eyes widened slightly, his body shifting as if he was considering bolting.
“You called the cops?”
“Sure did,” I said, leaning against his car. “And I’m happy to wait with you until they get here.”
The guy cursed under his breath, glancing at the house again. “Look, I’m not here to cause trouble. I was just… curious.”
“Curious about what?” I asked, my tone sharp.
He hesitated, his jaw clenching before he finally spoke. “You the guy she’s seeing?”
My stomach twisted. So he did know about Evie. Was this her ex’s way of testing the waters? Of seeing what he was up against?
“Here’s some free advice. Back off, leave her alone, and stay in one piece.” I eyed him calmly.
The guy didn’t respond, his eyes narrowing as he stared straight ahead. I stepped back, my phone buzzing in my pocket.
“Liam,” Nate’s voice came through the line. “Deputy’s almost there.”
“Good,” I said, keeping my eyes on the guy. “I’ll make sure he stays put.”
When the deputy’s car finally pulled up, I stepped back, letting the officer take over. But as I watched the guy get questioned, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning.
Evie didn’t deserve this. And as far as I was concerned, I’d do whatever it took to make sure she and Hayden stayed safe.
The deputy stepped out of his cruiser, his boots tapping against the frozen snow as he adjusted his belt. His presence radiated calm authority, the kind that demanded answers without raising his voice. He approached the parked car where I stood, nodding briefly before turning his attention to the man inside.
“Evening, sir. Mind telling me what you’re doing parked out here?”
The man inside shifted uncomfortably, his grip tightening on the steering wheel.
“Like I told him,” he said, jerking his thumb toward me, “I’m waiting on someone.”
The deputy’s eyes flicked to me for confirmation. My jaw clenched as I forced my voice to stay neutral.
“He’s been parked here for a while, staring at the house. He wouldn’t say who he’s waiting for. Not to mention, he’s driven by several times throughout the day.”
The deputy gave a curt nod and leaned down toward the car window.
“Alright, I’m going to need to see some identification.”
The man hesitated, his jaw clenching, before finally pulling his wallet from his pocket. He handed over his driver’s license with a scowl. The deputy stepped back, shining his flashlight on the ID.
A subtle shift crossed the deputy’s expression. His jaw tightened, and his stance grew even more rigid. “You’re Kyle Grayson?”
The name landed like a punch to the gut. Evie’s ex. The man who had treated her like a pawn in his life, controlling and manipulating her until she’d had enough and left, taking Hayden with her to start fresh. And now here he was, sitting in his car outside her home, uninvited and unwelcome.
Kyle leaned back, crossing his arms. “That’s me.”
The deputy’s expression darkened. “Mind stepping out of the vehicle for a moment, Mr. Grayson?”
Kyle hesitated, his eyes darting between me and the deputy. Finally, he shoved the door open and stepped out. He smirked at me, like he was enjoying some game I hadn’t been invited to play, but Evie was right. His small stature made him look weaselly.
“Why are you here?” the deputy asked, his tone firmer now.
Kyle shrugged, his hands stuffed into his coat pockets. “I’m here to see my son.”
The words sent a cold rush through me. That was his play? Barging into Evie’s life under the guise of fatherly concern, after years of emotional neglect?
“Does Ms. Grayson know you’re here?” the deputy asked, his brow raised.
Kyle’s smirk widened. “I don’t need her permission. Hayden’s my son. I have rights.”
Before the deputy could respond, the sound of the front door opening caught our attention. Evie stepped onto the porch, the glow from inside framing her figure. She’d changed and was in a thick sweater and jeans. Her arms crossed against the biting cold. Her expression was unreadable—until her eyes locked on Kyle.
She froze.
Her lips parted slightly, as if trying to process the scene in front of her. Her gaze darted to me, confusion and fear swirling in her eyes. I took a step toward her instinctively, but she held up a hand to stop me.
“What’s going on?” she asked, her voice trembling.
Kyle’s smirk turned smug. “Evie. It’s been a while.”
Her entire body stiffened. She gripped the porch railing, her knuckles white. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to see my son,” he said smoothly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Evie’s face paled, and she took a shaky step forward. “You don’t get to do this, Kyle. You don’t get to just show up like this.”
“I don’t need your permission,” he shot back, his tone patronizing. “I have every right to see Hayden.”
“Rights?” Her voice cracked, her hands trembling as she descended the porch steps. “You didn’t care about Hayden’s rights when you were busy ignoring him unless it suited your plans. You can’t just waltz in here and act like—”
“That’s enough,” the deputy interrupted, stepping between them. “Mr. Grayson, I suggest you leave. If you have a legal claim, you handle it through the courts. But showing up unannounced like this? Not acceptable.”
Kyle’s smirk faltered, replaced by a flash of irritation. “I don’t need advice from you, Officer.”
The deputy’s eyes narrowed. “That wasn’t advice. It was an order.”
Kyle glanced back at Evie, his jaw tight. “This isn’t over, Evie.”
Her chin lifted, though her voice wavered. “It’s been over for a long time, Kyle. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”
The tension hung thick in the air as Kyle climbed back into his car. The deputy stepped back, watching as Kyle started the engine but lingered, his headlights cutting through the night.
I walked up her driveway to where she stood alone. Evie’s breathing was shaky, her shoulders trembling as she turned back to me. The look in her eyes—raw, vulnerable, and filled with pain—hit me like a sucker punch. I stepped closer, careful to keep my voice low.
“Evie…”
She shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. “I can’t do this, Liam.”
“You’re not doing this alone,” I said firmly. “I’m here, okay? We’ll figure this out.”
She nodded faintly, her gaze drifting to the retreating taillights. “I thought I left all of this behind.”
“You did,” I assured her. “And we’re going to keep it that way.”
But even as I said it, I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that Kyle wasn’t done causing trouble.