Chapter 38
J.T
I hate seeing my woman upset over things that shouldn’t even be an issue.
Kelly deserves peace.
She deserves mornings where the only thing she worries about is whether we’re having pancakes or eggs.
She deserves evenings watching the sunset over the mountains with Evan laughing in the yard and not a single thought about her dirtbag ex.
Instead, we’re still dealing with Mike Stevens.
I think back to the time I offered to have him disappear. We were standing in the kitchen after court one afternoon, Kelly leaning against the counter looking tired and frustrated, and the words slipped out before I could stop them.
“I could make him go away, you know.”
She blinked at me.
“Go away?”
“Disappear,” I clarified calmly. “Permanently.”
Her eyes widened.
Then she laughed.
Actually laughed.
“J.T., you are ridiculous.”
She thought I was joking.
I wasn’t.
Not really.
But Kelly’s argument was simple.
“Mike is Evan’s dad,” she said quietly, resting her hand over mine. “And Evan loves him.”
That ended the conversation. Because she’s right. That boy’s feelings matter.
And even though I’d personally like to punt Mike Stevens off the nearest mountain, I’m not going to be the reason Evan loses something he might still need.
So for now, we deal with it.
The criminal charges are still being sorted out. That mess will follow Mike whether he wants it to or not.
Kelly doesn’t love him. I know that.
She’s never given me a single reason to doubt it.
But I’d be lying if I said a part of me doesn’t bristle whenever his name comes up. Because I want her attention on better things.
On us.
On the life we’re building.
Not on the asshole who nearly destroyed her.
That’s my issue though. Not hers.
And I’m not going to dump it on her shoulders. She carries so much already.
So instead I lean down and kiss her temple, my hand sliding to her hip and giving it a warm squeeze over the soft cotton of the sundress she’s wearing.
She’s so damn pretty. White fabric dotted with tiny blue flowers hugs her luscious curves, and for a second, I’m jealous of it.
Imagine that? Jealous of her fucking clothes for getting to touch her in public when I can’t. Not how I want to, anyway.
The dress is sweet. Simple. And somehow it makes her look even prettier than usual. But Kelly is the real beauty. I’ve always known that.
“Are you ready, Honey?” I ask.
She looks up at me and smiles.
“I’m ready.”
Her hair is pulled back in a loose ponytail, and the sunlight catches those honey-colored strands just right.
God, she’s beautiful.
My chest tightens a little the way it always does when I look at her too long.
Evan’s already at the field with Thatcher.
The kid’s been buzzing about this father-son game for days.
Mike is supposed to be here any minute. And I fully intend to be standing nearby when he shows up. Not saying anything—don’t know if I can control myself if I opened my mouth.
But I intend to let him feel the weight of my stare, just so he understands exactly who’s watching him now.
We pull into the gravel lot beside the baseball field.
Kids are already warming up, tossing balls back and forth. Parents are scattered along the bleachers with folding chairs and coolers. The smell of fresh grass and popcorn drifts through the warm spring air.
But when we step out of the truck, there’s no sign of Mike.
I scan the parking lot. Nothing.
I walk over to Thatcher while Kelly heads toward the dugout with Evan’s extra water bottle.
“Any sign of him?” I ask.
Thatcher shakes his head, irritation already written all over his face.
“No.” He glances toward the field where the other dads are gathering. “The other guys are here. We’re gonna have to start soon.”
His jaw tightens.
“And I can’t even fucking stand in for him because I’m coaching today.”
I nod.
Yeah.
I get it. And it infuriates me, too.
The kid deserves better than this.
I turn, scanning the bleachers and the parking lot again. That’s when I see her.
Gladys Stevens.
Mike’s mother.
She’s standing near the fence, wringing her hands, her eyes darting toward Kelly like she’s trying to get her attention.
My gut tightens. I step towards her before Kelly notices.
“Mrs. Stevens,” I say evenly. “Is Mike here? They’re about to start.”
She startles a little when I approach.
“Oh… oh gosh…” Her voice trembles.
This woman threatened my wife. She made gross accusations, and I feel no sympathy for her at all.
So I don’t say anything. I just wait for her to find her voice.
“I don’t even know how to say this,” Gladys murmurs, and wipes her hands on her pants in a nervous gesture.
I already don’t like where this is going.
“Look,” she continues quickly, eyes filling with tears, “I’m sorry for all the trouble. Truly.”
My patience is thinning.
“What happened, Mrs. Stevens?”
She swallows.
“Mike’s gone.”
My jaw hardens.
“Gone?”
“That girl,” she says helplessly. “Stormee. She called him last night. Said she’d had a change of heart.”
My hands curl into fists.
“He took his father’s car and ran off to meet her.”
She shakes her head miserably.
“I don’t even know where.”
“And he didn’t call? Didn’t leave a note at least for Evan?” I ask quietly.
Her expression crumples.
“No.”
Behind me, I hear footsteps.
Kelly. She’s seen us talking.
Her eyes widen immediately. She tries to angle herself in front of Evan like she can shield him from whatever’s happening.
But it’s too late. The boy notices his grandmother.
“Grams!”
Evan jogs toward us, baseball cap crooked on his head, excitement still written across his face.
“Where’s Dad?” he asks eagerly. “We’re gonna play today.”
Gladys looks like someone just punched her in the chest. She reaches for him, but her hands fall short.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”
Evan’s smile fades.
“What do you mean?”
Tears slide down her cheeks.
“I’m sorry about scaring you and saying we’re gonna take you from your mom. And I’m sorry about your dad. He-he’s not the boy I raised,” she whispers shakily. “I swear he’s not.”
Her voice breaks.
“Grams, where is he? Where’s Dad?” Evan asks brokenly.
“That girl called, and he ran back to her,” Gladys replies.
The words hang in the air.
And the light drains from Evan’s face.
My chest tightens.
Fuck.
Anger rises inside me like a tsunami threatening to destroy everything. Because that little boy deserves so much better than the man who just walked out on him again.
“I, I really am sorry,” Gladys says again.
But that doesn't mean shit right now. Because Mike Stevens hurt my family again—and I don’t think I can allow that.