Page 132 of Falling for Love

“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 hedidknow 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.

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