Page 82 of What Comes Around

Liam’s eyes darkened.

“Can I talk to Ashley?” he asked, his voice tight.

Knox didn’t move his hand. “You can talk here.”

The silence that followed was sharp enough to cut.

Liam’s gaze flicked once more between Knox’s hand on my neck and my face, and something in his expression hardened.

“I really am sorry,” I said again, softer this time. “I completely forgot.”

“It’s fine,” Liam said, but his voice didn’t sound fine at all. His gaze kept drifting to my neck, then to Knox, then back to me. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“I’m okay,” I said quickly.

Knox’s fingers pressed lightly at the back of my neck, a quiet reminder that he was still there, still watching.

Liam’s jaw flexed. “You sure?”

“Yes,” I said. “I promise.”

He gave a short nod, but the tension in his shoulders didn’t ease. His eyes shifted to Knox again, and the air between them tightened. Knox didn’t move. He didn’t blink or lower his arm. He stood there like a wall, calm and immovable.

Liam cleared his throat. “We can reschedule the run.”

Before I could answer, Knox spoke. “There is no need. From now on I’ll run with her.”

Liam’s eyes snapped to him. “I wasn’t talking to you.”

“You are now,” Knox said.

Sensing the tension escalating, I stepped forward. “Liam,” I said gently, Knox’s hand still at the back of my neck. “I appreciate you coming. But today isn’t a good day.”

He looked at me then, and after a moment he nodded again, slower this time.

“As long as you’re okay.”

“I am,” I said.

His gaze flicked to Knox one last time. “If you ever need anything, you know you can call me.”

“I know,” I said, and I meant it.

Liam stepped back off the porch. “I’ll let you two get back to… whatever this is.”

He turned and walked toward his car, shoulders stiff, head slightly down. I stayed in the doorway and watched him go, guilt twisting tight in my chest.

When the door closed behind him, Knox’s hand slid from the back of my neck to my shoulder.

“You care about him,” he said quietly.

“He’s like an older brother,” I replied. “He’s always looked out for me.”

“He’s in love with you.”

I froze. “No, he’s not.”

“He is,” Knox said.