by Emma Nichols
“How long has Hudson been in daycare?” my mother demanded.
“What? He doesn’t go to daycare.” I leaned hard against the wall and waited.
“According to Gold-digger, he does.”
I snorted. “You know damn well that’s not her name.”
“Leo, I call it like I see it. Too bad you didn’t see it sooner.” She huffed.
“I know, Mom. I’m sorry. I should’ve listened to you.” I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. I’d lost count of the number of times I said that each day to keep the peace around the house. Mostly, I wasn’t lying. She tried to keep me from marrying Sable, but I was whipped.
“That’s right. You should’ve. Now, you’re paying for daycare when I could be with my grandson. It’s ridiculous. It’s frivolous. And it’s just wrong!” Her voice rose, and no doubt with it her blood pressure.
“Mom, please calm down. You know the doctor would have you on meds if he saw how often you managed to get worked up over this situation.” I had stiffened, concerned for her well-being.
“Don’t you care? Don’t you think he should be with me? I’m free…in every sense! And unlike his mother, I actually want to spend time with him.” She sounded no less upset.
“Where are you?” I asked as I made my way to the elevator. “I’m coming to you. I don’t want anything to happen.” Her heart had been a problem ever since Dad died. I swear she half-wanted to die to be with him. She’d admitted on more than one occasion that being around me and Hudson kept her alive.
“I’m in the car outside Goldilocks’ house. I’m waiting for her to return with my baby bear so I can bring him home.” She snickered and I started breathing easier.
“How did you manage to convince her to let him come here early?” I could barely contain my excitement as I pushed the button multiple times like a complete lunatic.
“Well, I pointed out that the less money she had to spend on him and his care, the more she had to spend on herself.” She groaned. “Obviously, I appealed to her greed and narcissism. If you could do that, you’d be happily divorced already. What’s taking so long?”
“Well, Mother, this is North Carolina. We have to wait an entire year,” I grumbled. “And I met with my lawyer today.”
“How’d that go?” she asked quietly.
“About as well as you’d expect. Nothing has really happened yet. I gave him a retainer and a copy of the prenup.” I shrugged and the doors opened. “Gotta go. I’ll see you at home.”
“Don’t forget to pick up dinner, unless you want to cook,” she warned. “Oh, and I’m not sure if we need more diapers.”
“I’ll take care of everything,” I assured her before ending our call. I stepped inside the elevator and hit the button to take me to the parking garage.
This time I was alone and within minutes the doors had opened to the dark underground structure. Almost immediately, my phone began ringing. At a glance, I braced myself to talk with Sable. “Yes, dear,” I murmured, then bit my cheek because I knew how much she hated it when I called her ‘dear.’
“For the love of God, must you annoy the shit out of me every time we talk, Leo?” she snapped. “I’m trying to be a responsible parent and work out the arrangements for your visit.”
I rolled my eyes. “What’s to arrange? You’ll send him with nothing, same as always, and I’ll buy him a bunch of stuff while he’s in my care, most of which I’ll never see again.” I chuckled. “See? All set.”
“You used to be a lot nicer,” Sable grumbled.
“And we used to live together, have loving intimate relations. Now you just fuck me over every chance you get.” I froze. Just because it was the truth, it didn’t mean I had to say it out loud. And more often than not, this kind of thing would blow right up in my face.
“Wow. That’s just cold. You know, I didn’t have to let him go.” Her heels clicked on the floor as she walked even faster. The fact that she hadn’t gone off on me suggested she was still someplace public.
“So, where are you?” I asked curiously.
“Leaving my lawyer’s office,” she muttered.
“Me too. Looks like we’re finally making some progress.” I snickered.
Her foot stomped. “Why are you doing this? Everything was working out just fine, then you had to go ruin everything.”
“By building us a huge house on the lake less than twenty minutes from the city? Is there no end to your suffering?” With a sigh, I strode toward my car on the far side of the parking garage. “Come on. Things haven’t been good for some time.”
“Why would you think that?” She practically shrieked. “Just come home. You can even bring your mother, if it will make you happy. I just…I’m tired of the upheaval. Think of Hudson.”
“I am. I have. And that’s why he has a house with a yard, and tons of space.” I grabbed the door handle and settled into the driver’s seat. “I think we might have worked through this at one time. I think we could’ve gotten past this, but fucking the personal trainer was my deal breaker.”
My announcement seemed to have knocked the wind out of her.
“You knew?” she asked quietly. “My new lawyer warned me to assume you knew everything.”
“Your new lawyer sounds really smart. Not like the last one. You should listen to her,” I chided.
“I just want my old life back. I want…” Her voice trailed off sadly.
“You want to be able to shop and have fun without ever worrying about the cost?” I sighed. “Sable, that’s the problem. You did whatever you wanted without worrying about what it could cost you. Somehow it never occurred to you that I would stop funding your perpetual vacation. Now you can go ‘live your best life’ without me.”
She sniffled. I knew the tears weren’t for the loss of me or us. I knew she cared little for Hudson as anything more than leverage. I was almost sad for her and all she was missing.
“Now what?” she wondered quietly. “Where do we go from here?”
“Well, you could give me custody of Hudson,” I suggested carefully. “I know how…busy…you are. My mother would love to spend time with him. You could sleep as late as you want, stay up until all hours. Shoot, you could have free time galore to find your next sugar daddy.”
Sable blew out a breath. “That’s really tempting, but unless we can agree on a number, I don’t see that happening, Leo.” She quickly recovered. “Be sure to have him back to me Monday morning before nine.”
“You got it,” I murmured sadly before I ended our call. Then I started the car. I had food and diapers to pick up. And I wanted to get home as soon as possible so I could snuggle my little guy. Every moment with him was beyond precious. My father hadn’t been around much growing up and I refused to repeat his mistakes. Building a company would never be more important than building a family.
Elizabeth
* * *
The minute she departed, I marched down the hall to James Willows’ door, which was partly ajar. I took a deep breath and knocked. While some of the other partners could be greedy and bordered on unreasonable, as far as I was concerned, James was my best shot at getting out of this.
“How can I help you, Liz?” he asked with a grin. “Come on in.”
“Looks like you won your last case.” I laughed, hoping his light mood would inspire some generosity.
“I did. The wife will be getting everything she asked for and more. When will these bastards learn to take the settlement?” He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms behind his head.
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe never.” Then I leaned in conspiratorially. “Better for the firm, right?”
“It really is. So, what vexes you?” James smirked. “Nice deflection, but you always seek me out when you need an ally.”
I licked my lips and considered my words carefully. “I do, don’t I?” I chuckled and shook my head. “Well, this time, I’m hoping someone else in the firm is available to take this case.” I crossed my arms
in front of my body and waited for the questioning to begin. I knew this was the better approach if I wanted a chance at my wish being granted.
“So, is it the money?” He leaned forward and rested his folded arms on the desk.
Shaking my head, I admitted, “Not at all. Her husband has plenty of money.”
“Is it the time? Historically speaking, when someone wants to get out of a case it’s usually one or the other.” He steepled his fingers in front of his face.
“Actually,” I began slowly, “it’s because I know the husband and I absolutely despise the wife.” I stared at him and when he seemed unmoved, I added, “I stand firmly in my belief that another lawyer might better represent her. A more dedicated attorney would ensure more billable hours. I’m…not that attorney. I already want this over with.”
James studied me and for a moment, I knew he was considering it. “Who’s the husband?”
“Leo Ward.” I watched as a hint of recognition flashed in his face. His father had built quite the empire in New York, and now his son had become the corporate attorney to reckon with in Charlotte.
“I wish we’d gotten Leo Ward,” he mumbled. “Eh, we’ll represent his wife instead. So, what do you dislike about her?”
“I’d say ‘everything,’ but you’d only ply me for specifics.” I huffed. “So, for starters, she’s greedy, unfaithful, selfish, vain, and manipulative.”
“Sounds like every trophy wife I’ve ever known.” He nodded. “This will be good experience for you.”
“But Leo,” I whimpered.
“Right. You know him.” He eyed me curiously. “Did you date him?”
I shook my head. “No.” We’d only ever been together in study groups during college.
“Did you fuck him?” He sighed and before I could answer added, “And naturally this also covers whether or not you let him fuck you.”
“Naturally.” I nodded. “And also no.”
“Then I see no conflict. Like I said, this will be a good experience for you. We’re divorce attorneys. Sometimes our client is in the right. Sometimes our client is in the wrong. Sometimes they’re both.” He stood and I knew he was going to walk me to the door. That was his way of clearing me out and ending the discussion. “This is the job. If you hate it so much, choose another field.”
“I don’t,” I mumbled.
“Good. Then try to remember why you chose to be an attorney to begin with.”
With my head down, I wandered out of the office. I needed to clear my head this weekend. I needed to cheer up. There was one person I could count on to help me with this. I hurried to my office, shut the door behind me, and pulled out my phone. “Hi,” I murmured when Avery answered.
“You sound sad, Lizzie. What’s up?” I could actually hear her frowning.
“Sometimes I hate my job, but I still love you,” I teased.
She giggled. “It’s hard to tell. Our conversations are so infrequent now.”
“Well, I became all career-driven and you found love. You know?” I shrugged even though she couldn’t see me. Then I walked over to my chair and sank down as I turned it to face out the window. Staring at the city skyline soothed me, but not nearly as much as being in the mountains or at the beach.
“You should come over this weekend,” Avery suggested. “The pool is ready and we’re going to have a party. Saturday. We’ll be starting around eleven in the morning. It’s an all-day affair. Come whenever. Bring a suit.”
“What about food? Alcohol?” I nibbled my lower lip as I tried to figure out what I could pick up to contribute.
“Nah. You know Paxton. We’ll probably have to send you home with leftovers, unless he invites all the guys from the team. And he usually just has Geo and Royal come to these events. He likes a nice tight circle.” She laughed.
“Am I going to be the odd man out? I am going to feel completely awkward if I’m the only single person left.” I sighed.
Avery groaned. “I swear you went into family law so you’d have proof you weren’t the last single person on earth. How’s that going?”
“It’s working. I’m still single and yet I know I’m not alone,” I joked.
“Good. You won’t be here, either. See you Saturday.” Avery ended the call.
For once, I wasn’t going to spend the weekend alone, working on cases. I’d actually be with people in general and my longtime friend specifically. So it looked like all I had to do now was find a suit.
3
Leo
* * *
“I don’t want to go,” I complained quietly. “I barely get any time with Hudson. I’d really like to spend a quiet day at home with him. You go,” I urged.
“Well, I don’t get enough time with Hudson either.” My mother frowned at me. “He needs to socialize. If we go to your friends’ house…”
“I don’t know them that well. We’ve met a couple of times. I know DeSean best,” I interrupted.
“Is DeSean going to be there?” Mom coached.
I groaned. “Yes.” I rubbed my temples a moment. “I can see we’re going to have to negotiate here.”
She smirked as she sat on the couch across from me in the great room. “That is your strong suit,” she reminded me. “I taught you well.”
My jaw dropped open. That was her way, to take credit for all of my accomplishments, as much as it was mine to try to claim them all for my own. Instead of arguing, I shook my head. I had to stay focused on the plan. “So, what if we go for say…two hours. We’ll let Hudson play. We’ll eat. We’ll make nice. And then we’ll leave. We can say he needs a nap.” I brightened. This could work. More importantly, we’d extricate ourselves without a scene. After attending countless gatherings with Sable, I really needed to leave one without a scene.
“Three hours. I’ll watch him the bulk of the time since you need socializing too. Then when he gets cranky, or you’ve had enough, we’ll go.” She crossed her legs and smirked.
I knew she’d have a counteroffer. It was why I started low. I’d already planned to survive for three hours. She walked right into it. Still, I had to play it off and not give in too easily. “Two and a half?” My brows rose hopefully.
“Three or my offer changes to four.” Her lips pursed.
With a groan, I nodded slowly and reached out my hand.
“What are you doing?” she asked, her brows scrunched together. “Do you think we’re shaking on this like strangers? I’m your mother. We don’t need to shake. I would never welch on a deal.” Mom huffed and stood. “I’ll go pack us a beach bag. You get Hudson together. We’ll be leaving in fifteen minutes.”
I shook my head. “You drive a hard bargain, Mom.”
She laughed as she exited the room. “And don’t you forget it.”
Though she’d laughed, I knew my mother wasn’t joking. Sure enough, within fifteen minutes, we’d packed a beach bag, a diaper bag, readied ourselves, and stuck Hudson in a stroller for the short walk to Paxton and Avery’s house. They had purchased a builder spec home, which, while already damn near perfect, they had further improved by building an outdoor oasis. This was the first time I’d see it finished, which was probably the point of this party.
“So, anyone I shouldn’t talk to?” Mom asked as she hooked her arm through mine while we walked down the sidewalk.
“Not that I can think of. I have no idea who’ll be here. Paxton is an NFL player. Avery was his personal assistant…turned nanny…now almost-wife.” I chuckled. “I think I introduced you to DeSean and Tegyn once.”
“Yes, sounds familiar. Are they the ones that recently had a baby?” She sighed happily. My mother loved children. I had no idea why I was an only child.
“Zara. You’ll love her. And Molly, Paxton’s daughter. Paxton and Avery’s daughter? It’s complicated.” My brow furrowed. Hudson would be going through this. If I didn’t back down, if I didn’t give in and stop the divorce, he’d have moms and dads. I swallowed hard. The multiple dads part hit me in th
e gut. I think I hated Sable a little bit for all this, but mostly I knew I was the one to blame because I never should’ve married her.
“Stop it,” Mom ordered. “I know what you’re thinking.”
“Doubt it,” I grumbled.
“Hudson will be fine. Everything will work out. You’ll see.” She looked at me intensely and I had the feeling there was more she wanted to say, but since we’d reached our destination and there were other people around, she clammed up.
“Later, Mom.” I nodded solemnly.
Avery opened the door before we could even ring the bell. “Come in! Or come through, I guess I should say. Need help with the stroller?”
“Nah. I got it. Thank you. Avery, this is my mom, Evelyn Ward.” I gestured to my mother who, as always, was incredibly stylish. Though she refused to let her hair go white at fifty-five years old, she had dyed it platinum blonde, which she wore in a sleek chin-length bob, tucked behind one ear. There wasn’t a wrinkle on her face. And it was only when people were close that they could tell she was my mother and not, say…a sister.
“My Lord, you’re beautiful. I see where Leo gets his good looks,” Avery announced as she held out a hand. “Let me introduce you to everyone.” She smiled at me and I instantly felt more comfortable. “Hudson is getting so big,” she noted.
“He really is.” I grinned as we followed her through the house.
Soon we were in the pool area. There was one chef working the outdoor kitchen and there seemed to be two servers offering food and drinks to roughly twenty guests. I met Avery’s gaze and she shook her head.
“You know Paxton. He refused to let me cook. He wanted me to be able to enjoy all of our friends.” She chuckled. “One day, I promise. We’ll do a nice intimate dinner party and I’ll prepare everything.”
“Avery, come here for a second,” Paxton called from the other side of the pool area.
“Ugh. And before you ask, yes, he has always been this needy.” Avery turned on her heels. “Sorry!”