Page 91 of Backup Plan

“My client has been offered a position in another state, and she’s prepared to work out a custody agreement with the court’s permission to relocate to California,” he says.

“Absolutely not,” Brent roars, and his lawyer gives him a look that very clearly says shut the fuck up.

“Mr. Calloway, I’ll thank you not to yell in my chambers,” the judge warns. He sighs. “I’m sure we’d all like to avoid trial. Counsel, aside from relocation and custody, what other financial issues do we need to address?”

Alexander looks at me, and I nod.

“My client is prepared to keep the current time structure and cover the travel costs for the children so their father can be with them every other weekend,” Alexander says. “She’s already given him the house and is seeking spousal and child support, which Mr. Calloway has vehemently denied.”

“If she’s shacking up with that NFL star, she doesn’t need the money,” Brent points out, and it’s the first clue that tells me he’s going to weaponize my relationship with Liam every chance he gets.

The judge sighs. “Mr. Calloway, you will have your chance to be heard, but it will be through your counsel. Is there any flexibility on either side so we can resolve this today?”

Brent purses his lips, and it’s really too perfect since he’s the one pissing off the judge. Good. Piss him off so he rules in my favor.

“My client feels the travel would wear on the children and does not agree to the relocation request,” Brent’s lawyer says.

He looks between us. “I’m not seeing movement on these matters.” He glances at his computer screen. “You’ll both have your chance to be heard at trial. Counsel, are you available July twelfth?”

All of the lawyers in the room nod, and that’s that.

“Continue to have productive conversations to move toward a resolution. If you are able to come to an agreement, notify the court, and we’ll change your trial to a prove-up.”

I guess we’re going to trial.

Once we’re dismissed and we’re out in the hallway and out of earshot of Brent, who gives me a glare on his way past me, I have to ask. “What’s a prove-up?”

“The final hearing where the divorce is finalized,” Alexander says. “If we can shift it to that, it would save us all a hell of a lot of time, but if not, then we go to trial and we win.”

“Did you see how angry the judge was at Brent’s outbursts?” I ask, and I can’t help a smile.

“That was excellent for your case. Have you been keeping records of his interactions with you and your children?”

I wrinkle my nose. “Probably not as much as I should have been.”

“Start now. I need everything. We should meet in my office to discuss our options regarding your children. We shouldn’t do it here.” He lowers his voice. “But I will need to know exactly how your children feel about their father and what your goals are in terms of parenting time.”

I nod. I figured we’d just keep our current agreement. I wish there was some way to write Brent out of the picture, but there isn’t. He’s their father.

I think about how the boys told me their father went out of town the last time they were there. I think about how he left them with some stranger I don’t even know.

He doesn’t deserve them, and I hate that I will worry about them every time they are over there.

When I get home, I’m crying, and Liam is waiting for me with open arms.

“How did it go?”

I sink into his arms. “Brent had two outbursts, so that seems good for me. It didn’t seem like the judge was impressed.”

“That seems good. Did you settle anything?”

I shake my head against his chest. “He set a trial date for July twelfth.”

“How long does a divorce case usually take?”

“Should be done before you leave for training camp,” I say. “A day or two, probably. Alexander said he needs everything I have against Brent. I guess I need to start keeping better records.”

“What were his outbursts about?” he asks as I pull out of his arms. He leads me to the kitchen, where a glass with amber liquid in it is waiting for me. He picks it up and hands it over. “Thought you might need this.”