Page 92 of Backup Plan

I drink it down, and it burns my throat. “Fireball? You gave me a midday shot of Fireball?”

He laughs. “What did you think it was? I could smell the cinnamon across the house.”

I can’t help a giggle, and truthfully, it is sort of making my nerves feel less frazzled. I blow out a breath. “He said something about me shacking up with an NFL player,” I admit.

His face falls a little. “Oh, shit. Is that going to hurt you?”

“I think the judge was more annoyed by the outburst than what he said.”

He twists his lips and nods, but I can’t help noticing that he turns away from me.

And I can’t help but feel like maybe I should have kept the whole shacking up comment to myself.

He doesn’t bring it up again until the following Sunday evening when we pick up the kids from Brent’s place.

The kids are upstairs packing their stuff, and Liam is with me this time.

I think about trying to have a productive conversation with him so we can settle this before the trial, but I know better than to try to do that without Alexander present.

And so I keep my mouth shut about all of it and try to make small talk instead.

“How was the weekend?”

Brent shrugs. “Fine.”

“Did you do anything fun with the boys?”

“I had to work most of the weekend,” he says.

I sigh. “Do you think it’s a stable environment for our children to come to your place only to be stuck with a babysitter all weekend?”

“Do you think it’s a stable environment for our children to stay at home of the NFL star you’re shacking up with who also knocked up another woman?” he jabs back.

My brows dip. “How do you know about that?”

“I have eyes and ears all over this city, darlin’. I know everything.” His voice is a low hiss. “And everything you’re doing is convenient for my case, so thanks.”

God, I hate him.

And I’m more sure than ever that there’s no chance in hell that he’ll ever let me come out ahead—especially not if it means letting Liam and me find a way to be together.

CHAPTER 29: Liam Bradley

A Stable Environment

His question plays over and over in my mind on the drive home.

Do you think it’s a stable environment for our children to stay at the home of the NFL star you’re shacking up with who also knocked up another woman?

Is he right? Is this relationship between Penny and me helping his case…and simultaneously hurting hers?

I can’t let him weaponize what we have in court, and not just because it could hurt Penny’s case, but also because we aren’t ready for Everleigh to find out. I think. I guess. I don’t know. I haven’t brought it up again since the last time when she told me she wasn’t ready to confess all to my sister, but she’s trying to get the court’s approval to move to California, so it seems like she’s just as serious as I am.

I finally bring it up after the kids are in bed. We’re in the family room, and I flip off the television and turn toward her. “What if he’s right?” I ask quietly.

“Huh?”

“Brent. What if he’s right about what he said, that we’re helping his case by essentially living together?”