Page 95 of Play Dirty

“Did you just call Stevie problematic?” Marty is already on his feet. “Come on, babe, we’re done.”

“Marty, maybe he’s right,” I whisper. “Maybe we should listen to him.”

“Brenna cheated, left me, and took my kids to the other side of the country,” he says, his eyes dark. “She doesn’t get to now tell me who I can and cannot spend time with. Luke, the ball is in your court.”

“Okay, everyone calm down.” Luke stands up and comes out from behind his desk. He puts a placating hand on Marty’s shoulder. “I’ve got this. But you just have to be prepared. The judge we’ve been assigned is a woman and a ballbuster. She gives custody to the mother eighty-five percent of the time. This TRO isn’t going to help.”

“Then make sure she doesn’t get it!” Marty says, throwing up his hands. “Why is this so difficult for you?”

“It’s not. I just think we’re spittin’ in the wind with this judge.”

“And you didn’t think to mention that until now?”

“You weren’t dating a supermodel with a troubled past before now.”

“You’re fired,” Marty says without hesitation.

God, I love this man.

“The hearing is tomorrow,” Luke protests. “Listen to me—I’m just trying to warn you.”

“And I just fired you.” Marty takes my hand and practically yanks my arm out of the socket as he pulls me from the room.

I want to die from embarrassment.

You weren’t dating a supermodel with a troubled past before now.

I love that he wants to protect me, but someone has to protect him from himself.

I can’t do this to him.

I just can’t.

And if I’m honest, I can’t do it to myself either.

As much as I love him, I can’t let him drag me back to the dark place I was in a year ago.

I’ve worked too hard and come too far.

For both our sakes, I have to set him free.

Chapter31

Marty

Firingmy lawyer less than twenty-four hours before a hearing in family court probably wasn’t the smartest move I could have made, but he pissed me off. It’s like he has something personal against Stevie, and the way he spoke to her is unacceptable. She hasn’t done anything wrong and has been nothing but wonderful with the kids. They adore her.

That momentarily gives me pause.

Isthatwhat this is about?

Is Brenna pissed off that the kids like and potentially talk about Stevie too much?

Well, I can’t worry about that now.

I need to find another attorney.

Right away.

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