Page 96 of Play Dirty

Stevie has to be at the gallery this afternoon, so I drop her off, and then head to the arena because Gabe told me Harper is working in her office today. I hate asking for favors, but there’s nothing I won’t do for my kids and for Stevie.

“Hey, Marty.” Harper looks up in surprise when I rap my knuckles against her open door. “Come on in.”

“Hey.” I walk in and sink into a chair across from her. “How are you feeling?”

“Huge,” she says with a grin. “But you didn’t come here to talk about my pregnancy. What’s going on?”

“I need a favor, and I don’t know who else to ask.”

“I’ll help if I can.”

“I need an attorney. I fired my divorce lawyer and there’s a hearing tomorrow…” I tell her what’s going on. “I didn’t like how he went after Stevie. I understand that’s how a judge or lawyer might treat her, but we aren’t prepping for a trial. It’s an unfounded request from my jealous ex-wife. I looked up the law and there have to be actual incidents to get a restraining order. And there isn’t anything, but Luke behaved like Stevie is some kind of criminal.”

“I know some lawyers but no one that specializes in family law.”

“Can you get me an appointment with Madeline Aronson?”

Her eyes widen. “By tomorrow?”

“I know,” I say. “I was pissed and did something impulsive, but now I’m in a bind and you’re the one person who might be able to help me.”

She’s thoughtful for a few seconds and then nods. “Hang tight.” She picks up her phone and starts scrolling. She finds what she’s looking for and then makes a call. “Hey, Madeline…how are you?”

I nearly choke.

I didn’t expect her to make the call personally.

Or for Madeline Aronson to just answer the phone.

“…yes, it’s been too long… oh, you wouldn’t believe all the changes…” She laughs at something Madeline says. “Sadly, this is not a social call. I need a favor. For one of the guys on my team.” She’s quiet again for a bit. “No, I don’t think money is an issue.” She meets my gaze and I shake my head. “Uh, well, tomorrow might be too late… yes, I know how busy you are. At least you’re not a hundred months pregnant… I am. Official due date is October first… I’m not sure about that but I’ll be at every game until he or she makes their grand entrance.” She laughs, they talk about something else, and then all of a sudden, she turns to me, proffering her phone. “Here you go—you have two minutes to make your case.”

Jesus fuck.

I’m totally not prepared, but it doesn’t matter.

I grab the phone and give it my best shot.

And to my astonishment, Madeline tells me to meet her at her office at seven thirty this evening and disconnects.

I stare at Harper. “How did you do that?”

“Madeline’s a friend.”

“I didn’t know that. I just hoped you had the connections to get me in to see her.”

“Obviously, I do.” She smiles. “And I truly hope she can help you.”

“Thank you,” I say. “I’ll owe you one.”

“You don’t owe me anything. I just need you to show up and play your best every night. Without worrying about what your ex is doing to fuck up your life.”

“Yeah, that’s my goal too.” I lean back in my chair. “To be honest, I’m more worried about Stevie right now. This has had a negative impact on her mental health…and she’s already been through too much.”

“I know. I’m sorry this is happening—to both of you.”

“I’m doing everything in my power to protect her from this, but fucking Brenna…” My voice trails because I try so hard not to talk shit about the mother of my children. I don’t want to be that guy, but she makes it so fucking hard.

“What do you think she wants?” Harper asks, though I think it’s mostly rhetorical. “Is this a money grab?”

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