Page 21 of Balance

“I know. Nothing has happened at all, it’s all been platonic.”

The rest of the ride to the airport, the guys all talk about what they want to do tonight after the game. James, Logan, and I decide to just head back to the hotel. Alexi snorted at us and called us stupid. “It’s not like we’re going to be picking up women, you’re allowed to go out and have a few drinks.”

I send him a look. “You’re also still in your twenties. I’m old as fuck. I need some downtime, asshole. Probably with a hot bath and some TV before I pass out and play games all week, traveling around like I was still twenty-one.”

He laughs heartily and nods. “You fucking Americans. All right. Just promise to come out at least one night.”

I roll my eyes. “We’ll see.”

_____________

There’s just something about beating the shit out of other teams that makes me feel better, like I’m on top of the world. We’ve won both games this week and are finally heading home tomorrow morning. Apparently we’ve formed a bit of a ‘dad group’ between James, Alexi, and me. Even though Alexi was the one to try to get us to go out and drink before we even set foot on the jet to take us to New York, he was the first to beg us to comehang out with him in his room to keep him company so he didn’t die of boredom.

So every night we all hung out on opposite sides of the room while calling our kids, or significant others in their case.

Seeing Lillian’s face filling my screen on the video call did something to me. I want to be around her more. I want to get closer to her, not just physically. But… fuck. She’s just something else. I’ve never met a woman like her.

So soft, kind, and intelligent. Reserved. She cares about what I say. She wants to hear about my day. She answers all of my questions about my daughters, what she thinks they need, how they’ve been adjusting while Avery’s in school, and what they do during the day.

She doesn’t try to take over. She just does what she feels is right and it’s bringing my family together. Closer. I’ve never felt so close to my girls and it makes me feel like such a shit father that I let this go on for so many years, thinking everything was okay.

It’s almost midnight and I’m staring up at my dark ceiling when my phone lights up. I roll over and grab it frowning at the name popping up on the screen. It’s my attorney.

“What’s going on?”

He sighs. “Brittany nor her lawyer are responding to anything the courts or I send them. The court date is coming up in a few weeks, and nothing. All we have from her is the signed papers you handed her before she left. If we don’t get a response then this might be a mess in the future. I’m sure she’s banking on getting the amount that was in the papers, but if she doesn’t show up, or respond, then you’ll get full custody, keeping all of your assets, and any money you send her thereafter will be a ‘gift’ not a part of any court order for alimony or any other bullshit she might try to pull. She had a very… extravagant eleven years with you, Morgan. She can show up at some point demandinginsane amounts to help her live the way she did while you were married.”

I scrub my hands down my face, squeezing my eyes shut. “There has to be a reason you’re calling me this late at night.”

He clears his throat. “Yes… The PI that we’ve had on her since she left the states let me know that she just touched down in New York… We both know she doesn’t have any family there. Are your parents up to speed on your separation and the truth? I don’t want you getting phone calls from your family… or having everyone show up at your damn house.”

I chuckle. “Yes, my parents are well aware of what is happening, I speak to them at least once a week. I’m sure we’ll find out sooner than later what she’s doing in New York… Let’s just hope she isn’t back to cause any shit. I know it’s harsh to keep her away from the kids, but is there anything we can do where she can’t take them out of the county, needs supervised visitation? I’m terrified about how the girls will react to her… in all of these months I think they’ve brought up Brittany once, and it was in passing. Like how she used to let Avery sit in the front seat in the car…”

“I’ll head to the court house first thing in the morning. Get some rest. When do you return home? You just played Philly last night, right?”

I grunt. “Yes. I’ll be home around noon tomorrow. Thanks, Andy[7].”

He hangs up and I send Lillian a text to let her know to lock all of the doors and windows and to make sure the alarm is set. All of the locks have been changed and so has my security company that controls all of the house alarms, all of the codes… This shit is making me nervous. If she shows back up in St. Paul I might just fucking break.

I was hoping to not have to deal with her until the court date. She made it clear she didn’t want to be a wife or a mother.

My hands are shaking as I toss and turn, trying to think of calming shit so that I can be well-rested instead of looking like a zombie. Just… fuck my life.

It’s always something.

________________

As soon as we land, I’m rushing out of the jet and jumping into a taxi. Nolan already said he would bring my bags to my house after they get back to their cars at the arena. Either way, I don’t give a shit about my belongings right now.

On the plane, Lillian sent me a text that Brittany showed up to the house and barged her way in when she answered the door.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. How did she get to Minnesota so fast?

I should have told her not to answer, but it’s Lillian. Of course she doesn’t have the heart for the girls to not see their mom.

“Can you go faster?” I croak out and the driver shakes his head.

“Sorry, sir. I’m already going five over. We’ll be at the destination in fifteen minutes.”

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