Page 32 of Balance

Chapter 11

Lillian

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I’ve been a nervous wreck about the court date all day, then having to rush out to grab Avery before even getting information is giving me the shakes. Is he divorced? Did Brittany cause any issues or drama? Did she even show up?

I know that he had to rush to practice afterwards, so I wasn’t expecting much, but a phone call or a text would have sufficed. Now I sort of know how he felt when I didn’t talk to him at all last Sunday, or let him know when I got back to Minnesota… much less that I was around to watch the girls since he was still out of town.

My phone rings when we’re a few minutes away from the house, I frown at the screen when I see Mackenzie’s name pop up.

“Hey, what’s going on?”

My friend sniffles and I frown in the rearview mirror at Avery who is listening with wide eyes.

“Hey before you start, I have little ears in the car with me.”

“Oh… Okay. I was… Shoot. Lil, I need help. Can I come stay with you for a few weeks?”

I lick my lips and wave at Tony as he opens the gate for us and I start speeding up towards the house. “Let me talk to Morgan, worst case I can pay for a hotel close by.”

She sighs and clears her throat. “I have the money for that, girl. I just… I can’t be alone right now.”

I frown as I pull up into the driveway, opening up the garage so that I can park. “Are you in trouble?”

She sniffles. “Not legally. But let’s call it that. Call me when you don’t have little ears, okay? I’m packing up and want to fly out in the morning… I already bought my ticket…”

I chuckle under my breath. Of course she did. “All right, give me a few to talk to Morgan, okay? Will you be safe here?”

“Oh… yeah… There’s definitely the cops involved… I’m… I just need to get out of here.”

I close my eyes after I park and my heart breaks for my friend. What the hell happened? “I’ll call you right back.” I hang up and blink over my shoulder at Avery. “So, how was school?”

She rolls her eyes and hops out of the car with her backpack in her hand. “Fine. Is your friend okay?”

I purse my lips. “I sure hope so.” We look for Morgan and the other two girls and find them in the playroom. “I’ll get snacks ready… Morgan, can you come with me really quick?” He jumps up and follows me down the hall and I groan internally. I really need to stop looking at him. “I want to hear all about court today… but I also got a call from my best friend. She lives in Vegas and wasn’t able to get into much of what’s going on since Ave was in the car, but is it okay if she comes to stay here for a few weeks?”

He shrugs and steps closer to me. “I don’t see why not, I trust your judgment. If she’s safe around the girls?”

I snort. “Oh definitely. She’s just loud and obnoxious… outspoken. Opposite of me.”

He pulls me close and hums. “Well… I have news. Brittany didn’t show up and the judge signed off on everything we presented to him. I’m officially divorced, the restraining order is valid… and the pre-nup is, too. I don’t owe her a dime but he did say he wouldn’t be surprised if she opens up a case here soon trying to sue me for money eventually. I doubt she will go after the kids.”

I blink up at him wide-eyed. His hazel eyes are so clear, so bright. His normally tense shoulders are relaxed… What a difference. “So no show at all? Any idea where she is or what she’s scheming?” I wince and he chuckles.

“No… Andy said he was going to get our PI involved.” He clears his throat and backs away. “Speaking of the PI… he sent Andy some information. I haven’t looked at anything yet, but he forwarded it all to me. Do you want me to print it out for you to go through?”

I look away as the tears build behind my eyes. “Um. Maybe not yet, please.”

“No worries. Are you up to going out to celebrate tonight? The girls are going to pick the place.”

I smile softly over at him and nod. “Sure. Sounds great.”

After the girls have their snack, I leave them with their dad and head to my room to call Mackenzie back. I sit on my bed as I wait for her to pick up, running way too many scenarios in my mind.

“Hey,” she answers and I let out a relieved breath.

“Morgan said you’re welcome here… Are you okay?”

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