“Are you even listening to yourself right now? You make us sound like cartoon villains.”
“No, there was nothing humorous about what the two of you did.” I snarl like a cat defending it’s young.
“What are you his guardian now?”
I grind my teeth together. “It’s none of your business what we are.”
“Oh, this is rich.” He laughs. “You’re together now, right? Sloppy seconds.” He shakes his head. “You’ll never be happy.”
“Fuck you.”
He holds up his hand and the light glints off a gold ring. “Are you kidding me? She married you?”
“Yes, which you would know if lover boy was honest.”
The words make me sick to my stomach. “What are you talking about?”
“Already trouble in paradise. She sent him a letter. We want to see the kids.”
“Over my dead body.”
“We’re trying to do this the nice way. You know the courts tend to favor mothers. We’re married with a son on the way. Who do you think provides the better household? A single father and his girlfriend, or a ready-made family?”
“Last I checked, parents aren’t allowed to run off with no word and come back and make demands.” I’m in deep water and sinking fast.. I’ve seen drug users get their children back because they wanted to give the mother a chance to raise her children. Would they feel sympathy for an overwhelmed bride who ran? My stomach knots.
“This is a final warning. Contact us so we can set up arrangements, or be prepared to head to court. We’re trying to do the right thing here.”
“You have no clue what those words mean.”
“I do after being with the right person.”
The sentence was a slap in the face. My jaw drops. “You are one sorry ass motherfucker. Is this how you get your kicks? Rolling up on people you screwed over and trying to scare them? The old Liv is gone, and the one standing her in her place is trying not to let you know how she feels about you.” I clench and unclench my fists.
He snorts. “Like you’d have the guts.”
I slap the taste of his mouth before I realize my hands are moving. His eyes go wide, and he takes a step back. “You crazy ass bitch.”
“Damn straight. Please come for me. I want to show you how changed I am.”
“I tried to do this the peaceful way. I see now there’s no reasoning with you.”
He stalks off, and I watch him throw narrowed eyes. Furious doesn’t begin to cover the way I feel right now. I’m seething. Just like that, he stole the peace and joy I had fought tooth and nail for. Fear puts out the flames of rage, and I hurry to my car.
***
Houston
The sound of tires squealing sends me racing to the door. Liv exits her car still clad in work clothing. My heart beats faster as I open the door.
“What’s going on?” I call as she stalks toward me, a woman on a mission with a stern expression and eyes full of anger.
“How dare you?” Her words are quiet and laced with venom.
“What the fuck?" I say more to myself than her.
“How dare you keep the fact that Rain contacted you a secret.”
“How do you know that?” I ask.