Left (Left 1)

“She’s married with a new baby on the way. I think they have a home in Austin.”

He clucks his tongue. “Jobs?”

“No clue.”

“Well, we need to find out. Any new changes in your life I should know about?”

“I’m dating Liv Cole.”

“The Godmother listed as their guardian should anything happen to you?” Brain asks.

“Yes.”

“Is it serious?”

“Very, why?”

“A girlfriend doesn’t have the same sway as a wife, and you as a single dad is a compelling vision. You might want to cool your jets or take the plunge.”

“Are you talking about getting married?” I stared down at the phone, disgusted by the suggestion.

“It would strengthen your case.”

“No. When we tie the knot, it’s going to be because we’re both ready not for some courtroom advantage, and I’m not giving her up. It took too long to get us to this point.”

“It might hurt you in the long run,” Brian cautions.

My mouth goes dry. Do I need to choose between my children and the woman I love?

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” I say.

“Your call. Give me the names. If she’s married, she’d be Rain Rothman unless she didn’t change her name. Then she’s Rain Marshall. He’s Anthony Rothman.”

“And you say they’re in Austin?”

“Yes. At least that’s where letter she sent came from.”

“Wait, she tried to contact you? Why didn’t you call me immediately?”

“A few months back. I didn’t think it was a big deal. She’s always been a flake.”

“Shit. What did the letter say? She was married, had a kid on the way and sorry that she left me at the altar, blah, blah, blah I want the kids to know each other.”

“You don’t make things easy on yourself, Houston.”

“I’m not losing my kids, Brian.”

“Listen I’m going to get to work gathering information today. Just think on what I mentioned, okay?

“Aint’ going to happen. You’re barking up the wrong tree.”

“You could lose the kids because of me.”

The whispered words make me jump.

I turn to see a forlorn Liv in the middle

of the room. Her flannel shorts and white wife beater accents her curves.