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These boys don’t want to go with her, and there’s a valid reason for that.
“Come on, boys,” Emily says the second Chase reaches a hand up to touch both of the boys’ faces.
“You’ll be fine. Go have lunch with Mommy, and I’ll see you in a little while.”
Cole straightens his back like he has to be brave to be around his mother, and it kills me.
“Maybe we can all have lunch together?” I offer, glancing among the other adults.
Cory nods, liking my idea, but Emily scoffs, waving her hand to urge the boys into their booster seats as if it’s the most insane idea she’s ever heard.
We’re both speechless as the boys are strapped in and Cory drives away with them.
Guilt swims inside of me for not trying harder to stop what just happened.
“Chase,” I whisper after both attorneys walk away.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” he mutters before walking toward his vehicle.
His sadness is almost enough to make me forget the bullshit lie he just told everyone inside.
Almost.
Chapter 13
Chase
Deep inside, I know Emily would never hurt the boys on purpose. She’s more of an ignore-and-do-her-own-thing mother than anything else, but after the pool incident that set this whole divorce and custody battle into motion, her negligence can be just as devastating.
As much as Cory dislikes kids, he’s not the type of person who would normally let some bad shit happen without intervening.
These are the facts that I try to focus on after they drive away with the boys.
Another issue I have to face right now is the lie that I told everyone inside the office about Madison being my girlfriend. I decide to focus as best I can on that because there’s actually something I can do about it.
My plan?
Lie again.
I hold my hands up in mock surrender when I turn to face her, feeling guilty before the next lie even slips from my tongue. She looks just as worried about my kids as I am. This woman has no idea she’s one in a million, that she’s already been a better person to Cale and Cole than their mother ever has been. It didn’t take long to realize that Emily really didn’t have very good parenting skills, but my days of hoping and praying that she figures it out are through.
“Before you jump my ass,” I begin. “I know I lied, but Mr. Long, my attorney, told me that it would be better for my case if I were involved in a relationship with someone because a two-parent team presents better in court.”
“You should’ve—”
“I know I should’ve spoken with you about it, and I apolo—”
“You should’ve found someone else!” she interrupts. “If you had asked, I would’ve told you that there’s no way in hell that I’m willing to lie for you.”
“It’s not that big of a deal,” I argue.
She throws her hands up in frustration. “Not that big of a deal? Is your foresight that damn narrow? Lying now may not be a big deal, but it’ll go to court.You just put me in a position where you’re expecting me to lie to a judge. I don’t know what kind of life you lead, Chase, but I’m not the type that breaks the law, and lying to a judge is illegal!”
All the steam I was building up to argue my case deflates from my lungs in a rush.
“Shit.”
“Yeah, shit,” she snaps.
