? NDA - Billie Eilish
Liam
Ruby’s lawyer sent over the petition to terminate Breanna’s parental rights faster than we anticipated. Now it’s thirty minutes before I’m supposed to meet with her, and Ruby is radiating nervous energy. She’s sitting crisscross at the end of our bed, fidgeting with a guitar pick while I finish buttoning my shirt.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?”
I tuck an errant strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ll be fine. It’s not like she’s gonna try anything. She’s never been violent.”
She looks away. “That’s not what I’m worried about.”
I grin down at her. “Jealousy looks cute on you, baby.”
She rolls her eyes and swats at my chest. “It’s not that either. I don’t want her to try to use Aiden as some kind of leverage to get more out of the deal. Adam already warned us that she could try to claim that we bribed her to sign away her rights, and we’d be right back at square one.”
I sink next to her and pull her against me, cradling her head against my shoulder. “I know. We’ve been over everything a million times at this point. All we can do now is shoot our shot and hope it lands.”
“If it doesn’t?"
“We’ll figure it out.”
She releases a resigned sigh and kisses my jaw. “Did you talk to Rosie?”
I nod. “Everything is under control. She'll be the witness and notary if Bree agrees to sign.”
“And you’ll call if something happens? Maybe you should take Nico with you.”
“Stop worrying. I’ll be fine. I’m a big boy; I can handle my ex.”
I pull up outside Rosie’s five minutes before six. There’s no sign of Bree anywhere. The sweet scent of fresh pastries assaults me the moment I step inside the brightly lit space, bringing the cool bite of autumn air with me before the warmth envelopes me.
I didn’t want to tell Ruby this, but I’ve had this aching sense of dread in the pit of my stomach for days. I can tell she’s feeling it too, and I didn’t want to burden her. It’s been years since I’ve spent any significant amount of time with Bree. I don’t know what she’s capable of. Based on Adam’s research, she’s been into some shady shit.
Rosie greets me with a warm smile as I walk over to the booth nearest the window.
She hands me a menu. “You ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” I pull out my phone and set it on the vinyl cushion beside me, with the recording app ready to go, and place the folder with the paperwork on top. I’m not taking any chances.
The bell chimes above the door at 6:15. It’s just like Bree to be late to her own blackmail scheme. She’s wearing another business-type outfit, like she’s here for a job interview instead of extortion.
“Liam. You look well. Where’s your little girlfriend?”
I grit my teeth, suppressing the urge to unleash all of my pent-up rage—years’ worth of anger I’ve stored up on behalf ofmyson. Mine. Nothers. She gave up any claim on him the moment she left.
I start recording, careful not to make any obvious movements. “Did you want something to drink before we discuss details, or should we cut the bullshit and get right down to business?”
“I think you’re forgetting who holds all the cards here.” She snaps her fingers, beckoning Rosie to the table like some kind of servant at her command. She hasn’t changed a bit. She’s always acted like the world owes her something, and that sense of entitlement is one of the many reasons we didn’t work out.
“What can I get for you?” Rosie’s demeanor is much more subdued than her usually cheery disposition. When I explained the situation, she didn’t hesitate to offer her support. This town has its flaws, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a community more dependable.
“I’ll take an ice water with lemon.”
“Great. Liam? Can I get you anything?”
“I’m fine, Ro. Would you mind packing up a pumpkin pie for Ruby?” I know Bree isn’t gonna order anything that costs money, and Rosie deserves to get paid just for having this conniving bitch in her establishment. Bree’s obvious jealousy is just an added bonus. If she rolled her eyes any harder, they’d get stuck back there.
Rosie smiles and nods. “Be right back.”
