guy who looks at me.”
“A year is a long time.”
“I’m a total slut.”
“What’s a slut?” Oliver’s little voice makes me jump.
“Shit!” Both hands cover my mouth.
“Aunt Sly said a swear word.” Ollie snorts a laugh, ducking his head.
His mom cuts her eyes as she carries two mugs of coffee to the table. “Are you auditioning for SNL?”
“I’m sorry!”
Court bends down to kiss the top of his head. “Ignore Aunt Sly, sweetie. She’s having a hard week.”
His hands are cupped under his neck. “She woke me up last night.”
“I did?” I kneel in front of him, sliding my fingers across the front of his hair. “I tried to be super quiet.”
“I thought you were a monster.” He rubs his hands back and forth under his chin.
“What’s that? You got something?” I smile, leaning closer.
“It’s just Chartreuse.” He opens them, and my heart flies to my throat.
“Oh, gross!” I squeal, falling back on my ass and scrambling behind a kitchen chair. “Get it away!”
“Oliver James,” Court fusses. “Put that thing back in its cage.”
“She’s not a thing!” He cries, and I peek from behind his mother’s chair at the bright green tree frog with oversized orange eyes watching me from his palm.
“I swear to God, Ollie, if that thing gets on me, I will lose it.”
“You already lost it,” he grumbles under his breath, and my eyebrows shoot up.
“Rude.” I look up at his mom, and she shakes her head.
“That is not how we talk to adults, Olls. Now put Chartreuse in her cage.”
“She needs her bugs. She’s going to starve to death.”
“I’ll get her bugs. Put her up now.”
He stomps up the short hall leading to our shared bedroom, and I rise slowly. “I’ve been sleeping with that thing in the room every night?”
“It’s just a tree frog. Don’t be such a drama queen.”
“I’m loving the attitudes around here.”
But when she returns from the kitchen with a plastic cup of what looks like crickets, I notice her eyes have dark circles under them.
“Hey,” I catch her hand. “Are you okay? Did I wake you, too? I’ll sleep in my van next time.”
“It’s not that.” Her shoulders drop, and she exhales heavily.
“Tell me.”
She glances towards Ollie’s room before lowering her voice and leaning closer. “Ozzy showed up here last night. I didn’t even know he knew where we lived. Thank God, Ollie was already asleep.”
“What did he want?” My grip on her hand tightens. “Did he hurt you?”
She shakes her head, but her eyes are worried. “He said he wants his son back. He said I can’t keep him away.”
I’ve never met Court’s husband, but once when we were doing clinicals, I had to treat her clients for a week because he’d sprained her wrist. I’d also kept Ollie for her so he’d be away from the fighting when his dad was around.
“Didn’t the judge give you sole custody?”
Her lips tighten. “Ozzy won’t sign the divorce papers. I filed a restraining order a year ago, but I guess it expired. I don’t know. I thought he’d finally given up and gone away.”
“Do they ever really do that?” She doesn’t meet my eyes, and I pull her into a hug. “Don’t worry. I’m here now, and I can kick some serious butt.”
She exhales a laugh. “Thanks, Sly.”
Leaning back, I catch her eyes. “What? You don’t believe me?”
“It’s not that.” She rubs her face with her hands. “I’m just so tired. I stepped in this pile of shit, and no matter what I do, I can’t seem to get it off me.”
“I’m here for you.” She blinks up, and our eyes meet. “I’ll do whatever I can—just tell me what you need.”
“Thanks, girl. I just wish he’d lose interest.” She goes to Ollie’s room, and I sit in the chair, studying my warm mug of coffee. All those true crime stories I’ve watched about abuse situations ending in death push against my mind. I’d do anything to protect my friend.
My phone buzzes, and I lift the face to see a text from Daisy. Miles needs to see your portfolio. Spence said to bring it by on Monday.
Adrenaline flashes in my chest at the sight of his name, and I quickly push it down. Not going there. We’re working together. I have to be professional.
My thumbs fly across my phone. I wasn’t coming home this weekend. How will I get it?
Tell me where it is, and I’ll meet you.
Chewing my lip, I think about this. When do they want me to come in?
Any time. Spencer