Page 21 of Lily's Shadow

“I hope so, I’m tired of my friend looking like death ran him over. Why don’t you just take the rest of the week off?” She asks.

“I couldn’t do that to my clients, besides coming to work keeps me busy so I don’t think too much.” I sigh.

“The circles under your eyes say that’s a lie.” She smiles back at me.

“Hey babe, you ready to go?” Wrench says, walking through the front door. “What’s up Austin?” He greets me.

“I’ll go grab my things.” Hayden tells him, heading to her office.

“How have things been going?” Wrench asks.

“It’s going, man. We have court on Friday.” I answer.

“Yeah, Hayden mentioned that. I hope everything goes well for you. Snake made sure your lawyer got a copy of that recording of her trying to sell your daughter to you. That’s some fucked up shit.” He says.

“Yeah, Hopefully this will all be over soon.” I respond.

“Okay, I’m ready now.” Hayden announces, walking up with her purse.

“I’ll make sure everything is locked up. You two have a good night.” We say our goodbyes as they walk out the door.

A few minutes later, I hear the roar of Wrench’s bike before it fades off into the distance.

Chapter 9

Lily

“Of course I want her, Erica. I’m not saying no. I’m asking why?” is what I hear on Austin’s side of the conversation when I get out of the shower. I give him a questioning look but he just shakes his head. So I get dressed while he finishes his phone call.

After he hangs up the phone he sits on the edge of the bed and drops a bomb. Well it’s a good bomb but a surprise nonetheless. “Erica wants me to keep Cordy tonight.” I don’t say anything waiting for him to continue.

“She is acting weird. For the last three weeks, she has been trying to extort money from me. Now the day before court, she is being nice?”

“You’re right something fishy is happening. There’s nothing we can do right now though.” I give him a kiss, but when I pull away he pulls me back in for another one.

“Austin, babe I have to open the shop. I’m closing early tonight to have dinner with my dad. I should be home around midnight.” he lets out a sigh of disappointment but releases me from his arms.

I give him another quick peck on the lips before I grab Loki’s leash and head out the door. I’ve been taking Loki to work with me, I feel safer having him around. I hope it’s not a premonition of what’s to come.

Austin

I’m anxiously pacing the floors and watching out the front windows, when a car finally pulls up front at four o’clock. Only I don’t see Erica, instead it’s that guy Brandon.

When I open the door, he hands me Cordy and starts to walk away without saying anything but turns back. “Hey man, I’m Brandon.” he says, reaching out like he wants to shake my hand but then remembers I’m holding the car seat.

“Yeah we met.” I gruffly tell him

“Look, I’m really sorry about all this.” He holds his arms out wide.

“Why don’t you come in, while I get Cordy settled?” I can’t believe what I just said but maybe I should give this guy a chance. After all, he is part of my baby’s life. He follows me in and I encourage him to have a seat while I put Cordelia in her bouncer.

We are talking when he remembers something and jumps up. “Give me a minute, I almost forgot the diaper bag. I’ll be right back.”

When he comes back he has the diaper bag in one hand and a couple beers in the other. He hands me one, “I seem to recall Erica saying this was your favorite. You can’t get it on this side of the country.”

I think he’s going to drink the other one but instead he sets it down. “You not going to join me?” I ask.

“Nah, I gotta drive. You save it for later.” He smiles in a friendly gesture.

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