Page 139 of Tapped

Times two.

The last month has been quiet. I haven’t once slept at my condo, and most of my things have made their way to Evie’s. Chase started kindergarten and has notes sent home at least once a week that he talks too much in class and tries to teach his “table friends” in a way that does not follow the teacher’s lesson plans.

Evie is beside herself with mortification.

I think it’s a sign that he’s a natural-born leader and told her not to squash his spirit. It’s not like he’s bullying kids, he’s organizing them. He’s smart. He wouldn’t do it if they didn’t need it.

She rolls her eyes and informs me that I’m not helpful. But she does it with a smile on her face, and it usually wins me a kiss.

The only thing that needs to change about Evie’s son is blowing his nose into a fucking tissue and coughing into his elbow. I caught one hell of a cold after we got back from Montana. I was sick for a week. I knew I would be. I even missed a day of work, and I can’t remember the last time I missed work because I was sick.

But Evie didn’t sneeze once. Her special powers allowed her to carry on like the rockstar she is. She’s half my size and made of a bulletproof vest when it comes to germs.

I yank my tie loose and undo the top two buttons. I had to be in court today. Hell, I’ve been in court all week. But everything is going according to plan.

Other than Teddy Koening.

He’s nowhere to be found. Defendants tried to give him up in exchange for lesser charges, but in the end, they were feeding us a load of shit as a last-ditch effort for a shorter sentence.

They didn’t get it.

These assholes are going away for a long time.

“Hey, Landyn’s been itching to have Sunday dinner. Baylee is a month old and we’re not close to getting our shit together or sleeping through the night, but apparently it’s time to host a dinner. Will you guys be there?”

“I need to check with Evie, but I don’t see why not. Chase’s last T-ball game was last weekend. He’s not going to miss out on a chance to hang with Brian.”

“Let me know. Landyn wants a count. When do your parents get here?”

“Next week. I can’t hold them off any longer. They used to hate coming to Miami, but they met Evie and Chase, and now they’re clamoring to be here.”

Brax smirks. “Why did you hold them off?”

“We needed a minute. Hell, I took her to Montana before she was officially divorced. Evie’s mom hated me just because I’m a man. That lasted for about a week. I’m not sure what happened, but I have a feeling Evie’s sister took care of that shit. Irena Litchfield has turned the other cheek. She either loves me, or she’s the best actor on earth.”

“I put money on the latter.”

“Fuck you,” I mutter and swivel back to my computer to answer emails before shutting it down for the day. Evie found a nanny to pick Chase up from school and stay with him until one of us gets there. If she’s late making rounds, I usually beat her to the house.

I pick up my phone and hit go on her number to see where she is.

She answers immediately. “Hey. How was court this afternoon?”

I lean back in my chair. “Everything went as expected. The highlight of my day was having lunch with you. I’m sick of wearing a suit, but it’s done until the trials start. That’ll take months.”

A door slams, and everything echoes. “I had a patient to see across town. The timing was perfect. I’m on my way home from the hospital. I had to discharge a patient. It turns out she was only dehydrated and needed fluids. She’s happy to be heading home.”

“That’s good, baby. Brax invited us over for dinner Sunday.”

“Landyn invited you over for dinner.” Brax calls in a raised voice from behind me. “I’m exhausted from not sleeping more than three hours at a time.”

I turn and frown at him. “Correction. Brax doesn’t want us there, but Landyn insists.”

“Tell Brax and Landyn to sit back and relax. I’ll call Annette—she and I will plan it and bring everything to them.”

“You know, you’re going to make me look bad. I’d never do that.”

“That’s because you’re a man. I love you, Micah, but men don’t think that way.”

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