11

Lexi's POV:

Upon putting myself in a thirty-five hundred dollar hole, I go home and find Mia already making dinner.

I walk into the kitchen and kiss her cheek, "hey, smells good."

She glances at me and immediately furrows her brows. "Thank you, but what's the matter? You sound stressed baby." Mia questions.

How the hell did she figure that out from a three word statement?

"I-I have a lot on my mind. Mainly work stuff." I lie. Mainly Evan stuff.

"How's Evan?" She asks me. "Did my dad ever give you a call this morning? He said he would."

I nod my head, "yeah I spoke with him. He's gonna represent Evan, so she feels a tiny bit more at-ease about the situation."

Mia nods slowly, "that's good. Are you sure-"

"Mia, please don't push. I just- it's been a long day." I groan, getting irritated more quickly than I usually would.

"More like a long week. You've been so snappy." She frowns.

Her facial expression alone makes me feel all sorts of guilt. "I'm sorry. Just give me some space."

She nods and says nothing further, focusing on dinner.

I go to the bedroom to change clothes, and I lock the door behind me because of the phone call I am about to make.

I already told Evan it's a done deal, so I can't just back out and look like a liar. She'd hate me. I also can't tell Mia that I am funding my ex-love interests legal representation. It looks bad.

So, I call Mia's father and hope for the best.

"Alexis, I wasn't expecting to hear back from you so soon." He answers.

A quiet sigh slips out, "me either. But I needed to speak with you about my friend, Evan."

"Yes, I remember. Is she interested in using my services?" He ponders.

I nod as I answer, "she is. But um- I'll be paying for it."

There is a brief pause followed by a shallow laugh, "you? Granted I don't know your financial situation, but isn't-"

"I'd rather not get into details. I can send you a check tomorrow, and I'd prefer that we keep this between us... meaning don't mention it to Mia?" I beg, hoping he won't rat me out.

After yet another pause, he speaks again. "Alright, Alexis. If that's what you want. The check can be sent to my office or home address."

"Thank you. Have a good night, Richard." I sigh.

I toss the phone onto the bed and fall down beside it. How did I put myself in this situation? And more importantly where am I going to get that kind of money?

I bite my cheek, staring at the ceiling. "Think, Lexi." I whisper. After several seconds of empty thoughts, I get up, frustrated, and change into sweats and a tee.

Just before I walk out of the closet, I see something that sparks an idea in my cluttered brain.

My necklace with my dad's ring. I haven't worn it in years, so I almost forgot about it.

I carefully grab the chain and let it slip through my fingers, thinking. "I promise this is important, daddy." I whisper, my thoughts shifting to the money that was left to me in his will at the time he passed. I was told that it was for a rainy day, or emergencies... and I feel like Evan's situation is both.

My mom would flip if she knew I was using any of the money that was left to me for Evan, of all people. But this is my choice, not hers. My name was on that will. She won't ever find out anyway.

I drop the chain and flip the light, going over to my computer to log into my bank account.

My checking balance sits at a whopping $347.11, while my emergency fund rests comfortably at $14,000. Untouched for years.

I didn't even gain access to the account until I reached eighteen, and since then I haven't found the need to use it. Hell, I even forgot it existed until a few moments ago when I saw that necklace.

I swallow hard as I hit the transfer button, shifting $3,500 into my checking account for Mia's father.

My whole body jumps when I hear the doorknob turn and click. "Lexi?" Mia jiggles the handle violently. "What are you doing?"

I quickly shut my computer and slide it under my pillow, rushing to the door. "Sorry, I didn't mean to lock it." I fib.

She looks at me, puzzled. "You're starting to worry me. Dinner is ready..." she sighs.

I nod and watch her walk back down the hall and I follow her.

Not much is said over dinner, and for that I am glad. I don't have a whole lot to say right now that doesn't involve Evan, who I'm sure Mia has grown significantly less fond of since she found out about (pieces) of our history.

* * *

Friday morning

Mia is up and moving long before I am. Something about some sort of beginners orientation at her job.

I lay in bed, half asleep and she kisses me quickly, "have a good day. I love you, Lexi."

I mumble and groan, forcing a response. "Mm- I love you too."

Mia leaves the apartment and I'm left to get myself up and ready for my workday. I slide into a pair of jeans and and a t-shirt, not in the mood to dress-up on this casual Friday.

I pour myself what coffee is left from Mia's pot this morning, and shove my hands through my hair.

I find my checkbook and make out a check with Mia's father's name on it and the amount written out on the line, and I sign it. Evan better be glad I care about her.

I seal the check up in an envelope and I make sure not to write down the transaction or leave any evidence of it whatsoever. Mia is very understanding with most things, but I have a feeling that a check for this much money would push her over the edge.... especially since it is for Evan.

I leave the apartment for the day, slipping the envelope into the drop-bin on my way out the door.

* * *

Evan's POV:

Don't get me wrong, my nerves are still shot from the mere thought of going to court with Scott, but knowing that I have a good attorney in my corner has made it a little easier to sleep at night... that and hearing my kid's voices before I shut my eyes.

It's a little (a lot) mind-boggling to me that Lexi made this happen for me. I mean, I know I haven't won yet, but the fact that she was even willing to go out of her way and find a kick-ass attorney to represent me for free... I owe her.

I sit at my desk, getting prepared for the Friday ahead of me, and my phone rings.

I see "Asshole" flash on the screen and my eyes roll, it is far too early to deal with him.

I answer hastily, "what, Scott?"

"Mama?" I hear my daughter's voice instead.

"I- hi baby. What are you doing calling me?" I smile, my mood changing instantly.

I hear a tired sigh, "I just wanted to talk to you before dad drops us off at school." She admits. My heart. "Can we come to your house this weekend? Please?"

I bite my cheek, "I miss you guys. And I love you... so much. Let me talk to your dad and I'll see if I can get you guys this weekend, okay?"

"Dad says he won't be here anyway because Lanie and him are going somewhere, so we are staying at Lanie's mom's house." The statement makes my skin crawl.

"Oh yeah? Put your dad on the phone." I grit, trying to hide my anger from her.

The phone is passed to Scott and he starts off with a deep sigh, "it isn't a big deal, Evan. They're just going for the week-"

"Bullshit, Scott. They are my kids. I'm coming to pick them up today, and I swear to god if they aren't there-" I'm cut off by a mumbled comment.

"Crazy bitch..."

"Excuse me?" I scoff. "How about you watch your mouth in front of them? Jesus, Scott. You really have no consideration for anyone but your damn self. I'm over your shit. I'm coming to pick my kids up this evening and that is that." I growl, hanging up the phone immediately after.

He makes me more angry than anyone else in the world could.

"I would hate to be on your bad side. You're scary as hell." Lexi's voice grabs my attention from the doorway.

I shake my head and glance up at her, "lucky for you you're on my good side... for now at least."

She smiles and walks over to my desk, holding a card between her fingers. "Here. This is your lawyer's information. You can call him today and set up a meeting." She informs me.

I take the card and nod, glancing at the information. Things fall quiet for a few seconds, but I eventually find my words. "I don't know how to tell you thank you, Lex."

Lexi shakes her head and shrugs, "don't. It's the least I could do. I mean, I'm kinda part of the reason you're in this situation." She smirks.

I immediately shake my head, "no." I stand up and walk around my desk, facing her. "This situation isn't your fault and I don't want you to feel like it is, Lex."

She nods slowly. I wrap her in a hug and she hesitantly puts her arms around my lower back, letting me squeeze her.

"Thank you." I whisper.

* * *

The end of the day comes just as quickly as the beginning did, and for that I am grateful.

I managed to contact Richard, my attorney, on lunch and he is supposed to text me with a meeting day, time, and location sometime this evening. I'm hoping it'll be early next week so that I can take Scott's sorry ass to court.

As I collect my things, my phone goes off and I see Richard's contact info. Upon reading the message, my face drops.

How the hell am I supposed to meet with him if I have my kids this weekend? Fuck.

Quite aggravated, I get my things and lock my door, headed down the hall.

"Ev, wait up." Lexi calls, trotting down the hall to catch up.

I sigh and she walks beside me, "what's with that face?"

I shake my head, "nothing, just more stress."

She gives a pathetic laugh, "oh so you get to drag details out of me, but you won't offer any in return? That isn't how this goes."

I cut my eyes at her, but she is not phased.

"Richard wants to meet with me tomorrow, but I was going to go pick up the kids and keep them for the weekend since Scott and his wife are out of town." I sigh. "So, now I get to ruin my kids' weekend by telling them that I can't come get them tonight." I explain.

Lexi grabs her chest and her eyes get huge, "I'm sorry... did you say Scott has a wife? What idiot married that douchebag?"

"Me... and Lanie." I give a sarcastic laugh.

Lexi glares, "you're not an idiot. You just made a poor choice... but you got three kick-ass kids out of it. So it's okay." She nudges my arm, trying to make me smile.

I shake my head, "the kids don't like her. Hell, I don't like her. I don't think Scott bothered to look past the fake tits." I scoff.

Lexi laughs, "well, I don't even have to see the girl to know it's a downgrade. It'd be kinda hard to move up in life after being married to the Evan Johnson." Lexi jokes, making me blush and smile. I blush at the almost flirtatious nature of the comment, and smile at her effortless use of my current last name. Most people from my past still slip up and call me Copeland. I hate it.

"You got jokes, no wonder Mia lets you stick around." I say, walking through the door that Lexi holds open for me.

Her eyes roll slightly, "that's about all I have going for me at the moment."

My head shakes slightly, "not true, you're a catch, Lex. Don't sell yourself short."

She glances at me and licks her lips, "I have an idea."

"Oh good. Your last great idea didn't go over too well, now did it?" I taunt, having major flashbacks to our short-lived relationship several years ago.

She laughs, "shut up! How about you go get the kids, bring them home and enjoy your night with them... in the morning I can meet you or something and watch them while you meet with Richard."

"This feels like déjà vu." My face scrunches and I think about the offer. "I don't want to take away your Saturday-"

"Shut up, Ev. I'm watching them. You're going to meet with Richard to devise a plan to rip Scott a new asshole, and we will have a great time. Don't you trust me?" Lexi pushes, stopping at my car.

I lick my lips slowly, "you know I trust you."

The edge of her lip turns up, "good. I'll come over in the morning. Have breakfast ready..." she teases.

I roll my eyes and sigh, "my debts to you are getting longer and longer..."

"I'm not keeping track, Ev. See you tomorrow." She calls, walking further away.

I don't know what I did to be so lucky to be blessed with Lexi, but I'm glad I did it.

Author's Note:

Am I driving all of you crazy with this slow-burn yet? Haha.

Things are about to get even more....interesting, so stay tuned!

Love all of you!

xxG.