14

Evan's POV

I fight tears of my own as I listen to both of my daughters cry and beg me not to make them exit the car in the driveway of Scott and Lanie's house. Mason starts to cry too in the midst of the madness, and it nearly breaks me. My lip quivers a bit, but my sadness turns to rage when Scott taps my window.

"Sit tight. Don't cry, okay?" I say, squeezing Ava's knee as I push the door open and get out.

My arms immediately fold over my chest and a smug look crosses Scott's face. "Crying hard this time, I see."

"How can you do this to them?" I ask.

"Do what? Give them a nice home..." he mutters, motioning behind him. "Giving then access to the best private school around, providing them with everything they could ever want and need?" His smart ass tone sends me over the edge.

"Fuck you, you piece of shit." I smile. "I am taking my kids back if it is the last thing I do, Scott. They hate it here. They're going to end up hating you if you keep this shit up. You can give them all the materialist things in the world, but money isn't everything, Scott. I thought one day you'd realize that, but clearly I was wrong. It's going to bite you in the ass... hard." I point out. "But it's fine. Because I'll be here to catch all three of them, and then you and your skank of a wife can go off and take as many luxurious vacations as you want without a care in the world. I just pray that you two never have kids, because it would be really unfortunate for any more kids to be subjected to your bullshit and to have you as a father."

He gives a pathetic laugh, "yeah? Fuck you, Evan."

I smirk as I open the door, "mm, I'm sure you'd love to. You're good at cheating on your wife, isn't that right?"

"I only cheat on the lousy ones." He growls as all three kids pile out of the backseat.

The girls look at him with their pitiful, red, swollen eyes and he is completely insensitive. "Get in the house." He hisses.

Ava instantly starts crying again and clings to my leg. I put my hand on the back of her head and hold her against me, trying to keep it together for everyone's sake.

I take a breath and kneel down, "I'm sorry, baby. I promise this week is going to go by super fast and then I'll come pick you up."

She shakes her head and tries to wipe her eyes, "I don't want to go with him, mama." She whispers and quickly wraps her arms around my neck, squeezing me tight.

This solicits a couple of tears from me. I hold my daughter as she sobs on my shoulder, and Grace soon follows the lead of her sister. Mason stands, watching. He looks so confused and lost. The poor kid shouldn't have to deal with any of this. None of us should.

"Baby? What's going on?" Lanie's voice comes out of the garage and Scott huffs and puffs, rolling his eyes.

"Evan won't let them come inside." He lies.

I laugh and let go of Ava's body, but she remains wrapped around me. I shoot him a displeased glare. He knows that this is all them. I'm not forcing them to pretend that they love me.

"Girls, come on! I'm making dinner." Lanie cheers, ruffling Grace's hair.

"Give us a damn minute. God." I hiss, talking to the married couple.

I receive a filthy glare as the two walk away, but I manage to subside my anger and pry my daughter's arms from me.

"I need all three of you to look at me." I sigh. I hold their hands tight, "I need you guys to behave this week, and I really need you to call me every night, okay? I pinky promise that I am coming to get you on Friday."

Grace chews her lip nervously, "can we have pizza on Friday?"

I smile a bit, "anything you want."

"Can Lexi come too?" Ava adds.

I bite my lip. Yikes. "Maybe, I'll ask her for you guys."

They nod slowly and I kiss all three of them, wiping away the tears of my twins as I do so. I hold my emotions together as I tell them goodbye and send them up towards the door, Scott and Lanie watching me the whole time.

I shake my head, knowing that they are loving this. Sick bastards. I stick my middle finger up towards them as I climb into my car and leave the driveway, once again breaking down in tears once I'm out of sight.

* * *

I walk into the school with my head low, not wanting to be here today.

Just as I reach for the door, an arm comes around me and the handle is pulled for me. "Good morning."

"Morning, Lex." I force a smile and walk into the open door.

"What's wrong?" She asks.

"You recognize my tone that fast? Jesus." I laugh.

She raises her eyebrows, "it's very distinct. You alright?"

I sigh and press my lips together. "Honestly, no. I'm not 'alright.'"

Lexi frowns, "I- I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do? I mean, I know there isn't... but... yeah." She sighs.

I give her a small smile, "thank you for trying."

She nods and we walk silently for a moment.

"Mia thinks we are sleeping together." She blurts.

I stop walking and stare at her. She glances at me, not even phased. "Lexi, what?"

"She accused me of sleeping with you." She shrugs.

I sigh hard and grab my keys, fumbling with them to find the one for my classroom. "Fantastic. I'm sorry- I shouldn't even be talking to you. I don't want to screw that up too." I groan.

The last thing I need right now is to be called a home wrecker on top of everything else. Mia and Lexi are cute, and I can see that they care about each other. Even if I'm not sleeping with Lexi, I don't want anyone to think that I am.

"Ev, wait..." Lexi says as I push into my classroom. I face her and give her a look. "Why are you acting like this?"

I laugh (sarcastically). "I'm not acting like anything. I just don't want to be in the middle of that."

"That's a b.s. answer and you know it. Have a good day, Ev." She huffs, walking away.

You fucking too, Lexi.

* * *

Lexi's POV:

Mia's been blowing me up, both on the phone and in person, since she accused me of fucking Evan. I've been super distant and quiet, only because I don't know what to say.

She had no issues with Evan before, in fact she wanted to screw her... now the tables have turned completely. It hurts when someone you've poured yourself into does or says something that makes it feel like you're not trusted. I'd never cheat on Mia. Never.

I sit at my desk and stare at my phone, thinking of a response.

"Hope you're hungry, I got off work early and made dinner. What time will you be home?"

I start typing. "I'll be home at-"

"Knock, knock." I glance at the doorway and see Evan.

"Yeah?" I sigh, frustration lingering in my voice.

"I was just about to head out... do you want this?" She asks, holding up a to-go box from a Chinese place.

I bite my lip and glance at the message again. "Yeah, sure."

Evan brings the food to me and looks at me hard. "Surely all that animosity in your voice isn't towards me."

I sigh and shake my head, "no, Evan. It isn't. You know that it isn't."

"I don't know that." She laughs.

"I'm sorry for being bitchy earlier. My head is kinda spinning still from what Mia said." I admit. "I just don't get it. I love her. She knows I love her... how could she think I'm cheating on her with you?"

Evan sighs quietly and shrugs, "I don't know, Lex. I'm sorry if it's my fault or if I gave an impression-"

"It isn't you." I interrupt. "I think she's just... jealous?"

Evan makes a face, "a jealous girlfriend isn't good for you. You might wanna see about fixing that." She jokes.

I smile a bit, "I'm sorry I snapped. Are you alright?" I ask her, giving her my full attention. I can see that she's not, and I'd like for her to confide in me.

After a brief pause, Evan speaks. "Scott and I got into it yesterday when I dropped the kids off. They were bawling their eyes out, I was a mess... it was a whole thing. I just- I have to figure out a way to ensure that they come live with me, Lexi. I can't stand to see them like this."

I nod slowly, hearing the pain and determination in her voice. "Scott's a dick, Evan. Always has been, always will be. His true colors will show in the courtroom and no judge is going to let it go that easily." I remind her.

She nods slowly. A small grin creeps across her lips, "oh... and I was directed by Ava and Grace to extend a dinner invitation to you for Friday evening. Six o'clock sharp... if you're interested. Though I'm not sure that'll help with the whole Mia situation."

I smile up at her, "pizza?"

"Pizza."

"I'll make it happen. Mia'll have to get over it. I know there is nothing going on, you know there is nothing going on... so it's fine. We can be friends without having any strings attached." I say, mainly reminding myself of that. Despite knowing the truth about my current relationship with Evan, I still feel guilty on some level.

"If you're not comfortable..." Evan starts.

"I'm completely comfortable." I assure her.

She nods and checks her watch for the time. "I'm gonna get out of here. Have a good evening, Lex. And thank you."

I wink at her, "thanks for the dinner. Drive safe, Ev."

I watch the blonde walk out of my classroom and I'm left with my half-written text to Mia.

I delete the message and start again: "not going to be home for a while, plenty of grading to catch up on here. Sorry, I'll see you tonight. Love you."