Page 2 of Love ’em or Liam

WINNIE: I’ve put in applications at all of the elementary schools and preschools in the surrounding area. But nothing yet.

WINNIE: Oh, and I signed up for a nanny matching service.

ME: Great idea. Maybe one of the wealthy families will hire you, and you can spend the summer playing with cute kids by a backyard pool.

WINNIE: If only.

WINNIE: CALL HIM!

ME: Okay. I’m doing it right now. Promise.

WINNIE: If you don’t, I’m coming over there and calling for you.

I blow out a breath. She’s right. Yes, this is a big ask, but also, my kid is on the line. I refuse to let my manipulative in-laws raise my son. They did a shitty job raising their own. I can’t let them destroy Keller.

Before I can talk myself out of it, I find Liam’s contact in my phone and tap the phone icon. It starts ringing, and my whole chest feels like it’s filled with carbonation.

“Hey Songbird,” Liam’s husky baritone voice comes over the line.

“Hi. Liam. Hello.” Wow, I’m off to a great start. Maybe I can tell him this is the first time I’ve ever made a phone call. Which he obviously would know was a lie because we’ve spent hours on the phone together over the course of the last fifteen years.

He chuckles. “How are you?”

“I’m good. And you?”

“God, it’s good to hear your voice.” There’s the sound of fabric rustling and I’m guessing he’s lying in bed.

“Thanks.”

“What’s going on, Wren? I can tell something is wrong.”

I release a shaky breath. “I need a favor.”

“Anything,” he says immediately.

“No, don’t answer yet. Because this isn’t like, hey can you let me borrow your car or something. It’s much bigger. And I hate that this is why I’m calling for the first time in months.”

“Don’t do that,” he says.

“What?”

“Act like we’re acquaintances without history. What have I always told you?”

My heart is pounding so loudly, it feels like my ears are vibrating. “That we’ll always be best friends. No matter what.”

“Exactly. Now ask your favor, but just know that the answer is already yes. Because I would do anything for you, Wren. You know that.”

Why is he so perfect? Why didn’t I tell him before he left for the Army how I felt about him? Maybe we could’ve been together this entire time. And he would be Keller’s father. Not a spoiled, only child whose parents indulged his every desire.

“Colt’s parents are filing for full custody of Keller,” I say.

“What? Why the fuck would they do that?”

“To punish me? Honestly, I don’t know. They rarely spend time with him. Just buy him fancy toys and bring him to their country club wearing the most ridiculous little blazer.”

Liam chuffs out a laugh. “Colt had one of those.”

“I guess maybe they see this as another chance since raising Colt was obviously a failure.”