Chapter 24

He said he couldn't choose anyone. Then he chose her.

Part of me felt like Mina was lying, but the other part realized this could just be a defense mechanism. After all, why would Mina lie to me?

I had my answer—she wouldn't. So why would Shadow?

I was clutching my hands so hard that I was surprised I wasn't bleeding. But I guess my heart was. Fine, universe. I was done with love. I finally got the memo. Shadow didn't want me. And I didn't need him or even Rouge to tell me this again. Now, when he got the audacity to fall for Mina, that was the other question. But between the two of us, I guess the choice was obvious…

I clutched my fists harder. You're a prize, remember?

Good thing no one wanted me.

"As fun as it's been staring at you wallow in your own self-pity," Phoebe said, her face in a harsh smirk. "We have a staff meeting in a few."

"Goodie."

"You look like death," Tabitha said next. "What happened to you?"

"Nothing worth mentioning," I mumbled, flipping through some files, trying to look less pathetic.

"Then why mention it?" Phoebe sat down on my desk. "Spill. We only have a few minutes until Fran starts breathing fire."

I rolled my eyes. But she was on to something. I began with a sigh, "What do you do when the man you love is with someone else? Yet you feel like he wants to be with you as much as you do? But he's too much of an asshole to realize it?"

"Sounds like he does realize it," Tabitha said, tapping her chin. She blinked her violet eyes rapidly. "Is there a reason he doesn't want to be with you?"

I slumped my shoulders. "He said I'd be happier with someone else."

"Then it sounds like he has self-worth issues," Phoebe pushed. "You don't want to be with a guy like that anyway. That's selfish."

"Have you tried talking to the person he's with?"

I shook my head. "I spoke to her yesterday. But I don't think she knows our history. Most of our friends don't. We dated briefly before I went to law school." Emphasis on briefly.

"And you've been in love with him ever since?" Phoebe said. With a sigh, I nodded.

"Why do you like him?" Tabitha asked. I inhaled, thinking about it. My feelings for Shadow were something I couldn't easily or verbally express. Just that when he kissed me all those years ago, I felt like I had found something I didn't even know I had been missing. He was always there for me even though I never gave him credit for it. Even now, it was hard to see if our relationship had really changed, or if he was just giving me tough love. But something didn't add up.

"It's hard to say," I said after a while. "Maybe that's the problem. We don't need to be together. And the person he's with is more independent than me. I'm difficult and over-emotional and—"

"Meeting, remember?" We were lucky that the secretary caught us and not Ms. Ferret. With a sigh, the women rose to their feet.

"You're boring," Tabitha said, hopefully playfully. "Forget that loser. You're young. It wouldn't kill you to have some fun."

And then that was that. Life was still unresolved, and I had a dumb meeting to go to.

It wouldn't kill you to have some fun.

Tabitha was right. I had so much to look forward to in my life, yet I was wasting my positive energy on Shadow. I didn't need to be with anyone right now—after all, I was still pregnant. So one step at a time, right?

I texted Rouge. She would tell me Shadow's deal, and then I would be done. I'd focus on being pregnant, work, and babysitting Rouge's kids in exchange for the job. I'd continue to mend my relationship with my friends, and that would be it. My brain could cool down, and life would be simple for once.

Then I remembered I had to meet with Fiona and her attorney. I turned to my calendar, filled in the spot for the hearing a few weeks from now. There. No more problems.

At least not this second—

"Are you busy, Amy?" I didn't know why Ms. Ferret bothered asking, because she barged into my office anyway. She looked put together and slightly irked as usual. At least I could trust her for consistency.

"What can I do for you?" I said, folding hands together. "I finished some of the contracts for next week, and my case with Mr. Hedgehog looks promising."

The woman nodded. "That's good to hear, but I have a more pressing matter to discuss."

"Fire away."

She turned to her phone before presenting it to me. "Dress on the left or the right? Choose carefully, the fate of your career is riding on it."

I rolled my eyes. "The blue dress on the right looks professional but still fun."

The woman nodded. "I thought so, too." She then started for her office. "Carry on."

"Wait, what event do you need it for?"

Ms. Ferret stopped in her tracks and started blushing. Cue the apocalypse. "Phil wants me and the kids to meet his family. We're having dinner tonight."

I smiled. "Have fun."

She almost laughed. Emphasis on almost. "You need it more than me."

But what I actually needed was Scourge. I turned to my watch. It was late afternoon; I was supposed to meet him over an hour ago. There was a beep and I turned to my phone.

Scott the Hippo (aka Scourge because I didn't need Blaze snooping…): Weird request, but could you pick up Sage from after-school daycare? Have to replace missing piece from exhibit. Thanks.

I replied okay, and he gave me the address. Then I was off to play nanny.

Fun.

The daycare was as one might expect it; it looked like a merge between an administration building and a house, with the elementary school up the street. The walls were painted an obnoxious yellow, and the teachers looked a little too happy to be sane. And they couldn't be, not with all the screaming and clattering of toys. But then I spotted the little tyke playing with a toy semi truck with two other kids.

"May I ask who you are?" one of the employees asked, smiling brightly. I handed her my ID card. "I'm here to pick up Sage. Scourge must have called in to tell you I was coming?"

She nodded. "I'm sorry, you're just so young. He said his attorney would be here, but I guess I was expecting some old woman." She shook her head, laughing. "And we just had a lesson on harmful stereotypes today."

"No problem."

"But unfortunately, because Sage is a toddler, I cannot let a child go home with a different party unless both parents confirm this. I was trying to tell Mr. Hedgehog this, but he sounded really busy. Daycare will be closing in fifteen minutes, but you're welcome to stay here with him."

I sighed. "Thanks." But then something hit me. Why the hell wasn't Fiona here? I turned to the rabbit as she checked a child off with their parent. "Do you know why his mother doesn't pick him up? I know she works in freelance, but wouldn't she have some flexibility in her schedule?"

The woman frowned. "Honestly, I don't know if I should get into this, especially if it is a legal matter."

"Unfortunately, it is," I replied, clicking on my voice recorder. "Mr. Hedgehog and Ms. Fox are in a custody battle for Sage. If you know something that could affect Sage's wellbeing or safety, legally you are required to tell me."

Her eyes widened, but she seemed more relieved than surprised. "Well, from what I've seen, Scourge is a great father. He really loves his son. And if someone should have custody of Sage, it should be him." She nodded. "The reason why Miss Fox doesn't pick up her son is because she got into an altercation with one of the other mothers. I think she gave her a bloody nose or something. But one of the parents picking up their twins was a police officer, so he was able to resolve the matter without any one pressing charges if they agreed that Mr. Hedgehog would pick Sage up from then on. But I don't think he knows this."

"Do you have this event documented?"

"Yes," the woman said, moving to her office and bringing out a file. "I can also give you the contact info for the police officer."

"Thank you." I put the file in my purse, feeling a little bit more optimistic.

"Sorry I'm late." I jumped a little when I saw Scourge.

"Five minutes to spare." The woman tapped her watch. "I don't think this man has ever been late picking up his boy."

"I'm going to need that in writing," I said, half (okay, completely) serious.

"Sorry, Mrs. Rabbit," Scourge said, returning with Sage. "I just saw the last part of your message." He turned to me. "You didn't have to wait. You could have told me."

I shrugged. "I was already here. And what can I say? I like the little guy." Sage took that as a cue to literally jump in my arms. I think children were just trying to destroy themselves. Good to know we had something in common. "Besides, we still need to go over your case. I have some new evidence." I winked at the girl before heading off.

The April air was warming up, and the sunshine that would have usually annoyed me actually felt refreshing with the breeze. I didn't know what was getting into me (my money was always on the hormones) but I was finally feeling okay.

"What's gotten into you?" Scourge said, stopping at the parking lot. "You seem happy."

"Happy is an overstatement," I replied, starting for my vehicle. I was just finally making progress with his case. And I was sure I still had more gems of information to find. "I guess I can meet you at your place."

"I'm going to need my son first."

I looked down, saw that I still had the child in my arms. Huh, he seemed lighter. I tried to set him down, but he rejected the movement.

"I never get to see Miss Rosie!" he was pouting his lips dramatically like he actually had problems, and my heart fell slightly.

"I'll make sure your daddy brings you to the office next time. We have more candy."

The boy cheered, and willingly went into his dad's arms.

"I have to take him to Fiona, but I'll meet you there," he said, fastening the kid in his seat. "See you in an hour."

"See you."

In my minuscule amount of downtime, I feasted on a roasted vegetable medley and the soy-puke Blaze oh-so nicely packed for me. I guess I should have been happy; I was putting on some weight, but it wasn't that noticeable, which made sense. I mean, most babies weighed less than ten pounds at birth. So there was no need for me to swell up like a super balloon.

I still had baby thoughts on the brain as I knocked on Scourge's door. Maybe I was a bad person, but I was giddy to tell him the news about the case. The cop who witnessed it—Sergeant Bear—confirmed Mrs. Rabbit's story. Maybe proving that Fiona was a psycho-maniac would be simpler than I thought.

"Hello, Miss Rose," Scourge said, smirking innocently. "Sorry for the wait. And making you pick up/wait with Sage. I really appreciated it."

"No problem," I replied as he shut the door behind me. "I'm here to keep everyone's best interests at mind. Especially Sage."

Scourge nodded. "What did you want to tell me about earlier? You mentioned evidence?"

"I may know why Fiona refuses to pick up Sage from school," I said, sitting down. "It just so happens that—"

A ringtone sounded in the air.

"Shit. These guys won't give me a break," he said, pulling out the device. "Hungry? Kitchen's open."

"I'll grab us some water." Scourge nodded before taking his call. It was almost funny; listening to a guy who once told me he enjoyed gardening now going on about expensive artwork.

I opened the fridge, and got a taste of what this bachelor was feeding himself. Which wasn't much. There were no beers (surprisingly), but there was a ton of food wrapped in child-like logos. I checked the pantries. Same deal.

But Scourge had to be hungry, right? It was almost eight, and between his work and Sage, he couldn't have time to eat. I didn't even have time to eat. And if Blaze didn't have me on contract, I'd be starving right now. I spun toward the living room. He was still at it. I clenched my keys in my hands.

"I just need to get something from my car," I said. He nodded again, and I was gone.

I returned ten minutes later with a bag of what would eventually be dinner. He was still on his phone—but I slipped past him and went to the kitchen. It took another ten to get something of a vegetable stew and brown rice boiling. It was then that I heard the silence. Scourge came to the kitchen, set his phone down on the counter, and then stared at me. Like I was crazy.

My eyes widened. Damn. I had gone too far. He was probably thinking why the hell was his attorney cooking a bunch of vegetables when he's a damn man. I turned off the stove. "I figured you might be hungry. I was. And you have no food for adults here."

I started cleaning up the delectable mess I made, but each second made me feel more awkward. He wasn't saying anything. Then I realized that whatever had him startled probably wasn't me. Maybe it had to do with his call. I turned off the sink and spun around.

"Is everything ok—" Before I could finish my sentence, our lips smacked together.

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~KB