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“Um, Ruby and my neighbor. Maybe we can get together this weekend. Maybe with the kids.”

“Yeah, all right. Sure. I’ll plan something fun.”

“All right.”

“Bye Whitney, happy birthday. I love you.”

“Thanks.” I end the call without saying I love you in return.

“Ready?” Liam asks.

“Yeah.”

“Do you want to talk about that?” He points to the phone.

“Not really,” I tell him.

He tightens his lip before nodding. “All right, have it your way. But just to let you know, I did hear you tell him that we have plans tonight, so there’s no backing out now. You wouldn’t want me to think you’re a liar now, would you?” He gives me a wink which makes me smile.

“I don’t remember us making plans for you to pick me up. I have to get my kids.”

“It’s not a problem. I kinda figured that.” He turns his attention to his son. “Let’s go, buddy. We’ve got kids to pick up.” Ben walks past his dad as Liam ruffles his hair and follows him to the door. Ben exits, not looking back at us.

“You don’t need to do this,” I call after him. “I was going to call my friend Ruby to come get me, or I’m sure I can get Steve to come. He needs to be more Team Whitney than Team Heath anyways. Not that taking a side is important, it’s just–”

“Whitney.” Liam’s voice startles me. I take a deep breath, knowing that I was just rambling. “It’s not a big deal. We’re neighbors and friends. It’s my day to grab the kids, so I’m heading in the same direction. Getting to the high school to grab Trevor isn’t a big deal either. I have the room.”

“All right.” I nod. “Let me grab my things.” I give him a small smile. “Thank you, Liam.”

“It’s not a problem.”

He waits for me as I grab my bag and jacket. When I pass him, I can feel his hand land on my lower back as he ushers me out of my room, but I stumble a bit when I see Ben standing down the hall, talking to his mother.

“Shit,” Liam mumbles.

“Let me call Ruby,” I tell him as I watch Priscilla’s features harden. Her eyes turn cold, her mouth pinches as she rakes her eyes between Liam and me. I don’t want to cause any problems between him and his wife, and I don’t want Ben to think I’m intruding on his parents.

“No. We’re getting the kids, and then I’m taking you to dinner,” Liam says as the pressure on my lower back increases, pushing me forward.

“Liam,” Priscilla sneers his name. Her gaze lands on Liam’s hand on my lower back, and her jaw hardens when she finally addresses me. “Mrs. James.”

“Here, buddy…” Liam fishes his keys from his pocket, handing them over to Ben. “Go get into the car. We’ll only be a moment.”

Ben nods, turning around and runs down the hall, and out of the school. The metal door slams closed after him.

“What’s going on here?” Priscilla’s eyes dart between the two of us.

I readjust my jacket, pulling it down as I take a small step away from Liam, causing his arm to fall to his side. She doesn’t miss the movement, making her smirk in satisfaction.

“Nothing’s going on. Whitney’s my neighbor and her car wouldn’t start, so I gave her a ride. Now I’m here to pick her up.”

She ignores Liam, crossing her arms over her chest. “Don’t you have a husband to do that for you?” She glares at me. “Is there a reason why you’re using mine?”

Liam takes a step towards her, his voice low enough so that he doesn’t cause a scene. “Stop, Priscilla. Stop being such a bitch. I’m your husband on paper and only on paper, which I plan to rectify–very soon. You made sure of that all by yourself.”

I try to slink away from this awkward situation. “Yeah… I’m going to go now.”

“No.” Liam’s hand shoots out and grabs my arm. “We’re leaving– together.” Priscilla opens her mouth to speak, but Liam cuts her off. “You have no place here, Priscilla. I’m taking care of my kids, and that’s all you need to know. Nothing more. Now if you’ll excuse us, we have kids to pick up from school.”