Page 66 of Watch Me

I shook hands with Randall and then went to sit next to Reagan. She smiled, and I wanted to kiss her. The judge was going to rule in her favor too because Jessica’s fight wasn’t with Reagan either. We didn’t have to wait long. Reagan was called next, and as I’d suspected, the judge ordered in Reagan’s favortoo.

As Jessica and her dad stepped toward the double doors of the courtroom, I jogged over. “Can we speak for a moment?”

Jessica turned, her brown eyes glaring. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

“There is,” I retorted. “I want to see my kids.”

“You heard the judge, you won. Come get them for your weekly dinner tonight.”

“Okay, but—” I moved aside to let people exit. “I want to speak to you. Can we go into the hall?”

“What is there to talk about, Ethan?” sheclipped.

“Come to the hall and find out.” I rolled myeyes.

She huffed. “You have one minute.”

I held the door open for her and she stepped out. After giving her father a brisk nod, I walked over the threshold to where Jessica stood next to a window. “Look, I know you’re worried about our boys, but you know I wouldneverlet anything happen to them.”

“Is the murder case closed?” She crossed her arms over her chest. Maybe she didn’t catch when I’d told the judge that the case was ongoing, or when the judge told her that her fight was with theperp.

“No.”

“And why not?”

“I can’t give you any information. You know that.”

“I also know that you always put your work first, and that’s why we got a divorce.”

“I never put it before my kids, and you know that.”

“But you put it before me.” She rolled her eyes and lookedoff.

“We don’t need to rehash that, Jess. It’s over and done with.”

“I hope you like playing second fiddle,” Jessica said, and my gaze followed hers to see that she was talking toReagan.

I grabbed Jess’s elbow and pulled her away from Reagan, Randall, and Jessica’s father. “I get it, you’re jealous—”

“I am not!” she seethed, making a face ofdisgust.

I sighed. “Okay, fine, but I just want to reassure you that I will keep our boys safe when they’re with me.”

“And what about when they’re with her?” She waved her arm in the direction of where Reagan was waiting. “She will have them when you’re at work, right? She’s the one who got a death threat.”

“Look”—I rubbed my hands down my face—“I’ve taken measures to keep Reagan safe, and that will include the boys when they’re with me.”

“Fine, but know this”—she stepped closer and lowered her voice to a growl—“she will never be my sons’ mother.”

I blinked and took a step back. “She’s not trying to be.”

Jessica laughed sarcastically. “Oh, she is. The two of you are playing house and shit.”

She could say she wasn’t jealous, but I knew better. “You had to know I’d move on, Jess.”

She snorted. “And?”

“And I’d remarry, and the boys would have a stepmother,” I wenton.