Myles and Miley showed Levi their robot as they knelt on the ground, looking over the parts. I'd been mentoring the twins for about a year now through the foundation. Their mom was working hard to stand on her own feet after leaving an abusive situation and had sought the help of the foundation for her kids when they were homeless for a time last year. They were in a much better place now, and I loved seeing them flourish.
Levi had immediately latched on to the ten-year-olds when he met them and saw Myles as a big brother figure. They were both great with him, though, and being close in age, they got on reasonably well. I was excited to learn Loren was heading here when we'd seen her in the hallway. I'd wanted to speak with her after spotting her last weekend, but the week had gotten away from me, as usual.
The mess with Levi's mom hadn't helped either, and well, it had been a stressful week. Today was a professional day for school, so the kids were out while the teachers attended some conferences. I'd taken the day off to spend time with Levi and attend this event with the twins. Their mom couldn't get off from her day job since it was during the week, and I wanted to be here to support them. That was the most challenging part about being a single parent, being there for all the small things.
"Dad, look!" shouted Levi, as he pulled my arm for attention.
Glancing down, I saw they were doing a test run. The kids were really into the robot wars where they had to fight another robot in their age group. It was pretty entertaining to watch, and I loved helping them tinker with things. I'd gone to law school because I thought it would be a successful career path for me, and it had, but my love had always been building things.
Helping out at the foundation, I assisted the board with legal aid, but I also got to volunteer by mentoring kids, which was a passion of mine. It had been something I started after the divorce to occupy my time. However, it had quickly turned into something I'd loved and begun to pour more and more into it. I hoped to instill in Levi the importance of helping others as well.
"Whoa, guys! That's awesome. You're going to do great today. What time is your match?"
"We're up next!" chirped Miley, her curly brown hair bouncing as she practically danced in her spot.
"Well, let's head over to the match area then and get ready. I'm going to check on Loren real quick. Levi, do you want to stay with the twins?"
"We'll watch him," Myles replied, looking up from a piece he was adjusting.
"Okay, stay together. I'll be right there," I pointed.
"Of course, Dad."
I headed back to Jude's area, but I found her standing rigid as she faced off with a tall man. He looked to be berating her as she stood frozen in place. The protective string in me snapped, and I was moving across the room before I had put any conscious thought into it.
"Lo, there you are!" The nickname flowed out before I realized it. "I was starting to get worried," I proclaimed. Putting my arm around her waist, I hoped I wasn't taking too many liberties in my rescue attempt. Her body tensed at the first contact, but then, she relaxed into my hold, and I felt validated in my assessment of the situation.
"Um, hey. Sorry, I ran into, um, Brian, and um…" she trailed off, barely speaking above a whisper. Loren's face was ghostly white and stricken. None of her earlier exuberance was present, and I felt her slightly shaking in my embrace.
Twisting to the man, I took in the scowl he wore, disdain dripping from every inch of his expression as he stared daggers at her. If I had to take a guess, I'd place money on this being her ex. Just a wild hunch.
"Who the fuck are you?" he sneered.
"Monroe Miller, nice to meet you," I greeted, cheerfulness thick in my voice. Being polite, I stuck my hand out for a shake, but he stared down at it like it was covered in shit. I kind of wished it was so I could smear it all over his pristine white shirt. When he didn't take my hand, I dropped it back to my side, my grin in place.
"Well then, I would say it's been a pleasure, but that would be a lie, so I'll just leave it at that. Excuse us, we're needed—"
Before we could escape, a slim arm slid around the asshat's waist, a very noticeable engagement ring on her finger. As I traveled up the arm to the woman it belonged to, I was momentarily appalled to find it was Christine. My upper lip wanted to curl at the sight, but I held it back. Barely.
"Monroe," contempt heavy in her voice. "Surprised to run into you here and with a woman. I thought you only fucked dudes now?" the high-pitched nails on a chalkboard grating voice proclaimed. Fucking bitch.
"Oh, Christine," I sighed, "I'm sorry to report that you've been misinformed. It was just your dried-up cunt I wanted nothing to do with each time you threw yourself at me while I was married to your sister. Well, this has been fun, but we're needed elsewhere."
Quickly, I pulled Loren with me as I made my exit. Nevertheless, Christine hurled one last jab at me, "I'll be sure to let my sister know then. Tell my nephew hi for me."
I tensed but didn't stop moving until I had Loren outside the double doors. Stopping against the wall, I placed my hands on her face as I checked her over. She was cold and had been silent since the moment I'd found her.
"Hey, it's okay. They're gone," I soothed.
Loren's body was shaking even more violently now, and her face was blank like she'd just shut down. She wasn't responding to me, and I began to get worried. What had that asshole said or done before I got there? Fire filled my veins, shocking me at the level of protectiveness I felt for her. The thought of someone hurting her infuriated me.
"Lo, hey, talk to me. What can I do? Water? Cookies? I'm here, Lo."
I kept smoothing my thumbs over her cheeks until I felt her shaking start to subside, and she could track me with her eyes. Exhaling in relief as she blinked, my body relaxed a fraction as I waited for her to return to me fully.
"Monroe?" her wobbly voice asked, and my heart hurt for her.
"Lo, I'm here. Do you need anything?"