“Diego! You ready?”
The rest of the band had finished breaking down and had taken the equipment to their cars. “Yeah. On my way.” But his thoughts were filled with the image of Brody in the hospital and how scary that must have been for the boys.
And what did this mean for his court case? His aunt would certainly use it against him, especially if he couldn’t drive. In that town, the judges would find any reason to keep a gay man from raising the boys.
Diego’s eyes blinked open around four AM.But what if—?
He slept in the next morning, and after rolling out of bed, Diego picked up his phone and texted Nolan.
Diego: I need a favor. Can I come over today?
Nolan: Yeah! I’m home all day. Come over for lunch and I’ll get Harry to grill us some burgers.
Diego glanced at himself in the bathroom mirror. Choose love, that’s what he’d promised Diana. Choose love.
Yeah, it was time.
Chapter Twenty-seven
Brody’scanerestedagainstthe kitchen cabinets, but he hadn’t used it once this morning. He wasn’t about to walk into that courtroom looking frail, not when this was the most important meeting of his life. Aunt Kelly would use anything and everything against him, and he would not give her easy ammunition.
“Why aren’t we going to school today?” Jace asked as he spooned Frosted Flakes into his mouth.
Jonah rolled his eyes. “Uncle Brody told us last night. You never listen.”
Jace chewed slowly. “Yes, I do. But I forgot since then.”
Despite the worry in his heart, Brody smiled at their innocent, childlike conversations. How quickly these two had wormed their way into his heart and become his family. He’d do whatever it took to keep them safe until their mother could join them. Sitting down next to Jace, he touched the boy’s hair. “We got court this morning, remember? The judge wants to talk to all of us and figure out the best place for you both to stay until your momma comes back.”
“I wanna stay here. It’s fun.” Jace leaned in for a hug and Brody quickly reached for a napkin before he got a milky stain on his clean shirt.
“Well, I enjoy having you boys here. I’d sure miss you if you were gone.”
“Like you miss Diego?” Jace asked.
Brody froze for a second, then recovered with a soft smile. “Yeah, I miss him too. Maybe once we’re all done with court cases and walking canes, we can call him and see if he wants to come back for a visit.” But Brody had given up on that dream. The universe made it loud and clear that a happily ever after wasn’t in his future, not unless it was about keeping the boys safe and sound.
Diego remained that distant dream.
Maybe one day, after Nichole was out and reunited with her sons, and the business was running smooth. Maybe then.
But first—he had to settle things with the boys.
“I like living here too.” Jonah carried his bowl to the sink. “I miss my old teacher, but it’s fun playing with the dogs here.”
“Then you gotta tell the judge that. They’re gonna ask you a few questions about how you feel and where you want to stay. And you boys, promise me you’ll just be honest with the judge. I love you both, you know that. We all just want what’s best for you.” Brody already suspected that the boys were growing attached to the puppies who were being trained for other people. Might have to get them a dog of their own, he decided, if—no, when the judge ruled in his favor. “C’mon, Jace, finish eating. Uncle Aaron’ll be here soon to pick us all up and your faces need washin’ and your teeth need brushin’. Let’s go.”
The county courthouse stood near the center of town, a large stone building over a hundred years old. Aaron offered to drop Brody off close to the front, so he didn’t have to walk so far, but Brody shook his head.
Now, sweat beaded on his forehead even though the temperature hung in the high 40s. His cane would have been handy—either that or leaving his pride at home. Peaches looked up at him as he walked slowly, silently chastising him as well. “Sorry, girl,” he muttered to her as they slowly made their way up the stairs to the courthouse entrance, his knee already screaming at him in pain.
Holly, his lawyer, was already there waiting for him. She waved their group over toward her. “There’s a small room where the families can wait. Your aunt’s attorney said they’ll be at his office down the street until it’s time for us to head in.”
“Okay.” He followed Holly into the waiting area, a small room filled with old wooden chairs and a box in the corner with toys and books for kids.
They all sat down and waited.
About an hour later, a knock on the door let them know that they’d be up in fifteen minutes. The judge wanted to see the adults first before talking to the boys. Brody stood slowly and stretched.
