“I don’t want him to go into foster care. That’s not happening.” His chest was heaving as he all but spit those words out.
Those few days he’d been there himself were the worst of his life. He’d never forget them.
At Maverick’s age, the boy might not remember, but Chance would avoid it at all costs.
He didn’t think he was getting ahead of himself, but Nettie had said she wouldn’t give Maverick up until everything was set for Chance to take him.
If it was his kid.
Which he was positive was the case.
“It would be nice to not get social services involved, but that’s not possible. He’s in his home with his grandmother right now. You’ve got a good stable job and own your own business.”
“A risky job,” he said. “And I’m single. Is that going to be an issue? I’ve got to get childcare set up, but I’m going to take a leave of absence from work. I’m off tomorrow with my shift on Thursday covered if need be.”
He hadn’t talked to his Chief yet or his grandmother. Once he got the results, that would be his next call.
“And we will present all of that. Do you have help with Maverick?”
“My grandmother,” he said. “Jocelyn has offered too.”
Monica smiled. “She loves kids.”
“So she said.”
And it was the first he’d heard it.
Not that he’d been the one to bring up the conversation and neither had she, but someone her age who loved kids and wanted them, would cross it soon.
He talked with Monica about a few more things, then left and drove to Jocelyn’s office.
She was going to take the day off and be with him for this appointment, but he’d said there was no need for it. He was off at the bar tonight, so that was something at least. There would be no call to his grandmother that he had to get someone to cover for him and she’d want to know why.
At the front desk, he gave his name and was told where Jocelyn’s office was. It was the first he’d been in here. Good thing her parents were aware of him and Jocelyn dating. The same with Gabe.
He popped his head into her open doorway.
“Hi,” she said, getting up and moving close to hug him. She shut the door. “Got everything squared away?”
He could have texted her what was going on this morning, but it wasn’t his way to do that. He’d never leaned on anyone before. Never had anyone but his grandmother.
“Yeah. I might get the results this afternoon. If not, tomorrow morning. Monica is ready to draw up the paperwork for temporary custody. She said it’s the quickest thing to do and submit. Nettie promised she’d hang onto Maverick until I could get him. I mean, she’s not calling social services or anything. Avoiding it as long as possible. Monica said she’ll deal with it once we have the results.”
“It’s all you can do.”
“Did you tell your parents what was going on?”
“No,” she said. “Do you care if I do? I figured it’d be better to wait until we know the outcome.”
“Jocelyn. I’m pretty sure I know it.”
She nodded and hugged him tighter. “Me too. I haven’t asked how you feel about any of this because I know you need to process it.”
“I do. I’m just taking things one step at a time. I don’t even know how to change a diaper. I’ve never been around kids.”
“I have. To all those things,” she said. “I know what you’ll need. Would you be upset if I said I’ve been making a list?”
He forced out a laugh at her squished up nose. “No. Not at all. I’m sure he’s got what he needs at Nettie’s, but I don’t know how much.”
