“And what does that entail?” the judge asks.
I think my crazy idea born of anger and frustration might be working. “It entails exactly what you think. I’m her boyfriend. She’s my girlfriend. I’ve helped her with the kids this week. We’re as solid as any married couple.”
Jeez, keep throwing shit out there, Hayes, and see what happens I guess.
“This is ludicrous. They’re clearly not in a relationship. They would have already used that to plead their case. He’s lying,” Mr. Lochs interjects.
“Your Honor, I’m a public figure, and I like to keep things private for the benefit of the ones I love. Leighton and I were going to keep quiet, but hearing Mr. Lochs say she doesn’t have someone over and over again, I can’t sit here and listen to it when I know she’s the best thing these kids could ever have—aside from their parents, of course. Regardless, she—and they—have me.”
“Oh dear,” Iris murmurs next to me.
Miss Dupont blinks at me. “Yes.” Her tone sounds as if she’s convincing herself. “My client is in a committed relationship.” She eyes Leighton, who is biting her cheek. “Hayes Carlisle is Leighton Sinclair’s boyfriend, is willing to help, and clearly has the financial means.” She turns to Mr. Lochs with a wicked smile, and he exhales. “Does she still work as a nurse? She does. But she clearly has a committed partner to juggle their schedules with. “
“A baseball player who’s gone more than he’s home?” Mr. Lochs looks at me.
“During the season. And I have home games, and as Miss Dupont said, I have the money to care for any of the financial needs the kids have. We can hire whatever we need done to make sure they want for nothing. But I’m telling you this.” I look at the judge. “I’ve been at that house during this transition. Leighton is amazing with those children, and they love her. Her intentions are always for what is best for them. She’s doing this National Days thing with Monroe, and she’s going to coach rec league for Lincoln. And her and Lake—well, they have a special relationship.”
The judge stares at me, and I worry that he can see that I’m lying about my relationship with Leighton. If I end up in jail, then my career will really be blown to pieces.
“You know it’s against the law to lie in court, right?” One of the judge’s eyebrows arches.
“I do.” I keep it short with the hope he doesn’t see through me.
He nods. “We’re going to take a five-minute recess. I’ll be in my chambers. I’m going to think this over and weigh some options. I’ll be back with who I think should have temporary custody.”
The deputy stands. “All rise.”
We all stand, and the judge leaves the courtroom.
Leighton rushes over to sit next to me. “What are you doing?”
“You’re the best person for those kids, Leighton. I couldn’t listen to that asshole say you weren’t for one more fucking minute.”
Her shoulders sink and she stares at the ceiling, blinking back tears. “I mean, his points were valid.”
I put one hand on her thigh and another around her shoulders, spurring her to look at me. “They were not valid. Don’t even think that.”
Iris leans over. “Just so you guys know, we can hear you, so you might want to hush and maybe act all lovey-dovey.’”
We glance at Art and Julianna, who are staring at us like a mama bear might look at humans who have come too close to her cubs. They probably suspect I’m lying, since at the funeral we weren’t together, but we could’ve gotten into a relationship in the last six weeks, right?
The judge returns and we all stand, Leighton going back to her spot.
The judge instructs us to sit. “Okay, this is where I am. Clearly, because of the challenge to the guardianship of the children, we have to conduct an investigation. We’ll start that, but in the meantime, temporary custody remains with Leighton Sinclair. I believe the will is valid for one, and the second is that between Mr. Carlisle and Miss Sinclair, they’ve made it work these past six weeks. To uproot the children when their needs are being met seems unnecessarily cruel with all they’re dealing with. But I will stipulate that during this investigation, the children spend two weekends with Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan. We’ll set a date to award final custody once social services have finished their investigation. Court adjourned.” He smacks the gavel on the desk.
My chest tightens and loosens at the same time, as if someone’s squeezing my heart while lifting a weight from my shoulders. We have to figure out what happens next with this whole fake relationship charade I’ve gotten us into, but looking at Leighton tells me everything. Her smile reaches her eyes for the first time today, and her shoulders are free of tension. Whatever mess I’ve gotten myself into, it’s worth it.
Chapter
Twenty-Five
Leighton
* * *
Oh my god, did I actually get temporary custody? I look at Viv, needing confirmation that I’m not delusional. She nods with a big smile before she steps away to converse with Mr. Lochs.
Mr. Notting squeezes my shoulder. “I told you she was the best.”
