“I’d like to take responsibility for the retainer,” he says to my dad.
Hayes has no idea the challenge he’s in for. Like trying to get a hit of heroin out of an addict’s hands.
“Oh no. You don’t need to do that.”
“Rarely do I have people fighting to pay me.” Viv smiles and nods to Mr. Notting as though she has to go.
I don’t want to keep her with my family’s antics. “Thank you so much, Viv. I really appreciate everything that you did today.”
“You’re very welcome.” She eyes Hayes and me. “You guys make a cute couple.”
I open my mouth to rebut her statement, but Hayes’s hand slides around to tighten on my hip, reminding me that we need to keep this relationship looking very real.
Now all I want to do is go back to Sky’s house and clean every nook and cranny. Dust every corner and organize every cabinet so that when that social worker comes, she has no excuse to write a single bad thing on that form.
Viv moves to walk away but then turns and comes back to stand directly in front of me. “I’m just going to tell you this because woman to woman—there’s nothing wrong with you working. It’s great if they can afford for Julianna not to work, and it’s great that Sky didn’t work. That might work for some families—but it doesn’t always, and that’s okay. It doesn’t make you any less fit of a guardian. Unfortunately, there are people in the legal system”—she glares toward the judge’s desk—“who just don’t agree with all that. They still believe that a woman’s only place is at home, and they think kids can’t have a healthy upbringing if both parents are working. All that being said, just keep doing what you’re doing.” She winks then faces Mr. Notting. “Mark, want to walk me out?”
“Sure.” He squeezes my shoulder, his teasing demeanor resurfacing. “Tell Callie I said hi.”
“Callie, my sister?” Hayes asks, watching Mark leave with a confused question in his eyes.
After they leave, my parents are on me again, both of them swinging their arms around my shoulders, hugging me and telling me how they’ll be there for anything I need.
“Thanks, Mom, Dad. Try not to kill each other on the way to the parking lot.” Then I hug Aunt Iris. “Thank you so much for coming.”
“Of course, sweetie. I’ll do anything you need me to do.”
And I know she will. She’s the sweetest woman I’ve ever met—the polar opposite of my mom. Which always makes me wonder if my mom was once like her and it was just her experience with my dad that made her so jaded.
But unfortunately, Aunt Iris can’t help me—no one really can right now. This fight is mine and mine alone. Whether Hayes thinks so or not.
“Okay, bye, guys. I’m gonna talk to Hayes now.”
“Oh yes, Hayes,” my dad says. “I forgot to introduce myself. Lenny Sinclair, Leighton’s dad.”
“Yes, sir, I know who you are. Nice to meet you.” Hayes extends his hand, and my dad shakes it. “Honestly, I’m more than happy to take over the financial?—”
“Oh no, let him to do it. It’s how he shows his love,” my mom says.
I sigh. I’m used to being embarrassed by my mother and father, but in front of Hayes, I feel a little more self-conscious than normal.
“Ms. Sinclair, good to see you again.” Hayes emphasizes the Miz, which tells me there’s been a discussion or a lecture at some point.
“Yes, of course. I see that the kids are still alive, so it’s good to know you were able to keep them safe, although you needed two other baseball players to help you.”
I shoo my parents away with my hand. “Maybe go eat and get rid of that hangry vibe you got going on. Hayes and I have to talk.”
My parents finally leave, fighting one another to give me extra-long hugs and kisses on the cheek, as always.
I hug Aunt Iris again, and she tells me it’s gonna be okay. “Everything will work out.”
Can she please rub off on me a little?
After they’re all gone, Hayes slides his hand in mine. “Food sounds really good right now.” I glance at our joined hands, and he snickers. “We never know who’s watching. We have to play the part, right?”
As he leads me out of the courtroom, neither of us says anything, but a sense of security flows through me from our adjoined hands. For the first time today, I don’t feel so alone. I wish that were a good thing.
Chapter
