The judge nodded. “Regardless of your current status, you have retained your parental rights with Cody.”
“Yes, your honor.”
“As such,” the judge went on, “you have a say in who is appointed guardian of your son, Cody.”
Nico’s parents started to object, but the judge silenced them. He glared at Mr. and Mrs. Galinas. “One more interruption, and you will be removed from these chambers.”
I saw him clench his jaw before he went back to Nico. “Mr. Galinas, are you in agreement with Allison Kelley’s decision to make Zachary Kelley Cody’s guardian?”
“Yes, I am, your honor. Zach has been in Cody’s life since he was born. I can’t think of anyone better qualified to take care of my son.”
“Fair enough,” the judge replied. I could have sworn I detected a small smile on his lips. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Galinas.”
“Can I just say goodbye to Cody?” Nico asked.
“Of course,” the judge replied.
“I have to go, Cody,” Nico said. “But you can come see me again, okay?”
“Okay,” Cody replied. “Uncle Zach said two weeks. But that’s a really long time.”
“It’ll pass by before you know it.” He looked toward someone standing off-camera and nodded. “Gotta go, buddy. I’ll see you soon.” Then the screen went dark.
“Bye, Daddy,” Cody said sadly.
All of our attention went back to the judge. He settled back in his large leather chair and steepled his fingers. “Given everything I’ve heard and read today, my ruling is that Zachary Kelley will retain guardianship of Cody Galinas.”
A wave of relief washed over me. I turned to Miguel and kissed him. Then I stood and shook Tino’s hand. I strode over to Cody and scooped him up in my arms.
Mr. Galinas leaped to his feet. “But he’s a…” He stopped speaking when he remembered where he was. “He is a homosexual,” he ground out, his lip curling in disgust.
“Bisexual, actually,” I said with a smile.
“I’ma homosexual,” Miguel chimed in with a wicked grin.
The judge rapped on his desk again. “Mr. Warner, please escort your clients out before I have the bailiff remove them.”
The judge rose from his seat and came around to the front of his desk. He held out his hand. “Congratulations, Mr. Kelley. I can see Cody is in good hands with you.”
“Thank you, your honor.”
He shook Miguel’s and Tino’s hands and patted Cody on the head. Then we were done. Finally, finally, done.
“Come on, let’s get some ice cream,” I said as we walked out to the parking lot.
“At ten-thirty in the morning?” Miguel questioned.
“We’re celebrating,” I countered. “And celebrations need ice cream.”
“Yay, ice cream!” Cody shouted.
CHAPTERFORTY-EIGHT
MIGUEL
Darlene the Jersey Shore Queen was a huge success. Albert would say, “Of course she was.” The restaurant at Moonlight Inn was packed. The show had sold well at the beginning, but between the additional surprise performers and the fundraiser connected to the event, we’d sold out. Only a handful of people were in on the secret, and I was bursting because I couldn’t wait to see Zach’s face when he found out everything.
Albert had asked me to emcee the show, so I was wearing Zach’s favorite corset vest and the silk thong underneath a pair ofveryfitted dress pants. Tonight, I wore a black dress shirt instead of a white. I was looking forward to Zach stripping it all off me and fucking me into the mattress.
