“So you think I can beat her?” I asked.
“You should, but family court is unpredictable. There are no guarantees. You need good representation.”
“That’s why I called you over here. I know you’re the best and can help my man out,” Jashaun said.
“But you already have an attorney,” Eric said.
“I do, but?—”
“That don’t mean nothing,” Elijah said from his position on the bench. “You said yourself he needs good representation, and no one’s better than you.”
Eric chuckled. “I’m good, but no one is invincible. I’m ninety-nine percent sure you’ll be able to keep your boy. Which one is he?”
I pointed. Noah had left the fountain area and was playing tag with some of the other kids. “Yellow shirt.”
“He looks happy,” Eric remarked. “Tell you what, take my number and call on Monday to set up a consultation. Tell the receptionist who answers that you’re with the Single Dad Society. She knows to put those calls through directly to me. I’ll review your case, no charge for an initial review. If you decide to work with me, you’ll receive the single dad discount.”
He rattled off the number, and I plugged the digits into my phone. “Thanks, man.” I shook his hand again.
“No problem. You’re one of us now. We have to look out for each other.” He clapped me on the shoulder and walked away.
Relief washing over me, I sat down.
“He’s being modest,” Jashaun said, reclaiming his seat as well. “I heard he’s never lost a case he took on for any of the single fathers in the organization.”
“I heard the same thing,” Elijah said. “One of the dads in the Austin chapter hired him during a custody battle. Think his name was John. Anyway, John was a dick and cheated on his wife, so she was getting back at him by keeping the kids away and fighting for sole custody. When Eric got finished, John had primary physical custody, and she ended up having to pay him child support.”
“No way,” I said.
“I’m not kidding. The man just wanted time with his kids, but turns out she worked a lot, including travel, and made way more money than John. Eric argued for stability for the kids and said it was better for John to have primary custody.”
“Damn. He’s good,” I murmured.
I didn’t expect Zenobia to back down easily with a million dollars at stake, but as I sat on the bench watching Noah play like the fun-loving seven-year-old he was meant to be, I was hopeful. More than hopeful. I was extremely optimistic.
Brandon had entrusted me with his son if the worst ever happened, and unfortunately, the worst did. Since then, I had truly become Noah’s parent and was no longer stumbling through my new role. I had embraced it and savored it.
Noah was all I had left of my best friend, my brother. I loved him as if he was my own. And I was going to fight like hell to hold onto him.
Chapter 18
Marcus
“After careful consideration of the evidence presented, including the testimony of the minor child, the court finds that it is in Noah Mitchell’s best interest to remain in the care of Marcus Hayes, his legally designated guardian.”
The judge’s voice boomed in the courtroom, each word landing with the weight of finality. Then he continued, “The petitioner has failed to demonstrate that removing the child from his current placement would serve his welfare. Mr. Hayes has provided stable, loving care, and Noah has formed a significant bond with him. The original guardianship designation made by the deceased parents will stand. This court’s ruling is final.”
The gavel came down with a sharp crack, and air rushed from my lungs, relief hitting me so hard my body sagged forward, and my head dropped into my hands.
Noah was staying with me. He was mine.
Eric clapped a hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “Congratulations, Marcus. You did it.”
I lifted my head as a small, softer hand squeezed my other shoulder from behind.
Julia.
Across the aisle, Zenobia shot me a look of pure venom before muttering something to her attorney. She gathered her belongings with sharp, angry movements and stormed out of the courtroom.
