Page 111 of Redeeming Melodies

He pulled back, his eyes going serious. "Is it true? About you and Sheriff Jake?"

My heart stopped. Because this was it. The moment I'd been dreading and hoping for.

"Yeah buddy." Kept my voice steady even as my hands shook. "That okay with you?"

His grin could have powered the whole damn courthouse. "Sheriff Jake makes the best pancakes! And he lets me help with the sirens and"

"Tommy." Vanessa's voice cracked through his excitement. "Come here. Now."

Watched my son's joy dim, his shoulders pulling in as he obeyed. Anderson stood beside her, trying to place a hand on Tommy's shoulder. The rage that rose in me must have shown because Cassidy's grip tightened on my arm.

"Not here." She breathed. "Not now."

"Quite the show you put on." Vanessa's smile could cut glass. "That interview was Oscar-worthy."

"Truth doesn't need performance." The words came out calmer than I felt. "But you wouldn't know about that, would you?"

Her eyes narrowed but before she could respond, the bailiff called us in. Time for the real show to start.

Tommy glanced back at me, something like hope in his face. Mouthed our old joke - "Knock knock" - and fuck if that didn't nearly break me.

Still no message from Jake. The phone burned in my pocket, silent when I needed his voice most. Where was he? What had happened?

"Ready?" Cassidy asked, already knowing the answer.

"No." Honest now, here at the finish line. "But doing it anyway."

Because that's what being a father meant. Fighting even when you're scared shitless. Standing up even when your knees want to buckle.

The courtroom doors looked like they belonged in a horror movie. Dark wood and brass, ready to swallow us whole. Somewhere behind them waited a judge who'd decide everything.

"Love you, Dad." Tommy's whisper carried just far enough. Just enough to steady me.

The courtroom wood creaked under my feet, every step echoing like a countdown. Vanessa's lawyer stood first. Watched him smooth his tie, that practiced gesture I'd seen a hundred times in Victory Lane. Different audience, same performance.

"Your Honor," he began, voice dripping concern that probably cost Vanessa a fortune to rehearse. "We're here today because a mother fears for her child's stability. A mother who has consistently provided structure, guidance, and unwavering support while Mr. Blue pursued his racing career."

My hands clenched under the table. Joan's hand landed light on my wrist, steadying. Keep it together. Don't let them see you crack.

"Recent events have only heightened these concerns." Sterling paced like he owned the room. "Sudden career changes, impulsive moves to small towns, questionable lifestyle choices"

"Objection." Cassidy's voice cut sharp. "Counsel is editorializing."

"Sustained." The judge's eyes narrowed slightly. First blood to us.

Sterling recovered smooth as silk. "The facts speak for themselves. Mrs. Blue has maintained a stable environment while Mr. Blue's life has become increasingly chaotic."

Wanted to laugh. Wanted to scream. Stable environment meant nannies raising our kid while Vanessa played society wife. Meant Tommy walking on eggshells, afraid to be anything but perfect.

Cassidy stood next, and fuck if she didn't own that courtroom different than Matthews. No performance, just steel.

"Your Honor, this case isn't about lifestyle choices or career changes. It's about a father choosing his child over everything else." Her voice carried conviction that made my chest tight. "Mr. Blue didn't abandon racing on a whim. He left because he wanted to give his son something real. A home, not hotel rooms. A childhood, not photo ops."

Caught Tommy's eyes across the room. He sat between Vanessa and Anderson, looking smaller than his eight years. But he managed a tiny smile, and my heart steadied.

Then Vanessa took the stand.

Jesus Christ. The performance she gave would've won Oscars. Voice breaking at all the right moments, tears falling on cue. Even pulled out that tissue she'd probably practiced with.

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