Page 34 of Betting Brett

“I mean about me and Andy. I need to hear you say it, Dad,” Brett’s words come with a mix of vulnerability and strength. “I need to know you’re okay with me, with Andy, with us.”

Jim’s gaze shifts to me, and the sad eyes lighten a little, a small smile creeping up his face, creating the laugh lines that normally crease his eyes. “I’ve seen you grow up, Andy. You’re like a second son to me. And seeing you and Brett together, it’s clear as day to me that you love each other. Nothing else matters to me.”

The declaration of his acceptance is such a relief. I believe him. I can see the honesty pouring out of him. Jim’s eyes, warm and kind, hold mine. “I love you both. And I wholeheartedly accept you, Andy, for the incredible man you are. And Brett, my son, I’ve never been prouder of the man you’ve become.”

The quiet that follows is heavy but healing. Having Brett’s father speak such kind words and confirm his support for us is a balm to the wounds inflicted by that damn stack of papers. Brett’s eyes finally soften. He opens his arms, and his dad enfolds him in a hug. Jen places a hand over her heart while tears start to well up in the corner of my eyes. Jim gives his son a few firm pats on the back and holds him tightly.

“We will fight this, Dad,” Brett says with renewed determination.

And he’s absolutely right. We will fight this. Together. And we’ll win. I’m sure of that now.

20

Brett

Withtheircold,formallanguage, the papers that lie spread out on the coffee table are a stark contrast to the warmth and love that filled this room just hours before. If only I could turn back time. I want to get up and flip the clock on the wall, bringing us back to the moments before my world had been completely fucking rocked. Each word on that paper, each sentence, is a dagger, cutting straight through the fabric of the life I’ve built, threatening to unravel everything I love.

We sit there, the four of us, in my living room that has been witness to laughter, tears, and all the mundane moments that define a family. But this, tonight, this insane rollercoaster of emotions, is completely uncharted territory.

Andy’s hand comes to rest in mine, and just like that, the turbulence in my mind dies down to a more manageable level. I take in a deep breath and rub the bridge of my nose.

“Jesus,” I say out loud to no one in particular.

Jen’s going through the papers again. I can see the lawyer in her rising to the surface, the analytical, strategic mind that has made her a force in the courtroom. Jen finally breaks the silence. She’s always been the strong one, the rock. Even now, with her world threatened just as much as mine, she’s holding it together. “We need to come up with a solid plan. We need to challenge this.” Her tone is steady and laced with an undercurrent of sadness. “There’s no basis for this, Brett. It’s a blatant attack. And I think we have an avenue here if we can prove that Darlene forged your father’s signature. That could very well cause the court to toss it.”

I nod, the reality of the battle ahead dawning on me. “But what if they don’t believe us, Jen? My mom has been signing papers for my dad forever. That signature looks real.”

“I can say I never signed it,” my dad offers.

“Yes, but what if her lawyers cast doubt on that?” I ask. “They can say you had a change of heart or that we got to you somehow.”

Jen’s gaze shifts from the papers to me, her eyes always so expressive, reflecting a mix of determination and vulnerability. “I still think it’s one of the strongest avenues we have to get this over with quickly. And no matter what, we stick together, Brett,” she says firmly. “We show them, and the court, that Izzy belongs with us. That we are her family, and nothing can change that.”

The conviction in her voice is a relief. She’s right. We are a unit, a family defined not by traditional norms but by the unwavering love and commitment that binds us. There’s no better way to build strong bonds than having them forged in fire.

Andy’s grip on my hand tightens, his silent strength weaving through the spaces where words fail. I need to make sure that he knows none of this is his fault. I can already tell that’s the direction his thoughts are headed, so I promise myself to make it clear to him that any blame here belongs squarely at my mother’s feet. Cold and heartless, she’s ready to tear a family in half because of her backward beliefs.

I look at the papers again, the words blurring together. Custody. Emergency. It’s like a nightmare I can’t wake up from.

“I can’t believe my own mother would do this,” I mutter, the betrayal cutting deep. She always had a hard edge to her, but I never thought that edge would be pressed up against my throat like a blade. It was fucked up.Beyondfucked up.

“We need to think about Izzy,” I say, my voice thick with emotion. “She can’t be caught in the crossfire.”

Jen nods, her lawyer’s brain kicking into gear. “We need to challenge this immediately. I’ll start working on our response first thing in the morning. We also need to go to the school and make sure that Darlene is removed from the pick-up list.”

Andy chimes in. “You two need to talk to her in the morning. She knows something is wrong. That’s why she came out earlier. I told her everything would be fine and we would take care of it, but that you would explain everything to her in the morning. I didn’t feel like me taking the lead with that was the right thing to do.”

I feel instant parent guilt. “I was hoping that she wouldn’t know. I know we have to tell her, but I don’t want her worrying about something happening to our family.”

Jen smiles at Andy. “Thank you,” she says. “We’ll all talk to her together. I think that’s the best possible way to show that we’re all a family and she is safe with us.”

“And we need to figure out sleeping arrangements,” Jen adds, her gaze shifting to Jim. “We should all try to get some rest before tomorrow.”

I have a guest room in my house, but Jen is staying there already, and my dad’s bad back will be shouting at him for weeks if he sleeps on my couch.

“We’re short on beds, Dad, but we’ll figure it out. Want me to pull out the air mattress?”

“Or I can take the couch, and you take the guest room, Jim.” Jen was already standing, ready to bring her pillows and blanket back into the living room.

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