Page 36 of Moonlight & Matrimony
Panicking, I dash into the room, quickly closing the door behind me as quietly as possible before turning on the water, hoping with every fiber of my being Luca couldn’t sense me lurking outside of his doorway while he was engaging in his solo performance — a five star production, if you ask me.
I glance at myself in the mirror, cheeks flushed, nipples hard, and t-shirt damn near see-through thanks to the coffee incident. I rush to clean up as best I can, then tiptoe to my room to change my clothes. After throwing on a pair of jean shorts and a burgundy tank, I straighten my posture, puff out my chest, and speak positivity into the world, hoping to manifest somethinggood out of this shit day. I’m on my third “You’re a bad bitch” mantra when my phone vibrates in my pocket.
Evelyn: Austin’s sister is refusing to let me take her. You need to get over here.
Ivy: On my way.
I rush out of my room, snagging my purse and keys off the island in a frenzy. Rushing to the door, I grab a pair of my flip-flops and haphazardly throw them into my purse as I exit through the front door.
“Woah, woah, woah. Where’s the fire?”
“Austin —” I don’t even get the whole sentence out before Luca cuts me off.
“I’m driving,” he says, and I don’t have time to argue, so I meet him at his truck, and hop into the passenger side. “Tell me where I’m going,” he commands.
“Make a left at the end of the street, then turn onto Maple. It’s three streets up on the right.”
“Got it. Wanna tell me what the fuck is going on?”
“Evelyn texted. She said Austin’s sister is refusing to let Rylin leave with her.”
“Ok. Take a deep breath for me. You look like you’re going to pass out and we can’t have that.” He reaches across the console, placing his open palm on my thigh. I release my clenched fist and thread our fingers together, taking comfort in the feel of his skin on mine. “It’s going to be okay,” he says, skating his thumb over the back of my hand.
We pull up to the extravagant home in midtown to find Rylin on Lori’s hip in the middle of the wraparound porch. Evelyn isstanding at the bottom of the stairs with a police officer and I’m instantly on edge. It seems I’m not the only one because Luca has the truck in park and is barreling out of the vehicle before I even finish taking in the scene. He bounds up to the cop, and I follow as quickly as I can, only now realizing I never put my shoes on.
I let fly a string of curses when my heel finds a jagged rock. All attention snaps to me and Luca doubles back, getting down on one knee. “I’m fine. Go check on the situation with Ry.”
Ignoring my request, he reaches for my foot. “You’re bleeding.”
“Mommy!” Rylin thrashes and kicks in Lori’s arms, successfully dislodging herself from her aunt’s hold before rushing to my side. “Mommy, you hurt?”
“I’m ok, Ry. Just a little ouchie.”
Evelyn comes over with a miniature pack of tissues and we get my foot cleaned up, and temporarily bandaged with a hello kitty bandaid that’s been lurking at the bottom of my purse for god knows how long.
“Ma’am,” the officer interrupts. “We need to discuss today’s incident with regards to custodial interference.”
“I beg your pardon?” Evelyn asks, a look of utter horror on her face.
“From the information I’ve been given, you are not lawfully allowed to pick the child up from visitation with her father.”
“That’s bullshit!” I shout. “Evelyn has picked her up plenty of times in the past. It’s never been an issue until now.”
Completely unfazed, though clearly irritated by my aggression, he continues his questioning with a touch of condescension. “And what exactly is her relation to the child?”
Standing my ground, I take a step towards Evie. “She’s like a grandmother to Rylin. She’s not blood related, but she’s theclosest thing to family we have left.” Evelyn reaches for my hand, giving it a squeeze.
“Ma’am, if the custody agreement states a parent is to be present for all custody handoffs, then my hands are tied, and you must comply with the court’s ruling.”
“Then the same can be said for Austin. He’s supposed to be present, so where is he now?” I look over at Lori, who’s scowling at the interaction from her spot on the porch, not even deigning to grace us with her presence.
“Yes ma'am, I understand that. I suggest you both speak to your lawyers. In the future, the mother and father should be the ones to meet for the exchange. You can ask to have people added to your approved list at your next court date should you choose to do so.”
It takes every bit of my self-control not to lash out at Lori; she looks like she just won some fucked up prize for being a terrible person. “Thank you, officer. Can I take my daughter home now?”
“I just need to write up a report, then you’re free to go.”
“Sir. My name is Luca. I’m Ivy’s husband and Rylin’s step-father. How do we go about pressing charges if my wife’s ex-husband is stalking her?” The air leaves my lungs as Luca’s words sink in, the casual declaration leaving me momentarily stunned.
