Page 91 of Sunshine
I look at Paige.
“What? They’re for emergencies!”
“Book emergencies?”
“You’re the author, that’s your superpower, mine’s knowing you and having these.” She pats her carry-on. “Now let’s go help your biker get custody of his daughter.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Case
“I won’t, in good conscience, place Reece with you no matter how much you can provide. You’ve shown time and again you’re not available for your grandchild. Missing almost all your visits with the child is deplorable and shows me you’re not interested in a relationship.”
My father is stone-faced while my mother’s crossed leg bounces almost violently under the table. Her mouth is set in a lemon-sucking pucker and her eyes on the judge are as sharp as an owl on its prey. They’re both livid and it looks damn good on them.
But while I’m happy my parents won’t get custody of Reece, I likely won’t either. I no longer have a house, and I was never able to get Tessa to meet with the judge. When Horse-Face gets to me, she’ll shoot me down too. And then I don’t know what I’ll do. I scrub my hands over my face, weary from the last few days.
Tessa was gone by the time I got back from the police station, and I had no clue how to find her. The detectives took my old phone as evidence and she’d blocked my new number.
And I can’t blame her. Mack told me what he’d done, not only accusing her of starting the fire, goddammit, but of attemptedmurder. I told him it wasn’t her, but I should have fucking stopped him. I should have ignored the detectives or told them I’d meet them at the station. I should have followed Mack, stopped him.
First she sees that damn picture and thinks I’m married. Can’t blame her for that either. And then Mack… I shake my head. Nope, I can’t blame her at all. All the trust I’d worked so hard to earn was gone. And left in the wake of me, Tessa was likely a mess. A tower of strength on the outside, but a mess on the inside.
“It was two, Madam Justice,” Greg says, pointedly, pulling me out of my thoughts.
The judge’s brows rise high on her forehead. “Two visits are what you’re boasting about?” She rolls her eyes. “Honestly, it’s become quite clear to me this whole custody battle has been more about punishing your son, then it has been about wanting what’s best for that little girl. I’m disgusted by your clients’ behavior, and I wouldn’t even give them custody of a stray dog, no matter how many fancy spa days and highly accredited doggy schools they could afford. Therefore, I am ruling the pictures provided to discredit Mr. Callen inadmissible. They will be destroyed immediately, and should that not happen, Mr. and Mrs. Callen will be held accountable and prosecuted.”
Greg opens his mouth to start speaking and the judge cuts him off.
“Do I look like I’m finished talking?”
He holds a hand up, looking contrite and sits down.
“I will, however, be allowing your clients’ grandparents rights. Which means visitation, at least three weeks a year, which will include one holiday of the guardian’s choosing. These twenty-one days can be broken up as the child’s guardian sees fit and at this time the guardian shall be present at all visitationsuntil the guardian deems it unnecessary. Also…” She pauses to eye my parents.
“Since the Callens are financially privileged, and seemingly uninterested or inconvenienced by these visitations, they will bear the responsibility of planning those visits. I will not have the person caring for this child chasing after you, so the onus is on you to maintain a relationship with your granddaughter.” She turns back to their lawyer as if she can’t stand looking at the two of them any longer. “All visits will be in the child’s home location unless otherwise approved by the guardian. Is this understood?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“Good. You will be sent the information about the visitation, along with the guardian’s contact information and a summary of what I’ve just told you.”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“And now, since you no longer have business here, I ask that you leave the courtroom.”
The courtroom is silent but for their shuffling papers and footsteps as they leave. And after a few quiet minutes that feel interminable, the judge turns to me. I hold my breath.
“Mr. Callen.”
To my surprise she no longer looks at me as if I’m a piece of shit.
“I’ve heard nothing but high praise from your caseworker. And the meeting I had with Ms. Harlow also shed a lot of light on who you are as a person which is why the pictures provided by opposing counsel are not admissible in this case or any others.”
She spoke to Tessa? I lean forward, hope ballooning in my chest despite me trying to hold it at bay.
“However, you have no home.”
Pop. Just like that the weight of losing Reece is crushing me, making it hard to breathe.
