Chapter 21
Maverick
I wish there was more I could do. I wish I could take away all her fears and anxieties. That I could prove to her I'm in this for the long run.
I want them to move in with me. I want Sydney to be my wife and let me take care of her. I want to adopt her kids and treat them like they’re my own flesh and blood. I want a happily ever after with her more than she’ll ever understand.
Placing my hand on her lower back, I lead her into the court room and over to her lawyer. She takes a seat next to the woman and stares up at me with so much worry.
“It’s going to be ok, and if it’s not, we have a game plan, remember?”
She nods her head, but I'm not sure if she’s really listening to me. Her face has lost almost all color and she looks terrified. I wish I could do more but I feel completely helpless in all of this.
“Can you sit right behind us?” The lawyer asks.
“Of course.” I slip into the bench behind them.
Rob swaggers in like he already knows how this is going to end and he has all the confidence in the world. He’s such an awful human being. I don’t understand how he ever gained Sydney’s attention.
Rob turns towards Sydney and smirks as he takes his seat. His gaze strays to me and his brows furrow right as they ask for everyone to stand for the judge to come in.
“I'm awarding Ms. Pecker custody of the children and you can have visitation rights. She maintains full ownership of Sydney’s Sweets also.”
“Your honor,” Rob’s lawyer cuts in.
“Quiet. She needs to be able to support the children your client doesn’t want a part in raising.” The judge glares at Rob.
I know Colt said he was going to speak to the judge and let him know what was really going on between Sydney and Rob before it came to court. I'm not sure if he followed through with it, but this guy definitely doesn’t like Rob.
“The bank accounts will be split, except for the ones owned by Sydney’s Sweets. Ms. Pecker will get everything in those. Any outstanding debt not associated with the bakery will be Mr. Pearson’s obligation to pay.”
“Excuse me?” Rob growls. His lawyer apologizes and tries to get his client under control.
“As far as the house goes,” the judge continues like Rob never spoke, “I think it’s only fair to split the house in half.
I know Mr. Pearson isn't living there, so Ms. Pecker can either buy out his half of the house or they can sell it and split the profits. If Ms. Pecker doesn’t want to live there, Mr. Pearson is free to buy out her half. ”
“Why does she get first dibs on the house?” Rob hisses, glaring across the room at Sydney.
“Because you’re a cheating husband and a terrible father.
You chose to walk away from your family, while she stayed and kept taking care of her children…
Though from what I know, you weren’t really involved in your children’s lives to begin with.
” The judge pins Rob with a look. “I won't let you put your ex-wife and kids out on the street because you want to be petty.”
“I want the house,” Rob grumbles.
The judge shifts around some papers in front of him before he turns his attention to Sydney. His eyes soften as he watches her carefully.
“Ms. Pecker, do you want to stay in the house or would you rather find another place to live?”
Sydney glances over her shoulder at me. She stares at me for a few moments. I can see her brain working and her warring with herself.
‘Move in with me,’ I mouth to her.
“I don’t want to live in the house. I’m moving out this weekend,” Sydney says with so much confidence, never taking her eyes off of me.
“Ok. Mr. Pearson, since you want the house so badly, I’ll amend my ruling. You will get the house and you owe Ms. Pecker three-hundred thousand dollars for her half of it.”
“Are you kidding me?” Rob flies out of his seat and slams his hands down on the table in front of him.
“Mr. Pearson, you will hold your tongue. I'm tired of dealing with you and your outbursts. You said you wanted the house and Ms. Pecker doesn’t, so you’re getting what you wanted. I'm not sure why you’re angry now.”
“Because I don’t want to pay her for it!”
“Well, I already said you won't be getting the house for yourself. Ms. Pecker agreed to not taking child support or alimony from you. If you’d prefer, I could adjust all of my rulings and you can pay her monthly and if you try to not pay, you’ll go to jail.
Or we can stick with you paying her for your half of the house.
It’s your choice.” The judge folds his arms over his chest and glares at Rob.
“My client will pay Ms. Pecker for half the house,” Rob’s lawyer says before Rob can mouth off to the judge again.
“Good. Mr. Pearson has ninety days to make arrangements to pay Ms. Pecker and submit proof to the court or I’ll see you again.” He glares at Rob. I think he’s secretly hoping Rob doesn’t pay so he can go even harder on him next time. “Ms. Pecker, is a week enough time for you to move out?”
“Yes, your honor.”
“Good. The house will be considered yours for the next week. Mr. Pearson isn’t to enter the house during the next week or I’ll consider it breaking and entering. After that week is up, it will be Mr. Pearson’s property. Court dismissed.”
As soon as the judge leaves the room, I round the wooden divider and tug Sydney into my arms.
“You’re moving in with me?” I whisper, still a little shocked she’s doing it.
“Am I crazy?” She blinks up at me as she snakes her arms around my neck.
“Only if you’re not moving in,” I chuckle.
“I hope you’re happy,” Rob sneers as he stomps over to us. His arms are folded across his chest and a nasty glare is aimed at us.
I feel Sydney recoil in my arms and it makes me wonder if Rob ever raised a hand to her.
After everything I’ve heard about him, I wouldn’t be surprised, but I really hope he didn’t.
I’d hate to know she had to live through that.
I make a mental note to ask her later as I position myself slightly in front of Sydney so Rob would have to go through me to get to her.
“I didn’t ask for any of this, Rob. I was happy for you to walk away as long as you didn’t touch my bakery. It’s not my fault the judge ruled like this.” She lifts her shoulder in a shrug, trying to keep her voice firm and confident.
“And who’s this piece of crap?” He glares at me.
“Her boyfriend. And don’t act like you don’t know me. You’ve been in my bar more times than I can count.” I fold my arms over my chest and glare right back at him.
“Ah, so I get the bad rap for having a girlfriend, but you have a boyfriend too. I wonder what the judge would think if he heard about that.”
“We didn’t start dating until months after you left me,” Sydney growls.
“Maybe I should go for full custody. Obviously, you’re surrounding my children with people who are bad influences.” Rob smirks, thinking he’s going to win and get Sydney to back down.
“Mr. Pearson, I will be making the judge aware of the threats you’re making to my client. I have a feeling he won't take kindly to it.” Sydney’s lawyer aims a stern look at him.
“Are you kidding me? Screw this! I hope you have fun with my sloppy seconds and playing daddy to my kids, bar keep.”
He stomps away without another word. Sydney covers her face with her hands and her body shakes as soon as he’s out of view.
“I don’t know how he ever captured your attention. You deserve so much better than him,” I murmur as I tug Sydney back into my arms.
She doesn’t say anything for a long while and when she finally pulls away from me, she swipes under her eyes and blows out a deep breath.
“I guess I need to start packing if I want to move out this weekend.”