Chapter 21
Haden
Ishould have known things were too good to last.
Coming back home to find Jay freaking out, and being told someone put his hands on my daughter is something I never wanted to hear. On top of that, he kept telling me he had to go.
Fuck that, he’s not going anywhere.
If I have to involve the police, I’ll do it, and I’ll live with the aftermath of Jay’s anger. First things first, I need Jeremy to be safe, so Jay is not going to hate me forever.
Also, I need to go to the bank and get the money Jay needs for this fucker. He doesn’t know yet that I’m going with him. I’m going to make him understand that the money is the only thing he’s getting, and if he shows his face again, I’m going to bury him with my own hands.
I need to ask Kai to keep my family safe while I deal with all this. I don’t want Jay and Arianna to be alone in case Dick has followed them and decides he doesn’t want to wait any longer.
I lean in and kiss Jay, looking for reassurance that he’s still here with me, and that he won’t disappear in an instant.
The ring of the doorbell pisses me off, because I’m sure it’s my parents again or maybe Dick.
I move Jay to sit on the sofa and I stand up.
When I reach the main door there’s a knock.
The sound is different from when my father was here, this one’s intentional, not loud and frantic.
I open the door halfway, just in case it’s Dick, but I’m ready to reshape his face into an actual dick if he’s at my door.
As soon as I open the door I’m handed a big envelope, and the postman leaves after a hurried good morning.
I close the door and turn it over and over in my hands, fearing the official look the letter has.
With quick hands I open it, and stare at it for a long time, unable to believe what I’m seeing.
When it sinks in I close my eyes, trying to control my desperation, and my hand, the one not holding the papers, turns into a first from the need to hit something.
I should have known. I should have fucking known.
I look at the stamp at the top of the letter, but nothing makes sense. With my heart thudding inside my chest I begin to read, and the more I do, the more I want to hit something.
I read the accusation, mumbling it to myself, “We believe MrTaylor is unfit to care for the child due to his lifestyle.”
I exhale, a sharp sound full of frustration, mixed with desperation. I read the document again.
They’re not talking about neglect, not harm, just… lifestyle. It shouldn’t be enough to take Arianna away, should it?
“Haden?” Jay calls, probably worried about me being gone for so long.
I rein in my fury and take the stairs two at the time. When I’m reach the top I lean in to kiss Jay, and then I head to the kitchen. I need my hands busy before I follow my need and break everything around me. And it’s always time for coffee.
“Who was at the door? His voice is hesitant because he probably doesn’t want to know.
“Post. My parents are trying to take Arianna.” My voice shakes and I hate it. I need to be strong.
Jay reaches out to caress my arm, and his touch keeps me from breaking. “They won’t succeed.”
I wish I had his confidence, but I know my parents, and they’ll use every trick to get what they want.
When are they going to leave me alone?
I tunnel one of my hands into my hair, hoping it’ll give me strength. I don’t need this now that Jay is in danger. How can I prioritise one at the expense of the other?
My eyes meet Jay’s, and he must see the fury I’m barely keeping in check. “They think I’m not stable enough to care for her. That I don’t have the correct lifestyle to raise a child.” I have a job, someone who takes care of her when I’m not here. I own a house. What else should matter?
“Your life is great, and you give Arianna everything she needs,” he says. “You love her, and she’s safe here, and that’s a lot more than some kids get.”
“We both know they’re referring to me being gay, and it has nothing to do with working late.”
I need to call my lawyer, Adam Nolan. He took care of everything when Henry died. I need to keep Jay as safe as Arianna. Fuck, we don’t need any more trouble coming our way.
“There’s going to be an emergency hearing.
” I want to scream, fuck them, but Arianna is sleeping and I don’t want to scare her or Jay with my inability to control my emotions.
My jaw is tight, my breath sharp on the intake and thunderous on the exhale, while I try to keep everything bottled up.
If it opens I’m not sure how I’m going to close it back up, and I can’t lose my shit right now.
“I’m so sorry, babe.” Jay’s voice and presence help me to stay afloat.
“They want to destroy me. Take away what matters to me. They won’t be happy until I’m left with nothing.” I swallow, feeling like a stone has settled in my gut, weighing me down.
“They won’t win.” His tone has a hint of desperation that resembles mine.
I look at the documents, still unable to believe they’re real. I need to call Adam now, and he needs to help me stop this nonsense. I pull my phone out of my pocket and shoot him a message, hoping we can talk today.
Jay takes my other hand, and I wrap my fingers around his.
“I’m sorry this is happening now, while you’re in trouble,” I say, pulling him closer because I need more of his touch.
“Arianna comes first, always.”
“Promise me you’re not going to leave,” I tell him. I can’t handle everything if I’m not sure he’s staying and I have to worry about him disappearing on me.
He takes a while to answer, and I worry he’s going to say no. “I’ll stay.”
I hate that it feels like a “for now,” but it gives me time to convince him that this is the place for him to be.
“I can’t walk away from the messy house, from Arianna, and from your amazing coffee.”
I don’t speak for a long moment, lost in dark thoughts of losing my family.
When I gain control, I reach out to him and take his hand in mine.
It’s not an intimate gesture, it’s more the need for a vulnerable and honest connection.
“We’re both afraid of losing the people we care for, but together we’re stronger.
” I move to stand in front of him and take his face in between my palms. “You make me stronger. And you make me believe that I’m good enough. ”
His hands join mine, and he squeezes my fingers. “You do the same to me.”
“Then stay.” I hope he hears the forever I leave out.
A simple nod.
It’s enough for me, for now.
I left and went to the studio when my phone pinged with Adam’s message. He was free so he was happy to talk.
My temper was already hanging to the bridge by a finger, and whatever Mr Nolan was going to say might push me over the edge.
Handling good news wasn’t the problem, but handling bad news was going to be difficult, especially with everything happening to Jay, so I told him to stay with Arianna, and that I would take care of everything.
Jay wasn’t happy but he was tired enough not to argue.
Through kissing Jay a few times to have my fill of his sweetness and his unwavering strength, going downstairs and then calling Adam, my gut kept telling me if they’d made this move, that meant they knew they had a chance of winning.
I’m not sure what I’m going to do if they win.
“Adam, thank you for taking the time,” I say as soon as he answers.
“No worries. What can I do for you?”
“I was delivered a letter from the court. My parents believe I’m not fit to care for the child I’m a guardian for, Arianna. She’s my sister’s daughter. I can’t lose her.”
“Okay, send me a picture of it.”
I do what I’m asked.
“Give me a minute to read it,” Adam says.
“Is it bad?” I ask when I can’t stand the silence any longer.
“We have over a week to prepare.” His voice is calm and reassuring. “Haden, we can win this. But you need to gather everything that shows Arianna is safe, healthy, and developing. Every little thing matters.”
“Okay, I don’t have anything to hide.”
“That’s a good thing. Keep in mind that what the court wants is to keep Arianna safe, and they will do everything necessary to make sure that happens. Do you know why they filed the request?”
“Yeah, because I’m gay.”
“It could work to our advantage if we can prove that’s the only reason.”
“I don’t want them near Arianna. They were here the other day, and my mum slapped me.”
“Okay, I wasn’t expecting that. Is there anything I need to know that could jeopardise your success?”
“Someone is living with me and taking care of Arianna when I’m working.”
“Okay, I don’t see a problem there.”
“He was soliciting people for sex in a bar when I met him. Actually saved him from one of his clients.”
“While I understand you trying to save him, it doesn’t work in your favour.”
“Jay is not negotiable. The man is running away from someone forcing him to do that so he could repay a debt his ex-boyfriend has with him. We need to find a way to make it work.”
“Haden, to be honest I’m not sure about this. I need more information. Send me everything you have on your parents so we can prove they’re homophobic, and we’ll see what to do about your friend.”
“Okay, but Jay is not going anywhere.”
“Maybe he can stay with one of your friends until we sort things out.”
“How long is it going to take?”
“If we have everything, it could be done in just over a week.”
“I’m sorry but Jay stays.”
“Let’s gather everything and then we’ll see. Can you think about this?”
“Yeah. But I hope it doesn’t happen.”
“Send me those details and we’ll see.”
“I’m ready to fight,” I say to him while grabbing pen and paper. “Tell me what I need to do.”
“I’ll text you the list. It’s a long one.”
“I’ll have it done immediately.”
“I’ll wait for you to let me know. Bye for now.”
“Thank you,” I say and then close the call. I bang my head against the wall. I can’t do this without Jay, he’s the hidden strength behind my own.
“What did he say?”
“Crap!” I shout, turning around.
“It’s only me and Arianna. We were missing you.”