Chapter 26 #2
Taryn’s fingers dug into my shoulders as she writhed against me, and I told her exactly what I wanted her to do.
“That’s it, baby. Ride me.” I licked down her neck and pushed back the collar of her dress to suck on her collarbone. “You’re going to come all over my fingers right here in the truck.”
She let out a whimper then tightened around me hard. I looked up to catch the pink flush flood her cheeks. I loved watching Taryn come, and I was glad she’d suggested the casual outfit. My erection was a lot easier to hide in jeans than in dress pants.
Taryn slumped across me, and I pulled my hand free while she quivered with aftershocks. The truck did smell like sex, but I wasn’t worried. She leaned back, panting a little, and patted my shoulder.
“Happy to help you release the pressure anytime,” she said with a cheeky grin.
I tilted her back to kiss her again and accidentally hit the horn. The quick blast of noise made us both jump.
“Yeah, time to go,” I said, steadying her waist.
Taryn laughed, and I finally unlocked the truck to let her out. After maneuvering her through my door, we adjusted our clothing and headed for the courthouse like nothing had happened. Once we were inside, I hit the bathroom to wash my hands. By the time I’d finished, they were ready for us.
We were escorted back to the correct courtroom.
The space was bigger than I’d expected, and we were pointed to a table where a red-headed man already sat.
At the front of the room, the judge spoke quietly with the uniformed man next to him.
I could barely read the nameplate in front of him—Honorable Anthony S. Romano, Judge.
As expected, Dad sat at another table with his lawyer.
They didn’t look our way as we took our seats.
Fred introduced himself to us, reminded me to only respond when asked a question, then sat quietly waiting for the judge to finish.
The conversation didn’t take long, and Taryn grabbed my hand under the table as we got started.
Judge Romano and Fred worked through the opening formalities, then I stood to answer a few questions. I expected to be grilled, but my mom’s will seemed to weigh heavily in my favor. Taryn sat next to me the entire time, exuding confidence without saying anything.
To my surprise, Dad waited until Judge Romano asked about objections to speak up. His lawyer pointed out they’d filed with the court to contest this hearing.
Judge Romano ruffled through the stack of papers in front of him.
“I have affidavits here stating Mason Black can provide healthcare, housing, and education. In addition, I have a statement from Andrew’s deceased mother requesting her adult son be given guardianship of her minor son.
It’s my understanding that you were unaware of your minor son until contacted by the probate lawyer. Is that correct?”
“That’s correct, your honor,” said Dad’s lawyer.
“And your filing is to request custody of the child?”
“Yes, your honor.”
I tensed, ready to stand and explain why he should never have custody, but Taryn’s hand tightened on mine. Dad wasn’t even speaking. He was sitting back with his arms crossed over his chest, a wide smirk on his face as if he’d already won.
The lawyer continued, “Mason is barely an adult, and his life is in upheaval. He’s only months away from moving across the country. As a professional hockey player, he won’t have the time to dedicate to a child, nor will he be able to provide a steady home as he could be traded at any point.”
The judge raised a brow. “Are you insinuating that professional athletes are unfit to parent?”
The lawyer spread his hands. “No, your honor. Simply pointing out the challenges Andrew would face if this guardianship goes through. Andrew’s father is here and willing to raise his son in a stable home.”
The judge looked over at me. “Why would you choose to take on this responsibility instead of allowing your father to have custody?”
“All my life he’s created a hostile home environment. My mom left to protect Andrew from him, and I intend to do the same.”
Judge Romero studied my dad with an impassive expression before returning his attention to me. “And do you have an answer for the claim you’d be an unsuitable guardian?”
“I’m not the only one taking care of Andrew. I have a community of support, and he’s thriving among the people who love him.”
“What about when you finish college and pursue your professional hockey career? Do you have a plan in place for childcare?”
“I’m going with him. We’re engaged,” Taryn blurted out from her seat.
My heart soared at her first sentence, then the shock took over. I struggled to not react to the announcement of my own engagement. Hadn’t she said lying to the judge would cause problems down the line? I didn’t dare look at her or Fred, who was probably internally losing his shit.
Judge Romero tilted his head in our direction. “Congratulations, but that information should have been included in the briefing.”
“You’re absolutely right, your honor. We were trying to keep it under wraps for now. There’s enough excitement happening in our lives. We didn’t want to draw attention away from any of it.”
I cleared my throat, trying to catch the thread to show us as a united front. “That’s why she’s here. Taryn is going to be a permanent part of our lives, so I wanted her to be a part of this.”
Judge Romero nodded as if our explanation made sense, but Dad finally lost his smirk. His chair clattered back as he stood.
“This is horse shit. They’re not engaged. They’re lying. She doesn’t even have a ring. You can’t possibly be considering giving Andrew to—”
Judge Romero banged his gavel once, effectively silencing my father.
“That’s enough. This case clearly needs more information before a judgment can be passed.
In light of Andrew’s preference to stay with Mason, I’m continuing Mason’s temporary guardianship until the next hearing scheduled for four weeks from now.
” He stared down at my lawyer. “I expect an updated affidavit regarding Mason’s history with his father and the anticipated living conditions post graduation. ”
“Yes, your honor,” Fred’s expression didn’t change an inch. I’d bet he killed at poker.
With that, we were dismissed. Dad was still muttering angrily, but his lawyer was keeping him contained for now. I didn’t want to hang around and cross paths with him in the parking lot.
I let out a long breath, then promised Fred I’d get him the updated information before hurrying Taryn out of there. I didn’t know about her, but I walked out in a vastly different mood than I walked in. She was uncharacteristically silent as we crossed the parking lot.
Once we were in the truck and safely on the way back to Addison, I laid my palm on her leg, needing the physical connection when I asked the next question. “Engaged, huh?”
She winced and tentatively slipped her hand over mine. “I’m sorry. I was trying to help, and it was the first thing I thought of. My mom’s going to kill me. Please don’t be mad.”
To my great surprise, I didn’t hate the idea. Taryn was it for me. I hadn’t considered a future with her beyond the next few months because I never thought she’d be willing to move. After the revelations today though, I could see a path forward.
“I’m not mad,” I assured her. “But it seems like you and I need to have a serious discussion about the future. Did you mean what you said? You’d come with me?”
Taryn relaxed under my hand. “You and I know you’re not going to Portland, and I’m not going to Maryland. As far as I can tell, neither of us is going anywhere just yet, but if it came down to it, yes, I’d go with you. We’d go with you because I come as a package deal.”
“I guess so do I. We’re really going to Brady Bunch this shit?”
“For the foreseeable future, at least until your dad isn’t a threat anymore. We don’t have to actually get married to look like we’re in a committed relationship as long as we’re living together. Think of how happy Hudson and Sunny will be.”
I couldn’t believe I wasn’t running away screaming, but the idea of making a life with her—for real, not just to gain custody of Andrew—filled me with yearning. I wanted it. She’d proposed a half-assed, fake situation, but I could build off of that.
“Guess you’ll need a ring,” I mused.
Taryn’s head swiveled toward me. “It’s not necessary. I can just use something I already have.”
I squeezed her thigh. “I’m getting you a ring.”
She sighed. “If we’re going through with this, I have to tell my mom first, but I want to wait until after the tournament.”
“I can wait that long, but I’d be shocked if Eva doesn’t already know.” I’d wait as long as needed if it meant getting to keep the girl along with the kid.