20. Grant
Chapter twenty
Grant
Istand before the court. Vivian is at my left, and Jessie Lestor seated across the aisle with her attorney.
I've prepared for court before.
Today, is different from any of those.
"My engagement with Laurie was not a fabrication," I begin. My voice stays level. Military-briefing calm. "But it was not what people assumed either."
Jessie's attorney leans forward.
The lead evaluator, a woman named Patricia Kemper, makes a note. "Explain."
"Someone at a donor event made an assumption. Ms. Bennett and I allowed that assumption to continue because it seemed—" I pause. "—convenient. For the property case. For public perception. For shielding Ms. Bennett and her daughter from scrutiny."
Vivian shifts beside me. We discussed this. She argued against it. I overruled her.
"So you misrepresented your relationship status to this review body?" Jessie's attorney asks.
"No. I misrepresented it to donors, reporters, and myself. The review body received documentation of Ms. Bennett's contracted role: temporary cleaning and preparation services, with temporary lodging as part of compensation. That was accurate. The engagement narrative existed outside this process."
Patricia looks up. "Why disclose this now?"
"Because continuing the lie harms someone I care about more than losing this property ever could."
The room goes quiet.
I meet Patricia's gaze. "Ms. Bennett is a widow who accepted work during a housing gap.
She brought professionalism, competence, and integrity to a property my organization had neglected.
Using her presence—or a relationship neither of us defined clearly—as strategic cover was my failure. Not hers."
"Mr. Thorne—"
"I'm not willing to harm her further."
Vivian's pen stops moving.
I pull the folder from my briefcase. This is it. The plan Vivian, Dean, and I built after I left the lodge and finally accepted what Marianne had been trying to tell me.
"This is the stewardship plan for Lestor Lodge moving forward."
I hand copies to Patricia, the other evaluators, and Jessie's side.
"Approved team occupants only. Players on Iron Peak Outlaws contracts with lodge housing provisions. No alcohol on premises. No overnight guests. Curfew enforced and logged. Regular cleaning and coordination handled by Bethany Bennett under a formal employment contract."
Patricia scans the document. "This is significantly more restrictive than standard team housing."
"Yes. Because this property is not standard team housing. It's a second chance for players who need structure, dignity, and a place to land when the rest of the league has written them off."
I glance at Jessie. Her expression is unreadable.
"We're committing to documented use, safety compliance, quarterly reporting, and full transparency. It's a good will gesture. Proof that we do care about the property. And it's a benefit to the team."
Jessie's attorney speaks. "My client believes this property was abandoned for years. One month of activity doesn't prove long-term intent."
"Then watch us prove it."
Patricia sets the folder down. "The court appreciates transparency, Mr. Thorne. I'm willing to leave the property under the team care until this dispute is fully settled. But we still require a final walk-through."
"Understood."
"Can the lodge pass inspection tomorrow morning?"
My chest tightens.
"Yes," I say.
Patricia writes something. "Nine a.m. Be prepared for a comprehensive evaluation. Safety, organization, functionality, compliance with the stewardship terms you just submitted."
"We will be."
She closes the file. "This hearing is adjourned pending walk-through results."
I nod. Stand. Vivian gathers documents while Jessie's side files out.
Jessie pauses at the door.
"I'll be watching, Mr. Thorne."
"I expect nothing less."
The door closes behind her.
Vivian turns. She studies me. "You're different."
"I told the truth. That's not different."
"Grant." Her voice softens. Rare, for Vivian. "You chose someone over winning. That's very different."
I don't answer. Because she's right, and because the someone I chose has every reason not to show up tomorrow.