The color from Kyle’s face drains.
“Just a bit ago, outside.”
Mr. Spence nods. “Was that the first time?”
“No, I’ve seen him once before, but didn’t speak to him.” he says.
“And, when was that?” Mr. Spence asks.
“Not long ago.” His eyes dart to his attorneys. I sneak a glance and he is shaking his at Kyle.
“Now, tell me, Mr. James. Are you fully prepared to care for a child? A child that up until you filed for custody, you had nothing to do with?” he asks and Kyle just stares at him. “Are you prepared for the long nights of sickness? The school events that never end, the constant homework?”
“I –” Kyle starts but Mr. Spence cuts him off.
“What about the medical expenses? Are you capable of taking care of all expenses that will come with raising a child?”
“I think.” His voice is shaky when he answers.
“What about the twenty grand you asked my client for just before we entered this courtroom?” Kyle’s eyes grow big. “Because she is dating someone wealthy you assume you saw a ticket for money?”
Kyle just stares at him. His attorney shouts, “Objection!” and stands from his seat.
“I think I’ve heard enough today,” the judge cuts in. “I spoke with young Carson before we began the hearing today and he has confirmed that he doesn’t know his father and has never had contact with him. The court finds that Ms. Fran have full custody of her child. Mr. James, in the state of Georgia, child abandonment is a misdemeanor resulting in a penalty of $1,000 or up to twelve months in jail. In order for your rights to remain as they are, you will be ordered to pay back child support for the five years that you missed.” His gavel hits his desk and he stands.
“Court is adjourned.” Kyle’s attorney starts shouting; Kyle just stares at me as I stand. I can’t believe what I'm hearing.
I stand, not able to contain myself, and run out the doors of the courtroom. Landon, my parents, and Carson are waiting. I rush to Carson’s side and scoop him in my arms and squeeze. Tears are falling down my face and into his hair. He squeezes back and I feel Landon wrap his arms around the two of us, and then my parents join in.
Chapter Twenty-Three
I’ve been promising I’d take Carson to see Landon play and he finally has a home game tonight. It’s time I pushed myself out of this house. It’s been a few weeks and all the tabloids are beginning to report about other celebrity gossip, and the excitement from the court hearing has given us a reason to celebrate.
I’m about to stand to get ready for the game when there is a knock at the door. Normally Carson comes running, but he’s too busy watching Jurassic World in his room. That boy. I smile to myself and make my way to the front door. It’s probably Chrissy, but she usually never knocks and just lets herself right in. When I open the door, my breath is nearly taken from me when I see who is standing on the other side.
Kyle.
“What do you want?” I ask. He crosses his arms like he has a reason to actually be standing on my doorstep. How the hell did he find my address anyways? I look out behind him and see an older model Chevy Tahoe parked along the street.
“I need the money, Kelsi.” Is he serious?
“I’m terminating my rights.” He says, I look deep into his eyes but can’t figure out if he is telling me the truth or not. He was always good at lying.
“Why would you do that?” I ask, not that I don’t want him to, but why take me to court?
“I need the money.” He says, the way he grits his teeth causes me to really look at him. He has a slight sway to him that I didn’t notice before, and it’s clear he has been drinking. He was always a mean ass drunk, obviously not much has changed.
“I’m not giving you twenty thousand dollars, Kyle.”
“Then I won’t sign over rights.” He takes a step towards me, standing right in my face. Typically, i’d cower to him, but I'm done with this man, once and for all.
“Leave.” I say. My voice has taken an octave I didn’t even know existed.
“Not without Carson.”
“Over my dead body will you be taking him. Get the fuck off my porch and don’t come back.” He starts to speak but I cut him off. “Go.”
Kyle stares at me, and I grow tired of his game. I turn to shut the door and he grabs my elbow, yanking me towards him. Without thinking, I raise my knee and connect right to his balls.
“Don’t ever touch me again.” He drops to his knees and I look around, making sure my neighbors aren’t seeing this shit. That’s the last thing I need is for one of them to put me on the front page of another tabloid. “Stay the hell away from us.” I slam the door behind me. Locking the deadbolt in place. I peek out one of the side windows and watch as Kyle walks slowly back to his vehicle. Eventually, he starts it and drives away.
Landon left hours ago to prepare for the game, and I haven’t heard from him since. Carson comes barreling down the hallway as my sister steps through the front door with Jennifer right behind her. Chrissy is dressed in a T-shirt with the Hawks logo pressed against the front. Jennifer is in a tight pair of white skinny jeans paired with a CalKing jersey.
“Nice jersey.” I wink and she blushes. I’m honestly not sure if I have ever seen my friend turn this shade of pink before.
“Oh shut up,” she says as I laugh. “We’ve only seen each other a few times, strictly a friends-with-benefits relationship.”
“Sure, sure.”
“Let’s talk about the shirt you’re wearing.” She crosses her arm and smirks at me, seeming to have regained her regular sass. I throw my head back and laugh.
“Carson, get your shoes on. The game starts in thirty minutes.” Carson is already flopped on the floor by the door, fishing his shoes out of the bin I keep nearby. I have tripped over this child’s shoes on more than one occasion.
“You okay?” Chrissy asks me.
I glance to Carson, making sure he isn’t paying attention to our conversation. He has wandering ears these days.
“Kyle stopped by earlier.” Jen nearly drops her phone.
“WHAT?” My sister whisper shouts at me. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“I wish I were.”
“What did he say?” She stares at me, so much concern is present in her eyes.
“He wanted the money.” I grab my purse from the end table and make sure my phone and wallet are inside. “Grabbed my elbow-” I subconsciously rub the spot he touched me. “and I kneed him in the balls.” My sister's eyes go as wide as saucers, Jennifer jerks back, I'm not usually a violent person but he caught me off guard and well, he was pissing me off.
“Wow.” She glances to Carson. “He really is psychotic.” I nod just as Carson walks up to the two of us.
“Agreed.” Jen says as we move towards the door.
I shoot Landon a quick text letting him know we are on our way. Jennifer and Chrissy climb in Chrissy’s car, and I slowly back out of my driveway. They have plans after the game tonight, so we decided to drive ourselves. Carson is going on and on about what he expects to happen tonight and how the Hawks are going to wipe the court floor with the Jazz. I’m not sure where my kid learned this but he has perfected the art of trash talking.