isPc
isPad
isPhone
The Way We Play (Bradford Boys #2) Chapter 29 88%
Library Sign in

Chapter 29

29

Zane

“ T he contract transfers all rights and responsibilities for your son Edward to your daughter Rachel. If anything happens, you will not be held responsible or liable.” Olivia slides the papers across the polished surface of her wooden desk. “All you have to do is sign, and I’ll file it with the court.”

Jayden sits in a beige leather chair, frowning as he takes the document, turning the pages and scanning them quickly. “This means the school won’t bother me anymore?”

“They won’t have any grounds to involve you. Your parental rights will terminate.”

“Terminate.” His nose curls. “I don’t like the sound of that.”

“What don’t you like?” My tone is sharp, and Olivia’s brow lowers.

She very subtly shakes her head No , but I’m ready to grab him by the neck and hold him down until he signs on the dotted line.

“It sounds like I’m abandoning my child.” He glares up at me .

My jaw tightens so hard, I’m surprised my teeth don’t crack. I want to ask how it’s any different from what he already did years ago, but I don’t.

I hold myself back and let Olivia do her job.

“This transfer in no way indicates you don’t love your child.” Her voice is calm. She even smiles. “In fact, it means just the opposite. For many parents like yourself it’s the best course of action, and your selflessness demonstrates the greatest love of all.”

“Still…” He flops the paper onto the desk. “I think I should be compensated.”

“Compensated.” My voice is flat, and again, Olivia’s lips press together.

“It just seems like everybody’s getting something out of this but me.”

“You’re not having to pay for your freedom. Liv is providing this service pro bono .”

“Is that like for the band?”

I cut my eyes to Liv, confused.

“ Pro bono is a Latin term that means for the good . It means I’m donating my time to help you.”

“It means she’s not getting paid. Nobody is.” I hit the nobody hard.

“Well, that sounds like her business.” Jayden exhales, leaning back in his chair again. “It has nothing to do with me. I’ve got needs.”

I’m about to say he needs to sign this contract or he’s going to need emergency medical treatment.

“Why don’t you take a day to think about it.” Liv stands, walking around her desk. “This is your copy. Take it with you and give it a thorough reading.”

She slides her hands down her black pencil skirt, and I notice she’s wearing bright red shoes. It reminds me of when she would run around with Garrett all the time in Newhope. She was always wearing something red.

“I’ll do that.” He takes the papers and walks to the door .

As soon as he’s out, she pushes it closed. “That man is a piece of work. How did Rachel turn out so sweet?”

“Getting away early.” It comes out a touch above a growl. “I’m ready to take him to court. Let a judge take one look at this two-bit hustler and decide.”

“We were able to get a meeting in chambers this week, which is very unusual.” She leans back on her desk, crossing her arms. “It can take as long as a month, but they had a sudden opening.”

It feels like a good omen. “You can tell him about Edward’s equine therapy and how he won the pool tournament. He’s making friends and starting school in January. All that has to matter for a kid like him.”

“They’re all good things, and I’ll make the case for the stability and community he has with his sister.” Her forehead lines with worry. “But I have to be honest with you, it’s nearly impossible to get a judge to revoke parental rights without some form of gross neglect or abuse.”

“He essentially abandoned them. Rachel has taken care of Edward since he was a baby.”

“Still, she’s not his parent. She’s a young, single woman, alone in the world with limited income, no permanent housing…”

“She’s not alone.” Energy is in my chest. “Rachel is my future wife.”

It’s impulsive, and I’m taking a big risk. But I promised I’d be back with custody papers, and I won’t let her down.

“Really?” Olivia straightens, uncrossing her arms and smiling for the first time all day. “Well, congratulations. That definitely helps your case. We can present you as a potential step-guardian. It would be better if you were already married, but it certainly helps.”

“I’ll arrange a pretrial meeting with Jayden tomorrow morning, and we can see where he stands.” She rounds her desk, collecting her laptop and bag. “I doubt it’ll make a difference to him, but it might with the judge.”

“I think a judge would care that he’s only interested in money.”

“He can easily deny that.” Reaching out, she touches my forearm. “I know it’s hard, but let me do the talking.”

The next day we meet in a small room outside the judge’s chambers. It reminds me of being in the principal’s office at school. The walls are plain beige, the desks are scratched-up blond wood, and it smells like chemical cleaning products.

Jayden is back, dressed in jeans and a beat-up corduroy blazer. His beard needs to be shaped up, and his hair could use a comb.

By contrast, I’m shaved and spruced and wearing a Brioni suit from my football days in Baltimore, when I had to get dressed up on occasion for awards ceremonies and special events. Liv is in a gray pinstripe suit as well.

Studying the contrast, I wonder if this will work in our favor or hurt us. Jayden doesn’t seem to notice. He still has his eyes on the prize.

“I looked over your contract, and I showed it to my lawyer…” He looks from me to Liv, and I have to bite my tongue to keep from questioning who that might be and where he or she is this morning. “I still say I’m getting a raw deal, and I’m not signing this.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way.” Liv’s tone is patient. “I had hoped we might settle this without having to go before the judge.”

“Judges don’t scare me, lady. He’ll be on my side. I’m the father. ”

More like the sperm donor. My hands are clenched beside me in the chair.

“Then it sounds like we’re finished here.” Olivia stands, taking her computer off the table and pulling her bag over her shoulder. “We’ll see what the judge has to say.”

Jay’s eyes widen, and he looks from her to me. “That’s it? You’re really going through with it?”

“Of course.” Olivia smiles sweetly. “That’s what you want, isn’t it?”

Just as fast, his demeanor changes. His eyes narrow, and he stands, stepping a little too close. “I told you what I want.”

“Money is what you want.” The sharp female voice draws our attention to the door. “Is that correct, Mr. Wells?”

“Claws?” I take a step back, surveying the stern woman in the St. John suit and helmet of auburn hair. “I mean, Claudette , what are you doing here?”

Olivia’s brow furrows. “I don’t think we’ve met.”

“I’m Claudette Rosario.” She extends a hand to Olivia. “President of the Board of the Matrons for the Safeguard of Birmingham’s Little Lambs.”

“Ah, yes, the Matrons.” Olivia tilts her head in my direction to explain. “It’s an old, well-established children’s charity.”

“The Matrons have protected the most vulnerable members of our great city for more than a century.” Claws’s tone is haughty. “Our endowment is one of the largest in the country. One of our members called me yesterday and said you have a situation needing our attention.”

“Who is this woman?” Jayden hooks a thumb at Claws. “What is she talking about?”

I have a feeling I know what she’s about to do, and rage burns in my chest. I still want to fight this, to beat his ass for the crap he’s pulled on my family and now his own.

As if sensing my rising blood pressure, Olivia touches my arm. “What is your organization proposing, Mrs. Rosario?”

“We’ll be happy to provide whatever funds are needed to ensure Edward Wells’s permanent custody is assigned to his sister Rachel. I have a contract drawn up here.”

“Funds?” Jayden looks from Olivia to Claws, and the glee in his eyes makes me sick. “What funds are we talking about?”

“Tell me, Mr. Wells, would you agree to turn over your son for the generous sum of twenty thousand dollars?” Claws unsnaps her Hermes bag and removes a long envelope. “I have the check all made out in your name and ready to go.”

“Why, yes, ma’am, I most certainly would!” He claps his hands together. “Hot damn, where do I sign?”

Olivia doesn’t speak, and her calm makes me wonder if I’m missing something. I’m furious as Claudette lifts her chin, motioning to the papers on the table.

“First sign the contract provided by Ms Bankston. Then you’ll sign our contract agreeing to receive the money on a confidential basis…”

“No problem at all!” He scoops up the pen before she finishes speaking.

Olivia opens to the signature page, and he signs quickly. She bends down and signs as well, passing it to me. I take the pages, but it feels like a pyrrhic victory. I don’t like him getting paid—especially not such a large amount.

He turns to Claws, pen out, mouth watering.

I growl audibly, but Olivia presses her fingers hard against my forearm.

“Don’t be bitter, sonny.” Jayden gives me a sarcastic smile. “It takes a special kind of smarts to do what I do.”

“Feel free to take a moment to read before you sign.” Claws opens her contract to the signature page. “I’ve taken the liberty of signing for the matrons.”

“Gotta tell you, lady,” Jayden signs without hesitation. “Y’all might want to reconsider that name. Matrons sounds like a bunch of feeble old ladies.”

“I’ll be sure to bring that up at our next board meeting.” She folds the signed contract and hands him the check. Her brows rise, and her expression is light. “Or you can drop your idea for a new name in the suggestion box next time you’re in the office.”

“I’ll let you handle it.” Jayden hops back, folding the check and slipping it into the breast pocket of his blazer. “I’m on my way to the Ozarks. Right after I stop by the bank.”

“Let me save you a trip.” Claws takes out her phone. “Give me your bank information, and I’ll send the payment electronically right now.”

His eyes widen, and he hops forward again. They exchange information, and I have to walk away from what’s happening. As much as I care about Edward, as much as I love Rachel, I don’t like seeing this guy walking away with another win.

“Did it go through?” Claws’s tone is bright, and I shake my head.

Jayden holds his phone a moment, then waves it in the air. “It went through.” He does a little bow. “Thank you, ladies and sucker. Have a nice life.”

“Now don’t forget, the downtown office opens bright and early at seven a.m.” Claws calls after him, turning to tuck the contract into her expensive leather bag.

“Good for you, lady.” His hand is on the door when she turns, arms crossed, voice coming down like a hammer.

“You just signed a contract to be the sanitation clerk at our original office building downtown. It’s a 100-year-old edifice, and unfortunately, those old sewer lines need constant maintenance and attention or they overflow.”

“What’s that?” Jayden leans forward, confused.

“The Matrons don’t simply dole out money, you silly man. You signed a contract to pay back our generous gift through service to our organization as sanitation clerk for the next twelve months. Our retiring clerk, Mr. Applewhite will be ready to train you bright and early Monday morning.”

A laugh explodes through my lips. “It takes a special kind of smarts to be you, Jayden. Have fun cleaning up shit. Excuse me, ladies. Poop . ”

“You can’t do this!” Jayden yells. “I’m not taking your money!”

“You’ve received the money, and the contract is signed. If you fail to follow through on your end of the agreement, I’ll have the judge issue a bench warrant for your arrest.” There’s the Claws I know and now love. “Give my regards to Rachel and Eddie, and let Gina know the matrons got her call and took care of it.”

She walks straight to the door without looking back, and like some kind of uncredited superhero, she’s gone.

Adrenaline replaces the acid in my stomach, and I’m ready to run all the way to Newhope.

“She can’t do this!” Jayden whines.

“Actually, she just did.” Liv’s hazel eyes sparkle, and she turns a big smile on me.

I give her a hug, but my arms ache for Rachel. “How soon can we get on the road?”

Olivia steps back, checking her watch, and I can tell she’s as amped as I am. “Give me an hour to pack, and I’ll pick you up at your hotel.”

We leave Jayden in the principal’s office still pacing and whining and trying to figure out what went wrong.

Chapter List
Display Options
Background
Size
A-