AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Corey’s is here. I thought you didn’t want him falling back with old friends.”
“I moved to a new school district. He could start over again.”
I dropped my head into my hand. “I didn’t know you moved.”
“I moved in with my boyfriend.”
This was her pattern, moving to be with a guy.
“Is that a good idea? Moving him to yet another new school and with a new boyfriend?”
“Like you aren’t seeing women,” she scoffed.
I was, but it wasn’t the same thing. Hailey was already a part of Corey’s life. He didn’t know there had been a change between me and her, but I didn’t think he’d be upset by it. He liked Hailey and had his own relationship with her, separate from me. And that was all because of Hailey.
“I’ll fight this.”
When Corey moved in with me, Tiffany drafted a letter, granting me temporary custody so that I could enroll him in school. At the time, it was the easiest and best solution because I wasn’t sure Corey would like it here or that it would become a permanent thing. But now that I’d spent more quality time with Corey, and despite him getting into trouble when he first moved here, I knew staying was the best thing for him. Moving him again wasn’t the solution.
Panic coursed through me so fast it made me feel weak with it.
“No judge will allow him to stay with you. He has a pending case.”
Remembering something Avery Arrington, his attorney, had said, settled my nerves. “He has to stay in Maryland until his court hearing.”
“When is that?”
“It’s in a month.” I had the date memorized because I was so worried about it.
“After that, I want him to come home.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” It was like she expected me to give in to her like I always had. I couldn’t pick up and move, and Corey being with me was the best for him.
“You know I’m right about this.”
“You’re the one who chose to move to Texas. This is his home now. It’s where we grew up, where his grandparents live.”
She huffed. “You don’t even speak to your parents.”
“Corey wants me to reach out to them.” I was reluctant, but if it helped the custody case to keep him here, I’d do it. I’d suffer through my parents’ company so that Corey could have some type of relationship with them.
“His home is here.” Her tone was incredulous.
She wasn’t used to me disagreeing with her. Previously, I assumed she had his best interest in mind, but not this time. She shipped him off when it was convenient, and now she wanted him back. It was all about her and this boyfriend I didn’t know anything about.
“The arrangement was only supposed to be temporary,” she repeated when I didn’t respond.
I wasn’t sure what a judge would do. Fear made it difficult to breathe. I didn’t want to take a backseat in his life anymore. I enjoyed the time I’d spent with him, and I liked having a hand in his development. At the same time, I wanted him to see his mother, too.
“Corey can see you for all the holidays and in the summer. I’m happy to extend that beyond two weeks.” I was giving up Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it was easier for him to travel when school wasn’t in session.
“You’re happy to extend it? I’ve always been the one in control of custody and visitation.”
“You did this. You sent him to me and asked me to help. That is what I’m doing. I can’t help him if he’s bouncing back and forth. He needs stability.”
“And he has that with you?”
“I don’t know what was going on when he lived with you. He won’t talk much about it, but he wasn’t allowed to play sports. He was bored and getting into trouble. Since he started on a sports team, his grades have gone up, and he’s motivated to work out and eat healthier. He doesn’t have time to get into trouble or run with the wrong kids.”
