Page 64 of Cloudless
SO I CAN CATCH YOU
LILA
The fabric of my dress feels like sandpaper against my skin. I knew I should have picked the blue dress instead of the green, like Ellie suggested.
A hiss of air escapes the cushion under me as I sit at the table in the front of the courtroom. My baby hairs dance around my face as the overhead vent blows cool air over my heated skin.
Unfamiliar voices merge with the familiarity of my friends' murmurs behind me. People move through the room like it’s just a regular day at the office and not the most important day of my life.
I guess for the court reporter and the bailiff who are chatting like they’re old friends, it is. It’s just another Tuesday for them. Another name on the docket that they’ll never think about again.
My heart falls through my chest as the doors open in the back of the room.
Only when my lawyer’s red face comes into view do my shoulders relax an inch.
His hurried steps thump against the grey carpet as he descends the aisle.
“So sorry for my tardiness, Miss Sullivan. I had a few last-minute details to iron out.”
The smell of butterscotch and caramel candy washes over me as he sits. “It’s okay. What can I do? Do I need to do anything else before we get started?”
He shakes his head as his briefcase flips open with a click. “No. You’ve done everything you can, Miss Sullivan. I saw the twins in the hall with your friend. I believe she said her name is Ellie?”
I nod as a small smile touches my lips. “Yes, Ellie is a good friend of mine. The twins are having a good day. Our friend made their favorite breakfast foods this morning.”
His smile mimics my own as he shuffles papers around on the table in front of him. “They sound like good friends.”
“Yeah.” Kam’s gaze warms the back of my neck as I try to loosen the tension from my muscles. “They really are.”
Mr. Porter’s eyes flick behind me as his smile grows. “Ah, Mr. Stryker. It’s so nice to meet you in person, at last.”
I raise my brows as my eyes volley between my lawyer and my boyfriend. “At last?”
Kam’s usual smirk blooms as he accepts the offered handshake. “We’ve gotten to know each other pretty well this past week. Mr. Porter is an excellent researcher.”
Mr. Porter’s cheeks turn even redder under Kam’s compliment. “Oh, I wouldn’t say that, Mr. Stryker. You did most of the heavy lifting.”
Kam’s smile grows as Dax, Wyatt, and Mace try to hide their smiles next to him. “And what did I say about calling me Mr. Stryker?”
Mr. Porter’s eyes fall to his feet as a bashful smile takes over his face. “Yes. Right. Of course, Kam.”
The doors in the back of the room open to draw everyone’s attention as my heart takes residence on the floor by my feet.
A man who looks like he belongs in a New York penthouse with a glass of scotch in his hand emerges through the door first. His dull eyes match the grey of the carpet under his immaculate shoes that I’m sure cost more than I make in a month.
Maxwell’s jet-black suit makes him look like the angel of death as he stalks down the aisle right behind him. Victoria’s hunched shoulders and tiny steps are in such stark contrast to her usual self that I hardly recognize her as she follows her husband like the obedient wife she is.
None of them glance our way as they settle into their seats without a word.
The bailiff's deep voice resonates through my bones as he says, “All rise. The Court is now in session. The honorable Judge Alexandra Harris, presiding.”
The shuffling of chairs and fabric can’t drown out the beat of my heart as it echoes through my ears.
Judge Harris’s black robe billows behind her as she comes from a door I hadn’t noticed at the front of the room.
“Good morning, everyone.” Her glasses slide smoothly into place on the tip of her nose as she settles into her seat.
Her eyes move quickly over the papers in front of her.
“Am I understanding correctly that Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy wish to petition this Court for full custody of Jasper and Posey Sullivan?”
Mr. New York clears his throat before he stands. “Yes, Your Honor. We have filed the paperwork within the allotted time and wish to address this matter swiftly.”
A chilling smile pulls at Judge Harris’ lips as she sits the neat stack of papers on the table in front of her. “I can see that, Mister…?” She raises a brow as she waits for him to provide his name.
“Mr. Thorne, Your Honor.”
Her brows dip as she tilts her head like a mother does when deciding how best to punish a disobedient child. “Well, Mr. Thorne , I intend to handle this matter with the utmost respect it deserves, no matter how long it may take . Wouldn’t you agree Jasper and Posey deserve that common courtesy?”
His answering smile is reminiscent of a crocodile. “Of course, Your Honor.”
“Now that we have come to that agreement, I would like to proceed.” Her eyes fall to the papers in front of her once again before flicking at me.
“Miss Sullivan. I have Mrs. Evelyn Jones’ final recommendations in front of me.
Most of her assessment, however, was given under the assumption that you were the only candidate for full custody.
” She raises a brow as her eyes flick to the table opposite me.
“That has since changed. Therefore, today’s proceeding will not be as swift as I had previously hoped.
Luckily, the case scheduled directly after yours has been postponed, so we can take as long as we need today. ”
A headache blooms as my teeth threaten to crack under the pressure from my clenched jaw.
I hear Kam’s words from early this morning, like he’s whispering them in my ear. When you feel you’re about to fall, look back at me so I can catch you.
My eyes flick behind me to be snared by the warmth of chocolate and the safety of home. His mouthed I love you kickstarts my heart back into proper rhythm.
So, I do the only thing I can do. I turn back around and slide my game face into place so I can face my greatest adversary.
Because I will be victorious.