Page 46 of The Grump I Loathe (The Lockhart Brothers #3)

EDDIE

“ W hat happens if the judge says Alannah has to move away?” Grace asked, looking concerned as she plopped herself down on the steps of the courthouse. The clouds parted, and a wash of sunlight warmed the chilly December morning. “When will I get to see her?”

I sighed. The courtroom had felt small and stuffy and overwhelming, and when I’d latched onto Connor’s hand, he’d whisked us all outside for some air.

But I wasn’t sure how much it was helping.

I had the exact same question as Grace and was trying desperately not to think about it.

I didn’t want that to be the outcome of this custody decision.

I didn’t want my little sister living on the other side of the country.

“Remember we talked about this?” Connor said softly, bending down to sit next to Grace. “If it happens, then we’ll make special trips to see her wherever she goes.”

I ran my fingers through his hair, his words warming my chest briefly. I knew he meant it. He’d snap his fingers and get me to Florida anytime I wanted to see Alannah .

But it wouldn’t be the same. I wouldn’t be able to pick her up from school and hear about her day. Wouldn’t be able to have her sleep over at my place whenever she wanted.

Even phone calls would get harder, with the time zones. We’d manage, but it wouldn’t be easy. We all knew that, and I think I was already mourning that change.

“Maybe I can bring Mr. Cheesers to visit her,” Grace said.

After the game went live, Grace had been introduced to Mr. Cheesers, and she’d refused to leave the office until we’d agreed to let her bring him home.

Everyone at the office missed him so much that they were currently figuring out what to get as the next office pet.

Connor had put restrictions on size and climate requirements, but other than that, he was letting everyone else decide.

Last I heard, the voting was going hot and heavy.

Mr. Cheesers, meanwhile, had settled into his new home with his typical aplomb. Grace and Alannah had already spent many hours sorting through his outfits.

“I’m not sure Mr. Cheesers is going to enjoy the flight,” Connor said.

Grace’s smile was as thin as my own as she leaned against his shoulder. “I don’t want her to go.”

“I know, sweetheart.”

Grace kicked at a rock that skidded down the steps. She looked at me over her shoulder. “You shouldn’t let her leave.”

“I wish it was up to me.” I should have been trying to put on a brave face, for Grace and Alannah’s sakes, but standing at the bottom of the courthouse steps, waiting to hear the final custody agreement—waiting to hear if Alannah was leaving—was like waiting to hear the results of my own parents’ divorce .

A familiar discomfort and uncertainty swirled in my gut. I pressed my hand to my belly, wondering if I’d be sick right there on the steps. Connor reached for me, grabbing my hand and squeezing.

“I’m okay,” I said.

He kissed my knuckles. “Are you sure?”

“I will be. I’ll have to be.” Alannah would need all the strength, reassurance, and advice I could muster. Starting over in a new state, at a new school, while having to make new friends and find a new gymnastics gym…Her whole world was about to change.

The door to the courthouse flew open suddenly, voices filling the air as Simon, Valentina, and their lawyers emerged. One voice cut through them all.

“Eddie!” Alannah cried, setting off at a dead sprint down the steps toward us.

I stepped away from Connor, bracing myself as Alannah crashed into me, her little arms locking tight around my waist. My heartbeat throbbed at the base of my throat. Oh no. No, no, no… I really was going to be sick.

Alannah tipped her head up, but instead of the streams of tears I’d expected, she was beaming at me. “I’m staying!” she announced.

The words echoed in my ears, though my brain struggled to compute. “You’re staying?” I repeated. “What…They agreed to split custody?”

Alannah giggled with excitement. “The judge says I get to spend time with both of them. Fifty-fifty!”

I turned to Connor, wide-eyed. “It worked,” I said, dumbfounded. Dad had actually followed through with the lawyer and fought for an equal share of time with Alannah .

Grace crashed into us, clamping onto Alannah’s shoulders, shaking her. “You’re staying!” she squealed. “Yay! Yay! Yay! Does that mean you can still be my desk buddy?”

Alannah joined in with the squealing. I winced, laughing.

Connor stood, pulling me into his arms. “You look like you haven’t quite absorbed that yet.”

“I can’t believe she gets to stay,” I said, smiling as I stared up at him, those brown eyes twinkling back at me. “I was so sure it was going to go the other way, and Valentina was going to take her away for good.”

“Per the custody terms, she’s only allowed to move three hours from us,” Dad said, walking down the stairs. He handed Alannah her sweater. “But we’ve talked, and Valentina currently has her eye on a house close enough for Lana to remain at the same school.”

The shrieking intensified.

“Same friends. Same gym,” I said.

Dad nodded. “Same amount of hangouts with her big sister. Valentina agreed to that, regardless of whose week it is.”

Elation filled my chest to the point of bursting.

“I think it worked out as best as any of us could have hoped,” Dad continued. “We’re swapping every other week.”

“What about holidays?” I asked.

“Those too,” Dad said. “Valentina had Thanksgiving.”

“That means we get Christmas?” Connor said.

Alannah and Grace stumbled into Connor, hugging him next and chattering about all the things they wanted to do during the upcoming holiday break from school .

I took a step closer to Dad. “Thank you,” I said. “For fighting for her. I know it was a lot.”

Dad swallowed hard, looking guilty. “It never should have been a choice,” he said gruffly.

“I think part of me knew that; I was just convinced it wouldn’t go my way, so what was the point of trying?

You made me realize I had to fight because I want to watch Alannah grow up. I want to be part of her life.”

“Good,” I said. “I’m glad.”

He gave me a sad smile. “I’m sorry, Eddie.”

I jerked back slightly. “For what?”

“For not fighting for you all those years ago, and not supporting your dreams. For always shutting you down when I should have had your back. I screwed up a lot back then, but I’m going to try to do better from here on out.

And I want you to know that I’m damn proud of the woman you’ve become all on your own. ”

I swallowed hard. Tears welled behind my eyes. Tears I could barely hold back. I felt the weight of Connor’s hand at my back.

A strong, steady support.

“I’d like to see you more often,” Dad continued. “Not just when you drop by to see Alannah. If you’re willing to give me another chance, that is.”

I’d been waiting all my life to hear those words from him. A few tears finally escaped, and I swiped at them, clearing my throat. “I think I’d like that,” I said.

A smile tugged at the corner of Dad’s mouth. “Okay then.” With that, he darted off to shake hands with his lawyer.

Hooooonk !

Connor and I whirled around.

“Wow,” I murmured as Ali pulled up in front of the courthouse in a shiny, cherry-red convertible. “It’s very…festive.”

“I love it!” Alannah said. “It’s like Santa’s sleigh.”

I laughed. “Is there even enough room in there for Grace?”

Connor smirked. “Don’t worry. She’s got a seatbelt adjuster for Grace in the back.”

“Hi, Mom!” Grace shouted excitedly. “Be right there!” She gave Alannah one last hug, then grabbed her backpack from Connor.

He snagged her at the last second, planting a kiss on the top of her head. “Behave, okay?”

Grace rolled her eyes. “I always behave. See you later, Eddie.” She reached out her fist so we could trial the overly complicated handshake we’d been developing for the past week.

“Nice,” I said, snapping my fingers in the last move.

Grace beamed, then shot off down the stairs, handing her bag off to Ali as she got into the car.

“So far so good,” I said, hugging Connor close.

He nodded as Ali gave him a wave. With a new Grace-approved arrangement and a PA keeping Ali on task, monthly calls had turned into every-other-weekend outings. Without Sawyer .

Alannah came over and joined our hug. “Thanks for waiting for me, Eddie.”

“I’ll always be waiting for you,” I promised. “Everything else okay?”

“Yeah.” She grinned. “You think Grace will want to help me decorate my room at Mom’s new house? ”

“I think she’ll love that,” Connor said.

Alannah grinned. “I’m gonna draw up some designs this weekend!”

Valentina called her over, and Alannah gave us both a smile before she ran off.

“You okay?” Connor murmured as he rested his chin on the top of my head.

I released a contented sigh. “Actually, yeah. Today was…full of surprises.”

“You know you don’t have to do anything with your dad that you’re not ready for, right?”

“I know. But after that apology, I want to believe he can do better. And it would be nice if we could repair some of our relationship.”

I tipped my head up, and Connor leaned in to kiss me. “Well, I’m happy to tag along if that would make your visits any easier.”

“I’d love that,” I said. It felt good to know that no matter where I went, I had Connor in my corner. And if things didn’t end up working out with my dad, I knew I’d be okay.

I finally had the family I wanted. The Lockharts had welcomed me in with open arms, giving me the love and support I’d always been desperate for.

And as I watched Grace zoom off with Ali and Alannah turn cartwheels on the courthouse steps, I knew there was nowhere I’d rather be in the world than right here with this new little family I’d lucked into.