Page 48 of Don't Hurt Us
“Because I don’t want to pay her for it!”
“Well, I already said you won't be getting the house for yourself.Ms.Pecker agreed to not taking child support or alimony from you.If you’d prefer, I could adjust all of my rulings and you can pay her monthly and if you try to not pay, you’ll go to jail.Or we can stick with you paying her for your half of the house.It’s your choice.”The judge folds his arms over his chest and glares at Rob.
“My client will pay Ms.Pecker for half the house,” Rob’s lawyer says before Rob can mouth off to the judge again.
“Good.Mr.Pearson has ninety days to make arrangements to pay Ms.Pecker and submit proof to the court or I’ll see you again.”He glares at Rob.I think he’s secretly hoping Rob doesn’t pay so he can go even harder on him next time.“Ms.Pecker, is a week enough time for you to move out?”
“Yes, your honor.”
“Good.The house will be considered yours for the next week.Mr.Pearson isn’t to enter the house during the next week or I’ll consider it breaking and entering.After that week is up, it will be Mr.Pearson’s property.Court dismissed.”
As soon as the judge leaves the room, I round the wooden divider and tug Sydney into my arms.
“You’re moving in with me?”I whisper, still a little shocked she’s doing it.
“Am I crazy?”She blinks up at me as she snakes her arms around my neck.
“Only if you’re not moving in,” I chuckle.
“I hope you’re happy,” Rob sneers as he stomps over to us.His arms are folded across his chest and a nasty glare is aimed at us.
I feel Sydney recoil in my arms and it makes me wonder if Rob ever raised a hand to her.After everything I’ve heard about him, I wouldn’t be surprised, but I really hope he didn’t.I’d hate to know she had to live through that.I make a mental note to ask her later as I position myself slightly in front of Sydney so Rob would have to go through me to get to her.
“I didn’t ask for any of this, Rob.I was happy for you to walk away as long as you didn’t touch my bakery.It’s not my fault the judge ruled like this.”She lifts her shoulder in a shrug, trying to keep her voice firm and confident.
“And who’s this piece of crap?”He glares at me.
“Her boyfriend.And don’t act like you don’t know me.You’ve been in my bar more times than I can count.”I fold my arms over my chest and glare right back at him.
“Ah, so I get the bad rap for having a girlfriend, but you have a boyfriend too.I wonder what the judge would think if he heard about that.”
“We didn’t start dating until months after you left me,” Sydney growls.
“Maybe I should go for full custody.Obviously, you’re surrounding my children with people who are bad influences.”Rob smirks, thinking he’s going to win and get Sydney to back down.
“Mr.Pearson, I will be making the judge aware of the threats you’re making to my client.I have a feeling he won't take kindly to it.”Sydney’s lawyer aims a stern look at him.
“Are you kidding me?Screw this!I hope you have fun with my sloppy seconds and playing daddy to my kids, bar keep.”
He stomps away without another word.Sydney covers her face with her hands and her body shakes as soon as he’s out of view.
“I don’t know how he ever captured your attention.You deserve so much better than him,” I murmur as I tug Sydney back into my arms.
She doesn’t say anything for a long while and when she finally pulls away from me, she swipes under her eyes and blows out a deep breath.
“I guess I need to start packing if I want to move out this weekend.”
Chapter 22
Sydney
“Mom?What’sgoingon?”Danny steps slowly into the living room and drops his school bag on the ground.
On the way home from the court house, Maverick and I stopped to get moving boxes.We’ve spent most of the day packing and he went to pick the kids up from school so I didn’t have to stop working.
“We’re moving,” I say firmly as soon as Bree walks into the room.
“What?Why?”Bree looks like she’s seconds away from crying and it breaks my heart.
