Chapter 16

sixteen

Savannah showed up at Athena’s office, her stomach in knots because she didn’t know what to expect. Athena had asked her for very specific information, and she hadn’t managed to get it. She imagined the meeting was going to be short, and Athena was going to be annoyed with her. And from some comments that Fallon had made, that was the last thing that Savannah wanted.

“You’re early,” Fallon commented as soon as the door opened.

“Yeah.” Savannah swallowed the lump in her throat. “I don’t think today is going to go that well.”

“Why would you say that?” Fallon shifted some papers on her desk, closing them into folders so that Savannah couldn’t see what she was working on.

It wasn’t that Savannah minded. She understood the point of confidentiality, but it still had a slight sting to it. Like Fallon didn’t trust her. “It’s just a feeling.”

Fallon stood up and started toward the conference room where Savannah always met Athena. She tossed a look over her shoulder. “Is it safe to assume you considered bringing me something with eggs on it?”

Savannah grinned broadly, skipping a step to catch up with Fallon. “I didn’t.”

“You didn’t bring me anything or you didn’t think about it?”

Fallon knew her too well already. Savannah had put far more thought into a random gift idea like that than she should have, and all the ideas she’d come up with were too cheesy and hokey even for her.

“You did!” Fallon pointed at her as she stepped into the room. She pulled out a couple of waters from the small fridge and set them on the table while also setting out cookies.

“I did, but nothing was good enough.” Savannah ran her fingers along the edge of the table, wondering where she could help or if she should help. Fallon would probably tell her to stop. “Can we get together this week?”

Fallon paused as she glanced toward the door. She walked swiftly to it and closed it. Shaking her head, she stalked Savannah like she was a cat hunting for prey. Savannah was rooted to her spot on the floor, unable to move or shift or do anything, even though she desperately wanted to walk forward and wrap around Fallon.

“We should try,” Fallon answered before their mouths touched in a light kiss. “Because I really want to explore more with you.”

Did she mean physically or more than that? Because Fallon had mentioned several other sexual things she wanted to do with Savannah, but anything emotional was always off the table. Still, it was nice to only have one side of their relationship to worry about.

Savannah tilted her head up, looking deep into Fallon’s eyes. She was talking sexually. There was nothing to mistake that look of pure arousal in Fallon’s gaze. Nodding, Savannah moved in and took Fallon’s lips swiftly, unsure just how much Fallon was willing to push the boundaries while they were in the office. The last time she’d been there hadn’t suggested that Fallon would be willing to be open about their relationship on any level.

Moaning and nipping Savannah’s lower lip, Fallon pulled back. “I have work to do while you’re in here entertaining my boss.”

“All right. Will you text me later?”

“Absolutely.” Fallon walked out of the small room, closing the door behind her and leaving Savannah inside. She could hear Fallon’s voice through the door, talking to Athena, and then another three minutes of quiet before Athena came in with a stack of papers and notepad in her hand.

“Afternoon,” Athena said.

“Afternoon.” That pit in Savannah’s stomach was back, and she really just wanted it to be gone already.

Athena slid into the seat, every bit the perfect professional. She was stunning, even more than Fallon, although it was a different kind of beauty. Athena exuded confidence like Fallon did, but she had an air of class about her that Fallon didn’t. It must have been the way she held herself, the angle of her shoulders, the lines of her face and chin.

“I’ve been researching similar cases,” Athena started, already digging into work without a greeting. The first two times that had set Savannah off. She was so used to needing to schmooze everyone in her vicinity, but Athena wasn’t there for that. She was there to work and do nothing else. “I’ve found a few promising ones.”

Savannah pressed her lips together, not sure what to say. She was so out of her element here that she had no idea what to expect. The only other time she’d contacted a lawyer had been in her divorce and subsequent custody hearing. And she wasn’t sure she’d chosen wisely in that case. Athena was far more thorough, and she explained things very well, to the point that Savannah guessed she could actually understand half of what was being said and the direction they were going.

The divorce attorney had primarily just told her what was going to happen, and he wasn’t wrong. She’d thought about suing for custody again, to change the terms of the agreement, especially with some of the crap Forrest had been pulling lately, but she wasn’t sure that she could find a better solution, or perhaps Athena would know someone.

“Were you able to find any more documentation?” Athena asked.

Savannah jerked with a start, realizing far too late that she was supposed to be responding now, that she was the one who was supposed to be doling out information. “Uh… yeah, some.”

She pulled open the folder she’d brought with her and slid it across the table. It wasn’t Conrad’s medical records, though, which was what they really needed. Savannah needed Kyla for that, and after the last conversation she was more convinced that Kyla wasn’t going to be helpful in obtaining them.

Athena skimmed through the papers, which were mostly just bills with occasional doctors’ notes. On the very top was a timeline of events as best as Savannah could piece it together. Savannah’s stomach was back in knots again.

“I need the full medical records, and then I’ll need to contact another doctor to do an evaluation on them.” Athena didn’t look up at her. She flipped through the pages more. “There isn’t much more I can do to move this forward until I have those.”

“Right.” Savannah felt like she’d been gut punched. Because it would be impossible to obtain those records. Kyla wouldn’t easily give them over or go on the hunt for them, and they were probably going to have to subpoena them eventually.

“Do you think you can get them before our next meeting?” Athena put the papers back into the folder that Savannah had brought and stared at her directly.

How was she able to do that? It was almost as though Athena didn’t realize that she’d just delivered a stunning blow to Savannah, that the case would probably shrivel up and die from here on out, and Savannah had done nothing more than waste everyone’s time.

“I’ll try.”

“Please schedule a follow up with Fallon when you do have those papers.”

That was it. This was the take it or leave it moment, and Savannah had no other choice. She could either get the information they needed to move forward with a lawsuit or she could give it all up now. Nodding, Savannah reached for the paperwork. Athena shook her head.

“I’ll have Fallon make copies of these. They might come in useful later.”

“Okay,” Savannah mumbled, not sure that her voice was even loud enough for Athena to hear her.

Athena stepped out of the office, leaving Savannah alone. The disappointment hit her the hardest. She didn’t know what to do with it either. She’d hinged so much of her response to Conrad’s death on getting some justice, and it was looking like the chances were slim. She just wanted something for Kyla and the kids, something that could help keep them afloat for a little longer so they had proper time to grieve.

And yet, it was so much more than that, wasn’t it?

This was about her own grief journey, and her own process and way to work through no longer having her brother around. When Athena stepped back into the room, she handed over the paperwork but remained standing as she gathered up her own items.

“I’ll see you soon,” Athena said in her usual monotone. She never did show much emotion, and that had also been something Savannah had to work through.

Shouldn’t lawyers be passionate about the cases they took? Or should they be like this? Her divorce lawyer hadn’t been much different, but it wasn’t like there was much going on there. Savannah had just wanted out of the marriage first and foremost, and then she wanted to retain some custody of Brinley, even if she had to share it with him.

“I did have one question,” Savannah said before Athena got the door open.

Athena paused, looking directly at her, expecting her to ask without issuing the command for her to do so.

“Do you know much about family law?”

“Custody issue?” Athena chimed back.

Savannah nodded quickly. “I was thinking about taking my ex back to court to modify the current agreement.”

“It’s not easy to do unless you have proof the other parent is being neglectful or abusive.” Athena folded her arms around the papers.

“I know. I don’t think I was adequately represented the first time around, and being in this office and working with you has proven that.” Savannah wrung her hands together tightly. “You’re very thorough.”

Athena nodded, taking the compliment for what it was. “Is this just to modify the agreement or are you going to seek full custody?”

Savannah shook her head, unsure. “I don’t know. I suppose I would need someone to look it over more and see what’s possible.”

Athena moved back to the table and sat down. She didn’t open her folders though. “Is your ex contentious with you?”

Savannah nodded. “All the time, and disrupting my personal life currently.”

“Do you think your ex pays enough in support?”

“I don’t care about the money,” Savannah answered. “Forrest has a good job in the tech field, but I can survive without what he’s giving for Brinley.”

“Does he pay adequate child support?”

“He doesn’t pay it,” Savannah finally admitted. “And I haven’t gone back to court to have his wages garnished.”

“Start there.” Athena pressed her lips together hard, pushing them out. “Was he abusive?”

“Five years ago I would have told you no. But now…” Savannah trailed off, flicking her gaze to the door as if she could see Fallon sitting outside. “Yes, he was. He’s narcissistic, he uses me to get what he wants, even now, and he takes advantage every chance he gets. He’s ruined relationships for me, friendship and romance, and his goal is to make me miserable.”

“Then I suggest starting here.” Athena pulled out her cell phone, snagged a number, and wrote it down on her legal pad. She then put a second number on it. “Then go here.”

“Okay?” Savannah stared at the names and the law firms.

“This isn’t going to be pretty if you sue him, and it’s going to get very nasty I suspect. The first is a family law attorney. Ask for Kevin Brock. He’s my ex-husband, so use my name, and tell him I told you to use my name.” Athena pointed at the second number with her pen. “And this is Heather Wolff’s firm. She’s a defense attorney, one of the best. You’ll need her to win a case with a narcissist.”

Savannah blanched. Defense attorney? She’d never thought about that before.

“They’ve worked together on cases before. It’s not impossible to win, but it’ll be a battle, and it’ll be really messy.”

“All right. Thanks.” Savannah folded the paper and slid it into her purse. She wasn’t going to lose those names and numbers, not anytime soon.

“Have a good week, Savannah. I’ll see you soon.”

Athena left her alone then.

Savannah stayed in the silence of the room. Had she really just asked that? She’d thought on and off for years about going back to change the current custody arrangement, but she’d never actually said those words out loud to anyone. Then again, Forrest had been particularly nasty lately, ever since he’d met…

Savannah stopped.

Ever since he’d met Fallon, and really ever since Fallon had stayed the night and spent some time with Brinley. No doubt Brinley had talked to Forrest about Fallon. It was her right, and she was nine and didn’t understand these things. Rubbing circles into her temple, Savannah finally dragged her ass out of the chair and stood up.

The weight of the world rested upon her shoulders right now. And there was no direction she could move without that weight shifting in ways that were impossible to recover. She couldn’t lose Kyla, not after losing Conrad. She couldn’t stand to think about losing Brinley even more than she already had.

But that didn’t mean any of these changes would bring about those resolutions.

Fallon glanced up when she stepped outside, a flash of concern in her gaze. She pushed up in her chair like she was going to stand up and come over, but Savannah shook her head and put her hand out to stop her.

“I’ll call you later,” Savannah said quietly, keeping her voice as soft as possible. She didn’t even pause as she headed straight for the main door to the hallway.

She had to get out of here. She needed to sit down with a strong drink and figure out what decisions she really needed to make, and she needed to do that on her own. The door clicked shut behind her, far louder in her ears than it had ever been before. She stepped toward the elevator, needing the escape.

“Savannah,” Fallon’s voice echoed.

She froze in place.

Fallon stepped next to her, a hand on her shoulder and then on her back. Savannah turned into her, lifting up her face with her teary eyes and meeting Fallon’s concern head on. Fallon said nothing. She swooped her arms around Savannah’s back and pulled her in, wrapping Savannah in a warm, comforting embrace.

They stood in silence, Savannah held firmly in place by Fallon’s compassion. She didn’t want to move. She didn’t want to leave or wonder if this was real or not. Because she knew without a doubt that it was. Fallon might have said there was nothing but sex between them, a surface level friendship, and a way to find some physical relief, but this was more.

So much more.

“I said I’d call you,” Savannah muttered into Fallon’s shoulder.

“Yeah, you did.” Fallon held her a little tighter. “But I didn’t think this could wait.”

Savannah breathed into this moment. Her heart stuttered, overwhelmed with grief and sadness, with guilt and shame, and with a pesky sense of hope she couldn’t get rid of.

“I don’t know what to do,” Savannah finally said.

Fallon lifted Savannah’s chin up with two fingers. “You don’t have to know what to do right now.”

“But—”

“No buts, Savannah. You don’t have to have the answers.” Fallon pressed their lips together quickly and pulled back. “Go home, take the day, and I’ll come by when I get off work.”

“I have Brin.”

“Even better. I can teach her how to make something for dinner.”

Savannah smiled, her eyes lighting up, and the tension in her heart easing a little. “You’d really do that?”

“For tonight I will.” Fallon kissed her again. “I’ll see you later.”