CHAPTER 19 JOLENE

It's been a whirlwind twenty-four hours, or few months, I guess, and I realize now I never called Jeremy back.

He's being transferred to Chicago.

This is like every dream of mine coming true all at once, and in truth, it's overwhelming.

I call my lawyer first, and I learn that if Jeremy is the one moving, he's the one who's changing our custody arrangement…and he needs my permission to move. Well, consider that permission granted.

Jonah's supposed to go to Jeremy's place this weekend, too, but I don't even know what's going on, so I eventually work up the nerve to call him.

He's at work, so he answers in his professional voice. "Jeremy Landry."

"You know it's me," I say.

"I also know it bothers you when I answer like that."

I blow out a breath. "I'm just returning your call."

"My boss is transferring me to Chicago. I need your permission to go, and we'll have to go over the custody arrangement."

"I'll give you my permission on one condition," I counter.

"What's that?"

"You sign over sole parental rights to me. If and only if Jonah wants to visit you, you would be the one to arrange travel so he isn't alone, and you would gladly accept him into your home."

He knows I've got him by the balls, and he lets out a frustrated sigh. I'm his one roadblock to keeping the job he loves seemingly above all else—even if it happens to be in a different city. "Fine."

"Is Alyssa going?"

"No. She handed me divorce papers."

"Oh, Jeremy. Is it all worth it?" I ask.

He grunts. "I guess your mother was always right about me."

"In what way?"

"Once a cheater…" he says.

"You cheated on Alyssa?"

"I think Chicago will be the fresh start I need," he admits.

"I care about you, Jeremy. You haven't always been nice to our son, and you certainly treated me like shit, but we do still share a child. I want the best for you, and I hope you're able to get your shit together. Send your permission slip to my lawyer, and she will draft up a new agreement for you to sign before returning it."

"Fine," he mutters. He doesn't return the sentiment of caring about me, and that's fine.

I'm just glad that he won't be here to disappoint our son every other week any longer.

Sam took the day off to pack, and I meet her in the kitchen after that call.

"I need a hug," I announce, and she stops what she's doing to give me one.

"What's wrong?" she asks as she squeezes me.

"I talked to Jeremy. He's going to sign over sole parental rights. And Alyssa's not going with him to Chicago."

"Oh, Jo," she says, stroking my hair. "That's such great news and so very sad at the same time."

I nod. "Exactly. I want to celebrate, but it also hurts." I wrinkle my nose.

"I get it. I'm proud of you for fighting for your son, though."

"I've fought for seven years. It was Lincoln who helped me win the battle," I admit.

"I'm so happy you two figured it out."

"I could say the same about you and Devin," I point out.

She smiles. "We told Cade," she says.

"You did? I thought you were taking it slow!"

"Eh," she mutters, lifting a shoulder. "Fuck slow. We like it fast. And hard." She winks at me, and I giggle.

"It's really all working out," I say.

"It really is," she confirms with a wide smile. "It feels like the end of an era. Like we're watching some television show where they move out of their shared house at the end."

"But remain best friends forever regardless of where they live," I say, holding up a pinky to pinky swear.

"But wait! There's still loose ends that have to be tied up!" she says dramatically.

"Like what?"

"Rivera," she says. "He hasn't met his maker yet."

I giggle, but the truth is…maybe she's right.