“I love you too, Braden.”
We finally get dressed and eat our now cold Chinese food. We talk about our day and he does nothing but smiles while I tell him about my shoot. “I’m so proud of you. I can’t wait to see them.”
He is always so damn supportive and truly interested in what I have to say. It makes me feel bad for bringing up what happened with Kallie, but I want him to know.
“Thank you. I appreciate your support so much. I want to tell you something though.” He looks at me and lifts his one eyebrow. “I kind of got a little bitchy with Kallie when she dropped me off.”
He reaches across the table and grabs my hand. “What happened?” I tell him everything she said and how I responded, feeling like an idiot. “McKinley, I’m glad you stuck up for yourself and for our relationship. Don’t worry about Kallie, she won’t be pissed about it. In fact, I think it was the perfect thing to say. I’ve told her and now she’s heard it from you.” He smiles and leans across the table to kiss me.
“Good,” I say as he pulls away. “So, what’s going on with court? Your lawyer was supposed to call today, right?”
“He did call, and he told me that the date has been set. Even though he said two months a few weeks ago, things got pushed back, but now it is set. In eight weeks, I will be standing in court and the case will be made. He said it will be a day of hearing both sides and that we should know that day,” he says smiling before sipping his beer.
“That’s amazing. So, you’ll have to go there for court, right?” I ask, even though I’m sure that’s how it works.
“Yes, I’ll need to go there,” he says, grabbing the back of his neck.
I rest my hand on his and smile. “You need to get those girls. I’ll be fine. We’ll all be fine until you get back.” I press a kiss to his lips, and he grins. “And you’ll be back with the girls.”
Chapter 18
Braden
* * *
I look out the window of the plane and imagine all the times my girls have made this flight alone. It’s a terrifying thought. They’re so young, yet they’ve been dealing with such adult things. I know there are many kids that do it, but they aren’t mine. My mind drifts to McKinley and the sadness that was in her eyes at the airport. Leaving her behind is the hardest thing I’ve had to do. I wanted to ask her a million times over the last two months to come with me, but I couldn’t do it. She shouldn’t be subjected to Sarah. Plus, she has a big photoshoot with Max, and I wasn’t going to ask her to give that up for this.
After this is over and I have my girls, I’m going to ask McKinley to move in with me. If anything has been made clear over the last few months, it’s that I can’t be away from her. I never thought I’d be able to let someone in again, but I was wrong. McKinley makes my heart beat again. I love her and when I get home, I’ll have all the girls I love.
The flight is long and by the time I land, I’m ready to crash. I’m glad I decided to come a day early. I only brought a carry-on, so once I have that I exit the plane. When I get outside, I’m smacked in the face with the humidity. Why the hell would anyone purposely subject themselves to this?
Thankfully, there are drivers outside the airport looking to make a few extra bucks. I grab a ride and tell him to head to the hotel.
“Vacation or business?” the driver asks.
“Business,” I say, adjusting my seat.
“You ever been to North Carolina before?” he asks.
I wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans, looking at him in the rearview mirror. “No, and I think it’s safe to say I won’t be back.”
He laughs and turns up the air-conditioning in the car. “You get used to the heat and humidity.”
I’m very doubtful of that. I’d much rather be sitting on my back deck listening to the waves crash and enjoying the cool breeze.
It’s a short drive to the hotel. I pay the driver, grab my bag, and walk inside. Once I have my key card, I head up to the room. I slide it into the door and when it clicks open, I’m grateful for the blast of cold air. It’s nothing great, just a simple hotel room, but that’s all I need. I just need somewhere to sleep and get ready to fight for my girls.
I take a quick shower and lay on the uncomfortable mattress. It’s quiet, too quiet, so I flip on the TV and grab my phone.
Me: Just letting you know I’m at the hotel and it’s lonely as hell without you.
McKinley: It’s lonely here without you, but it’s only one night. Tomorrow we’ll make up for lost time.
I chuckle, missing her even more.
Me: Is that a promise?
McKinley: Hell yes, it is. Now get some sleep. There’s a three-hour difference and you need to be up early.
I shake my head, laughing. This girl has no idea that even the simple things like worrying that I get enough sleep, make me love her even more.
Me: I’ll call you as soon as court is over. Good luck at your shoot tomorrow. Night.
McKinley: Good luck in court. Good night.
I toss my phone aside and close my eyes. Exhaustion takes over and while I think of all the ways I’m going to worship McKinley when I get home, I fall asleep.
My alarm didn’t even go off yet and I’m up having a shitty cup of coffee I got from the restaurant downstairs. My lawyer called and wants to meet before we head to the courthouse, so I’m dressed and ready to go. I’m nervous as hell. If this all goes wrong, I could lose the girls. Realistically, I know that won’t happen, but I have no idea what her plan of attack is. And I have no doubt it will be nothing but attacks.
I toss the empty coffee cup in the trash and adjust my tie in the mirror. I wanted to call McKinley or Kallie, but it’s only five in the morning in California. So, I grab my jacket and head downstairs to meet with my lawyer.
He’s easily seen sitting with papers all over the table. It’s not very encouraging if I’m honest. He spots me and waves me over.
“What’s all this?” I ask, sitting down.
“I was just making sure I have all proof of child support you’ve paid over the years. I have a feeling she’s going to say you haven’t been paying.” I go to interrupt, but he stops me. “I have all the proof we need right here, don’t worry.”
My nerves intensify as he continues to talk. There’s nothing new, he’s just reminding me to let him do the talking and to keep my emotions in check. Any outburst anyou d it will look bad for me. I nod as he talks, wishing this was all over with already.
After he finishes his breakfast, we head to the courthouse. I adjust my tie countless times on the ride over as my knee bounces against the seat.
“Braden, relax. You’ve got this in the bag. There’s nothing she can say or do that would destroy your chances. You’re going to get your girls,” he says, glancing over at me.
I know he’s right, but it’s still stressful. Especially, when we walk into the courtroom and I see Sarah’s parents sitting there. Fuck, I should’ve let Kallie and my mom come. They wanted to, but I told them I could handle it on my own.
When we sit down, I grab my lawyer’s arm. “Her parents are here, and my family is back home. Is this hurting me?”
“If I thought you needed them here, I would’ve told you. Her parents are here because she has nothing else. You’re proving that you don’t need anyone else. I know what I’m doing, Braden,” he says, opening his briefcase.
I scrub my face and lean back in the chair. It’s out of my hands at this point and it’s not a feeling I like. I like to be in control of every situation. To know what will happen and the truth behind it all. Anything that happens today is the complete opposite of that.
Right before the judge walks out, Sarah walks in with her lawyer. I refuse to even look in her direction. I keep my focus in front of me because if I look at her, I will lose my shit. After the judge comes out both lawyers begin talking. I’m feeling confident when my lawyer continues to contradict things that her lawyer brings up. She’s beginning to look bad and that works well for
me.
“Mr. Stanton, you keep saying your client is the best fit for the children, but I’ve yet to hear why that is,” the judge says to her lawyer.
I mask my smile as I cross my arms. My lawyer looks at me and nods, simply saying we’ve got this. The longer I’m here, the more I actually believe I may be bringing my girls home.
“Your Honor, my client may go out and she may enjoy her time away from the children, but she never brings that part of it around them. Mr. Gregory is a totally different story. He subjects his daughters to sexual situations,” her lawyer says.
“Objection. My client does no such thing. His sister is a well-known photographer who takes photographs of a sexual nature. However, the girls are never present for that. And that has nothing to do with my client. He isn’t in the photos and he isn’t there for the shoots. This is a stretch brought on by false allegations,” my lawyer says.
My heart is pounding. This is the shit I knew she was going to bring up. She knows damn well the girls are not present when Kallie shoots. She has nothing else to use against me.
“That may be, but the woman Mr. Gregory is having a sexual relationship with is. There are plenty of photos of her in very promiscuous positions. Yet, she’s around them,” her lawyer says.
My blood is boiling. Of course, she would use McKinley against me. She truly is a heartless bitch. I go to speak, but my lawyer grabs my wrist, warning me to shut up.
“Your Honor, once again, that has nothing to do with Mr. Gregory. The woman he is with is irrelevant to the case. Her job is even less irrelevant. The girls aren’t in the photoshoots, come on. This is just a play to try to get power. There’s nothing here,” my lawyer says.
“I agree with Mr. Cross. The job status of all these people have no relevance in this case. You’re grasping for straws,” the judge says.
My pulse begins to calm until Sarah stands up. Her lawyer tries to get her to sit down but she refuses. She glances in my direction and smirks. Fuck, she’s about to do something.
“Your Honor, my ex-husband can paint himself a saint all he wants, but that’s not the case. He allows people to take advantage of him. He’s an emotional mess. And he’s easily manipulated. He has blinders on when it comes to seeing things for the way they truly are. He’d rather ignore the bad and focus on what little good there is.”
My heart is pounding as I look at her. I have no idea what she’s doing but I don’t fucking like it. “What the hell is she going on about?” My lawyer asks.
“I have no fucking idea,” I whisper, staring at her.
“Get on with it, Mrs. Gregory,” the judge hisses.
Hearing my last name still attached to her has my stomach churn. I hate that I blindly believed that she was worth giving my last name to. She destroyed me and she’s destroying my girls. That last name is for honorable, hardworking, loving people.
“I was made aware of the relationship between Braden and McKinley by my daughters. He didn’t even have the decency to tell me himself. Since he refused to tell me, I decided it was best I look into her myself.” Her eyes slide over to mine and my stomach sinks. “I went to her hometown and spoke with her mother. McKinley didn’t come to California looking for family. She came to use all of you so she could become the model she desperately wanted to be. She doesn’t care about you, Kallie, Blake, or the girls. She cares about money and fame. You all were just naïve enough to let her walk right in.”
“Bullshit,” I yell, jumping up.
“Braden,” my lawyer hisses.
“Order,” the judge yells, smacking his gavel.
My head is spinning and my heart stops beating. Could that be true?
“This is ridiculous, Your Honor. She’s trying to get an emotional rise out of my client that once again has nothing to do with the reason we’re here. This is about what is best for the girls. It’s not time to tear apart the people that are in Mr. Gregory’s life. Now, can we get back on track?”
The judge nods and turns to her lawyer. “Mr. Stanton, is there anything further you would like to use as actual evidence?”
Sarah hands him a piece of paper and he pushes it aside. “No, we have nothing else, Your Honor.”
“Mr. Cross, is there anything further?”
“No, Your Honor,” my lawyer says.
“An hour recess for lunch and when we return, I will have my decision,” the judge says, slamming the gavel.
When we go outside, Sarah’s mom hands me a letter and walks away. My lawyer looks at me, but I open it anyway. My heart shatters when I see it’s from McKinley’s mom, proving everything Sarah said was true.
She lied.
Chapter 19
McKinley
* * *
“Max, move a little to the right so McKinley’s breast is seen a little more,” Kallie instructs.
Max is on top of me in the bed. I have nothing on but panties, but they are covered beneath the white comforter. Max has nothing on at all. The comforter is tangled around us, covering what needs to be and showing just enough of everything else.
After he moves, he looks down at me and smirks. I smile back and Kallie snaps away. She has him kiss me, grab onto my hair, and hold my hands above my head.
“Guys, these are stunning. I think a few shots in the shower, and we’ll be done,” Kallie says.
“I’m gonna grab a water. Anyone else want one?” Max asks, jumping off me.
He moves around like he’s fully clothed and it kinda amazes me. His confidence is inspiring. We both tell him we don’t need a water and he leaves the room.
I sit up and grab the towel Kallie holds out for me. After I wrap it around myself, I stand up. “Any news from Braden, yet?” I ask.
She checks her phone again, shaking her head. “Nothing.”
“Damn,” I mumble.
Kallie tosses her arm over my shoulder as we walk into the bathroom. This studio she has is perfect. It has everything she could possibly need for an indoor shoot. In the last few months, I’ve shot here a lot and it’s a comfortable place for me. I know she likes it since it’s in her apartment.
“It’s sweet how much you care. Makes me really happy,” she says.
I smile as I turn to face her. “He means a lot to me,” I say.
“It’s obvious,” she says, giving me a wink.
I fix my makeup in the mirror and sigh. “I’ll just feel better when I hear from him. I’m a nervous wreck.”
“Me too, but Sarah is a mess. Braden is going to get those girls; I have no doubt at all.”
I begin to fix my hair and she stops me. “It’s going to be wet in a few minutes.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Oh right.”
“Let’s finish this up and we’ll head over to Jax’s for some dinner.”
Just as she says it Max walks back in. He’s still naked and I laugh looking at Kallie.
“Seriously, you better not have touched anything in my apartment with your dick,” Kallie says, putting her hands on her hips.
He laughs and steps into the shower. “You’d know if my dick touched something,” he says, tossing a wink.
She rolls her eyes and looks back at me. “Okay, drop the towel and panties off.”
I do as she says and step into the shower. I arch my back, smacking into Max as the cold water hits it. “Holy shit, that’s freezing.”
Max laughs as Kallie adjusts the temperature. “You’re an idiot, Max.”
He goes from joking around to completely professional. He pulls me against him, resting his hands on my ass. The water is pouring over us as we stare at each other.
“Stunning. McKinley rest your hands flat on his chest and bite your lip looking up at him. Max grab her ass harder,” Kallie says.
After she’s happy with those, she has me spin around. Max covers my breasts with his hands, and I adjust my leg to keep everything covered. I rest my head back on his chest while he kisses my neck. I turn my head slightly and he moves down to my shoulder.
&n
bsp; “Fucking amazing. One more. Max pick her up and press her against the wall with your back to me. McKinley, dig your nails into his back. Don’t hurt him, just enough pressure,” Kallie explains.
Max lifts me and I wrap my legs around him. He presses me against the tile and my back arches again against the cold. “Shit, sorry,” I whisper.
“Don’t be,” he says, winking. “If you wanna dig those nails in harder, I’m good with that.”
I roll my eyes as he laughs. This is what gets him in trouble and if I wasn’t completely in love with Braden, I’d probably fall for it. My heart stops as I think of him again. I can’t wait to hear from him. I know he’s going to win, but I hate that he’s there alone. He’s been my rock and I wish I was there to be his. Once he’s home with the girls, everything will be perfect. It makes me excited about what the future holds and as long as it’s with him, I’ll be happy.
I do as Kallie says, but I can’t stop thinking about Braden.
“Guys, that was perfect. You can dry off and get dressed now,” Kallie says.
Max lowers me as he turns the shower off. “You did great, McKinley. Professional as hell. I’ll work with you anytime.”
Hearing this successful guy say that to me makes my stomach drop. I’ve finally hit the top. I’m making great money. I’ve gained huge success and have a large fanbase. I’m working with the biggest names in the business, not to mention they enjoy working with me. Life has definitely turned around for me. I’ve never been truly happy before, but damn I am now.
“Thanks, Max, I appreciate that,” I say, wrapping the towel around myself.
“Max, if you don’t have plans, we’re gonna have dinner at Jax’s. You and Brinley are welcome,” Kallie yells from the bedroom.
He leaves the room and I get dressed. This shoot was fabulous, and I can’t wait to tell Braden. I check my phone and still nothing.
Behind The Lies Page 14
