Shape of You (+18)

Chapter Sixty

▬▬▬▬ Marley's POV ▬▬▬▬

I was freaking out. Like, really freaking out.

Get a grip.

I was trying to, but it was difficult to do when I had no idea how things were going at the courthouse. Even harder when I had to distract Everly from the very thing that was torturing me. Unless she was hiding it well, I'd say I was doing a pretty good job of keeping her mentally preoccupied, but there were moments when we'd take a break from one activity to the next, and I could see the worry start to seep in. She'd look around the room aimlessly, as if she was hoping to see a certain 6'2" man come walking in to ease her concern.

Hell, I found myself doing the same.

I wished he was here, or I was there, or...I don't know.

"God," I sighed quietly to myself, sitting on the couch while Everly watched TV.

He told me he loved me.

I fucking love you.

Just like that, the words came out of his mouth, no hesitation. And he committed to them, no doubt. It made me feel seen, known, cherished. But, man did that terrify me. Not enough to stop me from wanting to dive head first into what we were building together, though. No, I never wanted us to slow down.

"Ugh, I should've just told him," I groaned, burying my face in my hands, frustrated with myself.

So, why didn't you?

"Told who what?"

"Huh?"

Looking up like I got caught with my hand in a theoretical cookie jar, I found myself looking into big, brown, curious eyes.

"You said you should have told somebody somethin'," Everly noted, tilting her head quizzically to the side like she tended to do. "You can tell me if it makes you feel better."

With wide eyes and a blush I didn't need to see to know was there, I quickly sat up straight and forced an embarrassed smile on my face. "No, no, Ev. I'm fine, thank you, though."

"Okay," she nodded with the cutest grin. Leaning forward, she gave me the sweetest little hug and said, "Thank you for staying with me, Miss Marley. You make me feel better."

And dammit, I was so touched I almost cried.

***

The next few hours passed by like they were days, and when Dom finally came back to take over Ev duty, I was already dressed and ready to go.

"Here, you'll need an umbrella," Dom said, extending one out to me as he kicked off his wet shoes by the door.

Nodding in thanks, I grabbed it, cautiously asking, "How's the hearing going so far?"

Averting his gaze, he let out a sigh. "It's been tough. Marie's lawyer is some big shot asshole, and he's good. Personally, I think Kim is better, but I have no idea which way the judge is leaning. All I know is, neither side is going easy, and Joel, he's...well, you'll see. And Marley? Brace yourself."

Just those words alone made the drive to the courthouse extremely tense for me. My anxiety was doing everything it could not to still, bouncing off the walls and distracting me at times. I almost missed my turn into the parking lot because of it, coupled with the preexisting hazard of the rain, as well as traffic.

When I was safely parked, I took ten minutes to myself, knowing I had to be the rock today, like Joel was for me all the time.

I was determined to be that for him.