snapped my head in her direction, meeting her small blue eyes. A gentle smile crossed her face, her pale skin taking on a pinkish hue from spending some time in the sun. “Stop thinking about him. He’s not worth it. He could have at least called or something.”
Biting my lip, I nodded and struggled to mask my real feelings from my friends, wishing I could convince myself they were right. “I’m fine, guys. I swear. For all I care, he can drop off the face of the earth, which he pretty much did.”
“What can I get you?” the bartender interrupted, leaning on the counter. “The usual? Cranberry juice with tonic and a piece of lime?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
I sat forward and avoided both Brayden’s and Jenna’s eyes, knowing they would ask me the same question they asked every Friday. Smiling in appreciation when the short blonde bartender placed my new cocktail of choice in front of me, I took a long drink, missing being able to enjoy a glass of wine.
“So…,” Brayden started, his voice cautious.
Exhaling in annoyance, I refused to face them. “Yes, I called again, like I do every Thursday, more so out of obligation than an actual desire to speak with the prick. His phone was still disconnected, and I got the same speech from the same receptionist at his company. That Tyler has no role in the security company.”
“How are you doing with all of this?” Jenna asked.
I shrugged. “No better than yesterday, and I’m sure tomorrow will be the same. I’ll wake up and go to the gym, spending the entire time worrying about how the hell I’m going to do this on my own. I see parents struggling to raise a baby all the time. The constant diaper changes. The midnight feedings. They’re exhausted, but they have each other to lean on for help. I don’t have that.”
Brayden slammed his fist on the bar. “Have you not been listening to us at all the past few months?! How many times do we need to tell you we’ll help with anything you need?!”
“I know,” I conceded, exhaling and leaning back in my chair. “And I appreciate that, but you guys are both young with your entire lives ahead of you. I hate to saddle you with my problems. I got myself into this mess and I shouldn’t count on other people to shoulder the burden.”
“Mackenzie Sophia Delano!” Jenna shouted, her voice high-pitched and shrill, taking me by surprise. She was never one to raise her voice at anyone. “Did you ever stop to think it’s not a burden to us? That we want to help because we care and love you? That we want to be part of this kid’s life? So, for crying out loud, stop being a stubborn ass and just let us in!” She took a deep breath, calming herself. Lowering her voice, she met my eyes. “You’ve been pushing us further and further away since you came back from Boston. Don’t let your pain become who you are, Mackenzie. Please.”
Her words cut me, leaving me speechless.
“We both love you, Mack,” Brayden said softly. “We’ll do whatever you need. Hell, I’ll even change dirty diapers for you.”
I giggled, picturing Brayden’s upturned nose the first time he had to follow through on his promise, but he would. He would walk through fire for me. They both would.
“I’m sorry, guys.” I grabbed each of their hands in mine. “I know I’ve been a bit of a bitch lately. I’ve just always done everything on my own and I hate the thought of–”
“Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, Mack,” Jenna cut in. “It’s a sign of someone strong enough to know when she needs a helping hand. We’ll start with this.” She released her grasp on my hand and reached into her purse, pulling out a card.
“What is this?” I asked, giving them a cautious look as I surveyed the light blue envelope.
“Just open it!” Brayden shouted, bouncing up and down on his barstool, his lips turned up into a sly smile.
Eyeing my two friends, I slid my thumb beneath the flap of the envelope and pulled out a card. Opening it, my jaw dropped. “Guys…,” I started.
Brayden held his hand up. “I don’t want to hear it.”
“But you have student loans to pay back, boo. And Jenna… This is too much.” I placed the card back on the bar and pushed it toward them.
“No, it’s not,” Jenna countered, pushing it back to me.