“What the fuck, man? Why would you ask me that?”
He holds his hands up in defense. “I’m not trying to be a dick, Mark. I’m just saying she’s going to be a single mom. She’s not just that little girl’s aunt. She will be her mother. That’s a lot to take on.”
“What? You think I’m just going to walk away from her? From both of them?”
“Not at all. I know you love her. I also know you love that baby. I’m just saying, be sure before all three of you are too far in. It’s three hearts you’ll be breaking.”
“I don’t plan on breaking any hearts,” I say through gritted teeth. I know he means well, but I’m too raw from Dawn pushing me away. In the back of my mind, I’m worried she’ll do it again. And honestly, Tyler knows better.
“We’re on your side,” Ridge defends. “We just thought you might want to talk about it. Ty and I, we’ve got kids, man. We know the work it takes.”
“You think I don’t know that? Fuck, what is this? You think I’m not good enough to be in their lives?”
“It’s the opposite. They’re damn lucky to have you. We’re on your side, Mark. We’re just putting it all out there,” Tyler says.
“Well, let me put it out there for you. I love her. I love that little girl who has wrapped her tiny fist around my heart. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Good,” Kent says. “Now that everyone is on the same page, can we talk about how Seth’s been quiet lately. Too damn quiet,” he adds, giving our friend an inquiring look.
“Fuck, why you gotta turn the tables on me?” Seth complains.
“Serves you right,” I mumble.
“What’s up with that?” Tyler asks. “You have been quiet lately.”
“Care to elaborate?” Ridge asks.
“Nope.”
“Come on, man. You all dig into my life like it’s your fucking job,” I tell him.
“It is,” Seth replies.
“And mine, when I was dating Kendall,” Ridge adds.
“I feel left out. Y’all didn’t meddle with Reags and me,” Tyler says.
“That’s because you two were inevitable,” I tell him.
“Come on, man. You’ve gotta give us something,” Kent says, almost pleading.
“Fine. I might be interested in someone. She has a past, lots of baggage, and I don’t even know if she’s interested.”
“Where did you meet her?” Tyler asks.
“When did you meet her?” Ridge adds.
“That’s all you’re getting. And… I’ve only met her once, but she’s the kind of woman who makes you think about life. About where you’ve been and where you’re going.”
“You got all of that from one meeting?” Tyler asks.
“Pretty much. Can’t stop thinking about her.”
“Damn,” Kent mutters. “That’s some deep shit, Seth. Who knew you had it in you,” he says, losing control of his laughter.
“This.” Seth points at Kent. “This is why I didn’t want to tell you.”
“Come on.” Tyler nudges him in the shoulder. “You know we’re just fucking with you.”
“You’ve got it easy,” Ridge announces. “Y’all were relentless when I first started dating Kendall. None of you have gotten it as bad as you gave it to me.”
Seth winces. “I’ll give you that one. You were the first to fall, brother. We learned from you and Kendall.”
“Yeah, what not to do,” Kent agrees.
“Then why in the hell are you harassing me?” I ask, annoyed all over again.
“And me,” Tyler counters.
“Do you have short-term memory loss? Do you not remember you started all of this? Asking if I’m ready to be with a single mother. You did that shit.” I point at him.
He nods. “I wasn’t giving you shit, more like something to think about. It’s a lot of responsibility. If Dawn’s your girl, then that baby girl is yours too, by default. It’s important to make sure you’ve thought it through.”
“You let me worry about me. And for the record, of course I’ve thought it through. I know what it means, and I’m all in.” I look over at Ridge and Tyler. “She’s my Kendall, my Reagan.” They immediately nod their understanding.
“Why didn’t you just start with that?” Kent says, grinning mischievously.
“Fuck off,” I say, laughing too.
“So, poker night?” Seth asks.
“Can’t. I’m leaving here Friday and spending the weekend with Dawn, then driving back late Sunday night.”
He nods. “Okay, well, we’re planning a night when she comes home.”
“Sounds good, man. We can have it at my place.”
“I’m holding you to that.” Seth points at me.
“I’m not backing out.” I’m also not telling him it’s because I know without a doubt that I’m not going to be ready to leave them more than I have to once I get them home.
“Get to work,” Ridge says, with absolutely no heat in his voice.
I’ve missed these guys, the banter, giving each other shit. I’ve always known they had my back, but even more so now, with all of their support of Dawn. I’m lucky to have them in my life. Family is what you make it and I couldn’t be prouder to call these four misfits my brothers.
I’m not even out of the parking lot before I’m dialing her number.
“Hello,” she answers.
“I miss you.”
She laughs. “It’s not even been twenty-four hours.”
She’s right. I left there at ten last night to make the long trek home. I didn’t want to leave them. However, with Daisy being out of the woods, and her being settled at her parents’ place, it’s the right thing to do. Ridge, although, he said it was okay, depends on me as a part of his small crew. “Too long,” I mumble into the phone.
“Long day?” she asks.
“Yeah.” I yawn. “We worked late. We’re trying to wrap up this job. They’re calling for rain toward the end of the week, so we’re getting in what we can now.”
“Makes sense,” she agrees.
“Is it wrong I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a rainy day on Friday?”
“I don’t know. I am a little biased. That gets you here sooner.”
“Woman, it’s like you read my mind.” I chuckle.
“So, what’s on the agenda for tonight?” she asks.
“I’m head
ed to Mom and Dad’s for dinner, then home to crash. You?”
“Amelia surprised me with a visit. Something about a friend of hers had something done. When she’s ready, we’re going to go grab dinner.”
“Good. I hate the thought of you spending all week alone. How’s Daisy?”
“Great. Vitals are strong, she’s eating well, breathing on her own. Her tics are pretty much gone. We’re still doing skin-to-skin. The staff says that’s helping her, the connection or whatever. It makes me feel useful, if that makes any sense. She’s this tiny little thing, and I just want to make it better for her.”
“Spoken like a momma bear,” I reply softly.
She sucks in a breath. “I-I guess I haven’t really considered that.”
“Baby, you’re the only mom she’s ever going to know. You’re going to adopt her. I know we just laid her to rest, but you’re the best thing to happen to that baby girl. You’re going to give her a life full of love and laughter.”
“I’ve cried enough,” she says quietly.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. The opposite actually. I want you to know I’m there for you, for both of you. I know what it means to be involved with a single mom, which is what you now are.” My earlier conversation with the guys filters through my mind. I assume she knows this, but it’s better to get it out there. Leave nothing to interpretation. “I know that you’re a package deal, and I want the whole package.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too, baby.”
“Amelia’s here,” she says, clearing her throat.
“You girls have fun. Give Daisy a kiss from me.”
“Will do. Get some rest.”
“Not likely until I’m with you, but I’ll try.”
“You.” She chuckles softly. “You know how to hit a girl with all the feels.”
“What’s that? You want me to feel you?” I say, lightening the mood.
“That too,” she says, this time it’s full-on laughter.
“Music to my ears,” I say in regard to her laughter. “Tell Amelia I said hello.”