“You have options,” she softly says.
“I’m keeping it.” There is no hesitation despite my initial concerns. “I don’t care I’m only sixteen and not ready to be a mother. I’ll learn.” My hands gravitate to my stomach, and I carefully place my palms there. “J may no longer love me, but I love him, and I already love our baby.” I eyeball my friend. “This innocent baby doesn’t deserve to die because we were dumb. I don’t fault anyone who makes the decision to get an abortion. That is their decision and their right, just like this is mine. I could never abort Jared’s baby. I want it.”
“Then we need to make plans. Starting with finding a way to tell Jared.” Her lips purse. “I don’t care whether he’s moved on. It takes two to make a baby, and he has a responsibility now. To both of you. You won’t be alone. You’ll have me, but he needs to be involved too.”
“Even if he doesn’t want me, he will want his child.”
I hope.
It’s not like I can claim to know him anymore.
“I can’t keep this from him. At the very least, he needs to know.”
ChapterEight
Sydney
“Happy birthday, cuz!” Ashley shrieks through the screen of my cell phone, almost damaging my eardrums.
“Thanks though I’m trying to forget I’m twenty-six,” I reply, racing around the kitchen of my penthouse apartment, tidying it up before I have to leave for work.
“Twenty-six is far from ancient, Syd. I thought you were all about embracing life these days.”
“I am,” I say, closing a drawer with my hip before I slurp the last dregs of my coffee. I stare at my cousin’s pretty face as we video chat. “Twenty-six means I should probably start adulting now, and I’m really not ready for it.”
“You do you, babe,” my cousin says as loud rock music suddenly blares in the background. California is nine hours behind Italy, which means it’s close to midnight on Friday night, and Ash is probably hosting a party. She’s famous for them. “Ares,” she shouts over her shoulder at one of her husbands. “Turn that down. I’m trying to talk to Sydney.”
The music dies, and my ears give silent thanks. “Sup, Syd?” Ares says, popping his head over Ash’s shoulder. “How’s Florence treating you?”
“Florence is good. Great. When are you guys coming for a visit?”
“As soon as things die down here, we’ll be on a plane. Promise,” Jase says, materializing on the other side of my cousin. He drapes his arm around her shoulders, and Ares glares at it like he’d love to chop the limb off his body. I don’t know how my cousin does it. I can’t manage a relationship with one guy for more than a couple months, yet Ashley makes marriage to three alphas look like a cakewalk.
“Did you like your flowers?” Chad asks, elbowing Ares out of the way. Ares lets loose a slew of expletives as he disappears from view, and my lips curve at the corners. There is never a dull moment in that house.
“I love them. Thanks. It was really sweet of you guys to remember my birthday.” Along with the flowers, there were several expensive gifts—all carefully chosen by my cousin with my taste in mind.
Ashley is the only member of my family I talk to regularly. I hear from my brothers at Christmas, and I received birthday cards and gifts this week, but that’s our only contact. They have never made any effort with me, so why should I make any with them? I feel bad my nieces and nephews don’t know me very well, but it’s not my fault their fathers have always sided with my asshole dad instead of sticking up for me. They bought into the whole “Sydney is troubled and can’t look after herself” bullshit Herman Shaw successfully peddled for years.
I know I didn’t help my cause by going completely off the rails. In my defense, I had legit reasons. I haven’t touched drugs in six years, and I don’t drink alcohol to excess anymore. I have turned my life around. I moved overseas. I live alone, and I’m financially independent. I eat well and exercise. I have a tight-knit group of friends. I paint. And I adore my job at the art gallery.
The only thing missing is love, but I’ve long ago given up on that.
Before my mind can gothere, I move my phone around to show Ash and the guys the gorgeous lily and rose bouquet propped stylishly in one of my large glass vases. “They’re beautiful, and my apartment smells amazing.”
“Woah! Who are the other flowers from?” Ashley inquires, a devilish glint appearing in her eyes.
“No need to get excited. They’re from Giorgio.”
“I thought you kicked him to the curb?” Ash scrunches up her nose.
“I did.” I heave a sigh.
“And that’s our cue to leave,” Jase says. He blows a kiss at the screen. “Happy birthday, Syd.”
“Have a good one, sweetheart,” Chad adds, also blowing me a kiss before both guys disappear.
“Are you having second thoughts about Gio?”
