I thought I was heartbroken before, but it pales in comparison to what I’m feeling now.
I try to eat my own dinner, but it’s hard. I force it down, chugging a glass of water to try and clear my head.
A knock sounds at the door before my brother and Rylee come inside.
“Uncle Chase!” Max runs up to my brother and wraps his arms around his legs. “Did you come to play with me?”
“Of course, buddy. I just need to talk to your mom first.”
“Yes. I’ll get my games.”
Max tears off toward his room as Rylee and Chase walk over to me.
“Are you okay?” Chase asks, dropping a kiss onto the crown of my head.
“We’re worried about you,” Rylee says, pulling me in for a hug.
“Sure you’re not checking to see if anyone else is here?”
I hate the bitterness that laces my tone, but I don’t need anyone acting as a spy for my parents.
“Hey. I wouldn’t do that to you, sis,” Chase says. “Rylee said you missed girls’ night this week, and Reenie stopped by the bar to tell me she’s worried about you.”
“Ugh.” I bury my face in my hands. “I wish everyone would butt out of my life.”
“Can we play Hippos?” Max asks, carrying the box with him into the living room.
“Sure.”
Chase helps him set the game up before they start attacking the tiny balls with the hippos.
“At least we can talk without being overheard,” Rylee laughs.
“As long as there’s no judgment. I’m getting enough of that from my parents.”
“Whoa.” Rylee throws her hands up in defense. “I’m not judging you, babe.”
“Ugh. Sorry.” I rub my eyebrows, trying to rid myself of an ever-present headache. “It’s been a rough week.”
“Talk to me.”
“What’s there to say? I fell in love with the wrong man, my dad won’t talk to me, Sam won’t talk to me, and I feel like I’m walking around in a daze.”
“Oh, babe.”
“And to top it all off, I’ve been chain-eating mini-Twix.”
“Okay, well, why don’t we start withnoteating all the Twix and maybe try to problem solve the situation?”
Tears well in my eyes as I press the heels of my hands to try and stop the flow. I’ve kept it together around Max all week, and I don’t want him to see me cry.
“What can I do? Sam won’t talk to me, and if he does, he’ll probably tell me we can’t do this because he doesn’t want to come between me and my family.”
“It’s clear you love him.”
My bruised heart gives a painful throb in my chest. “What does it matter?”
“What does it matter?” Rylee parrots back. “You’ve always wanted someone in your life, and I believe Sam is that person for you.”
