Page 11 of Selfless

“My mother.”

“What the fuck, Becca? For how long?” I all but shout.

“Four years,” she whispers. I gasp and go to speak, but she lifts her hand. “Please let me finish.” I close my mouth. “Well, Jaycent had found out I guess back in Panama when he beat Conner up in the bathroom. And then after Conner laid hands on you here, Jaycent went to my dad and asked him to take care of it. Well, I still hadn’t known.”

“When did you find out?” I ask through gritted teeth.

“The night on Ryder’s boat. Vicki told me.”

“That bitch knew about it?” I snap. “Who the fuck told her?”

“My mom.” I let out a long breath. “I guess my mom wasn’t secretive about it.”

“Have you spoken to her about it?” She nods. “And did she deny it?”

She shakes her head. “She said that Conner was what I needed.”

“Such a bitch,” I growl. “So then what happened?”

“I broke up with Jaycent,” she says matter-of-factly.

“Why would you do that?” I ask wide-eyed. “You love him.”

“And I thought I loved Conner but look at how horrible that decision was.” She sighs.

“Yeah, but they’re not the same,” I say, taking her hand. “I don’t agree with

what Jaycent did, but he was just trying to protect you.” I give her a soft smile. “And Conner was only about himself.”

“Maybe,” she says and hangs her head.

“Hey.” I grab her hands. “How about we heat some leftovers and watch Top Gun. Girls’ night?” I suggest. I had planned on sitting in my room crying my eyes out over how my life has fallen apart, but my best friend needs me. I had no idea what she had been going through these past few days. I’ve been too busy wallowing in self-pity to open my damn eyes and see that she was hurting as well.

She finally nods, and my fake smile fades. “I’m so sorry, Becca.”

“For what?” she asks.

“For everything you’re going through. I should have been there for you and not so wrapped up in Ryder. I had no idea—”

“No, don’t do that to yourself,” she interrupts me. “You’re a great friend. Don’t think you’re not. You’ve always been there for me.”

I nod, but I’m not convinced. “What were you going to say to me on the boat that night before Ryder came in and interrupted you?” She asks.

I let go of her hand and sit back. “When Vicki realized who I was, she said that your mother had mentioned me. She said that I pulled you down. And that I was beneath all of you. And I wanted to apologize if you felt that way,” I say softly.

“What?” She grabs my hand again. “No, Ashlyn. That’s not even close to the truth. You are the best friend I’ve ever had. You have always been there for me. More than anyone else ever has. I just told you that my mother was paying my boyfriend to be with me. So don’t believe anything she says.”

I nod. “I just … Ryder got mad at me because I told him that she was right. I don’t fit into your guys’ world. And what she said made some sense.”

“Ashlyn, you are the best thing about my world,” she says, and my eyes fill with tears. “You and your parents have taught me so much that I could never repay you.”

“You don’t owe me anything,” I whisper.

“That’s not how I see it,” she adds with a smile. “I was in a new place scared to death with a man who at the time didn’t give two shits about me. You took me in, and you all showed me what life was supposed to be about. To me, that means everything.”

**

The following night, we sit on the couch watching Top Gun once again when we hear a knock on the door just as my phone rings in the bedroom.

---