Page 2 of Simply You & Me

My kid. The claim still brings a wave of emotion up my throat. Even six years later, it's still overwhelming. Logic wars with my heart. Aurora isn't technically my child, but she became my daughter the day she called me mommy.

Shuffling my bag around, I unlock my apartment just as squealing giggles echo through the door. With the door locked behind me, I smile at the sight before me. The entryway flows right into the dining room between the kitchen on the right and the living room to the left.

Sprawled out on the floor in a scattered pile of popcorn, Rory chortles and tugs on our friend's pink hair. I don't think either of them notices me while they continue to roll around and toss more food at each other. Bypassing the food fight with a shake of my head, I continue down the back hallway, really damn ready to shower and get into some pajamas.

Closing my bedroom door behind me, I drop my bag by my dresser and immediately begin stripping on the way to my ensuite. I fling the sports bra as far away from me as possible, not wanting it anywhere near me. My boobs may be tiny but strapping them down is still restrictive as fuck. Avoiding the mirror, I drag my feet to the shower and crank the heat. I don't close the bathroom door, enjoying the way the steam meets the cool air of my bedroom.

As gingerly as possible, I tug the dress pants over my thighs while fighting the hiss of pain that wants to escape. I scowl at the fabric that ripped away one of my scabs, annoyed that I had no control over it. Little beads of blood rise to the surface, entrancing me enough that I don't hear my friend entering my bedroom till she calls out my name.

Jolting, I rush into the shower so she can't see my bare body. Red-hot fire sears the damaged flesh of my thighs. By sheer fucking luck, I keep my scream silent as I keel over and away from the boiling water. With a hand clasped over my mouth and tears rolling down my cheeks, I watch Gabby hoist herself onto the counter through the distorted glass of the shower doors.

"Hey, babe. You okay?" Her bubbly voice makes me stand taller, not wanting to take away her joy.

"Hey." My voice wobbles a smidge, but I wipe away my distress of the past two minutes as best as I can. Reaching around the spray, I turn the water down to a bearable level as I respond to her. "I'm okay. Tired. Work was a lot again."

I see her pink hair sway before I tip my head back. "You have tomorrow night off, though? Right? You need to rest."

"Yeah. Rory and I are going shopping for the birthday party this weekend, though." Digging my fingers into my scalp makes my eyelids droop. Shit, I'm sleepy.

"Oh! Speaking of! I'm so freaking happy you will be there this year! It's going to be the best one yet," Gabby squeals, pulling me out of my thoughts concerning my pillows.

I frown, my nerves jolting at the prospect of something crazy happening at this party. "Why? What's going on this year?"

For the past few years, since Rory met her best friend, Layla, I've just dropped her off and left. Layla's mom and I have gotten much closer this year since the girls are finally in the same class. Meaning my attendance at Layla's ninth birthday party is required. That's what Rylee said, anyway.

"You know Rylee's brother, Tate?"

I hum, focused on cleaning my legs. I've heard of Tate, and I think I've seen him around a few times over the years, but we've never met. I think he lives in Washington or something. I don't know. I'm too busy to keep track of more than my immediate friends.

Gabby continues, "Well, they just moved into Leo and Marc's old house! That's why they pushed the party off for a month. Layla wanted her uncle there."

I hum again, following along. I knew Layla's birthday was in the summer, but I hadn't asked why they waited for the big party. The school year started a few weeks ago, so I guess Layla had even more friends to invite this way, too. Now according to Gabby, Rylee's brother moved into a house that two of her husbands used to live in.

"Tate and his guys are all here to stay. I'm so freaking happy. He and Ry struggled with being separated again, you know? Anyway, so all four of them will be at the party!"

I sputter, water shooting from my lips. "You're telling me we’ll be outnumbered double the usual amount?!"

I swear to hell. Hanging out with Ry and her four guys is enough for me. The amount of personality in that home is enough to exhaust me for a damn week. I love them all; I really do. I just don't know how our friend keeps up with all the bodies bustling around her home. So, I’ll be subjecting myself to eight men on top of a bunch of wild children partying their little hearts out. The future chaos is enough to leave me feeling scrambled already.

I swear I can feel her eyes roll. "It will be fine. Rylee's house is huge. It's not like you’ll be cramped in a corner of muscle and rancid cologne." Now it's my turn to roll my eyes. "It will be fine, babe. I promise."

Shutting off the water, I slip my hand through the crack of the shower door. "Can you hand me my towel, please?"

The blur of her pink hair whooshing through the air catches my attention before she thrusts my towel into my waiting hand. Gabby huffs before waltzing out of the bathroom to give me privacy.

"You're the only chick who won't change around her friends, I swear!" Wrapping the towel around myself and throwing my hair into the other, I wait to make sure she's actually gone before stepping out. "Rory! Help me clean up your mess before your mom gets out of the shower!"

"My mess?!"

I laugh, allowing their banter to chase away the negativity threatening to feed on my energy. Too much to do. I don't have time to dawdle.

Chapter Two

Adelyn

"Mom, do you think she will actually like it?" In the backseat, Rory eyes the gift bag like it could make or break their friendship.

I smile at her through the rearview mirror, caught up in how absolutely adorable she is today. In a long-sleeved, ribbed purple shirt and a white pair of shorts, Rory has her hair down in natural brown waves. Our hair is fairly similar, except hers is a few inches longer. She impressed me when she came out of her room dressed in something so cute. I will say that sometimes her outfits hurt my little fashion soul, but it’s fine. She needs to figure out her own style. I’m just ridiculously happy she made a good match on her own today.

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