Page 62 of One Baddie for Three Daddies

Pushing myself off the bench, I feel a newfound determination settle over me like armor. If Mom can’t see past her own prejudices to accept me for who I am, then maybe she doesn’t deserve to be part of my life right now.

I pull out my phone and open the group chat with James, Liam and Alex, and hurriedly begin typing.

I send the text before I can change my mind. My thumb hovers over the screen, nerves making my stomach churn.

Can we meet at my place tonight? 7pm. There’s something we need to talk about.

Simple, direct, no room for misunderstanding. Now, I wait.

The park around me buzzes with life. Children’s laughter mingles with the rhythmic slap of joggers’ feet on the pavement. Birds chirp overhead, their melodies blending into the city’s background hum. But all that noise does nothing to quiet the chaos in my head.

What if they don't show up? What if they don't even text back?

I stand and start pacing, the rough bark of the oak tree grazes against my fingertips as I pass it. The minutes stretch on, each one a reminder of how much is at stake. My heart pounds against my ribs like it's trying to escape.

Across the street, a couple argues about something trivial—probably where to eat or who forgot to do the laundry. Their voices rise and fall, but I barely register the words. All I can think about is Liam’s intense blue eyes, Alex’s easy smile, James’s thoughtful gaze.

I glance at my phone for the hundredth time. Nothing. No response.

"What are you doing?" I mutter under my breath, forcing myself to sit back down on the bench. "They’ll come. They have to come."

But doubt gnaws at me. What if they’re done with me for good? What if this second chance is already over before it even begins?

What if they’ve already made up their minds and this meeting doesn’t change anything? My thoughts spiral, each one worse than the last.

I lean back against the bench and close my eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady myself. If they don’t show up, then what? Will I walk away again? Can I?

No. This time has to be different.

27

ALEX

Stepping into Bianca's apartment, I can't help but wonder what this meeting's about. Liam, James, and I shuffle into the living room, the tension so thick you could slice it with a knife.

"Take a seat," Bianca says, her voice steady. She remains standing, looking at each of us with an intensity that makes me sit up straighter.

Liam leans back, crossing his arms. "Alright, Bia. What's this all about?"

She takes a deep breath, eyes locked on the floor for a moment before meeting our gazes. "I need to tell you something important. The day my mom saw us together... it didn't end there."

James raises an eyebrow but stays silent. His usual cool demeanor is replaced with something closer to curiosity.

Bianca continues, "I went to her after you guys broke up with me." She pauses, swallowing hard. "She told me if I stayed with you, I wouldn't be welcome home."

A low whistle escapes my lips before I can stop it. "That's harsh."

Liam shifts in his seat. "And?"

"And I love you," she says, the words rushing out like she’s been holding them back for years. "All of you. It wasn't just some fling back then or now. It was real for me."

The room falls into a heavy silence, broken only by the distant hum of city traffic outside. James clears his throat, breaking the tension.

"So, you're saying you chose us over your family?"

Bianca nods, her braids swaying with the motion. "Yeah. I did."

Liam leans forward, elbows on his knees, eyes searching hers. "Why now? Why tell us this now?"

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