“Jesus.”This is just pathetic.“Get up.”
“No.”
I glance at all of our friends, but they remain stone-faced. As for Victor, his lips curl in on themselves, his hands together, bowing his head, and takes a few steps back into a nearby shadow.
“I can’t lose my baby brother. I can’t, and I won’t. Listen, I know I can’t take back what happened. And I’m so sorry for that.”
There’s genuine pain and regret in his eyes.
But am I ready to let all of this go?Sure, I hated our father as much as the next person—fuck it.I have bigger fish to fry, after all.
So, I give him my hand, and I help him up.
“You forgive me?” His pupils search my soul.
“That all depends.”
“On what?”
“On whether or not you’ll help me win Addie back.”
His brow furrows. “Addie? What do you mean?”
From there, I huddle all the guys together, and I tell them what I did. “I was drunk out of my mind, and I was embarrassed. I wish I could tell you exactly what I said, but I can’t remember for the life of me. But in essence, I demanded for her to leave. Now, she won’t take my calls, read my texts, or anything. And guys, Luna—” The idea of either one of them not being in my life causes a sharp pain in my chest. However, the thought of missing out on any more of my daughter’s childhood makes me feel physically ill.
“What about a grand gesture?” Denton suggests.
“I’m trying that. Remember Penny Dunn, Salvador’s assistant?”
“The sweet lady with the fluffy hair?” Noah asks.
“That’s the one. I’ve asked her to have flowers delivered every hour to Addie’s place. But . . . I don’t know.” I bring my hand to my forehead. “I’m not sure she’s seen any of it. When I went over there this morning, her cousin and Steven, that’s our attorney, said she and Luna were gone.” I’m starting to get misty-eyed again.
Gabe comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my upper body. “You should’ve plenty of time to mope around, Hayds.”
I swivel my head over my shoulder to look at him. “What do you mean?”
He pulls away and puts his hands in his pockets. “Well, you say you’ve tried. But have you really?”
“Right,” Denton echoes.
I’m beyond confused. “Did you not just hear everything I said? I’ve called, texted, and sent flowers.”
Gabe rolls his eyes. “That’s elementary stuff, Bro.”
Now, I’m starting to understand. “I guess you’re right.”
He continues, “Everything you’ve done so far is what a high school boyfriend does for his girlfriend after he pisses her off for the first time. You and Addie are so far beyond that.”
I nod.
“This is the woman you’ve loved for years. I mean, she’s the mother of your child, for Pete’s sake!” Denton adds.
“I know, I know.” The wheels in my brain are churning—half-assed gestures aren’t enough. If I’m going to make things up to Addie and show her that I’ve changed, I need to go big.
“So, what’s the plan?” Victor asks.
Although I’m more inspired than ever, that doesn’t change the fact that I’m incredibly hungover and exhausted.