Page 56 of My Ex-Best Friends

“You love them?” Mom’s eyes were wide. “All three of them? I guess I just assumed you’d fall for one of them more than the other two eventually. This is great. No one gets their feelings hurt.”

“No one listens to me.” Aunt Karlene huffed and walked out of the room.

“I do love them. I want them.” I sat up straighter. “I’m going to get drunk tonight but tomorrow I’m going back to make them understand.”

44

***Brooke***

Ifelt like shit. I felt worse than shit. I felt like what shit would feel like if it drank a bottle of whiskey and slept on its mom’s lumpy couch. I was determined, though. I knew what I wanted and I was going to make it happen. The guys just had to listen to me. I knew they were upset but I needed them to understand what happened and why I hadn’t told them. Then everything would be fine.

I had to stop on the walk to Logan’s to throw up in someone’s yard. That should’ve been my first sign that things weren’t fine. Climbing the porch steps left me out of breath and dry heaving over the railing but still I told myself that everything was fine.

The guys were all home and in the kitchen when I walked in. The smell of breakfast made my stomach turn but I took a deep breath and ventured into their domain. Logan had his back to me while cooking something on the stove, Noah was sitting at the island reading the newspaper, and Colt was standing by the fridge, glaring at me. It wasn’t the best start.

“Can we talk?” My voice was hoarse and cracked as I spoke. It’d been a really big bottle of whiskey.

“What would you like to talk about, Brooke?” Logan’s voice was cold and he didn’t turn to face me.

I took a deep breath and pushed on. “I’d like to explain. It’s not easy to talk about. Last night was the first time I’ve spoken about it while sober. And then I got very, very not sober so it’s a blur. When I found out I was pregnant,-”

“Can you pass me the eggs?” Logan spoke to Colt like I wasn’t there, trying to pour my heart out.

Still, I pushed on. “I was going to come back. I had things all planned out. I thought… I thought you guys would be shocked at first but then we’d all be happy. Happy and together. But-”

“How do you want your eggs, Noah?”

“Scrambled is fine.” Noah turned the page he was reading.

I could only push on for so long. “I’m trying here. I know you guys are upset with me for not telling you and I deserve your anger. I don’t deserve this, though. I’m trying to tell you about the day I lost our daughter and you’re just talking about your fucking eggs.”

“Why are you trying?” Colt crossed his arms and stared me down.

“I’m trying because I love you. I love you and I want to be with you. All of you.”

“You didn’t play your cards right with Finn Love? I figured you’d be back in his bed by now.” Leaning against the island so casually, Colt smiled but it was cruel. “You should leave.”

I glanced back at the door, feeling helpless.

“Not just the house.” He slapped his hand down on the counter, making me jump. “Leave Beaumont. There’s nothing for you here.”

I flinched like he’d struck me. Tears filled my eyes and my stomach really rolled. “You’re being mean, Colt. I don’t deserve this. Please, just listen to me.”

“We saw the messages you were sending to Finn, Brooke.” Noah’s voice rose as he swung around to face me. “Why lie? Why do any of this? It seems like we were just a stop on your tour so run on back to Finn.”

“What are you talking about?” I searched their faces. “What messages? I thought you were mad about me not telling you about Sara.”

Logan threw the pan he was using into the sink. “Stop! Just…go. This is the last time you make a fool out of us.”

“You’re not making any sense, though! I haven’t messaged Finn. I don’t understand.” I was starting to, though. “Did he… Did he say that I’ve been messaging him? And you believed him?”

“Goodbye, Brooke. Do what you do best and run away.” Colt motioned towards the door behind me and then turned back to the fridge.

I swallowed my tears and urge to scream. I swallowed the grief I felt over our daughter. I swallowed it all down with my pride and stepped closer. “Please don’t do this.”

“Get out.” Logan’s voice was firm, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

I looked upstairs, thinking of my things, and decided I didn’t want any of it. Aunt Karlene could collect it and leave a few curses behind. I turned to leave and hesitated for a moment, hoping and praying one of them would come to their senses and tell me to stop. It didn’t happen.

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