Page 33 of Twisted Fate

“I’m just so sick of him taking Phoebe’s side over mine all the time,” she fumed from her perch at the end of my bed. “But he’s too blinded by her big, fake tits and finally having the ‘son’,” she sneered, making air quotes around the word, “he’s always wanted to see the truth.” Shayla rolled her eyes dramatically at the mention of her stepbrother, Brody. I couldn’t say I blamed her for her dislike of the guy. He was a cocky, arrogant playboy who thought his shit didn’t stink because he played college football. “It’s like they’re his shiny new family, and Makenna and I are only an afterthought,” she continued, her voice cracking. Shayla was understandably hurt by her father’s behavior the last couple years, but her little sister had taken it much harder. She was still in high school and had once been the apple of her father’s eye. According to Shayla, he’d treated her like a second-class citizen since remarrying.

“Does Makenna still go over there?” I asked, and she nodded, her expression defeated.

“I worry about her,” Shayla admitted. “She’s been really down since Phoebe and Brody moved in. Dad used to dote on her, but now he can’t even be bothered to make it to her chess tournaments or robotics competitions. He sure as hell doesn’t miss any of Brody’s football games, though.” Her eyes blazed, and her nostrils flared. “Even worse, he makes Makenna go to the home games when she’s with him, and she hates it.”

“She doesn’thaveto go with him, though, does she? She’s old enough to choose where she stays, right?”

Shayla stood and huffed an exasperated sigh. “She is, but Dad threatened not to help her pay for college if she doesn’t stay with them every other weekend.”

Indignation swelled in my chest. “That’s bullshit!”

“That’s what I told her, but she’s worried she won’t get a scholarship and won’t be able to afford tuition next year. I told her not to worry about it, that we’d figure it out, but she’s scared. She’s seen me struggle to pay for school and have to take out loans. But she’s practically a genius and a straight A student. There’s no way she’s not getting a full ride somewhere.” She worked a frustrated hand through her hair and sank back onto my bed.

She had just about worried herself sick over her little sister, and this was supposed to be a night to destress, so I decided to change the subject. I asked her about her new job as I added the finishing touches to my hair and listened as she gushed about all the hot athletes she got to work with now.

“Come on,” I said, standing from my vanity once my long tresses were combed into soft waves. “Let’s go have some fun.”

We met up with Brynlee and Haley at our favorite restaurant. Melody, the newest member of our friends’ group, was notably absent. She had an infant at home to take care of, so she’d missed our last few outings. Once we ordered our drinks and some appetizers to share, Brynlee brought her up on a video call.

Melody’s tired face filled the screen, and we all greeted her excitedly. She smiled, holding the chubby fist of her four-month-old up for a wave. He cooed as his sparkling blue eyes took us in. A chorus of “awws” echoed from our table, and my chest tightened. I’d missed this stage and many more with Charlie, and I would never get those moments back.

I took comfort in knowing she’d had an amazing life with two wonderful parents for those first few years. Sarah and Vance had provided her with the life I couldn’t, and I was forever grateful for that. But I couldn’t help wondering …what if?

Brynlee ended the call with promises to visit soon. I needed to stop by and see my friend too. It had been too long since I’d visited, and even though I tried to convince myself it was because I stayed busy with my new job, I couldn't lie to myself any longer. It was hard to see Melody with her newborn, bonding and making memories. I never got the chance to do that with Charlie. I gave her up before I could get too attached to her and change my mind. I guessed the joke was on me because now I was more attached to her than ever. And I couldn’t imagine ever giving her up again.

I sipped on my wine in an attempt to dull the ache that settled into my chest. The urge to drown my sorrows in the bottle was almost too strong to resist.Almost.

I was always careful when it came to drinking in public. I rarely had more than a glass or two of wine at dinner, and I never let my drink out of my sight. It had taken a couple years to reach the point where I could even do that, but slowly, as I began to heal, I was able to enjoy the things I used to do with my friends like dinner at our favorite restaurant and nights out on the town. My only rule was to never get carried away. I had a limit, and I stuck to it. I frequently volunteered to be the DD, and I kept a close eye on my friends when their partners weren’t around. I would never let what happened to me happen to them.

I shook away those thoughts and shifted my focus to my friends as they chatted away. It felt like it had been so long since I’d had quality adult interaction. Aside from my mom and Vance, I didn’t get much of that these days since I was usually with Charlie. Before I could let my mind wander to my boss, I shut down that line of thinking. I wouldn’t let it ruin my night. I was determined to have fun with my friends and not think about the crushing disappointment of Vance’s rejection or the guilt that came with wanting my cousin’s widower.

“You ladies ready to hit the club?” Shayla asked once the table was clear and the bill was paid.

“Hell yeah!” Brynlee replied, pumping her arms in excitement. With two kids at home, she was always ready for a night out with the girls. It was her self-care, and she needed it.

“Let’s go,” Haley instructed, slipping from her chair.

Willow Brook Falls didn’t have much of a nightlife, so we drove thirty minutes to the closest city with something more than a dive bar and pool hall. That was all our little town had to offer.

It didn’t escape my notice that we weren’t too far from Vance’s house. I wondered if this was the club where he’d met the woman who gave him her number.

Stop it.

I told myself I wouldn’t think about him tonight. There was no point. He was my boss, and he'd made it clear that nothing could happen between us. Even though I knew he was right, that didn’t keep me from yearning.

“Let’s get a drink!” Shayla announced, dragging me to the bar.

My friends placed their orders and when the bartender got to me, I called out, “I’ll have a Coke.” He nodded and turned to prepare our drinks.

“Are you the DD tonight too?” came a deep voice to my left. I turned to find an attractive man in his early thirties leaning against the bar. He wore a crooked grin and close-cropped hair, his face free of stubble showing off the type of jawline women lost their minds over.

“Yeah, but I prefer it that way.” I shrugged.

“As do I.” He nodded his agreement. “I have to admit, it’s a lot more entertaining being the sober one around my friends.” I chuckled, understanding exactly what he meant. I’d had plenty of opportunities to observe my friends in varying states of inebriation. The bartender returned and placed my drink in front of me, sliding a straw across the bar.

“I’ll have the same plus a round of Cuervo for the crew,” the handsome stranger ordered, holding up four fingers I assumed represented his friends. “I’m Duke,” he offered after the bartender left to fill his order.

“Delilah.”

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