Page 71 of Girl Going Nowhere

My eyes go to Blake, who’s holding Maia against her side. The little girl coughs. She must have caught whatever is going around and had to be picked up early from daycare.

Blake is looking at my mother. “We’re in it with them no matter what because that’s what unconditional love is.”

Brows arching, I watch as my mother stands taller at the tone coming from the single mom standing next to us. Gone is the timid woman who wanted my sympathy, and I don’t know who’s standing in her place as she faces my stubborn roommate. “And who are you to speak to me like that?”

“I’m Dante’s friend,” Blake answers simply, readjusting her fussy child in her arms. “And I’m a mother. I would never want to guilt my daughter into giving me anything. I’m more prideful than that.”

I can’t help but stare at the blond-haired girl that I’ve given nothing but a hard time to recently. It shouldn’t surprise me that she’s defending me because she’s a good person. Something the boys have been telling me since she moved in.

As if to nail that point across, Blake says, “Do you need me to walk you to the shelter or can you handle it yourself?”

My mother turns to me as if I’m going to step in to stop her, but I don’t. I remain where I am, deadpan expression while her nostrils flare in irritation. She can think whatever she wants of me. I would hardly let her trick me into thinking I’m a bad son when I’ve done everything I can to make it up to her over the years.

Eventually, my mother’s eyes harden. “I can’t believe you’d choose some random whore before me. You should know better, Dante. Just like you should know not to live your life like you always did. Did your father teach you nothing?”

I close my eyes.

Blake says, “That’s enough. How Dante lives his life is none of your concern. If you don’t approve, don’t be part of it. Don’t ask him for anything. Don’t bother him. Don’t come around.”

Mom glares at her but says nothing.

“Go,” I tell my mother. “I’m done. If you leave him for good and get your shit straight, then we can talk. Not until then.”

The woman who birthed me shakes her head, watching me with disgust. “You’re no son of mine and never will be. Anthony was right.”

With that, she storms off, disappearing around the corner and out of sight.

Blake gives me one look but doesn’t say anything as she walks past me and opens the door for herself.

I’m quick to follow her, slowing my steps to match her stride. “Why would you do that?”

She turns to me, looking at tired at Maia. “I believe the words you’re looking for are ‘thank you.’ To which I’d reply, ‘you’re welcome.’”

“Thank you,” I reply, still trying to figure her out.

“I meant what I said. We’re friends. That’s why I did it. No offense, but your mom sounds like a greedy, ungrateful bitch. She should love you for who you are, not what you offer her. You don’t deserve that.”

We’re quiet as we walk down the hallway to our place. “I’ve always helped her when she asked. Answered her calls. Gave her money when she held her hand out. I even drove her to the fucking police station when she wanted to file a report against my father. But none of that mattered because she always went back.”

I’m not telling her any of this to get her pity. It’s the last thing I want. “Like I said, you deserve better than that. I’m sure Finn has told you the same.”

My shoulders lock. “I’m not sure what you think—”

She holds up her hand. “I think you and Finn are close. Friends. More than. Whatever you want to label it or not, you both care about each other. I don’t give a damn what people say. Youcanpick your family. Finn, Brodie, and I are your family. Whether you want us to be or not. You’re stuck with us.”

This time, I don’t know what to say.

We arrive at our door, and I unlock and open it, letting them in first. “Is Maia okay?”

She nods, brushing her daughter’s hair away from her pale face. “She’s got a cold, that’s all. I called out sick to take care of her because I don’t want my parents to catch it. If I do, so be it. I’ll try keeping her away from you guys as best as I can.”

Watching her and Maia reminds me of what it should have been like growing up. But it wasn’t. My parents were never happy when they were together. Everything I did was bad and led to some form of punishment.

There was no love in my life like there is with Blake and Maia.

“I’m going to my room with her if you need me,” she says, heading in that direction.

“Hey, Blake,” I call out hesitantly.

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