Page 7 of Family Like This

“I’m less familiar with babies,” I say, laughing lightly.

Sarah rubs her hand down my back. “I know this is hard because you don’t know what to expect—and that makes you more anxious—but we’re all here to help you both through it.”

“That’s good,” I say, emotion swelling in my chest again. “Because we’re both going to need it. I’m going to need it. This is making my anxiety spike even more.”

“I’m sure it is,” Rae says, squeezing my leg. “Especially since you find safety in plans and control.”

I glance at her, then at everyone else.

Joel smiles at me. “Don’t look so surprised. We’ve all known for a long time that you deal with anxiety. You prefer not to talk about it, so we don’t push.”

“You all know?” I ask, realizing I’m not nearly as good at hiding this as I thought I was.

“We figured it out,” Aaron says. “Why do you think we always let you drive and don’t question when you want to make all the plans for a trip? We know that’s what you need, so we let you do it. After more than fifteen years of friendship, I think we all know each other pretty damn well.”

I rub my eyes with the heels of my palms.I’m an idiot.

“You’ve all known and haven’t said anything. Wow. Here I was thinking I hid it all well.”

Rae nudges her arm against mine. “And I thought I hid it well when I was struggling after being sexually assaulted. We all know each other’s tells. I think we’ve just learned how to support each other, whether the needs are vocalized or not.”

I lean over and kiss the side of her head. “I love you guys. I’m sorry I haven’t been more open about my anxiety in the past. Consider it all out in the open now, though, because I’m a wreck. I’ll feel better when I have more of a plan. I feel better when I’m with Amelia—which, by the way, we aren’t together. She’s scared to get into that right now.”

Aaron and Joel smile at each other.

“Been there,” Aaron says.

“Done that,” Joel adds, as they both smile at their girls. It gives me hope. I want something more with Amelia, and I hope she doesn’t use this as an excuse to shut this down forever.

“Just be there for her,” Sarah says, squeezing my hand as she locks eyes with Joel. “That’s what she’ll need the most. It’s what will break down her walls.”

“You’d know,” I tease.

“We’ve faced our fair share of hard shit together, and we always get through it because we have each other.” Sarah sniffs back tears as she looks at me.

“The six of us. Always in it together, right?” Rae whispers, eyes filled with as much emotion as Sarah’s.

“Always.” I hold out my fist and she bumps hers against mine.

I’m not used to this. Usually I’m the one giving support. It’s new to be on the receiving end. Not because my friends don’t give the same support, simply because I rarely ask for it. Although it seems they’ve been giving it in ways I didn’t understand until now.

Amelia joked that the six of us are like a cult, and it’s true, to anyone on the outside, we’re abnormally close. For us, though? It’s family pure and simple. A bond we’ve built so strong it’s become unbreakable. I’m insanely grateful for it now, and I’m damn sure going to need it.

“If you need to go check on Amelia, do it. We’re never going to hold it against you that you need to take care of your girl,” Aaron says.

“We’ve all always got each other, but as we end up in serious relationships, the immediate priorities shift. No, we don’t want you sexting all night when you’re supposed to be hanging out with us.” Joel smirks at me. “But needing to take care of your pregnant girlfriend—” I open my mouth to protest, but Joel holds up his hand. “I’m calling her that because that’s basically what she is, whether it’s official or not. You’ll get there.”Fuck, I hope so.“Needing to take care of her is more important than this. So do what you need to do.”

I nod. “Thank you. I told her I’d get her some food.”

“Then go,” Sarah says. “Never keep a pregnant woman waiting.”

“Need me to drive you?” Mackie asks.

“You should stay, but can I borrow your car? I’ll leave it at the bakery.”

“Borrow it, and I’ll get it from Amelia’s place tomorrow. Deal?”

“Deal.” Standing up, I pull Mackie into my arms and quickly kiss her head, then I let her go and look back at everyone else, emotion hitting me again. “I love you guys.”

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