SYLAS
“I had to hear and see it come out of your mouth.” Berlin St. Clair strides out of the elevator and into my living room, stopping in his tracks when he spots Everett Frost, Rowan Jovanovíc, and Marc sitting on my sectional.
“So it’s true. You all wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t. Or am I being punked? I swear to—”
“It’s true.” I speak over him because if I don’t, he’ll never stop talking. “I have a daughter with Anna.”
The guys weren’t supposed to be here, at least that wasn’t the plan. With Frost being in California, Rowan in Seattle, and Berlin in Florida, finding the time to hang out is a little hard. But despite the miles between us, we’re still close, and our group chat is very much alive and thriving.
Well, as alive as we can keep it. Rowan isn’t any more active than he was when we were in college, but he makes an effort occasionally. And he definitely made the effort to catch a flight like the other two when I told them I have a kid.
After Anna left last night, I stayed on the floor contemplating my life and fighting against grabbing a cigarette, but I caved. I smoked while I shared the news with the guys. Eventually the media will find out, so I wanted them to hear it from me.
I knew they were shocked, but I hadn’t anticipated for them all to come over. Marc showed up first, but when Frost exited my elevator, I knew it wouldn’t be long before the other two showed up.
Their already large eyes grow wider, and they sit still, staring at me unblinking like statues.
“Holy shit!” Frost is the first to break the silence. “With Anna? Anna Lopez? The one you broke up with?”
“Fuck you,” I spit out, getting increasingly aggravated. “Don’t make me kick you out.”
He shrugs impassively. “For stating something that happened?”
“Stop being a dick,” Marc chastises, crossing his arms over his chest. “He’s already suffering from the consequences or at least half of them. No one but us, Harlow, and Thea know. So you know shit’s going to hit the fan when others start finding out.”
“Your parents don’t know?” Rowan asks.
I inhale sharply, knowing I’m going to need it before I explain the shit show my life has become. When I’m done telling them everything, I don’t feel any better than I did yesterday. If anything, I’m angrier.
Harlow and Thea were right when they said that I shouldn’t confront them yet. There’s no way I’d be able to control myself. I’m certain I’d hit my father and go off on my mother.
My parents don’t like negative press; they love nothing more than putting on a show and making it seem like they’re the best, kindest parents. But I also wouldn’t put it past them to call the police on me. That’s the kind of shit they’d do.
My friends sit there rigid. Shocked is an understatement, based on how they’re staring at me. Their silence stretches for a long moment before Frost finally slices through it.
“Rich people are so fucking weird. What the fuck?” His voice is incredulous and laced with disdain. “I don’t blame Anna for blocking all of us. Jesus Christ. She’s nicer than me because I would have told you to get fucked.”
“Rich people?” Berlin cocks a brow. “Did you forget you make millions of dollars a year, and your parents happen to also have millions?”
Everett didn’t grow up like the rest of us. His parents won the lottery and were smart about investing and buying stocks, which is why they’re still millionaires.
Everything changed his sophomore year of high school, but it’s been years now. Sometimes he forgets or pretends like he doesn’t have so much money, like he could spend as much of it as he wants and it’d never run out.
“My parents are strange, I’ll tell you that, but they’re not that evil. That’s so fucking…” Rowan trails off, scoffing. “I’d be in prison right now.”
Berlin hums in agreement. “So what happens with you and Anna? Are you guys together?”
I shake my head, hating how my heart sinks. “No, we’re going to try to figure out how to co-parent and go from there.”
No one says anything thankfully. I need the silence for a moment. Talking about this again isn’t just making my head spin, it’s allowing temptation to creep in, whispering for me pick up a cigarette.
As much as I’d like to, I think about Anna and Rosie. I don’t want my place smelling like smoke, and cologne only does so much to mask the smell.
“You’re going to be okay,” Frost eventually says. “I know it doesn’t feel like it now, but you will. They told you you probably weren’t going to play again, and look at you now. You thought you’d never seen Anna again, and you guys end up in the same city. Shit happens, but you always overcome it.”
It stuns me a little. He’s a dick, but he’s also one of my closest friends. When I got injured, broke up with Anna, and was traded, he was there just like the other guys were. I would have lost myself if it hadn’t been for them and Thea.
But if I hadn’t broken up with her, I know that nothing would have mattered because it would have all been okay.
I just didn’t see it that way at the time.
I was too focused on what everyone was saying about me online; my father was furious that I got injured again, and I was spiraling.
Hockey was all I knew and suddenly I was being told I might not ever play it again.
“Frosty’s right, if there is one thing I know about you it’s that you get shit done. You aren’t a quitter, you’re a fucking fighter. So start acting like it because this pathetic thing you got going on needs to stop.” Berlin waves his index finger all over my face, his voice tinged with humor.
My friends are assholes with good intentions. I chuckle, flipping him off.
“I know, it’s just been…” I slump back, breathing out a sigh. I didn’t just walk away from Anna, but from Rosie too. Even if I didn’t know, I failed them both. They should be here with me, and instead, they’re there and I’m here. “A lot.”
“It’s going to be fine. Just don’t be a shitty father.” Rowan pierces me with a grave look.
“So what’s her name, and do we get to meet her?” Berlin asks the question genuinely, despite the humor in his voice.
“Now those are important questions,” Frost adds.
Marc and Rowan both nod, waiting for answers.
I take a deep breath and answer all their questions, and even after we’ve ordered and eaten food, they’re asking more and we’re catching up. Nothing feels like it has changed; it never has with them. It’s like we’re all back in high school—granted, more mature, but still in some ways the same.
And I realize this is what I needed. I need to stop moping and feeling sorry for myself. Anna and I didn’t happen to move to the same city by chance. This is fate, and I’ll be damned if I don’t fight for us.
I don’t know how I’ll do it, but I’m not giving up.