22. Mallory
Mallory
The weight of the evening settled over me like a too-heavy blanket.
The pasta sat cold and mostly uneaten on the table, in our bowls.
My apartment, which had felt too full with Jackson in it, suddenly felt too empty with him gone.
Making quick working of cleaning up – I shuffled into my bedroom, peeled off my bra with the effici ency of a tired woman with no one to impress, and crawled into bed still in my leggings and oversized tee.
My hair was a mess, my heart worse, and my thoughts louder than I wanted them to be.
There was no way I could process this alone. Not tonight.
I reached for my phone, tapped out a new message, and stared at it.
There were two people I wanted to text. Two people who had shown up for me when I didn’t even know how to ask. And the idea of retelling tonight’s disaster twice made me want to throw my phone out the window.
So I did the only logical thing.
I started a group chat.
Mallory
You two are my only friends right now and I cannot mentally handle textijng you individually
Dakota, meet Ava. Ava, meet Dakota.
I hereby unite you in the name of drama and moral support.
Two dots appeared. Then three. Then chaos.
Dakota
Omg it’s happening.
THE MERGER
Ava
Ahhhh yes, the group chat of legends. Love this for us already.
Dakota
Should we pick a team name? The Hormonal Hotties? The Support Squad?
ava changed the name of the chat to 'The Girls Room'
Mallory
Stop. Focus. Emergency.
Dakota
Do I need to send sparkling grape juice or chocolate?
Ava
Seconded. I have a drawer full of emergency Reese’s. I will mobilize.
I’m under emotional siege. No time for snacks. Okay maybe later. But listen—
I sat up, thumbs flying like my life depend ed on it.
Jaymie was supposed to come over tonight. I cooked. Bought those almond cookies he loves. It was a whole cozy vibe.
AND THEN. Jackson showed up. Just. At my door. Like a ghost of bad decisions past.
Dakota
NO HE DID NOT.
Ava
Mal. WHAT.
Yes. Full monologue. “I panicked. I’m sorry. I want to be there for you. I’m ready now.”
Dakota
The only thing he’s ready for is an Oscar nomination.
Ava
“I panicked” is code for “I thought you’d handle it until it was convenient for me.”
RIGHT?! But it gets worse.
Jaymie shows up. Mid-apology.
Dakota
NOOOOOOOOOO
Ava
oh my fucking god.
He heard the whole thing. Just standing in the hallway like a soft, loyal golden retriever with baked goods.
Dakota
I cannot. He’s the rom-com lead we deserve.
Was he devastated?
Tell me he looked devastated.
He smiled!
The same stupid soft one he did when I told him we were better off friend s.
He told me I should hear Jackson out. That if he’s serious, I should let him try.
Ava
Are you KIDDING me? The emotional maturity?? The restraint???
Dakota
I would’ve thrown the cookies at Jackson and told him to crawl.
And then Jaymie just… left. Said “have a good night, you should give him a chance” and walked to the elevator.
Ava
He’s too good. TOO GOOD. I need him to make one mildly bad choice so I can cope.
And here’s the worst part—I let Jackson in. We talked. I invited him to a doctor’s appointment and a birthing class. I even unblocked his number.
He is my baby daddy, no matter how much I loath that t erm * gags *
Dakota
Okay, okay. Pause. No shame. But…do you want him involved?
Or are you doing what feels expected?
Always a voice of reason, even though she was a wildchild growing up. Dakota showed up for me time and time again in the best way a sister could.
Mallory
I don’t know. He said all the right things. And part of me wants the right thing. But Jaymie…
I stopped, backspacing three times before letting the words spill.
Jaymie just feels right. He never said it. Never pushed. Just showed up. Every single time.
Ava
but like….What do you want? Forget what makes sense. Forget obligation. Who do you miss when they’re not around ?
Dakota
Who feels like a warm, fuzzy blanket, your favorite playlist and soup when you’re sick?
...Jaymie.
Silence.
Then the typing bubbles started again.
Dakota
I love that for you.
Ava
Same.
But also we will support you if you decide to light both men on fire and raise this baby in peace.
Honestly might be the cleanest option.
Dakota
Can we do a gender reveal where we also reveal your new real estate listing? Like, “It’s a girl! And we’re moving into a two-bedroom with natura l light!”
I love you both.
Dakota
We love you too. Now hydrate, turn off the mental spiral, and text us in the morning.
Ava
Exactly. You’ve got a brain full of big feels and a whole human growing in there. You’re doing amazing.
I smiled at my screen, heart a little bruised but held together by humor and sisterhood.
It wasn’t the ending I’d expected tonight. But it was exactly the one I needed.
And for the first time since the knock on the door, I felt like I might actually sleep.