“Relax, I’m kidding.” She kicked an open package of golden Oreos with her chunky black loafer. “It’s giving more Quantum of Sadness vibes.”
Shay cautiously stepped through the minefield and cleared a small corner at the edge of Brinton’s bed so she could sit. Immediately, her caramel eyes stretched open, and she pinched her button nose between her fingers. “Oh my God. Brinny, when was the last time you showered?”
In fairness, personal hygiene was the first thing to go when Brinton slipped into a depressive episode, which she was definitely in. It was somehow worse than the anxiety variety.
Brinton chucked up her shoulder. “I don’t know. Sunday?”
“Bitch, today is Friday.” Shay whipped her palms around the room. “I know you’ve been going through it for a few weeks, but you gotta get it together.”
Brinton sat up, back aching from the slouch-induced curve in her spine. “Fine, pass me the baby wipes.”
“No,” Shay hissed. She slapped down Brinton’s laptop screen. “You haven’t left the house in a month. And you ditched Gael and the book club. I’ve been covering for you, but I’m done. That will make you wake the hell up.”
Brinton wriggled to the edge of the bed and snatched the pack of baby wipes from the floor. “I’m awake, thanks to you. In case you forgot, I blew up my whole life. I got dumped by a man I should have known better than to trust. Forgive me if I hate myself so much I want to crawl out of my skin.”
Shay smoothed her orange daisy-print maxi dress, eyesnarrowed contemplatively. “Well, at least you’re not trending anymore.”
Brinton flicked away an eye-boogie with a baby wipe. “Yeah, because Agatha is. She’s getting praised for herbravestorytelling in Jamie’s profile. For stealing my fucking work, remember?” She collapsed back against the pillows. “And she got away with it.”
“Yeah, that was shitty. It was so shitty I don’t even have the words to properly sum up how shitty it was. But my question to you is, what are you going to donow?”
“Rot in peace. The universe skewered and roasted me extra-damn-crisp. I’m done, Shay.”
“Why, because you’re not perfect and need some help from time to time? I love you, but for years, I’ve watched you look everywhere but inside for validation. That only happens when you love and nurture yourself—and especially the hard stuff—first and foremost.”
She flicked Brinton’s toes. “You know I’ve struggled with my ADHD, but that’s how I’ve managed it. Notice I didn’t say that I’ve overcome, because neurodivergence isn’t something to overcome. I will live with it for the rest of my life. It’s the same with anxiety or depression or anything else. You can lie down and bleed for a minute, but you have to get back up. And you have to stop hiding from things that are uncomfortable.”
Brinton scoffed. “Dad wouldn’t.”
“Uh-huh, and that’s why Mom divorced him.” Shay pulled a face. “And what about Jamie? You’re going to pack all those feelings in a box and torch them,Waiting to Exhale–style?”
“Actually, yes.”
Brinton had told Shay about her fight with Jamie. Only, she didn’t have the heart to admit that he’d called and texted her for weeks. What was left to say? He didn’t want to beassociated with her.Shedidn’t want to be associated withherself.
“He wanted his fresh start without me, and he got it. He used me.”
Shay flung a dirty sock into the wicker laundry hamper. “Look, I thought about galloping down to Tennessee to slap some sense into him myself, but…I don’t know, Brinny. People are like jigsaw puzzles with bent edges. The answer is never straightforward. His life was in shambles, even before you met him. That said, it’s hard to believe that he woke up one morning and decided to stop caring about you. You need to talk to him. Hewantsto talk to you.”
Brinton bolted upright. “How do you know I’ve been ignoring his calls?”
“Ha—I do now.” Shay clapped her hands triumphantly. “Besides, I had a hunch. Your phone’s been blowing up, and bitch, nobody calls you but me.”
Brinton rolled her eyes. “Wow, thanks for that.”
“What are sisters for?” Shay stuck out her tongue. “At the very least, now that some time has passed, it’s worth getting some closure.”
“What are you, a disciple for Mom’s rules for well-adjusted living?”
“Whatever gets you out of those crusty-ass pajamas,” Shay trilled. “Lie to me all you want—which, you’re horrible at, by the way. I know you still care about that man. I also know you deserve to be happy. Aren’t you tired of giving up on yourself?”
“I can’t call him.” Brinton’s cheeks warmed with the looming threat of his rejection all over again.
“I didn’t say you gotta call him. You’re a brilliant writer. Use your words.” Shay flipped open the laptop, where Zenon’s smiling face was still paused. “Who’s the white girl?”
“Zenon, Disney Channel Princess and the GOAT of space,” Brinton said. “You are so uncultured.”
“Ah, how uncouth of me,” Shay snorted, sauntering to the door. “I really hope it works out for you two. I no longer dabble in the men, but Jamie’s face was made for riding.”
