Page 40 of Honest Boys Don’t Play

“And how are things going with baby daddy?” She waggles her brows at me.

She backs out of the driveway, giving me time to think up my response. “Good.” I know that won’t be enough for her, so I add, “I’m not seeing him much right now.”

She nods like she knows. “Daire has been complaining that Luke is exhausting him at the rink. It’s good for him to be humbled every now and then, though.” She glances in the rearview mirror where another mirror is positioned and allows her to see the baby. “Isn’t that right, Sammy? Your daddy is cocky as hell and needs to be knocked down a few pegs. Yes, he does.”

Sammy giggles like he knows exactly what she’s saying. “Dada silly.”

“That’s right. Dada is so silly.”

I watch my friend in awe. Her path to motherhood was unconventional to say the least, but she’s embraced it wholeheartedly and she’s rocking at it.

“Do you really think I can do this?” I ask softly, ashamed to voice the insecurity out loud.

She eases the van to a stop at the light and gives me a soft smile. “Yes, Bertie, you can. Is being a parent easy? God, no. Is it for everyone? Definitely not and that’s fine. My best advice is to stop worrying so much about being good at it. Good is objective. Just be a mom and figure out what works for you as you go. You have a supportive partner⁠—”

“Luke and I aren’t together,” I remind her.

She sighs, rolling her eyes. The light changes and she pulls forward. “Just because you’re not boning doesn’t discount that he’s your partner in all this. He’s the other parent in this equation and he’s present. You’re not going to be doing all this alone. Do your best to rely on him when you need help. And I’ll be here to help you whenever you need it. Just because you’re moving doesn’t mean I’m going to stop being your best friend. Call me in the middle of the night for all I care. I know your parents’ reaction was horrible, but I want you to remember you’re not alone in this. You have Luke and you have me. Heck, you even have Daire. And even though you’re going to be in Nashville I’m going to visit as much as I can, okay?”

I haven’t allowed myself to think too much on what it’s going to feel like to leave my best friend this summer. I’m not going to have anyone but Luke once we relocate to Nashville and he’ll be busy with practices and traveling on top of it.

“I’m gonna miss you,” my voice cracks.

She reaches over and gives my knee a quick squeeze. “I’m going to miss you, too. But seriously, prepare to be sick of me because I’m going to make sure you don’t have a chance to miss me.” She flicks on her blinker and changes lanes. “I hope you don’t mind, but I have to stop for coffee before we get there.”

“Coffee sounds amazing, actually.” I’ve been limiting my coffee intake, especially with my current addiction to Sprite, but today seems like a good day to indulge.

A few minutes later Rosie parks outside a local coffee shop on the street. “Text me what you want. I’ll run and get it if you don’t mind staying with Sammy.”

“I’m good here.”

She scoops up her purse and scurries inside the building. I quickly text her my order.

Turning in my seat, I smile back at Sammy’s reflection in the mirror. “Hi, Sammy. Are you having a good day?” I probably sound ridiculous, but I don’t care. He laughs like I’m funny. “Dada?”

“I’m not sure where your dada is.”

“Mama bye bye?”

“Yeah, she went inside to get coffee. She’ll be right back.”

He nods like he understands and claps his chubby fists. His shirt is soaked with drool. Rosie mentioned a week or so ago that he was teething again and had been keeping them up all night.

“Mama, mama, mama,” he chants, kicking at the back of the seat in front of him.

“She’s coming. We’re going to go to the park. Do you like the park?”

He waves his hands in answer.

“I’m back,” Rosie sing-songs as she hops back inside.

“Mama!” Sammy cries out in happiness.

“That’s right, baby. Mama is back.”

Sammy might not be hers biologically, but you wouldn’t know it from the way they interact together.

“The park is right around the corner. Do you want to go on the swing set?” She snaps her seatbelt in place. “Do you remember the swing? You liked it before.”