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“What the fuck?”
They all snap their heads to look at me.
Oops. Said that out loud.
“Sorry, I lost my filter when I lost the ability to sleep through the night.”
Braden stands, rubbing a hand over his face. “What the hell am I going to do if I have another kid? How would I take care of two? What is everyone going to think? My parents? Maia?” He looks pleadingly at Vince. “I know it’s not fair to ask, but please don’t tell her. I’ll talk to her about it when I pick Harper up tomorrow. I’m just—”
“It’s fine,” Vince says. “Do you really think it’s possible? I mean, maybe you’re one of many and she isn’t sure. Maia made it seem like she hooked up a lot.”
“She did—does—I don’t know. It’s possible that I’m not. But it’s possible that I am.”
Brent walks over and squeezes his shoulder. “Whatever the outcome, we’re all here for you.”
“Hell yeah, we are,” I add.
He nods but doesn’t seem convinced. I’m sure this is insanely hard for him. After everything… doesn’t he deserve a break?
“Look, I know nothing will take your mind off this, but let’s relax, have some wings, and watch a movie,” I say.
“Yeah, sure. Sorry, I’m zero fun tonight.”
“You don’t have to be fun. I’m just glad you’re here and not struggling through this alone,” Vince says.
“Here’s to that,” I say, grabbing the wings and garlic bread from the oven and plating them up.
I take the plates back to the living room and slide them onto the coffee table. In silence, we all dig in. Just as I lift the first wing to my mouth, Hunter starts screaming. My head drops, and I groan.
PSA for anyone who has idyllic thoughts about being a parent. It’s not idyllic. Kids are hard. You don’t get enough sleep. You miss freedom but feel guilty for it. It doesn’t matter how much you love your kid—Hunter is my heart and soul—it’s hard shit. Don’t do it if you don’treallywant it.
Before I can get up, Vince smacks a hand on my back. “I got him. Eat your wings.”
“Thanks.”
He nods and heads down the hall.
“You gonna be okay?” I ask Braden.
He shrugs. “I have no idea, but I’m trying. I’m gonna need a lot of help.”
“You’ve got it. Now, eat your wings,” Brent says.
I take a huge bite of mine, letting the savory spicy flavor permeate my taste buds.
Vince walks out of the hallway with Hunter against his chest. I swear he’s magic with kids. They always settle down for him.
“He fell back asleep when I picked him up, so I figured I’d just hold him. I can eat with one hand. That way, we can all have some peace.”
Braden looks at him and relaxes a little bit. Hopefully seeing the way we help each other will help him. The last thing I want is for him to go through this alone.
“Thank you,” I say to my brother. Then I grab his plate of wings and hand him one. Before any of us take a bite, Brent sticks his wing out, and gestures for us to do the same.
“Seriously?” I ask.
“Just do it, asshole,” Brent says.
I smile at that. I never knew Brent very well, but when he came home, he jumped back into Braden’s life and the rest of ours as well.
Vince, Braden, and I look between each other. With a laugh, we relent and the three of us tap our wings against Brent’s.
It might be stupid, but it’s a nice reminder that we always have each other’s backs, even if we’re in the middle of a dumpster fire.
