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“And you made Shorty feel ashamed, like she did something wrong.”
I pace the room and rest my hands on my head. After a minute of trying to keep my shit together, I turn back to my parents.
“We didn’t plan for this to happen.” I drop my hands to my sides.
“But I’mnotgoing to walk away from her,ormy kid. We’ll make this work. I’m not a stupid eighteen-year-old kid who’s going to walk away from his responsibilities. My plans for college haven’t changed.”
Mom’s quiet sobs force me to move toward her. I pull her in for a hug and wince in pain when she hugs me back, holding onto me with all her might.
“I’m sorry for scaring you,” I mutter.
“Don’t ev-ever do that again,” she stutters through her tears, grabbing onto my shirt.
I gently pull away from Mom and turn my attention to Dad.
“Son, I’m sorry I made you feel—I love you. We just want what’s best for you.”
“And what about Shorty? She’s going to be the mother of my child—your grandchild. Are you going to go back on your word and turn your backs on her when I’m not around?”
“Of course not,” Mom croaks, wiping her tears away.
Dad sighs and runs his hands over his mouth. “I love you, but you put yourself in a compromising position.” I open my mouth to disagree, but he raises his hand stopping me. “You will go to college in Tennessee as planned, but Sadie will not join you.”
“The hell she won’t,” I hiss, and panic surges. Leaving Shorty behind after all she’s been through is not an option. That’s another reason I went back to the Pit. I need to find ways to release all this pent-up anger and hopelessness.
“You don’t have a choice in the matter.” My dad furrows his brows.
“Sweetheart, your father is trying to say that while you’re going to school, we will look after Sadie. I would never let anything happen to her,” Mom promises.
“It’s not about that, Mom. I want to be there when she has her first ultrasound. I want to be there for her when she has morning sickness. I want to feel my kid kick for the first time. And you’re taking that away from me, from Shorty?”
“No, of course not. I’m just trying to be realistic,” Dad says.
Before I can respond, Shorty’s voice stops me from saying something I would regret.
“Donnie?” I shut my eyes when I hear her soothing voice, and fuck if that doesn’t calm the beast within me.
Chapter 26- Sadie
After staying at Tia’s, we took Sophie out for ice cream at one of our favorite hangouts as kids. Then we took Sophie to the park and swung on the swings, reminiscing about the happiest moments of our childhood.
When I returned to Donnie’s house, I walked into a heated conversation. Charles’s face was red like a tomato, Jacquie was sobbing with her face in her hands, and Donnie… looked defeated.
My heart plummeted when I took in the black and blue bruises dusting his face and swollen eye like someone used his face as a punching bag.
After putting Sophie down for a nap, Donnie takes my hand and leads me into his room. I sit on the edge of his unmade bed, my hands tucked underneath my thighs, watching him pace the room. He looks unhinged, like a rabid, wild animal trapped in a cage, begging to be let loose.
“Are you okay?” I ask in a soft tone.
“Just give me a minute.” He grunts, holding his side.
I’m on my feet in seconds.
“You’re in pain.” I slowly stride toward him, trying not to poke the lion. I stand before him, not allowing him to move away from me. With my hands on each side of his face, he stares into my eyes.
“What happened?” I ask.
He lets out a breath. “I lost it.”
