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“Well”—he pinched his fingers together in front of him—“only a tiny bit.”
“I’ve been so wrapped up in my problems that I haven’t been a good friend. I never even asked you about Joel. What happened? I thought you liked him.”
His head fell back before he responded. “I liked him too much, and he… liked Vance Jamison more.”
“Ugh, that’s the worst.”
“I thought so. Elias was my rebound.” He shrugged before standing and kicking a few white balls of ick to make a path to me. Then he picked up a book from my desk and swept the growing pile of tissues on the bed to one side before climbing up next to me and toeing his shoes off. They fell with a thump to the floor. We both scooted onto the mattress so we faced one another.
“Why’ve you been crying?”
“I’ve already made too much about me. Let’s just chalk it up to hormones.”
Max tucked a clump of my dirty hair behind my ear, his expression softening. “I didn’t mean that. I lashed out, and it wasn’t fair.”
“It was.” My voice was small because I felt alone and unsure. Too many things were out of my control, and while that had never bothered me that much before, it did now.
He held my hands, and the connection did more for me than all the chocolate in the world, and that was saying a lot. I was pathetic. “Tell me. I want to know.”
So I did. I spilled everything about the congenital disabilities test, how I’d passed out, and how sweet Phoenix had been until he wasn’t. Because he still hadn’t called to see how I was doing.
“I cannot believe you didn’t tell me. You know I would have gone with you.”
“Yeah, but I’ve put a lot on you, and last night made me realize how much. Phoenix needs to step up.”
“Whatever.” Max rolled his eyes and pulled me in for a hug. “I’m your best friend. Don’t try to deny it because I am the best, and we both know it. Next time, you confide in me. No more holding back.”
“The same goes for you.” I pulled back and leveled him with a reprimanding look, raising my eyebrows. “Joel?”
“You’re right. New leaf, or whatever that saying is.”
I laughed. “What happened with you and Elias? Has he called or spoken to you since last night?”
“No, but I haven’t reached out either. You were right. He’s a horrible human being. I don’t need to get involved with him. There are plenty of others who want a piece of this.”
“They would only be so lucky.”
“Ah, see? This is why we work. My ego needs you.”
“You’re crazy.” But I was laughing, and it felt much better than the alternative. “I’m glad you came by.”
“Me too.” He bopped my nose. “Now go get cleaned up. Your baby daddy is fighting tonight, and we’re going to go cheer him on.”
“Who’s he fighting?”
“Who cares?”
He was right. I didn’t. “I don’t know why I even asked. You know, I never realized pregnancy brain was a real thing. I’ve done some weird stuff lately. At the diner, I was getting change from the register for someone who actually paid in cash, and I legit forgot how to count. Strangest thing ever—and I’ve always been great with money.”
Max’s grin widened. “Poor baby.”
I rolled my eyes but was secretly okay with the sympathy. “I’ve just got to—”
“Shower, change into something not cringe-worthy, and brush that mop of hair.”
“Okay, I look homeless. Got it.” I rolled my eyes and scooted off the bed. “But you’re such a diva. Who there will care what I look like?”
“You care because that smoke show will see you, and I’m saving you from self-sabotage, which you’ve been hell-bent on lately.”
