I hit Facetime on the group chat, tears pouring down my face as I maneuver through the streets
of Seattle. Cassi is the first to answer, her face filling the screen. “Hey, babe! What’s — ” Her
words pause as she looks at me, her smile disappearing in an instant. The next moment, Naomi
joins. Her equally waiting smile slipping away. “ What happened? ” Naomi asks. I begin word
vomiting everything, sobbing in between breaths before I finish. Both look stunned, speechless,
before Naomi speaks. “ Are you okay? ” “ Come on, Nay, she’s clearly not fucking okay!” Cassi
scolds. Naomi shoots a scathing look at her, and it catches me off guard. We never snap at each
other like that, especially not to Naomi. She’s the sweet cinnamon roll of the group, she doesn’t
look like it right now, though. Her eyes are dripping with irritation and what looks like judgment
as she stares at the camera before speaking. “I know you’re not okay. What can I do?” “Can I
come over?” I sniff. “I gave up my fucking apartment for him. I have nowh ere to go.” Naomi
frowns as she nods. “You know you’re welcome at my place, but I’m not there.” “Where are
you?” Cassi asks. Once again, Naomi gets a sharp look.
“I’m out of town, where are you, Cassi? That hotel room doesn’t look familiar.” Now that I
glance at the background behind Cassi, it does look like a hotel room. Cassi’s face flushes a de ep
crimson. “I’m in Boston.” “Visiting your sister?” I sniff. A bitte r laugh es capes from Naomi. “The
office will let you into my place, Ari. I’ll call them. Stay as long as you need. I’ll be back on
Monday.” “Thank you.” “Once I’m back, I’ll come over. We’ll cry and eat and slash his tires,
okay?” Cassi says. I scoff halfh eartedly, knowing that is how she shows her love. We hang up
shortly after, and I pull up to a light, turning on my blinker to take a right when I pause. I’m glad I
have somewhere to go tonight, but I really don’t want to go sit in my best friend’s empty
apartment. I want to talk to someone. I want to rage. I want to go numb. An idea pops into my
head as I quickly change lanes, pissing off the person behind me as they blare their horn before
I head down East Pike Street. Before I know it, I’m parking, wipi ng the running mascara down
my face, and st epping into the Cosmic Tavern. It’s a local dive bar that’s pretty popular and also
happens to have the best bartender around. Ty is behind the bar, a shaker tin in one hand as he
pops the tab on a few beers with the other. His eyes move across the room, checking on
everyone before he pauses. A huge smile spreads across his face as he sets the shaker down,
rounding the bar top as he approaches me. I can see he wants to pull me in for a hug but stops
short when he g ets closer to me. His eyebrows knit together in concern as he looks me over.
“What’s wrong?” I swallow roughly, giving him a half smile. “Can I get a drink?” Ty stares at me
for a few seconds before nodding, walking me over to a quiet corner of the bar top . It’s a Friday
but it’s only four o’clock, so it seems things haven’t taken off just yet. Sliding behind the bar, Ty
grabs a glass, pouring a tequila shot before passing it to me. “It’s like you know me or
something.” I smile weakly before tossing it back .
I slide the glass back to him and he pours another shot. When I try to grab it, though, he holds
his hand over it. “Not until you tell me what’s going on.” “Your brother
knocked up my mom.” Ty’s eyes widen and his mouth drops open. I push his hand to the side
and take the shot, knocking it back with ease. “Yeah, my sentiments exactly.” I laugh bitterly.
“Wait, wait. How? When?” “The lake house. Remember?” “How does she kno w it’s his, though?
She’s been a fucking whore. It could be Tom’s or — ” “ It doesn ’ t matter, Ty! ” I snap. I stare down
at the worn bar top as he speaks. “ No, it definitely does matter. She could be just trying to trap
him. He needs to get a test before he does anything crazy.” I shrug. “He said he was going to.”
“Okay.” Ty exhales in relief. “He also said that if he is the father, he wouldn’t punish the kid . That
he would be in their life.” Ty stares at me for a second, tilting his head to the side like he’s
confused. “And that’s bad?” “Ty!” I shout. “Yeah, it’s fucking bad.” He rests his forearms onto
the counter as he looks at me. “So you’re upset with him because he’s not a piece of shit? That
he wouldn’t ignore a child he fathered just because the mother is batshit?” Well, when he puts
it like that. “No. I’m mad that he stuck his dick in my fucking mother in the first place.” Ty gives
me a sympathetic loo k as he reaches out, covering my hand with his. “I’m not saying this to be
hurtful, babe, but you did tell him to do that. You pushed him away, and in a moment of
weakness, he did what you said, what you told him you wanted.” I shove away his hand.
“Seriou sly? You’re siding with him?” He stands up, holding his hands in the air in defense.
“I’m not on anyone’s side. I’m just trying to give you some perspective. Was it a massive
mistake? Absolutely. Should he have never even thought about touching her? Of course. Did he
regret it and hasn’t looked back since? You know the answer to that, Ari. He’s so fucking crazy
about you, and you are crazy about him. If, and right now, that’s a big if, he is the father, you two
will deal with it. Together.” I shake my head. “No. I’m out of this equation. Us being together
was a mistake to begin with. Besides, if the baby is his, do you really think there is a chance in
hell my mother will ever let him go? She’ll demand they get m arried again, probably cut me out
of his life forever. It’s just... fucked, but maybe for the best,” I shrug. His lips tighten into a flat
line. “You don’t mean that, Ari — ” “ Yes, I do. I just ... I don ’ t want to talk about him anymore, Ty.
My friends are out of town, I don ’ t want to be alone. Can you just ... can I have another drink? ”
He tilts his head like he ’ s contemplating something before he lets out a heavy breath. “Alright,
only if you drink water first and have some fries.” “Fine, whatever.” Ty nods, moving to get me a
cup of water before tapping something onto the computer. French fries come out a few mi nutes
later, and Ty hands them to me with another shot of tequila. The bar starts to fill up as the
happy hour rush comes in. Soon there is a line wrapping around the building, which is pretty
crazy for a dive bar. Ty completely dominates behind the bar, c harming everyone he comes into
contact with while slinging drinks like a pro. His eyes manage to come to mine no less than
three times every minute, as if to make sure I haven’t disappeared somewhere. I’ve had a few
more shots, and my head begins feeling l ight and floaty. Suddenly, I’m not nearly as stressed out
or heartbroken over the fucked up situation that is my life. I feel myself begin to sway on the
barstool to the music playing from the speakers before a body comes up beside me. The
pungent smell of cheap cologne and cigarettes fills my nose, and I have to resist the gag building
inside me as yellow teeth grin at me. “What’s a pretty little thing like you drinking alone for?”
“You’re never alone when you’re with Christ,” I slur, letting out a raspy chuckle as I slump
against the bar. The man gives me a pitying laugh as he looks at my empty shot glass. “You need
another?” “Yezs.” “No,” Ty says, coming out of nowhere. “She’s cut
off.” “C’mon, man. She looks fine to me. I’ll look after her, I promise.” His hand is heavy as it
rests on my shoulder, and it sends a slimy feeling skating across my skin. “Get your fucking
hands off her,” a de ep voice rumbles from behind me. My vision do ubles as I turn to see Logan
standing there, his tie loose and dangling around his neck, hair disheveled, and eyes pitch black
with rage. He’s so handsome. Why do the biggest assholes have to be so handsome? Why does
such a pretty package have to break you r heart so goddamn badly? “Hey, man, I don’t know
who the fuck you think you are but — ” In a flash, Logan has the guy ’ s head cracking against the
bar top, his arms pinned behind his back as he presses against his temple. “ That ’ s my fucking
woman you ’ re touching. So much as breathe in her goddamn direction again, and I ’ ll bury you. ”
“ Fuck yo — ” Logan cracks the guy ’ s arm in a way that makes an echoing snap. He howls out in
pain as Logan tosses him to the floor, his hands cupping my face instantly. I hear voices
bickering, but it’s too hard to ke ep my eyes open and focus. “Was that necessary?” “Very. How
much has she had?” “A lot.” “A lot? That’s your fucking response?” “Sorry, that doesn’t sound
like, ‘Thank you, Ty for letting me know where my woman is even though I don’t deserve to find
or see her because I’m a fuck up.’” “She told you.” “Fuck yeah, she did.” “Out, now!” a third
voice echoes.
I’m able to force my eyes open enough to see a large security guard quickly escorting Logan out.
He reaches for me, pulling me along a few st eps before my legs give out. Shit, I’m more fucked
up than I realize. Logan pauses, pulling away from the security guard before lifting me into his
arms. I slump against him, and he hikes me up a little higher to ke ep me pinned against his chest
before he carries me out. The night air is cold and pricks at my skin as I shiver. Logan holds me
closer like he’s trying to protect me from it. Like he’s capable of protecting me from anything
when he’s broken my fucking heart. Or maybe I broke it myself by ever opening myself up to
someone who is so completely wrong for me. I don’t remember getting in the car or where I
am. Al l I feel is the soft cushion of a mattress beneath me and a gentle kiss to my temple before
everything goes truly black.