The Friends We Keep (Mischief Bay)

by Susan Mallery

  “Of course it has. She was born bitchy. If you’re still thinking about your parents acting differently with her, it’s because they had to. All that attitude and selfishness in a seven-year-old?” Gabby shuddered. “Talk about a nightmare. You were the good kid. Trust me on that. They didn’t love her more. They loved her differently.”

  Hayley knew Gabby was exaggerating, but there was also truth in what she was saying. If she accepted the premise that her parents loved her just as much, then needing a child of her own was...foolish. And she wanted to believe, wanted to know that she could love an adopted child just as much.

  Of course if she couldn’t have children of her own, did it matter? Whatever love she could give would stand on its own—uncompared to... To what? Real love? But that was stupid. She loved Rob completely, even though he wasn’t a biological part of her.

  “I’m so confused,” she admitted. “About everything.” She smiled. “You’re a good friend. That, I know for sure.”

  “No, I’m an average friend. A good friend wouldn’t whine so much.”

  “You don’t whine. You have a lot going on. Makayla, her pregnancy, Andrew being annoying.”

  Gabby laughed. “There is that.” Her smile faded. “About Makayla’s baby,” she began.

  “No,” Hayley told her. “I couldn’t. Even if I were to adopt, it’s too close. Does that make sense? Makayla would be right there, as would you and Andrew.”

  “I get it,” Gabby told her. “It’s taking open adoption a step too far. For what it’s worth, you’d be my first choice.”

  Another healing block filled in a bit of the hole in her heart. Hayley reached out and squeezed Gabby hand. “It’s worth a lot.”

  * * *

  Gabby had only been at Candace’s town house once before. The three-story home was as coolly elegant as the woman herself. White walls, pale hardwood floors, white and ivory furnishings with the odd splash of deep orange as an accent color. There was a view of the ocean and plenty of open space. No toys, no pet hair, nothing to say that a real person actually lived here.

  She and Andrew had left the twins home with Cecelia so the conversation would be more private. Makayla had begged to be left behind as well, but as they were discussing her pregnancy and the ramifications of Boyd’s abandonment, her presence had seemed pretty necessary.

  Andrew and Gabby still weren’t overly friendly, so Gabby had some concerns about the meeting. She suspected that while Candace didn’t want Andrew back for herself, she wasn’t above the pleasure of knowing there was trouble in paradise. So Gabby smiled in all the right places and sat right next to the man she’d married. Surprisingly Makayla had sat on her other side, pressed against her, as if the three of them were there to offer a united front.

  Candace didn’t bother offering refreshments. Instead she glanced pointedly at her platinum-and-diamond watch, then said, “I’m not sure there’s a point to all this. Boyd is gone. No one’s surprised he ran off. Makayla is fifteen and pregnant. If it’s too late for an abortion, she’s giving up the baby.”

  Gabby couldn’t believe she and Candace were on the same page. Even if Gabby’s way of explaining their position would have been slightly less blunt.

  “That’s not what Makayla wants,” Andrew told his ex.

  Candace swung her cool gaze to her daughter and sighed heavily. “Really? You’re going to be stupid and say you want to have the baby?”

  Makayla flushed.

  “Candace,” Andrew snapped. “Don’t be a bitch.”

  The other woman stiffened. “It’s my house, I’ll be how I want to be. It’s also my daughter.” She glared at Makayla. “The damage is done. Let’s make the best of a bad situation. Are you seriously going to tell me you’re throwing your life away by keeping that baby? Then what? Will you get a job at some fast-food place? Go on food stamps? Won’t we all be so proud.”

  Gabby found herself standing up. “Stop it. Stop it right now. We’re all dealing with the situation. Nobody is delighted by where we find ourselves but belittling your daughter won’t help anything.”

  Candace studied her for several seconds. “Well,” she said slowly. “The mouse roars. Who would have thought.” She rose, as well. “I’m done with this. Makayla, you think about what you’re doing with your life. Bad enough to have a baby. Worse to keep it.”

  With that she waved toward the door. “Now it’s time for all of you to be going.”

  Makayla stood. Tears filled her eyes, but didn’t fall. She started to say something, then turned and started for the door. Gabby hurried after her.

  Andrew spoke to his ex-wife, but Gabby couldn’t hear what he was saying. Nor did she care. Once they were outside, Makayla burst into tears. Gabby held her close and wondered how the hell they were going to get out of this alive.

  * * *

  Gabby made the decision to drive down to South Coast Plaza. Yes, it was ridiculously far when they had Del Amo not fifteen minutes from the house, but she figured Makayla would be more comfortable shopping in Orange County. The odds of running into any of her friends were remote, which meant the teen could relax. Plus, she hoped it would help the teen forget about the horrible encounter with Candace.

  To that end, Gabby pulled Makayla out of camp so they could go early Thursday morning. They’d showed up right when the mall opened with the idea they could have plenty of time to shop and still get back to pick up the twins.

  Unfortunately what had started out as a hopeful plan had turned into something closer to a disaster. Makayla brushed away tears as she walked out of the trendy store.

  “Nothing fits,” she complained. “The pants won’t button and the shirts are all stupid. I hate this.”

  Gabby walked beside her, not sure what to say or do. Makayla had reached that awkward stage of her pregnancy where her regular things were starting to be too small but maternity clothes were weeks or months away. Not to mention weird for a fifteen-year-old.

  They’d been to three stores and nothing had worked. Drawstring pants weren’t in style and regular jeans that fit around her growing belly were ridiculously huge in the legs. They had found a couple of cute leggings that would work, along with a few tunic tops, but she would need more than that for school.

  “What about dresses?” Gabby asked. “Come on. Let’s go look at Nordstrom. They always have pretty things. It’s going to be warm for a few more months. A nice A-line style will work. Maybe a couple of jumpers with a sweater underneath. You could wear tights and cute ankle boots.”

  Makayla sniffed. “I never wear dresses.”

  “So. You could try something new. You’d look adorable.”

  Makayla was a size two or four. It was hard for her to look bad. Even pregnant, she was adorable.

  “I didn’t think of dresses,” the teen admitted. “Can we try some on?”

  “I think we should.”

  They headed for the large department store. As they got on the escalator, Makayla looked at her. “Are you mad at me?”

  “No. Why would I be?”

  “Because of all this. It’s hard. My mom...”

  “Oh, honey, we so don’t have to talk about her. Yes, it’s been challenging.”

  Makayla smiled. “Because I’m pregnant.”

  “Really? I hadn’t heard.”

  That earned her a second smile. The teen sighed. “I know Dad’s mad at me.”

  Gabby told herself that defending Andrew made her the bigger person. “He’s not mad, sweetie. He’s unhappy about the situation. It’s not what anyone wanted. I know you didn’t.”

  “Tell me about it.” She touched her belly. “If I could take those two times back, I would. Especially with Boyd gone.”

  “You still haven’t heard from him?”

  “No. Nothing. Just that one text. A couple of my
friends heard he moved and I told them we broke up a few weeks ago.”

  Gabby supposed she should chide her for lying, but didn’t have it in her. “I’m sorry he was a jerk.”

  “Me, too. I’m never having another boyfriend.”

  “Yeah, that will last fifteen minutes.”

  “It’s going to last nine months. Or longer.” They stepped off the escalator. “No one’s going to want to go out with a single mother who’s still in high school. My life is over.”

  The tears returned. Gabby pulled her to the side of the entrance and put her hands on the girl’s upper arms.

  “Stop,” she said firmly. “Yes, there’s a lot to deal with, but there’s no point in worrying about it all, right this second. Boyd is gone. He turned out to be a very bad boyfriend and I’m sorry he hurt you. That’s something reasonable to be thinking about right now. We’re going to go try on dresses for you, because school starts soon. After you pick out some dresses, we are going to go spend a ridiculous amount of money on new shoes because I think it will help. Am I wrong?”

  Makayla surprised her by hugging her. “Thank you,” she whispered. “You’re the only one I can count on, Gabby. You’re being so nice.”

  The words surprised her. “I love you, Makayla. Sometimes you’re really annoying, but even then, I love you. You know that, right?” The words were automatic. It took Gabby a second to figure out she meant them. She wasn’t sure when that had happened, but it had. Somehow the disaster of the pregnancy had brought them together.

  Makayla was crying again, but Gabby figured it didn’t matter because she was fighting a few tears of her own.

  “We’re a mess,” she whispered. “Both of us.”

  “Yeah, but soon we’ll be messes with new shoes.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Nicole resisted the need to ask, yet again “How are you feeling?” Hayley had said she was doing better and Nicole needed to take her at her word.

  They were sitting out in Nicole’s backyard, enjoying the warm afternoon. Tyler was at a friend’s birthday party. Rob was helping a friend with a car and Jairus was still on book tour. Not that Nicole would have expected to spend the day with him, had he been home.

  They were in touch every day. Texting, mostly, with the occasional phone call. There had been a few pictures of his fans waiting to meet him and one very funny video of his empty hotel room, with the title No hookers here.

  She hated to admit it, but she kind of missed him.

  “Did you go Thursday?” Hayley asked.

  Nicole raised her eyebrows. “To Supper’s in the Bag? Yes. I depend on those meals. Shannon joined us. Morgan is not a happy camper.”

  The corner of Hayley’s mouth twitched. “Gee, that’s too bad.”

  Nicole laughed. “She is so missing you. I don’t think she had any idea how much work you did for her. Are you really not going back?”

  “I sent my resignation last week. I haven’t heard from her since. Or before. We had a fight after I got home from the hospital.”

  “Let me guess. She said you were being selfish with your surgery and she needed you to get back to work right away.”

  “You were spying.”

  “I’m a good guesser.”

  Nicole studied her friend, taking in the faint bloom of color on her cheeks and sparkle of health in her eyes. Although she was still recovering from her emergency hysterectomy, Hayley looked better than she had in months. Maybe years. Nicole would guess it was a combination of rest, not being on hormones and not bleeding anymore. Hayley might not like the outcome, but at least the question had been answered.

  “How’s work?” Nicole asked.

  Hayley rolled her eyes. “Ridiculous and nonexistent. My leave has been extended.”

  “Accept the coddling in the spirit in which it is meant.”

  “I’m trying, but everyone is treating me like I’m some delicate flower.”

  “You kind of are.”

  “Not really. How are things at the studio?”

  “Great. I have lots of clients and have added two more classes, so yay.” Nicole thought about the envelope tucked in her dresser drawer. “I saw Eric last weekend.”

  “You mean he showed up to see Tyler? Isn’t that a surprise?”

  “It was. He took him to lunch. Tyler said it wasn’t very fun. They don’t know each other anymore. It’s sad.” She shifted in her chair. “He, um, gave me two tickets to the screening or opening or whatever for his movie.”

  Hayley’s eyes widened. “Seriously? Okay, is it just me or is that strange?”

  “I thought it was. He says it’s because I was a big part of him writing the screenplay.”

  Hayley snorted. “You mean you supported his ass while he typed and surfed.”

  “Look who has attitude.”

  “I can be tough. Not often, but every now and then. Do you want to go to the screening?”

  “I can’t decide. I’m embarrassed to say, I still don’t know what the movie’s about. I’ve read a bit about it online, but I never read the screenplay. Eric kept saying it wasn’t ready. Then we were divorced and it seemed weird to ask. So I know as much as the rest of the world. Apparently the story’s about a regular guy who saves the world. It’s a thriller with heart and humor.”

  “Are you still seeing Jairus?”

  The change in subject had her squirming. “He’s on his book tour, so he’s been gone.”

  “But you’re still together.”

  “We’re not together. We’re, um...”

  Hayley waited patiently.

  “Yes, I’m still seeing him,” Nicole admitted quietly. “We’re texting every day.”

  “So take him with you. I’ve seen the photos. Jairus is a good-looking guy. It’s not like events like this are part of your everyday life. Go have the experience with a handsome man at your side and call it a win. You’ll look like the gracious ex-wife and you get your curiosity satisfied in one easy night. What’s the movie called?”

  “Disaster Road.”

  “That’s appropriate. You need to do this. It will give you closure.”

  When Hayley put it like that, going made sense. “I’m a little nervous,” she admitted. “I have no idea what to expect from an event like that.”

  “Ask Shannon. I’m sure she’s been to premieres or knows someone who has. Jairus might have been, too. He’s a celebrity.”

  Only to kids under the age of ten, she thought. Funny how Eric and Jairus were both writers, but they seemed so different. Eric was aloof, keeping to himself. He was mostly interested in the workings of Hollywood and how he could be in the inner circle. Jairus seemed to really care about his readers.

  “Okay, I’ll ask him,” she said. “He might still be out of town on that day.”

  “I suspect he’ll make it back if he can. So you like the guy?”

  Nicole resisted the need to squirm again. “He’s nice.”

  “And?”

  “He’s great with Tyler. Funny and patient. I’m surprised he doesn’t have kids of his own. He’d be a great dad.” She thought about how he’d been busy taking care of his sister as his marriage fell apart. She would guess that was one of the reasons. Maybe the reason.

  Not that she would ask. Every marriage had its secrets. She had plenty from her time with Eric.

  “I wish I could say the same about my ex.” She raised her hand. “I know, I know. Old news. But I still can’t reconcile what he’s doing with how I feel about Tyler. He’s everything to me.” She sighed. “It’s like with the house. I feel like he was never here. Not really. He moved in and when it was time to leave, he moved out. But nothing had changed. He didn’t leave his mark on anything. Is that him or me?”

  “It’s both.” Her friend raised
her shoulders. “I think Eric is one of those people who simply doesn’t connect deeply. It’s not bad—it just is.”

  “That’s what Gabby said, too.” She thought about how he’d been after selling his screenplay. “He’s not into his success for the sex. There were pretty young women hanging all over him and I genuinely think he didn’t care.”

  “You and I can’t imagine not being involved. With our family, our friends. No matter how Morgan annoys me, I’m still going to call her in a few days because she’s my sister. We’re not islands, but I think Eric really is. He’s getting enough. He not only doesn’t need a close relationship with Tyler, he can’t see what he’s missing. It’s like asking us to imagine what it would be like to live on planet Zenon.”

  “Planet Zenon? Is this a Star Wars thing?”

  Hayley laughed. “You know it’s not. You’re as much a Star Wars geek as me. My point is, maybe it’s not you. Maybe it’s him.”

  “That’s tidy. So I don’t have to take any responsibility?”

  “You know you do. You did plenty wrong in your marriage.”

  “Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence.”

  “Sorry, but you did. We all mess up. It’s the nature of being human. The difference is you’re looking at what happened and are searching for an answer. I suspect Eric has simply moved on to the next chapter of his life.”

  “You’ve become very wise, Obi Wan.”

  “If only that were true.” Hayley sipped her lemonade. “I’ve had a lot of time to think. It hasn’t been fun, but it’s been good for me. To dwell on the fact that I’ll never have a baby of my own.”

  “How much does it hurt?”

  “A lot. Less than it did. Now I have to figure out what to do next. Rob and I need to repair the cracks in our marriage.” Hayley sighed. “You can’t go through what we did without leaving scars.”

  Nicole couldn’t begin to imagine the stress all the fertility treatments had put on their marriage. “Rob’s a good guy and he adores you.”

  “I know. I’m lucky.” She smiled. “Maybe you’ll get lucky, too. And when that happens, I want details. New man sex is so foreign to me. I’m going to have live vicariously.”