The child made an excellent point. Abby’s attitude didn’t say much for their friendship. Not that Haleigh expected her to break into a happy dance, but would it hurt to give her oldest friend the benefit of the doubt?
Considering Haleigh’s history, maybe so.
“One of the perks of being best friends since elementary school is that you know everything about each other. In our case, that’s also a pitfall. I may look like I have my crap together, but Abby knows better.”
Jessi snorted. “You think that’s how you look?”
Really? The single mother was passing judgment?
“I could be sleeping right now,” Haleigh pointed out.
“Come on,” Jessi chimed. “You’re a doctor, but you rent a bedroom from a friend. You work more than anyone I’ve ever met, you don’t date, and I’d bet my Doc Martens that you haven’t gotten laid in, like, forever.”
“It’s only been seven months,” Haleigh defended. “And I rent that bedroom back there because between student loans, credit cards, and a car payment, plus my mother’s mortgage and utilities, I don’t have enough left over to get my own place.” She hadn’t meant to share so much. “Dammit, I don’t need this.”
The minute Haleigh popped out of her seat, Jessi said, “Doc, wait. I’m being a jerk.” Haleigh stood where she was with her arms crossed. She could not take one more hit tonight. “Dude, I’m sorry. I didn’t know all that.”
“That’s because none of it was your business.”
“I know. Look, if anyone knows what it’s like to get dumped on from every direction, it’s me. I really am sorry.”
The words sounded sincere. “It’s fine. I guess it’s good to know that I’m not fooling anyone.”
“That’s a heavy load you’re carrying.”
Haleigh snorted. “You don’t know the half of it.” As the weight of Abby’s disapproval settled around her, the urge for a drink hit so hard she could feel the burn in her lungs. “I’m getting some coffee,” she said, heading for the kitchen.
“Let me put Emma down and I’ll sit with you.”
“I appreciate that, but you don’t have to stay up on my account.”
“I want to,” Jessi said, and with a half shrug, added, “I’ve never had a lot of female friends. Do you mind if I stay up for a while?”
“No,” Haleigh said, wishing more than ever that she possessed the magic wand that would change this girl’s life. “I don’t mind at all. If you promise not to tell, I’ll show you where to find the secret cookie stash.”
“There’s a secret cookie stash?” Jessi asked in awe, looking more like a little girl than a new mother.
“Put the baby to bed,” Haleigh said. “I’ll have the milk poured before you get back.”
The too-cool teen reared her pop-punk head. “Milk and cookies are for kids,” she said, as if saving her street cred required pointing this out. When Haleigh simply stared with a raised brow, Jessi caved. “Okay. I’ll be right back.”
“We need to talk,” Abby said, as she stormed into his office without knocking.
Cooper was in the middle of a tire order, and, so as not to lose his place, he pressed a finger over the current line before looking up. “Sure, Abbs. No need to knock. Come on in.”
“Was Saturday night the first time that happened?” she asked, ignoring his sarcasm.
Annoyed by her tone, he said, “Nope. I have cookouts all the time.”
“This isn’t funny.”
“Do you see me laughing?”
Slamming her hands on the edge of his desk, his sister said, “You need to stay away from Haleigh Rae.”
“Why is that?” Cooper asked. Having no intention of following his twin’s dictates didn’t mean he wasn’t curious enough to hear her reasons.
Abby dropped into the metal chair behind her. “Just trust me on this.”
“Try again,” he said, underlining his spot on the order list before dropping the pencil and leaning back. “You don’t get to make a demand like that and not back it up.”
Tapping her purse strap on the arm of the chair, Abby fidgeted. “You don’t know her.”
Pointing out the obvious, Cooper said, “I’ve known Haleigh Rae as long as you have, remember? It’s not as if we’re strangers.”
“I mean,” she gritted through a clenched jaw, “you don’t know her like I know her. She’s made some serious mistakes.”
“Who hasn’t?”
“Big mistakes,” Abby announced. “She isn’t the kind of person you should be with.”