Page 43 of Never Really Over

“Easy. I’m just trying to help,” Missy says in a soothing tone. “She has a fever,” she tells me.

“I thought she was hot but wasn’t sure if it was because of her crying.”

“Well, that isn’t helping, I’m sure. Where’s your baby thermometer?”

“Uhh…”

“Is it with any of the stuff we brought over from Nat’s house?”

“Right! Yeah, probably! You packed a lot of it, do you remember seeing it?”

“Yes. It’s in that tote that we shoved under her crib.”

As soon as she tells me, I run to her nursery and yank the tote out, dumping out all the contents. Jenna follows, riffling through everything along with me. She spots the thermometer first.

“Got it.”

“Thank fuck.”

We rush back to Missy who takes it from Jenna and immediately checks her temperature.

“One hundred one. Have you given her anything?”

“You mean like medicine?”

“Yes, Colt,” Jenna huffs in annoyance. She’s not even trying to cover up the fact that they think I’m an idiot right now. “Have you given her any medicine?”

“No. I have never been around her when she’s sick like this and have no clue what I’m doing. Natalie obviously…”

“Stop it right now,” Layla says in a firm voice. “Natalie chose right but this is not the time for you to second-guess yourself or Natalie.” Our eyes lock. I have no idea how she knew what I was thinking, but she did.

“I brought the baby Tylenol, too,” Jenna says.

As Jenna expertly draws a dose of Tylenol and drops it into Poppy’s mouth, Tori and Amy come into the house.

“What’s going on?” Tori asks, dropping her bag on the table and going to Poppy, taking her from Missy.

“Fever. We just gave her some Tylenol,” Missy says.

“How high?” Amy wonders.

“One hundred one,” Layla says. The newcomers do a double take, Amy narrowing her eyes at Layla. Tori has only heard stories of Layla and I’m sure she’s seen pictures, but Amy’s reaction is enough to let her know who she is.

Amy had a hard time with Layla’s leaving. And her absence over the years made it even worse. She has a big heart and loves me like a brother, but it was more than that. She took Layla’s move to Chicago personally. When Layla told us Hollow Grove wasn’t enough for her, Amy felt like that meant none of us were enough for her. Which was true, but not exactly the only reason she left. But Amy was pregnant with their first child and Layla moved, not even coming back for a baby shower. It pissed her off to say the least, but I think her feelings were hurt more than anything. Over time, she was hurt more and more until she all but wrote Layla off for good.

“Don’t tell me you two are back together,” she says angrily. None of us are surprised by Amy’s reaction, but Layla seems to be. Her look is one of shock… and sadness. Amy and Layla were best friends once upon a time. Our group of friends were all close, but like it tends to happen, Layla and Amy were closer to each other than the others. And Layla made it seem like she didn’t matter.

I scoff. “No. We’re not. She was at Missy’s. Or Jenna’s. Not sure – but they were together. Now she’s here.”

Amy shoots a glare at Layla, who rubs her lips together nervously.

“Amy,” Missy barks. “Not the time.”

“Well, when is the time? After she’s wormed her way back into his life and broken his heart again? Should we wait for him to fall apart again after she leaves him? Or should we wait until she dismisses us like we’re all nothing?”

“None of that is happening,” I snap. “Can we focus on Poppy, please?”

Amy watches me closely then nods once. She says nothing more to Layla, and for that, I’m grateful. I know Amy. She has no filter and stands up for her family, meaning me, to anyone she feels is not good for them. Amy would feel like Layla’s not good for me. Not that I’m looking to start something up with her again, but Amy is making it clear her feelings on the subject.

---