Page 36 of Choosing Skyler

Tracey:“I miss you, Sissy Sky.”

Chelsea:“I love you, Hun.”

I hear conversations between others that I’m not a part of.

“You know that girl is in love with you, right?” I hear Brady say.

“Whatever, man. You thought I was in love with Sky too, remember?” Devon scoffs.

“Yeah, but that was different. I’m telling you, Devon. Open your damn eyes. I see the way you look at each other. Don’t blow it now that she knows the truth. You’ll lose her.” Brady is scolding Devon.Who is he talking about?

“I hear you, man, but it’s not that simple. Skyler and I have been practically throwing our ‘relationship’ in her face for almost three years. How do we come back from that without it blowing up a friendship? I can’t do that to Sky when she’s not even able to defend her own choices. Tracey is her best friend besides me. I won’t do that to either of them.” Devon sounds so sad.I don’t want him to be sad.

“She loves Skyler like a sister from what I’ve seen. Skyler is going to be pissed at you for this and you know it.That’swhat’s holding you back. Don’t forget, I know you, man,” Brady says.

“Yeah, that and the fact that Tracey and Joey have been together on and off forever. I’m not diving in as a third point to a triangle. I can’t. It’s too complicated,” Devon says, sounding dejected.

“Joey, huh? The guy you work with?” Brady asks.

“That’s the one,” Devon replies.

Oh, Devon.

Devon needs me.TraceyandJoey.How did I miss this? I’m such a shit friend. I try to surface. I fight the heaviness of my mind. I feel warm hands on both of mine.

“We’re here, Sweets. You’re safe,” Devon says.

“Right, here, Beautiful,” Brady murmurs in my ear, but I’m gone again, pulled under.

“Brady, dear. You look so tired,” Chelsea scolds.

“Thanks for that,” Brady grumbles.

“He’s going for the gothic, beach boy look,” Devon snarks.

“I want to be awake when she wakes up,” Brady snaps.

“Well!” Chelsea huffs.Uh oh. I know that tone. Brady is in trouble.“You have to rest! You won’t do Skyler any good if you’re dead on your feet when she does wake up. I won’t have her worrying aboutyouwhen she needs to recover, herself. So, you either get your tush over there on that sofa and sleep now or I’ll have you thrown out to go home to bed. Your choice, young man.” I can picture her standing with her hands on her hips.

“Yes, ma’am.” I hear Brady reply before the warmth of his hand is gone.

No. I don’t want to lose my tether.I struggle. My hand is taken in one much smaller than Brady’s.

“Shh, Hun. It’s okay. We won’t leave you alone. You’re safe. Devon and I will keep watch and Tracey will be back this afternoon,” Chelsea coos, holding my hand.

I drift back off.

“I’m here. I’m sorry I’m so late. The coffee shop was insane. You really need to give Skyler a raise, Mom.” Tracey huffs.

Chelsea scoffs. “Shush, Brady is asleep. That boy needed some rest.”

“I cooked fresh pastries. I brought two dozen. I figured everyone could graze on them if they won’t eat regular meals. I had to practically force feed these two last night,” Tracey says with indignation.

“Oh, we weren’t that bad.” I hear Devon reply from my bedside.

“Yeah,okay. Lie all you want. You know Mom can see right through that shit, right?” Tracey scoffs.

“That’s enough, you two. I swear you fight like an old married couple,” Chelsea scolds.

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