“Really? You didn’t miss me at all?” he jested. I didn’t think he’d joke once he heard what I was about to tell him. The guilt was heavy in my stomach, but I knew that it was better to talk to him right now than stall.
“Of course I do. You’re my best friend.”
“What's going on?” He must've heard the worry in my voice because his tone suddenly grew serious as well.
“You remember Sofi’s father, right?”
“I don’t remember him because we don’t actually know the man, right?”
“Right. So weird coincidence, but he lives across my penthouse—well, your penthouse.”
“What?”
“He owns the building, Frankie. He’s Benedict Hayes of Hayes PharmaCorp.”
“And?” God, he sounded so pissed.
“And, well, he confronted me a few days after I moved in. We got to talking, and right now, we’re co-parenting.”
There was a long pause, and I was afraid that maybe the line had gone dead, but I could hear Frankie’s frustrated sigh on the line, like he was trying to take in the information I had just shared.
“Wait, seriously? After everything he’s put you through?” He sounded so mad that my cheeks started to heat up, and my heart pounded in my ears.
“It wasn't an easy decision, but we've been working on it. Sofi's well-being is my priority, and I think Ben being involved can be good for her.”
“‘You think’.Ithink you’re not thinking straight. I can’t believe he walked away from your life, and suddenly, he’s back.And you took him back.I’ve seen how you struggled, Chloe. So what changed now?”
In all the years Frankie and I had spent together, I had never heard him this mad before.
“Everything has changed, Frankie. He wants to be in her life, and I can’t say no to that. He’s Sofi’s father.”
“Are you guys fucking again? Jesus Christ, Chloe. Have you learned nothing? It’s just another disaster waiting to happen, and when the time comes, you’re going to ask for my help again.”
I was taken aback by the way that Frankie was speaking to me. He never raised his voice and never said words that would hurt me. He would always make me feel better, even when I was the one in the wrong.
I knew that he was mad and that his feelings were valid. I understood, but it wasn't an excuse for him to talk to me like this. After all, he was the one who had offered to help me with Sofi, even when I told him that he didn't have to. I didn't want to burden him, but he insisted.
“It's in Sofi's best interest.”
“Hers or yours?”
“Frankie.”
“I was here the whole time, and you chose him because of his dick? You’re forgetting everything you’ve gone through because you’re sleeping with him.”
“It doesn’t matter who I’m sleeping with. Ben is Sofi’s father. I can’t do anything about it.”
The guilty feeling evaporated from my body and was replaced by frustration and anger at how Frankie handled the situation.
“What did he give you that I haven’t already given, Chloe? Time? Money? A roof over your fucking head? I’ve been in your life more than he ever will be.”
I hated the fact that Frankie was now counting the things he had done for me like he was expecting something in return. Was he helping me because he was my best friend, or was he helping me because he thought I'd reciprocate his romantic feelings?
The thought made me sick. I had clarified to Frankie before that I saw him more as a brother and didn’t like him like that.
“Don’t talk to me like I’m a piece of work like I couldn’t raise my child without you. I’m thankful for what you’ve done for us, but that doesn’t mean I was an irresponsible and incompetent mother.”
“You should’ve chosen me, Chlo. I would’ve given you the life you needed.”