Jenna rested her head on my shoulder. “Our pasts aren’t pretty, but that’s what makes us who we are today.”

She was right. I couldn’t change my past. Even if I could I wouldn’t want to. I couldn’t keep living in the ‘coulda, woulda shoulda’s’. I had to move on from the past. But that meant moving on from Cobie. I still wasn’t sure if I was ready for that. Cobie gave me the greastest blessing in life and my life saver. I opened my eyes to look at Londyn. She had a mouth full of sand, giggling. She made my past worth every bit of hurt and anger I went through. She was worth more than anything. I would spend the rest of my life making sure she knew how much she meant to me. To her mom. To us.

Annie

What the hell did I agree to? Groaning, I opened my closet. What would one wear to a football game that she didn’t want to be at? Sweatpants and an old ratty tee shirt?

“I thought you didn’t care about this ‘stupid’ game?” Leigha asked from my bed

“I don’t.”

“Then why are you so worried about what you’re going to wear?”

“I’m not. Just trying to decided between my Van Halen shirt or my Pink Floyd shirt.” I held both shirts up and watched as my best friend wrinkled her nose. Lydia was sitting beside Leigha and shook her head.

“You are trying way too hard. If I didn’t know any better I would think someone in this room has a crush.” Lydia laughed.

“I don’t know why I am friends with you two.” I tossed the shirts at both the girls as they laughed.

Leigha caught the old shirt and held it up to her. She said mockingly, “My name is Annie. Look at me, everybody. I like making my life as difficult as possible and denying my lady bits of anything fun.”

“You two are fired. I am going to hire new best friends. Go home.”

“Oh, stop being such a party pooper. We are just trying to have a little fun with you.” Leigha commented.

Lydia climbed off my bed and walked over to my closet. “Here, we will help you find something so you don’t show up looking like some rockstar groupie from the era of bad fashion.” She started thumbing through my closet, pulling out different shirts and tossing them onto my bed. “You go get Gabe’s clothes packed and we will get you all taken care of. You only have an hour before the car is here.”

“Fine. But, I swear you two better not have me dressed like some cheap hoe. I will call Jase and make him go.”

“Would we ever do something like that?” Leigha asked innocently.

I rolled my eyes. “You heard me.” I marched out of my room and away from the tart twins.

Gabe was laying on the floor in the middle of his room coloring. “Hey, buddy. Are you excited for today?”

He didn’t look at me. Slightly lifting one shoulder he said, “Yeah, I guess.”

This was not my son. He had been so excited for the game. Now that it was here he was acting like he didn’t care if we went or not. I sat and crossed my legs out in front of me. “What’s going on? You were so exicted.”

He stopped coloring to look at me briefly then returned to his picture. “Gage said he would get me a jersey and sign it. I think he forgot about me.” The sadness on my sons face broke my heart. I’m sure to Gage, Gabe is just some little boy wanting a stupid jersey. But, to my son, Gage was like a living, breathing hero. He hadn’t stopped talking about him since that day on the beach. Sure, Gage was just being nice and inviting us to his game, but he shouldn’t have made a promise to my son then not followed through. I couldn’t tell my baby that though. So, I lied.

“He’s very busy, Gabe. You should be thankful that you get to go to his game, with or without his jersey.”

Gabe huffed and puffed before saying, “Is it time to go?”

“Almost. Is that what you want to wear?” I pointed to the clothes he had picked out this morning. For a five year old boy, the kid had syle. He had on black, grey, and maroon plaid shorts with a grey polo shirt. He looked like a mini Scott Disick. Obviously my son was a lot cuter, though.

He nodded. “Yeah. Is that okay, mommy?”

“Yes, sir. You look very handsome.”

Gabe laughed. “Thank you ma’am.”

I loved this kid. “I’m going to pack your bag for tonight. Anything special you want to take?”

“Don’t forget my underwear. You forgot them last time I stayed with Uncle Jase.”

Oops. “Sorry. Mommy has been a little distracted lately.”

“Yeah, I noticed. Want to talk about it?” What the hell? When did my son become a therapist?

“It’s grown up stuff, bud. Nothing fun.”

Gabe dropped his crayon and turned serious. “I am five years old. That is a whole hand. I think I can handle it, mom. I have learned a lot in my years. I’m getting smart in my old age.”

Seriously, kid? “Where did you learn to talk like that? Are you five or seventy five? You sound like a little old man?”

Rolling his eyes he answered, “Mom, I have been around for five years. You learn a lot when you listen to people who don’t know you are paying attention.”

Little shit. “Gabriel Derek Holland. You do not eaves drop. You know that.”

“I can’t help if people talk and I can hear them.” He did have a point.

“I wish you weren’t so smart.” I ruffled his hair and said, “You need to start cleaning up and make your bed.” Gabe grumbled but started putting his crayons back in the box.

After packing his bag I went back to my room to see what kind of mess my friends had created. Laying on my bed was a pair of white shorts with an off the shoulder sheer black shirt with subtle silver sparkles and a grey camisole. I was surprised. The outfit was cute and made me look like a mom and not a hooker. I was expecting more hooker, less mom.

Lydia handed my my suitcase.  “You’re all packed. Now get changed. Leave your hair down and go simple with your makeup.”