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15

     "i'm pissed".

   everyone's heads turn to face darius who sits at the end of the table. he's turning a light shade of red as steam practically comes out of his ears.

      mackenzie explained to everyone what happened last night with carson. she and johnny haven't spoken about it since carson left after threatening them with a court case. it scares mackenzie shitless because carson has an advantage. he has maisys dna and johnny doesn't. she and johnny won't stand a chance between maisy's biological dad if he wants her back.

      mackenzie widens her eyes, an idea coming to her. she slaps the table, getting her friends attention.

      "we have to find brynn!" she exclaims, bewildering everyone that's sat around the table.

       "and why do we have to do that?" hayden asks, the mention of the girl he hates, sparking a fire in the pit of his stomach.

         "because if brynn can testify of their behalf, the judge will see that johnny and mackenzie are the perfect parents that maisy needs" annie says, reading mackenzie's thoughts.

    ugh their minds.

    nodding her head eagerly, mackenzie stands up abruptly.

     "we have to go home and ask ashley if she's heard from her. we need to find brynn and bring her home. we have to stop carson from getting his grubby little hands on maisy" nadia chimes in, dragging darius upstairs to pack.

     annie takes mackenzie by the hand and the two of them also rush upstairs, leaving hayden sitting behind with johnny and maisy.
 
      the curly haired boy looks over at his best friend in wonder. he hasn't said a word all morning about what's going on and he hasn't voiced his opinion at all. what's going on inside his head?

      "what're you thinking?" hayden asks him, leaning forward on the table.

     johnny takes his eyes off maisy who is sitting comfortably in her stroller, chewing away at her teething toy. he smiles at her before looking at hayden.

       "i'm thinking...would it be so bad if carson did take maisy back?" johnny says, feeling something pang at his heart when the words come out of his mouth.

     hayden's expression drops and he raises his eyebrows.

        "john-"

    "i mean. if he gets her back, kenz and i can get back together and it'll be like how it was before everything happened. maisy will be with her proper dad that will take great care of her and actually want her and i won't be so scared anymore" he rambles, hating himself with every word he speaks.

      hayden shakes his head, mostly from being disgusted at johnny and partially because he hasn't said anything to him about how much of an asshole he's been acting recently.

      "so what are you saying? that if mackenzie does go against carson in court, she'll be doing it alone and that you aren't going to fight for maisy?" he asks with disbelief.

           "i'm sorry hayden but yeah, that's exactly what i'm saying".

      hayden stands up, only now noticing johnny's suitcase that's hidden under the table. he scoffs.

      "say goodbye  to her john because we both know that there's not a chance kenzie will win against carson alone. and we both know that he won't let us see her again. so....say goodbye" hayden mutters before walking away and standing over by the door.

      johnny nods shamefully, turning maisy's stroller around so he can pick her up. she rests her tiny head on his shoulder as he hugs her. after a small hug, he pulls away, maisy's little head shifting. she looks at him, a smile on her face.

      "i want you to be strong okay? and i want you to ignore everything i just said because i didn't mean any of it" johnny speaks, his voice raspy.

         "maisy" he smiles. my maisy". he pecks her cheek lightly.

        "truth is darling, i do want you. and i want to be the best daddy that you deserve but mackenzie and i, we don't have a choice. finding brynn isn't an option and we can't win against carson. i'm sorry for being a coward and leaving like this but you'll understand someday. i really do love you mais. i always have and always will" he cries softly.

         maisy sticks out her bottom lip. she doesn't understand anything and johnny knows that but that's why he had to tell her.

         "uv you dadee" she giggles, making his heart melt.

    hayden comes back over, taking maisy off of johnny and giving him a hug goodbye. johnny stands outside with the two of them, loading his things into the trunk. he stops in front of them.

         "tell them that going to ashley is a dead end and that they should go to dylan and caden conrique for help instead. tell kenz to tell them that i sent her, they'll know what to do then." johnny demands to hayden.

     hayden is confused but nods nonetheless.

      johnny takes maisys cheek between his thumb and index finger. he pinches it lightly before placing a kiss on her forehead .

        "bu bye dadee" she smiles.

   johnny returns the smile. "bye baby girl".

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shits about to go dOwn
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