BFF

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Dave – POV

I walked into Kelly's rehab facility, not really knowing what to expect. She called this morning, said Janet wanted to talk to me. About what? I had no clue. But Tia encouraged me to go, and that was enough.

After signing in, they led me to a quiet room—two chairs, coffee table between us.

"You need anything?" the woman asked.

"Nah, I'm good. Thank you," I replied.

She smiled, walking away with a little extra in her switch. I shook my head and smirked—she better chill, they all know Tia crazy as hell. Just thinking about my baby made me smile. I couldn't wait to get back home to her.

I was in the middle of texting Corey back when Janet finally walked in.

"Hey," she said, her voice soft.

"Hey. How are you?"

"I'm good." She paused, folding her arms. "I called you here today to talk."

"Alright... about?"

She took a breath. "It's that point in recovery where we reach out to the people we've hurt. We apologize. And you—you were first on my list. The only one."

"Hm. Okay," I said, bracing myself.

"I was dating Dee before I had you. High school sweethearts. He introduced me to drugs. We did everything together—licks, runs, pills, all that. But when I found out I was pregnant, I stopped cold. I knew I wasn't done with them, though... because I was an addict. Still am."

She wiped her eyes and kept going.

"When I had you and saw your face, I felt clean. Like you changed me. But then Dee took you. Told the doctors I was still using, and he got rights. I knew I wasn't gonna win in court, so I gave up. Slipped right back into it."

She looked down.

"I didn't see Dee again until twelve years later. By then, we were back messing around. He was seeing my old best friend too—she had a baby the same day I did—but I still wanted him. I always felt like I was the one on drugs, never him. It's like he kept me hooked on purpose. I was lost in it, and I didn't even try to get clean for you. I didn't even try to find you."

She sniffled, then met my eyes.

"I'm sorry, David. Truly. For everything. For not being there. For letting addiction take over. I know you don't need a mom now. You got a wife, kids, a whole life. But I hope... maybe I could just be a part of it. Even just a friend."

I sat there. Blank. No emotion, no tears, no anger—just... nothing. My mind was still catching up.

"My fault," I said. "It's a lot. I'm just trying to process it."

"I completely understand."

"But... I would like you to be a part of my kids' lives. And mine. Just on a basic level for now. I want to get to know you. With my wife, too."

Her eyes lit up. "I would love that. Can you tell me about your family?"

I nodded. "My wife's name is Tia. She's everything. The love of my life. She completes me. You've met her."

"I did. She's perfect for you. Strong woman. Loves you deep—like, that ride-or-die kind of love. I admire that."

"Yeah, baby don't play about me," I smiled. "We took in my nephew, Corey. He's eighteen, about to start college. Acts just like me. Then there's Kairi—she's four, my twin, daddy's girl to the core. Kenzie's two, she's Tia's twin, but the biggest daddy's girl you've ever seen—she hates when I leave. And Easton, he's two months now. My little man. He's both of us."