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“I just don’t understand how you could date the woman who nearly ended your life”

“Did she shoot me?”

“No, but she was the reason you were there”

“I was parked on that street, Allie You think they wouldn’t have hit me up?”

“If you’d left at a different time they never would’ve noticed you”

Her words are a punch to the gut “Do you have any clue how selfish you sound right now? You know da out there alone Are you so petty you’d wish her ill? Why? In your heart, you knoe never would’ve made it The stop and start routine was tired We both deserve better”

“I love you, Oliver Maybe you never loved me, but I putfor you to grow up for years, and now I have to see you give everything I deserve to some random woman?”

“She’s not a rando anywhere if I can help it, so you need to get used to her I’ll continue to respect your wishes for now and have her keep her distance, but that’s only going to last for long I’ed you I’ed rew me up hella fast I needed the wake-up call to snapI’m sorry it didn’t work out in our favor”

She crosses her arht?” She sniffs

“We have to keep it together for Rolly, Al We’ve got sixteen ood relationship between parents is” I cringe at the thought of my father “Believe me”

“I’m ready, Dad” Rolly’s voice ends our conversation as he co behind me

“You sure, little dude?”

“Uh huh Moot to pick out what I wanted to have wif ht time”

“I can’t wait to see what you picked” I ruffle his soft hair “You ready to go?”

“Yep Bye, Mommy”