“I honestly don’t know how you do it.” I “accidentally” pour too much Jameson into my glass before topping it with a minuscule amount of ginger ale. “The fact that you can ignore and break up their fights and still manage to drive while not getting into a million accidents is a straight-up miracle.”

After seeing the way Vonnie had to manage a million things at once, I’m not sure having kids is in the cards for me.

When Quinton said I wasn’t a good driver, he wasn’t exactly wrong. I mean, I’m not a bad driver, but I definitely cannot multitask when I drive. Putting on lipstick in traffic? Nope. Eating? Hell no. Even singing to the radio has its risks, it’s why I got satellite radio. Talk radio saves lives, people.

“Thank you!” She throws her hands in the air. “Everybody acts like I have it so easy and this shit is hard. I love my boys, but fuck, can a girl get some support around here?”

Vonnie laughs as she navigates her way around the high-top table where she drops her clear purse before making her way to the bar. But even though her laugh is convincing and her smile is beautiful, I don’t believe her. Normally, I would take this at face value and let it slide. Let’s be honest, as evidenced by my own life, feelings aren’t particularly my strong point. But this isn’t the first time she’s made a joke like this. I have a feeling that if Vonnie doesn’t say something soon, she’s going to explode.

I might not be much help when it comes to sorting things out, but I am the perfect person to commiserate with.

“Hey.” I hand her a glass as she reaches for the vodka. “Is everything alright?”

“Yeah girl.” She takes the glass from my hand without looking at me. “Of course everything is fine! Just a little mom venting, nothing a little cocktail and a lot of football can’t handle.”

As a person who has mastered the art of hiding my hurt behind a little self-deprecating humor, I know what she’s doing maybe even more than she does.

“If you’re sure.” I keep my voice quiet—measured—but I don’t move to give her space. “Because I’m not sure if you’ve been paying attention these last few weeks, but I’m a total disaster and if there is one person you can talk to who will not judge you, it’s me.”

I don’t mention that I’m pretty sure Brynn would move heaven and earth for her. I get how hard it is to talk to the people closest to you. To feel like you’re laying your burdens on them.