Page 114 of Meant for Mayhem

Daisy

A little bit, yeah.

I had hearts and rainbows but that felt wrong.

Emmy

Happy, happy birthday! I’m so glad you walked in the Pilates studio a year and a half ago and applied for a job. You’re one of the best things that’s happened to me since I moved home.

Stevie

Key word, *one of*

Tate

Happy birthday, Shan. You already know how I feel about you.

I smiled, clicking over to the next one.

Helena

Paljon onnea, Shannon! Happy birthday from Finland!

One by one, I read through them. A gif from Nolan with the Office’s famous IT IS YOUR BIRTHDAY banner. A sweet text from Lori. Even one from Logan.

Logan

Happy birthday! I wanted to get you a present, but Mikko glares at me every time I look in your general direction, so blame him.

I snorted.

My thumb hovered over the screen for a moment before I started answering everyone.

A black heart for Daisy.

A laughing emoji for Stevie.

Thank you to Emmy.

A thumbs up for Tate.

A promise to Lori that I’d call her after work.

A picture of Leena and me in Los Angeles to Helena.

The replies came quick, each one starting another conversation I didn’t have time to finish, and again, my walls crumbled a little more.

When I was little, birthdays depended entirely on whether Dad was sober enough to know what day it was. Most years he didn’t, and even if he did, it became his yearly reminder to tell me he wasn’t sure I was his kid. The twins weren’t much better, only remembering if there was some way to get something out of it for themselves, always looking for an excuse for a handout.

Somewhere along the way, I’d gotten pretty good at pretending my birthday didn’t matter. That this was just another day. Apparently, I’d surrounded myself with people who wouldn’t let me get away with that anymore.

I clicked on the next text thread, a soft smile on my face until I read the words on the screen.

Asshat

You got married and now you can’t answer your family?

Two days later.