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The frown of disapproval let me know he didn’t agree with my decision. I didn’t care. People could think I was being irrational all they wanted. If I was going to lose my freedom, it would be because I fought tooth and nail, and lost.

It was the only way I’d comfortably accept that future.

Keeping whatever he may have truly wanted to say to himself, my lawyer switched gears as we began to discuss potential legal strategies. By the time I left his office, I was up to my eyeballs in anxiety.

The longer he spoke, the more the sinking feeling set in that I didn’t have a snowball's chance in hell at winning this thing. Not unless God had a hail mary he’d yet to send my way.

My car jolted, pulling me out of my thoughts. Thankful that the streets were clear, for the moment at least, I somehow managed to get the rattling vehicle over to the side of the road.

With shaking hands, I removed my seatbelt and gathered my nerves enough to find out what was wrong now. I nearly cried when I saw my back tire was flat. If it wasn’t one thing, it would always be another.

Growling loudly, I ducked into the car to grab my phone. Neither Lincoln nor my father answered my calls. Feeling defeated, I tried Rae next.

“Hey, girl!” Raelynn sang brightly.

“Please tell me you aren’t working right now.”

“I wish I could, but I just clocked in. What’s happening? Are you okay?”

After a short deliberation, I decided against piling my problems on top of her. She’d dealt with enough of my mess already. “Yeah, everything is fine. I just wanted to talk. Call me when you get off.”

“Nyx,” Rae sternly replied. “Are you sure everything’s alright? You sound upset.”

“I’m good. We’ll talk later. Have a good day at work.”

While awaiting her response, I could practically see her glare of disapproval.

“I know you’re lying. But if you don’t want to tell me what’s going on, then I’ll respect it. I’ll check on you when I get off. Love you”

“Love you too.”

We disconnected the call, and I focused on reaching out to the roadside assistance that my insurance company provided. After learning it would be an hour and a half wait for them to send a driver out, I got back in the car and locked the door.

There was nothing more I could do.

As I watched the minutes tick by, I fought the overwhelming urge to cry. I’d be holding on as best as I could, but this final, minute incident was the breaking point. I couldn’t do it anymore.

My fingers trembled as I picked up my phone. There was one person I hadn’t attempted to call. With the overwhelming urge to at least hear his voice, I found Jamie’s contact and hit the phone icon to dial him.

He answered on the third ring. “What’s up, lil’ leprechaun?”

No words came out. I completely shattered, finally broken from everything that life dished my way.

“Nyx,” his voice flooded with worry. “What’s wrong?”

As much as I wanted to spill my guts, I couldn’t formulate a sentence if I tried. The only thing that I could get out was that my tire was flat.

“Send me your location. Stay on the phone. I’m on my way.”

I felt like such a fucking idiot for my behavior, but I couldn’t find it in me to care. Shouldering everything alone wasn’t an option for me anymore. I needed help.

I needed a friend.

And thankfully, Jamie was shaping up to be an amazing one.

It didn’t take him long to arrive. Parking behind me, he turned his hazards on. I unlocked the door when his face appeared in the passenger window. The minute he was settled, he wrapped his arms around me, hugging me tightly.

“Calm down,” he gently advised. “Breathe. It’s just a tire, love.”