Teen Mom: The Next Chapter’s Maci Bookout Says Amber Portwood Is a ‘Loner,’ But ‘In a Good Way’: I ‘Check In’ With Her Amid Custody Drama

usmagazine.com:

Friends that matter. Maci Bookout has Amber Portwood’s back when it comes to her custody drama.The Teen Mom: The Next Chapter star, 31 — who has starred alongside Portwood, 32, on the Teen Mom franchise since their respective 16 and Pregnant episodes aired in 2009 — exclusively tells Us Weekly that “checking in” with her costar, 32, is “important” to her.“She’s kind of a loner, but, like, in a good way,” Bookout explains, adding that the Indiana native “is not necessarily gonna be the one that calls or reaches out when she’s having a bad day.”The Things That Matter cofounder reveals that while the twosome “normally … talk on the phone,” they don’t text as often. “But recently, in the last few months … it’s really just been about checking in and making sure [she’s OK],” Bookout shares.In July, Portwood lost legal custody of her 4-year-old son James, whom she shares with ex Andrew Glennon.

The judge also granted permission for the little one to move to California — the 38-year-old TV producer’s home state — from Indiana, where the So You’re Crazy, Too?

author lives. (In addition to James, Portwood also shares 13-year-old daughter Leah with ex Gary Shirley.)“I just feel like when somebody that you’re close to is going through such a difficult time, like she is, if I think about her, I’m texting her,” Bookout tells Us. “Because I’m like, I never know if there’s a moment when she really needs somebody to check in and I don’t wanna not check in.

And I feel like it’s important for the people that are close to her to do that.”Leah Messer, Briana DeJesus and Cheyenne Floyd — who also star with Bookout and Portwood on Teen Mom: The Next Chapter — have stuck by the Never Too Late author amid her devastating news.“I’ve talked to