Page 28 of Beyond Oblivion

“About Travis. Working with, you know, working with Thomas. At the Bureau, orforthem. I’m rambling. Anyway… Oh. Wow,” I said, noting the subdued panic in Abby’s expression, hidden only by how smooth it was. Her famous poker face had only one tell for those of us who knew her: the absence of any expression at all. “I suddenly realize how bad of an idea this was. I just wanted confirmation that I was right, and that helps exactly zero people. Stupid. I’ll just… I’ll just go,” I said, turning.

“No, wait,” she said, gently grabbing my arm. When I turned, she was smiling—too soft, too patient. “I’m just not sure what you mean. Travis doesn’t work with Thomas.” She chuckled. “How would a personal trainer help an ad exec?”

“Abby, I know Thomas works for the FBI. I’ve always known. I knew before you did. I know about Liis, too.”

She wrinkled her nose, a small smile still on her face, crossing her arms again. “I’m so confused.”

“It’s okay.” I touched my fingers to my forehead. “I’m a little embarrassed now. I’m not sure what I was trying to accomplish. It was just such a relief to realize it wasn’t about me, and then I wanted to rush over and talk to you about it. Admittedly, I was pretty proud of myself that I’d figured it out, but,” I winced. “Crap. I didn’t think how stressful it would be for you that I know. I really won’t tell anyone.”

“Cami,” Abby said, “are you okay?”

I pressed my lips together in a hard line. She wasn’t going to admit anything to me. But at least she wasn’t angry. “I won’t. I’m sorry I…” I shook my head. “This is really embarrassing. You’re right, Travis works so many hours at the gym, going to all those conferences. Lach would… Oh,” I trailed off. “Lach.”

“Travis’s boss?”

Lachlan has to be in on it, too. He swept in, bought the gym, always sending Travis out of town. Holy shit, it’s a whole operation.I wondered if Becca knew. I’d run into Lachlan at Abby’s while Travis was out of town so many times I thought once they might be having an affair. But then he and Becca began dating. “Lachlan came by the shop tonight. Cassidy finally got her ears pierced.”

“She did? Aw,” Abby said, genuinely proud. “I knew she was determined this time.”

“Lach… he… he really loves them, huh?”

“He’s crazy about them both,” Abby said with conviction.

“Good,” I said, nodding. “So, what were you and Liis working on?”

“Oh, um… just a… We were just…”

“You know what? I’m making this worse. I’m going to shut up now because it’s none of my business. I’m clearly not getting enough sleep. Speaking of, I’ll let you get back to bed.”

“Hey, come over any time. I mean it. You’re not the only Maddox wife who jumps to conclusions or speculates. I’m theworst. But I really am glad you came by. It’s nice to see you.”

“You, too. Goodnight.” I opened the door and descended the steps, hearing thunder in the distance. I turned to see the worried look on Abby’s face morph into a grin.

“It’s not obvious, you know. You didn’t make a mistake. No one else could’ve picked it up besides me, and that’s only because I know what I know. I just wish I’d never said anything because it’s important that you feel safe. And Abby… I know what’s at stake. I won’t even tell Trent. I’m taking this one to the grave.”

Her eyebrows pulled in, and she nodded.

I waved goodbye and climbed into my 4Runner, consumed by self-loathing. I’d shattered Abby’s sense of security, leaving her with a new set of fears to keep her up at night. Maybe they were right about me. In my desperation to redeem myself and prove that I could be a trusted member of the family, I’d done something that only intensified my guilt and left me feeling more like an outcast than ever.

A knock on the window made me jump, scream, and clutch my chest all at the same time.

Abby stood on the other side of the glass, her finger making a small circle.

I hadn’t started the car yet, so I opened the door.

Abby immediately hugged me, and I froze.

“I trust you,” she whispered.

I squeezed her tight.

She glanced over her shoulder and then exhaled slowly. “For the record, I didn’t tell you, you asked. It’s true, you’ve kept Thomas’s secret all these years, and I know you’ll keep this one, too.” She loosened her grip and stepped back. “Now that the panic has worn off, I’m glad you told me. I would’ve picked up on it eventually, but I wouldn’t have dared to ask you. Instead, I’d be stuck in this house, worrying myself sick about who else you might tell. Don’t beat yourself up. It was the right thing to do.”

I wiped away an errant tear. “Thank you for saying that.”

“Text Trent that you’re on your way home.”

“Oh,” I said, pulling out my phone, tapping out the words. I looked up at her. “I don’t know what else to say.”

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