Page 60 of Beyond Oblivion

“You’re going to watch your goddamn tone with my wife!” Travis growled.

“Motherfu—” Trenton began, placing his hands on the table in preparation to stand.

“I told her!” I cried, holding my hands up between them.

Everyone’s eyes were on me.

“I explained it,” I said, my breath trying to keep up with my rapid heartbeat. Thwarting a Maddox brothers’ brawl wasn’t for the weak. “She mentioned it earlier. We talked. She’s fine. She’s okay.”

Trenton sat back in a huff, folding his arms across his chest.

“I know,” Abby said. “I know, it shouldn’t have happened. I’m sorry. I really am. It just popped into my head, and I blurted it out because I was excited. I wasn’t thinking and it won’t happen again.”

“Quit apologizing, Pidge,” Travis grumbled. “He knows you didn’t mean for this to happen. He’s just taking his shit out on you.”

“Trav, stop,” Abby said, her voice firm. “They deserve an apology. I’m giving them one.”

“You’re lucky your wife’s here to shut you up, you pu—” Trenton began.

“That’s enough!” Jim said, his voice booming as he pounded the table with his fist. Once the boys settled down, he continued, his voice calm. “It wasn’t Abby’s idea. It was mine.”

“Dad,” Abby began, but he held up his hand.

“Abby waited until Olive went to the restroom and then asked me more about it. It wasn’t for now; it was anifandwhen.” Jim leaned toward Trenton. “We’re not giving up, son. I’m just as sure it’ll happen for you as I was the day you got married.” He sat back, resting his hands on his belly. “Your old man just likes to plan.”

“You mean meddle?” Trenton asked.

Just as I was about to scold him, he smiled.

I stood to check that the children were still playing and unaware of the conversation. “I know neither of you meant any harm. And no, it wasn’t the easiest discussion to have with Olive, but by the end she understood, and I was very careful that she doesn’t feel our decision to keep trying to have our own child before adoption meant she’s any less loved or wanted. She doesn’t feel like a last resort, is what I’m trying to say.”

Abby perched her elbows on the table and covered her face with her hands. “Oh, God. I’m so sorry you had to have that conversation.”

“It’s okay,” I said quickly. “If you hadn’t, and Olive hadn’t asked me about it, I wouldn’t have found out that Madison has been dating the friend’s brother, Aaron, and that it seems like she’s been basically love bombing him since Christmas break only to end it abruptly.”

“Which friend?” Trenton said, bristling.

“Avery.”

Trenton winced, nearly recoiling from the truth. “Oh my fuck, I threatened Avery’s brother? I thought he looked familiar, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.”

I put my hand on his. “From the way Olive described it, she ended it, but also wouldn’t leave Aaron alone. Knowing Madison, I think it was all planned from the beginning, with the crescendo meant to be at her apartment with you saving the day and ending up in her bed to celebrate.”

“What the hell?” Trenton said, bewildered. “So the Dayton guy?”

I shrugged. “Who knows. Olive said she didn’t know they were dating, and she’s friends with everyone.”

“All lies,” Trenton whispered.

“Well, accidental epiphanies aside, I still feel like an ass,” Abby said.

Travis rubbed her back. “You didn’t know she could hear, Pidge. Don’t beat yourself up.” He turned to look at Trenton. “We good?”

Trenton shifted in his seat. “It’s just a sore subject for me. It’s everywhere we turn, it’s always on our minds, but getting surprised…” he trailed off, sighing. “I’m sorry I yelled at you, Abby.”

“You didn’t,” she said with a small smile.

“Apologize tome, shithead. I’m the one you yelled at,” Travis quipped.

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