Page 79 of Beyond Oblivion

Olive shrugged one shoulder. “I mean, let’s face it. The only time Cami would have to cheat to win on game night is playing poker against Abby.”

Dad chuckled, giving her a pat on the shoulder. “You said it, Olive.”

I had to hand it to Olive. The kid picked up on things most adults missed, catching those subtle shifts in conversation like a pro. She didn’t need to say much—just a quick, casual comment that gave me the perfect opening to steer everyone away from Falyn’s dig. She was sharp, way beyond her years, and it felt like having a mini-partner-in-crime who just knew when to step in. Watching her in moments like that, I felt this odd blend of appreciation and anticipation. Grateful to have her as my sidekick and eager to see the person she was becoming. She was going places, and I had a front-row seat.

Olive caught Falyn’s gaze, and they exchanged a subtle smile. Falyn lingered for a moment, as if savoring it without wanting to hold on too tightly. There was something in her expression—a quiet admiration for Olive’s cleverness, like she recognized that same spark I did. For a split second, I wondered about the connection between them, what unspoken bond floated in the air. Watching them connect like that felt almost like spotting someone else cheering for my favorite team. Maybe Falyn just respected any kid sharp enough to keep the grown-ups on their toes.

Coby clapped his hands together, scanning the room with an expectant look. “Welp, we can all agree on one thing. Camille’s had a long day, and here we are, camped out in her bedroom, staring her down like a bunch of vultures. We delivered the casseroles, grilled her for answers—mission accomplished. Let’s give her some peace before we get uninvited from her famous Secret Santa party.”

Susan nodded, her face softening. “Not a bad idea, son. They’ll let us know if anything changes.”

Camille looked to me, guilt weighing down her features.

I slapped my hand on my thigh. “You bet, Susan. Once we have something certain to share, we’ll alert the town crier.”

The adults smiled and Olive joined right in, smirking like the sarcastic child I’d known and loved since she was five. The rest of the kids looked around like they’d just missed the punchline. Jessica was squinting, clearly trying to figure out the deeper meaning, while Hollis gave this half-hearted chuckle, as if laughing would somehow unlock the secret.

Hadley, completely baffled, tugged on Abby’s sleeve and not-quite whispered, “What’s a town crier?”

Abby just gave her a gentle pat. “I’ll explain later,” she said quietly.

Jessica walked over to Camille and put her hand on hers. “Does this mean you’ll be okay?”

“It means I’m going to be just fine. I promise.”

Holly grinned from her corner of the room. “Well, now that we have that settled, I know whose team I’m joining next time.”

The room erupted in laughter, a sound that filled every corner and settled like a warm blanket over the evening. Just like that, the tension that had been buzzing under the surface finally melted away, replaced by easy smiles and the comfort that only comes from family. Camille looked around, her eyes glistening, taking in the people who’d been by her side through every up and down. The little details—Dad’s chuckle, Olive’s grin, even Coby’s obnoxious clapping any time he laughed too hard—all combined into a moment that felt oddly sacred.

Camille looked at me, a silent thank you in her eyes that I’d helped her keep our secret while not quite lying to the two messy, chaotic groups of strangers that were now one family because we fell in love.For once, I thought,it’s all gonna be all right. And for the first time in a long time, I believed it.

Chapter Nineteen

Camille

The sun dipped low as Trenton and I made our way toward Beldon’s, casting a warm, golden light over our small-town walkways and boulevards, making the budding trees look fresh and full against the warm spring air. Beldon’s was tucked into a quiet corner downtown, another one of Raegan’s finds—a spot she’d picked for its pregnancy-friendly menu and because it fit her latest mission to break us out of the rut of our usual spots. Lately, she’d been on a kick about exploring new places, claiming life was too short to keep eating at the same five restaurants. It was her way of adding a little adventure to even the simplest nights out, and I could tell she was proud of her role as our unofficial dining guide.

We parked, and Trenton jogged around to open the passenger side of his truck, waiting as I looked over my shoulder to eye Eakins’s newest upscale bistro. Its exterior was lined with dark wood paneling and climbing ivy, giving it a cozy, old-world feel. Globe lights strung along the outdoor seating area glowed softly, inviting anyone passing by to linger. I couldn’t sit still, fingering the buckle of my seatbelt and then fiddling with the button on my cardigan, my fingers restless. Every few seconds, I glanced over at Trenton, who shot me a knowing look, his mouth twitching as if he were trying to hold back a smile. “You sure about this?” he asked, his voice measured.

I exhaled slowly, my fingers drumming an uneven rhythm on my knee. “I think so. It’s just… she’s my best friend. She’s going to know I’m holding back.”

“You can tell her if you want, babe. Or not. There’s no wrong answer.”

“She’ll handle it the exact right way if something happens, too. I should tell her.”

“Okay, let’s do this,” he said, grinning wide with excitement as he held out his hand.

“But to celebrate and then mourn… I don’t know.”

Trenton’s hand settled over mine, warm and reassuring, calming my jittering fingers with a gentle squeeze. “Ray’s been there for you through everything. If anyone would understand, it’s her. Let’s just go in, and if it feels right in the moment, you’ll tell her. If not, don’t. Just please don’t stress,” he said, sweeping back a stray strand of my hair.

A small laugh escaped me, a half-hearted attempt to cover the tangle of emotions in my chest. “She’d show up for every visit with onesies and an emergency healthy snack stash. But if she knows, we should tell everyone. And after that, you know it won’t stay quiet for long. My mom would go into full pregnancy patrol mode. She’d be at our place daily, with all her herbal remedies and advice from who-knows-where.”

Trenton chuckled, his thumb tracing slow, soothing circles over my knuckles. “And the whole town would be on bump watch by day three.”

A reluctant smile tugged at my lips. That was exactly how it would go. The thought of hiding this from Raegan felt strange, like I was keeping her own secret locked away. She’d been my confidante for years, the one person I told everything to. But now, I wasn’t ready to let anyone into this quiet, fragile joy, not even her. At least, not yet.

Trenton helped me out and held my hand as we crossed the street. He pushed one side of the double doors open, gesturing for me to walk inside. Beldon’s interior felt just as inviting, a blend of Mediterranean and modern American touches. Low pendant lights cast a soft glow over reclaimed wood tables, and the open kitchen filled the air with rich scents of garlic, rosemary, and lemon.

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