Page 80 of Beyond Oblivion

I spotted Raegan and Wesley standing near the entrance, hands intertwined as they shared a private laugh. Raegan waved enthusiastically when she saw us, her small but noticeable baby bump on display, her free hand resting on it protectively. Her eyes sparkled with that unmistakable pregnancy glow.

“There you are!” she called, her face lighting up even more as she pulled me into a warm hug, her familiar perfume wrapping around me like a memory.

I grinned, letting myself get lost in the comfort of her embrace. “Ray, you look incredible.”

She rolled her eyes playfully, her hand brushing over her belly. “Says the woman who’s never looked a day over twenty-one. Meanwhile, I’m starting to feel like a beach ball already, and we’re not even halfway there.”

Trenton exchanged a handshake with Wesley, who somehow still looked sporty in dark, designer jeans and a suit jacket. He’d decided against a tie for once, the top two buttons of his crisp white Oxford left undone. The Hermès H belt—unintentionally, I was sure—upgraded his attempted casual look. In contrast, Trenton had bent his usually edgy style with a slim-fitted black button-down shirt, the sleeves rolled just enough to reveal the intricate designs on his forearms. As if he and Wesley had coordinated, his top two buttons were also left unfastened, showcasing a hint of the ink along his collarbones. He’d paired the shirt with black slacks and completed his look with his favorite leather Chelsea boots, polished but with a slightly worn edge. Around his wrist was a black leather bracelet, his wedding ring alone on his left hand, and two silver rings on his right—one a skull, the other with an Onyx stone.

Wesley might’ve been the famous baseball star, but my husband was the rockstar of the group.

Raegan was the perfect example of a professional athlete’s wife, effortlessly turning heads, blending sophistication with a hint of her small-town warmth. Her dress was bump-friendly yet flattering on her figure while still subtly glamorous, a fitted knee-length sheath in deep emerald. Even behind her thick hair, her diamond stud earrings caught the light, a thin, matching bracelet practically sparkling back at the gems on her earlobes as if they were having a conversation about the undeniably luxurious pendant hanging from her neck. Everything about her look exuded a quiet confidence and a refined sense of style without being over the top, every piece fitting seamlessly into the small-town setting while hinting at the world beyond.

I… was wearing a comfy slip dress. Black, as usual. It skimmed all the right places without trying too hard, but even in a college town among my high fashion companions, I still managed to be the odd man out.

“Wes, good to see you, man,” Trenton said, his voice warm.

“You too, buddy,” Wesley replied with a nod before turning his attention to me and pulling me into a quick side hug. “Thank you both again for saying yes. We couldn’t imagine anyone else as godparents.”

I felt a sudden warmth bloom in my chest, gratitude mixed with something deeper, something I couldn’t quite put into words. “We wouldn’t have it any other way, Wes. We’re honored.”

Wesley gave Raegan a look, one filled with so much tenderness it nearly broke my heart. “You know,” he said, his voice soft, “I always thought if we were going to ask anyone, it’d be you two. You’re… solid. We know you’d be there for this little one, no matter what,” he said, gently touching her slightly protruding belly.

A flicker of guilt tugged at the back of my mind, and I glanced down, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.If only he knew.Here we were, smiling and accepting their trust, their excitement over us stepping into this role for their child, while my own life felt like it was standing on the edge of a cliff. Madison’s return lingered like a shadow, impossible to ignore, creeping closer with each day. And then there was the baby, this tiny, fragile hope inside me that I couldn’t bear to risk. It felt surreal, trying to balance the joy of being chosen to support Raegan’s baby with the fear gnawing at me for my own.

For a moment, I had to look away from Wesley’s earnest eyes. They were filled with so much certainty, so much belief in us. But beneath my smile, I could feel the strain of all the things left unspoken—Trenton and I hadn’t even let ourselves dream too far ahead, not when everything was so uncertain. It was as if we were holding our breaths, afraid that any excitement would tip the scales too far and bring everything crashing down. And yet, here I was, putting on a brave face, as if we had everything under control.

A host appeared, leading us to our table. We settled into the comfortable warmth of Beldon’s, where soft lighting and the smell of garlic and fresh bread wrapped around us like a cozy blanket. As the server approached to take our drink orders, Raegan raised an eyebrow in my direction.

“No wine tonight, Cami?” she asked, a hint of curiosity slipping through her smile.

My fingers tightened around my menu, and then I put it down gently as I forced a light shrug. “Just trying to keep it clean, you know? I told you the labs came back a little weird and that’s why they postponed the surgery, so I figured I’d try to keep everything in check.”

Raegan’s smile softened, a glimmer of understanding in her eyes. “Good for you. This little guy over here, though, has me eating ice cream like it’s going out of style.”

My chest burned. It wasn’t just an omission; it was a deliberate, calculated lie. The heat settled heavily in my stomach, twisting with the knowledge that I was hiding something so huge from my best friend, the one person who had stood by me through every other secret and stumble. Raegan looked at me with that open, trusting smile, so willing to share every detail of her own happiness—every craving, every kick, every tiny triumph—while I sat there with my hands clenched in my lap, guarding my own news as if I couldn’t trust her with the truth. I wanted to tell her so badly, to let the words tumble out and see the happiness light up her face, but the fear of loss—of having to explain a heartache I wasn’t ready for—kept me silent. I tried to match her warmth, all the while feeling like I was slowly drifting away from her.

“Oh, shit. I’m sorry. You’re talking about a hysterectomy, and I come back with baby talk,” she said, sheepish.

“No! No,” I insisted. Raegan had always been acutely aware of my energetic changes, but this time she’d gotten it wrong. “I didn’t even think about it.”

Trenton leaned back, his hand finding mine under the table, his touch grounding me in a way words couldn’t. “It’s a boy? That’s fucking exciting,” he said with a grin, easing the tension already gathering in my chest.

Raegan pulled in her shoulders with excitement. “Yes, but we don’t have a name yet, if that’s your next question. It’s everyone’s next question,” she added with a wink.

The drinks had barely hit the table before Wesley leaned forward, his brow creasing. “I wanted to talk about something a little less fun tonight, if that’s all right.”

“Wesley,” Raegan warned, shooting him a look as she nudged his arm, but he held her gaze, determination written across his face.

Trenton, unfazed, finished his sip of Old Fashioned and placed the glass down, a slight nod toward Wesley. “It’s okay, Raegan. Go ahead, man. What’s on your mind?”

Wesley shifted in his seat, visibly wrestling with the words. “The real duty of godparents is worst-case scenario,” he said slowly. “And I know the chances are slim. Really slim. But I have to ask. This whole Madison situation… will it be wrapped up before the baby’s here?”

Raegan let out a sigh, irritation sparking in her eyes. “We’ve been over this,” she muttered, her tone sharp. She looked at him as if silently pleading for him to drop it, but Wesley wasn’t budging.

“I know, honey,” he said gently, remorse softening his face as he reached for her hand. “But… I mean, what kind of dad would I be if I didn’t ask directly?”

I swallowed, glancing at Trenton. “We hope so,” he said carefully. “She’s getting help out of state, and her parents have sworn to the judge who signed off on our protective order that they’ll be keeping a close eye on her. Word is, their house is for sale.”

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