Page 88 of Beyond Oblivion

Trenton frowned. “Not the response I expected, but okay.”

I kissed his cheek, trying to ease his bruised ego. “I’m sorry, babe, you caught me off-guard. It’s a little early for a quickie.”

“It’s too early for a nooner; it’s never too early for a quickie,” he grumbled.

I jutted out my bottom lip. “Don’t be mad. Remember Valentine’s Day two years ago?”

His face brightened. “Yeah?”

I winked. “Let’s try that again after we lock up tonight.”

He stood tall, puffing his chest out a bit. “You liked that? I can do that.”

“Ya damn right you will.” I stopped him as he walked away. “Marcus Thompson in ten. Third phase of his sleeve.”

“The geometric maze? Yeah, that’s going to be tight as fuck,” he said, shooting me a lopsided grin.

The back door chimed, signaling Hazel’s arrival. Her heavy boots clopped down the hall, stopping only when she stood next to Trenton.

“Well, well, look who finally got a fresh buzz cut,” she smirked, giving his hair a slow, critical once-over. “Guess you ditched that baby-chick fuzz just in time. I wasthis closeto making Peaches your new nickname,” she said, holding her hand up, her eyes squinting as she stared at the centimeter of space between her thumb and index finger.

Trenton shot her a look, handing over his coffee. “Here. Jesus, take it. You could just ask, ya know. You don’t have to go so hard with the pre-coffee bitchery.”

She snatched it with both hands, grinning. “Yeah, but this way’s faster.” She shrugged with excitement before taking a sip.

Trenton narrowed his eyes. “You better be nice to me today. I’ve got tea hotter than that stolen coffee.”

Hazel set the cup down, instantly zeroing in on him. “Tea? How hot are we talking? Family drama? Did they finally arrest Cal for paying his parking tickets in pennies?” She squinted, unimpressed. “Wait—if it’s about Jerica Kempsey blacking out at The Red for the third Saturday in a row, I’m already up to speed. Girl just needs to admit she’s in a serious relationship with vodka.”

I snorted, ready for Trenton to knock her out of her clunky boots with the news, but she didn’t give him the chance. She turned to me, arms spread wide. “Good morning, cupcake. You look particularly glowy today. New moisturizer?”

I hugged her back, surrounded by the warm, spicy notes of her perfume. She stepped away, reclaiming her spot next to her favorite frenemy, her clothes their usual wad of color and patterns that somehow all fit together. Today’s look involved a neon yellow crop top, checkered high-waisted pants, oversized red hoops that nearly grazed her shoulders, and oversized, cherry-tinted round glasses. I couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her—Hazel always managed to look like she’d wandered out of a fever dream, and I loved her for it.

“None of the above,” Trenton shot back, his grin sharp. “This is better than all of that combined. We’re talking exclusive, clench your butthole-level news.”

Hazel raised an eyebrow, pure skepticism. “Better than Calvin getting a full cavity search in county jail? Bitch, please.”

“It’s a two-parter,” Trenton teased.

Hazel stomped one foot. “Oh my God, you fucking attention whore, just tell me!”

“Cami’s pregnant,” Trenton blurted out.

Hazel blinked, but otherwise froze in place. I’d braced myself for a scream, maybe some tears, or at least one of her signature smart-ass comebacks, but she just stood there—a tiny Filipina statue dressed as an eighties-themed NASCAR circus festival.

“W-what’s part two?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I cleared my throat. “Madison bailed on her recommended extended stay at the facility… and now she’s MIA.”

“Holy sweet baby Jesus in a tuxedo!” she yelled, bending in half. She reached out to hold the counter, steadying herself. She stood, red-faced. “You… you absolute thundercunt!” She glared up at Trenton. “I thought you were going to tell me something bad about the first part!”

“What? No!” Trenton yelled back. “Why would I act excited to tell you that, you snack-sized weirdo?!”

Hazel paused, covered her mouth, then took turns looking at me, then Trenton, then me again. “We’re having a baby?”

I nodded. “We’re having a baby.”

She squealed, jogged in place a few times, then threw her arms around me, squeezing me tight. “I can’t wait for you to get fat!” She held me at arm’s length. “When? Tell me right fucking now. When do you get fat?”

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