Chapter 26
Betty
The moment the first bead of sunshine peeks over the treetops, I’m out of bed and heading downstairs to the kitchen.
I assume Nash has coffee. If anyone’s caffeine addiction could rival mine, it’s that man.
He’ll have the good stuff, I’m sure of it.
It was a commonality we found during our week of bliss.
That black cup of instant energy is a necessity first thing, and not that typical grocery store brand nonsense.
Exotic blends from South America are what get us going.
The pungent aroma of those energy beans hits me as I descend the stairs closest to the room I’d stayed in. Between thinking about Nash and River screaming through the night, sleep never found me. Just like the night before, I tossed and turned nonstop.
Shuffling into the kitchen, with the wood floors cold beneath my feet, my eyes meet Nash’s.
Those bright blue orbs nearly make me melt.
His hair is messy, just like it had been the morning we woke up in the cabin.
My eyelids fight to flutter closed so I can recall the memory of running my fingers through his locks while he peppered kisses along my jaw and collarbone.
“Morning,” he grumbles, sipping from his mug. His voice is clear, absent of the gravel it held when I woke up in his arms.
The memories from that night and the following morning continue to filter to the forefront of my thoughts.
He’d been so sweet. The way he’d held me and told me how beautiful I was first thing in the morning gave me the wildest butterflies.
I’d tried to sneak off to brush my teeth and wipe the sleep from my eyes, but he’d only held me there, kissing me like it was the only thing he ever wanted to do in life.
Shaking my head, I suck in a deep breath.
You’re okay, Betty. You can do this. Give it to him straight.
But when I meet his gaze again, I can’t do it. The primary reason I came here was to confront him. In or out? Those were his options. Did he want to be with me or not? That’s all I needed to know, and I can’t even open my mouth to say good morning.
I shouldn’t have come here. Nash was always a fantasy, and that’s where he should have stayed. Ward may not have been forever for me either, but I’m surprisingly not heartbroken. He was the type of man my aunts always said I should find: one who wants you more than you want him.
Fail.
With an awkward wave, I reach into the glass cabinet, grab a mug, and pour myself a cup of coffee.
The barstools at the kitchen island are the only place to sit unless I leave the kitchen altogether.
But in a museum like this, I’m not sure how Nash feels about food and drinks in other rooms. So I have a choice: the seat beside him or the two across from him.
Choosing to put the four feet of marble between us, I slide onto the stool diagonal to his.
Twisting the warm mug between my hands, I keep my focus toward the wall of glass at the back of his home.
There’s a massive patio area with furniture and a pool beyond that, surrounded by lush green grass and then a barrier of trees.
It’s stunning. The perfect distraction until Gray and River stumble into the kitchen, looking much more rested than Nash and me.
“Uh, good morning.” Gray seems to word vomit hesitantly, unsure of what he walked in on. Only my heart is shattering as I sit here across from the only man I’ve ever truly wanted. “Did we interrupt something?”
“No!” Nash and I both practically shout in unison, our eyes meeting before we quickly look away. As if my eyes know it will hurt too much to look at his face and know he’s fine, that he doesn’t want me here, I only stare down into my mug.
“Right, uh… is there more coffee?” Gray runs his hands through his hair. The poor guy looks like a scared animal. His hold on his wife’s hand is firm enough that he could tug her and run as if he believes Nash and I will explode at any moment. We won’t. We’re barely acknowledging one another.
“Help yourself,” Nash cocks his head backward.
River darts toward the pot, pouring herself a mug so full she’ll need to sip it before she turns away.
As if he were ready and waiting, Gray snatches the mug from her. “No, you don’t.” The sound of his lips pecking her mouth causes my stomach to roll and my chest to ache. His grin only widens as River becomes more irritated, her eyes narrowing on his face.
“Gray, give that back to me. I’m dying,” she whines. My brows shoot high. That’s not like River. She makes demands. She holds her ground. Everything about that powerhouse of a woman is strong.
“Not a chance, baby.” Gray’s lips brush hers again, smiling widely while she pouts.
“Grayson Garrison, you’re a cruel man,” I chide him, assuming this is some cutesy couple moment I am getting to witness for the first time. Sipping from her mug, I expect he’s seconds from handing her those precious contents of life back, but he doesn’t.
“Exactly!” River’s arms stretch out to the side, just to slap back into her thighs. Her antics only encourage him to laugh harder. “Just because there’s a baby doesn’t mean he has to police my caffeine,” River whines before her hand claps over her mouth.
Yet another laugh barks free of Gray. River’s outspoken nature often lets a truth slip, only to want to retract it. It made it easy for the two of us to become close so fast, especially since I’m an open book when I’m with her.
My eyes bulge wide as I stare at my best friend. “River, you’re?” My gaze darts down to her stomach, then to her face, and finally to the goofy grin pulling at Gray’s mouth.
“Uh, yeah. We are,” River rubs her belly, smiling fondly at the man who captured her heart from day one. “Surprise.”
Nash and I only stare at the pair of them.
This moment must be even more awkward than what they stumbled in on.
I’m overjoyed for my friends, but it was the last thing I expected.
Though thinking back, every sign was there.
No drinking at girls’ night. The constant trips to the bathroom.
Every absent stroke over her stomach and the way Gray doted on her more than necessary.
“Uh, well, congratulations,” Nash hums, busying himself with pouring another cup of coffee.
“Thanks,” Gray grins, guiding River to a barstool.
I immediately grab her hand, the two of us giggling. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!” The two of us gush over their good fortune, River telling me about the plans they already have for a nursery and how she’s going to look for another doctor to hire at the practice and help at the rodeo.
And for a few minutes, all my issues melt away.
All the heartbreak and the past. It’s just my best friend and me celebrating this amazing moment together.
River is going to be a mother. For some time, she told me it wasn’t something she wanted right now.
Her career was a priority, but eventually the tone changed.
It changed to, “When the time is right, Gray and I will have a family.” I can’t recall when the shift actually happened, but I’m glad it did.
They deserve this happiness.
Absentmindedly, my hand rubs over my flat stomach. My past creeps in at the edges as Nash sighs heavily, Gray clapping him on the back awkwardly.
Those memories of the day I knew my relationship with Ryan was over filter back in.
Nash clears his throat, dropping his gaze to the counter, finally drawing my attention to him. “What are you talking about?” His voice is strained, as if he is fighting through his own inner turmoil. A pain so great it’s too much to withstand.
“Let’s try this again. What did we walk in on?” Gray questions, River’s eyes darting between her husband and Nash as the tension grows.
Nash looks up at Gray, swallowing noticeably. “Why did y’all bring her?”
An audible gasp leaves Gray as if he’s surprised by Nash’s response.
“She’s running the B&B, so she’s trying to learn everything about the rodeo.
Figured it was a harmless trip.” Gray shrugs, his brow scrunching low as if unsure what he’s missing.
It’s then I know River hadn’t said anything to Gray about what had happened with Nash and me.
“I’m too tired for this.” Nash drops his head.
“Why? We all went to bed super early last night,” River snickers, spinning on her stool.
“Um, River.” My usual drawl drags out her name as the exhaustion weighs on me. “You and your husband were loud enough to keep the dead awake.” It takes everything in me to keep my tone light. To pretend I’m not breaking into a million pieces hearing Nash say he doesn’t want me here.
A barking laugh leaves Gray as River’s complexion darkens. It’s rarely easy to notice River’s blush, but today you can’t miss it.
“Way to call me out,” River huffs.
“Someone had to tell ya the truth,” I shrug, smiling around my mug before taking a large gulp.
The playful tone of the moment reminds me I’m here with my friends. I can handle these few days because they’re here. It will all be fine.
“Truth, huh?” River smiles wolfishly.
There’s that look. No. No. No. She can’t. “River. Don’t…” I plead.
“Nash, you should ask Betty why she wanted to come this weekend…”