Chapter Five
Camille
“Hey,” Thomas said, his voice sounding far away.
“Are you in the car?” I asked, twirling Skin Deep’s phone cord around my finger. Faint buzzing and laughter filtered from the back; a hint of whatever Hazel had for her late lunch still lingered in the air.
“Always,” he said. I could almost hear him smile. “Liis said she saw you while she was in town.”
“She did.”
I waited for him to say something else, but when he didn’t, I breathed out a small sigh. “Trent just got back from your dad’s, but he’s with a client.”
“I was calling to talk to you, actually. To, uh… just to check on you.”
“Why?” I asked, wrinkling my nose.
He paused. “Liis said when you came to Abby’s that things were uncomfortable between you.”
“Between the three of us. It wasn’t just Liis.”
“They’re not going to tell you this, but honest to God, Camille. It’s not you.”
I blinked a few times, trying to keep my cool. It hurt Trenton’s feelings to hear how standing on the outside of the wives’ circle bothered me. Unwilling to chance confrontation, I couldn’t express it to Liis or Abby. But Thomas was a safe haven to air my frustrations. He’d somehow gotten a pass from the wives for the time our relationship overlapped with mine and Trenton’s, but he was still a guilty party and understood my black sheep status in a way no one else could. “What else could it possibly be?”
“I don’t suppose you’d just trust me,” he said.
“By ignoring my eyes and ears? No.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong. Why would you immediately jump to that conclusion?” The smile in his voice had faded away.
“What else could it be, TJ?” I said, cringing when the nickname came effortlessly from my mouth. It was his initials, Thomas James , and what I used to call him when we dated, back when I had to keep him and us a secret. “Thomas,” I corrected quickly.
He didn’t speak for a few moments. He’d noticed, and his next words made it obvious the sentiment had an effect on him. “Please hear me. It’s not you. It has nothing to do with you. You have my word.”
“Their odd behavior wasn’t about me. Okay. Are they planning a surprise party for someone? Together? And without me? Don’t say it, it must be for me, and it would spoil everything.”
“It’s nowhere near your birthday.”
“So, they’re being standoffish for a completely separate reason. I didn’t graduate from the BFTC in Quantico like you and Liis, and I’m not a math genius like Abby, but I’m not an idiot.”
“I didn’t say you were. Did you stop to think that maybe whatever they were talking about when you walked in was something just between them?”
“Your dad mentioned they might have a secret,” I said, thinking as I spoke.
“Please don’t think too deeply into this. I just don’t want you… It just bothers me that you might think…”
“Thomas, don’t,” I said.
“I’m still your brother-in-law.”
“It’s more complicated than that, and you know it.” The door chimed, and I nodded at the client walking in. “Did it ever occur to you that it makes things worse? Even if we don’t have those feelings anymore, we’re not like everyone else in the family. We have a history, and we have to make sure the people we love now—”
“How am I supposed to stop caring that you’re hurt?”
“It’s not your job to care, Thomas. It’s Trent’s.”
“Are you saying you wouldn’t care if I’m hurt?” he asked, only half-teasing.
“I care, just not the way I’d care if it were my husband. And it’s our responsibility to make sure Liis and Trenton never feel otherwise, because we’re the ones who messed everything up and they trust us never to blur the lines again.”
“Oh my God, Camille. It’s not as if we cheated. We were before them.”
“Trent and I started before you and I officially ended, and you know that. No sense in rewriting history to make ourselves feel better.”
“We hadn’t seen each other in months, and you ended it when you realized you were in love with him. Listen,” he said, sighing. “The reality is that I know you on a deeper level than I know Abby, Falyn, and Ellie. I’ve loved you differently. I can’t just—”
“You can, and I have work to do.” I looked to the client, realizing who it was. I ducked my head, speaking quietly into the receiver. “I’ll let Trent know you called,” I said, lifting my head as I hung up the phone.
Becca Kostas smiled at me and then down at her daughter. “We have an appointment.”
I rested my elbows on the counter and smiled down at the doe-eyed beauty below. “Hi, Cassidy. Today’s the big day, huh?”
“Yep,” she said, touching both ears. “Again.”
Hazel strolled out, already happy to see who was waiting for her in the lobby. “There’s my girl!” she said, leaning down to hug Cassidy. Hazel lifted her off the ground a few feet, growling like a bear, and then stayed leaned over once she lowered Cassidy to her feet. “Third time’s the charm, ya know. And if it’s still not the right time, it’s not the right time.” She grinned and winked.
Cassidy beamed while Becca was busy checking her in on the kiosk. She’d done it twice before, and both times Cassidy had decided—as badly as she wanted her ears pierced—that she was too anxious to go through with it.
Hazel’s patience and knack for making Becca’s little girl feel brave anyway was why, each time Cassidy wanted to try again, Becca kept bringing her back.
Becca and Cassidy had become surrogate family since Cassidy’s father, Brandon Kyle, had been arrested and incarcerated for his role in the underground fights all the Maddox brothers had once participated in. Brandon might’ve gotten away with it, had he not turned on Travis in an attempt to make an immunity deal with the FBI. Trenton and Travis helped her move, I took her to her OB appointments, and we all visited her when Cassidy came into the world. We also attended Becca’s wedding when she married the man who bought the gym she’d owned with Brandon, Lachlan Kostas. I couldn’t blame her. Lachlan was wealthy, kind, and a perfect male specimen with light blond hair, ice blue eyes, and a near Hulk-like physique. His Australian accent, confidence, and charm didn’t hurt, either.
Lachlan didn’t blink an eye that Becca had a newborn, and he and Cassidy shared mutual adoration for each other.
“Look who it is!” Beck said, strolling into the lobby with Sylvie.
“Hey, Casstastic!” Sylvie said. “How are you, beautiful?”
“Good,” Cassidy said, smiling up at her.
“Lach couldn’t come this time?” Hazel asked Becca.
Becca shook her head. “He wanted to. He dropped us off. I thought I was going to have to sneak Xanax into his protein shake. He can’t stand to see his baby cry,” she said, her eyes turning soft as she looked down at her daughter. “He’s practically staked out at the gas station down the street. I’m supposed to text him when it’s done, and he said he’ll be right in.”
“Oh, you a daddy’s girl, huh?” Beck said, gently booping Cassidy on the nose with his index finger.
Cassidy nodded and giggled again.
“Okay, all checked in,” I said, pushing a few buttons on my touchscreen monitor. “You can do it!” I said, my fists in the air.
As Hazel guided Becca and Cassidy down the hall, I heard Trenton greet them, cheering Cassidy on.
He appeared from the hallway, all smiles. “She’s so damn cute. Looks just like Becca.”
“She does,” Sylvie agreed, still staring at the hall.
“Well, she’s not going to look like Lach, now is she?” Beck said.
Sylvie grimaced at him. “I’m just glad her mama doesn’t have to stare into the face of her thug ex every day, that’s all I’m saying.”
“Brandon’s a waffle dick, for sure,” Trenton said. “But he’s a bigger idiot for losing those girls.”
Beck shook his head before tapping his knuckles to Trenton’s. “I hear that. Hey, we’re headed out.”
“See you tomorrow,” I said. “You both have appointments just after lunch.”
Sylvie nodded before following her brother down the hall and out the back door.
Trenton turned to me with a grin, slipping his hands around my waist. “Ain’t gonna be me.”
“You’re a lot of things, but I’ll fight anyone who dares accuse you of being a waffle dick.” I said, locking my fingers behind his neck. “Thomas called.”
“Oh yeah?” he said quietly against my lips. “Was it important?”
“He didn’t say.”
“Then it wasn’t,” Trenton whispered, his lips trailing from mine, across my jawline, and down my neck. “I’ve missed you.”
I breathed out a laugh, leaning away from the wonderful but ticklish feeling his lips and breath combined to make a million goosebumps rise on my flesh. “You just saw me an hour ago. Speaking of, where’s your client?”
“Oh, shit,” he said, rushing down the hall. A few moments later he was back again, pecked me on the lips, and then jogged away.
I touched my mouth and shook my head. It didn’t matter how long we were together, that man always made the proverbial butterflies in my stomach explode into chaos. I meant every word I’d said to Thomas. We did love each other, but it was friendship level in comparison with the way I felt about Trenton. He made me laugh until my stomach hurt, smile until my cheeks hurt, crave him until my thighs hurt, think about him until my brain hurt. Our conversations were ordinary, or deep, or silly, or thoughtful—sometimes all in the same night. I loved his goofy sense of humor, and he thought I was adorable when I was mad. No one else made me feel as loved, as perfect, as beautiful as Trenton Maddox did.
Even if Thomas wasn’t so logical, so rigid, so… Special Agent of the FBI, I still would’ve fallen in love with Trenton. We made sense. Just like Thomas and Liis made sense. She was calculating, stoic, and brilliant. Things I could never be… and wouldn’t want to.
My thoughts drifted to Liis and Abby, and how mysterious and awkward they were being, the papers on the table, and my guess that they were planning a surprise party for someone. Thomas was right, I was reaching with that one. Liis wasn’t the party planning type. Maybe that’s why she had Abby helping her. But for who? After they moved in together, Liis had found a rental in a remote area of the Arizona desert to celebrate Thomas’s birthday, and he’d spent a lot of time there since. The whole family knew if it was the weekend of Thomas’s birthday, that was where they’d be.
Jim’s words played in my mind. So, it’s a secret.
Then Thomas’s words from our earlier call. “…honest to God, Camille. It’s not you… Can you just trust me?”
What were they hiding? What could those two possibly have in common? Something they’d need to keep hidden from me? Their secret wasn’t much of one. Thomas clearly knew. Abby, Liis, and Thomas. I exhaled a sharp breath. It felt right on the tip of my brain.
Thomas and Liis have a secret, their careers at the FBI. Travis is connected to the FBI because of their investigation of the fire. Abby is connected to Travis. What is Abby’s secret that she’d share with Liis, that Thomas would also know about?
I tapped my finger on the counter, deep in thought.
Travis never saw prison time for the fire. Thomas was the likely conduit for his immunity, but the FBI doesn’t just grant favors, even if you’re the golden boy of the Bureau. It wasn’t a huge leap that maybe Travis had been brought into the fold in exchange for immunity, and he is gone a lot. Maybe Thomas made a deal for him to narc on more douchebags like Brandon. I made a face. I didn’t see the FBI giving Travis a pass to bring in small time criminals, even if Thomas was his brother. And that didn’t explain why Abby and Liis would be secretive about a file full of papers spread all over her table. Abby has no tie to the FBI that would explain plans with Liis besides their investigation of Travis, and that’s over. What would be her role in all of…?
Oh. Oh shit! Her dad is Mick Abernathy. Mick had an in with the Carlisis. Travis was going to fight for Benny, so he could easily work for him now undercover. Abby grew up around it all, so she’s… consulting?
I covered my mouth when recognition hit. “Holy shit,” I whispered. “No fucking way.”
Gray clouds darkened the sky, and the trees and bushes outside the glass front wall of Skin Deep began to sway, pulling my mind away from Liis, Abby, and their bigger-than-I-could’ve-imagined secret.
“Thanks, man,” Trenton said, waving goodbye to his client. “Damn,” he said, staring out the windows while perching his hands on his hips. “The weather changed fast.”
I side-eyed him and breathed out a laugh. “You look like your dad.”
Trenton looked down and let his hands fall to his side, and then he rushed behind the counter, enveloping me into his arms. “That was my last one for the night. What are we making for dinner?”
“I’m pooped. Tacos? Or… tacos?”
“Tacos it is,” he said, planting tiny kisses on my neck.
Hazel’s room erupted in cheers, and a few moments later, she swayed into the lobby with her arms wide. “Look at my beautiful little munchkin and her fourteen karat gold ears!”
Cassidy walked out, her brown bob tucked back to show off her slightly red lobes and the glistening gold studs with tiny diamonds nestled inside. Her eyes were red-rimmed and glossy, but with her chest puffed proudly and her chin lifted, she was only feeling the thrill of triumph. Her square, slightly spaced teeth were on full display.
“Cassie, you did it? You did it!” Trenton said, lifting her up and twirling her in a circle.
“Yay!” I said, clapping.
“It didn’t hurt at all!” she said once her feet were back on the ground.
“I’m so proud of you!” Trenton praised, raising his hand for a high-five.
Cassidy slapped her palm against his.
“She was so brave!” Hazel said.
“Not really,” Cassidy said, wiping her eyes.
Trenton leaned down, putting his hands on his knees. “Hey, courage doesn’t mean you’re not scared. Courage is being afraid and doing it, anyway. You can’t be brave without fear.”
“Oh, that’s good,” Hazel said. She pointed at Trenton with one of her extra-long nails while glancing at the rest of us with wide eyes. “That was real good.”
“Do you love them?” Becca asked.
Cassidy nodded.
The door swung open and Lachlan rushed in, a black cap low over his brow, the shoulders of his black IronE Gym T-shirt damp from the rain. “Is she okay?”
“Daddy, look it!” she said, holding her hair back.
“She was so determined this time, Lach, you should’ve seen her,” Becca said, beaming.
Lachlan adjusted his cap, lifting it up a bit and then pulling it back down, clearly emotional. “Did it hurt?”
Cassidy shook her head. “Barely felt it.”
Lachlan handed Becca his wallet and then picked up Cassidy in a bear hug. “I’m so proud of you, nugget!” He carried her out, her legs dangling.
“Did he run here from the gas station?” Hazel asked, still staring at the door.
Becca laughed. “I’m sure he parked the SUV right outside. He’s not going to walk down the road in a storm with his little princess. He was probably pacing in the rain. That man loses all rationale when it comes to her. I thought he looked so intimidating when I first met him, but a month later when I met him at the gym to sign some papers, he held Cassidy the first time, and I watched him melt into a puddle of mush. I have no doubt that Lach would topple an entire nation for that girl.”
“For both of you. And, hey, I get it,” Trenton said. “The first time Olive fell off her bike I wanted to murder the sidewalk.”
I touched Trenton’s cheek and then jutted out my bottom lip. “Aw, honey.”
Becca paid with Lachlan’s card, thanked us all, and then pushed out the door, waiting a few moments while Lachlan opened the passenger side of his Range Rover.
Hazel sighed. “God, they’re perfect. Becca deserves that after everything that chicken bitch did to her and that precious baby.”
Trenton frowned. “For what he almost did to Travis, too. Brandon was never going to be a good husband or father. Him going to jail and making space for Lach to love them the way he does is the best thing that could’ve happened to those girls.”
“Agreed,” Hazel and I said in unison.
“And get your own insults, Hazel. That’s my name for Cal,” Trenton added.
“I heard that!” Calvin said from somewhere in the back.
Hazel flipped off Trenton just before she disappeared in the hallway. “Love you, going home, bye!”
“Hey,” Trenton said, grabbing my hand. “I’ll close up if you want to stop by the store?”
“Yeah, I can do that. I was thinking about stopping by Travis and Abby’s, too.”
“Oh, yeah?” he said, a twinkle of excitement in his eye. “Did she invite you over?”
“I kind of invited myself. Thought I’d… I don’t know. Clear the air.”
A proud smile spread across his face. “What made you decide on that?”
I shrugged. “Your speech on being brave. If I want a good relationship with my sisters, I can’t expect them to do all the work, right?”
“I’m proud of you, nugget.”
I rolled my eyes and kissed him before grabbing my keys. “Love you.”
“Hey. It’s raining…”
“I’ll drive slow and text you when I get to where I’m going.”
“And when you leave? Please?” he called after me.
“Yes, my love,” I called back.
I slid behind the wheel of the 4Runner and blew the damp, errant strands from my face. Travis was at another convention, so it was just Abby and the kids at home. It was a little late to just drop by, but I didn’t want to give Abby time to come up with a story. I also didn’t want to interrupt the kids’ bedtime. But like Trenton said, I had to ignore my fear and do what scared me. Little bothered me more than my sisters being upset with me, and Abby had always been very protective of her family time, but it was a chance I was willing to take. A phone call wouldn’t do.
I had to see her face when she realized I’d figured out what she and Liis had been up to.