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My shoulders drop. “Nothing. I thought you knew something.”
Her face twists. “I don’t know anything. What happened tonight? Why’d you call Danny?”
“My ex arrested James. Danny called in a favor from the mayor.”
“Perry Adams?” Rose balks and then her eyes narrow. “There’s definitely trouble afoot, Beau,” she says, and it’s fucking hilarious. “What’s so funny?”
“There’s always trouble afoot, you nut.”
“It’s something more. Danny said there’s a way out, but he’s being cagey. The last time he was cagey, I went through hell.”
I hum, thinking. A way out. How? And does James know about it? Surely not if he asked me if I wanted to leave tonight. What the hell is going on, and why are Danny and James suddenly so hostile toward each other? My thoughts are disturbed when my cell rings, and I stare at the screen, my heart picking up pace. It’s past midnight. I see Dad rubbing at his chest. I see his pale face.
“Dad,” I say, answering. “Are you okay?”
“Is this some kind of joke?” he asks, sounding outraged. I’m stumped, my mouth still hanging open to speak. “An invite to their wedding next week?”
I swing my stare to Rose, who backs up. “What?”
“An invite,” I murmur, waiting for her to catch on. “To the wedding.” Does Danny fucking hate me?
“What?” Rose blurts.
“It’s a damn insult,” Dad bellows. “I’m a respectable businessman and he’s a criminal!”
My whole being deflates. I am so done having this conversation. I was actually worried about him. “I’ll graciously accept your decline, Dad. Your absence is expected.” I stab at the screen with my thumb. “Why the hell would he invite my fath—” I pull up, thinking. And it clicks. “Distraction.”
“Huh?” Rose frowns.
“They’re trying to distract me.”
“Well, what about me? You’re not the only one smelling something iffy. I told you they were planning something.”
“You’re the bride,” I point out. “They don’t need to distract you because everyone else will.” Her attention will be demanded left and right.
“So my wedding really is going to be a decoy?” Her indignance is palpable.
“Looks like it.” I face the kitchen where the men are all inside, my senses tingling.
“The asshole,” Rose breathes. “What do we do?”
“What can we do?”
“God damn it, tomorrow is supposed to be a vacation from the shit.” She huffs and puffs, and then she’s looking at me with a sorrowful expression that I one hundred percent don’t like. “I need to talk to you about something else.”
“What?” I ask, as she takes my hand and leads me to the staircase.
“If it’s too much,” she says, lowering to the step and taking me with her. “I can talk to him.”
“What’s too much? And who’s him?”
“Danny wants to announce about the baby.” Her lips twist. “Now.”
My stomach turns painfully, and I try with everything I have not to let the stab of pain show on my face.
“Doc scanned me earlier,” she goes on quietly, unsure, and I hate that, yet I’m incapable of fixing it. “I’m over twelve weeks.”
Past the most likely period of miscarrying. Unless you get shot. “Of course.” I scramble for the right words, scramble harder for the smile I need to give Rose. The one she needs too. But I’m feeling so mixed, struggling with my emotions, fighting to show my elation for her while hiding my devastation for me. My head and my body are at war, my mind screaming to speak, my body wanting to curl into a hopeless ball. “You absolutely must.” I grab her hand and squeeze. This is her time. Full of hope. Full of positivity. Unlawful men aside. “And enjoy every second of it.” I smile and pull her in for a hug. I never want her to feel bad for being happy. Like always, I’m fighting it hard not to project my desolation on others, especially not on Rose. This is a miracle for her. And still, I fight to hold back my tears. And I fight hard. “Do you think he can wait until I’m back?”
“Why? Where are you going?” She pulls away, her face worried and questioning.
“I need to take my meds.” I shamelessly circle my stomach. “I think I’ve overdone it today, what with bachelorette parties, arrests, and trying to pull my pregnant best friend off a strip pole.”
Rose laughs, laying a palm over her forehead. “Obviously, I want to die.”
I lean in quickly and kiss her cheek. “Obviously. Tell Danny to wait for me before he breaks the news.” I jump up quickly and take the stairs fast. “I want to be there.” I’m holding back the dam as I hurry down the corridor, and as soon as I’m in our room alone, I fill the silent space with my sobs, clenching my face with my palms and sliding down the wood to my ass, sounding as hopeless as I’m sure I look. And the pain in my stomach just won’t relent. Won’t go away. For just a moment, I had what Rose has. That awe. That fear. That uncertain joy. That was mine. And even though fucking James in the car centered us again, I feel this aching, devastating tear inside my soul. Every other pain is forgotten with this fresh agony.
