Almost Beautiful, page 28
“I don’t know. You don’t really say cute.”
She shrugged. “Well, I don’t think another word would suffice.”
Liis’s phone beeped, and she checked it. The smallest flicker of concern shadowed her face, and then she stepped away from the sink to make eye contact with Thomas, who looked up from checking his phone.
Travis was staring down at his, a frown on his face.
Liis put her phone away and continued rinsing dishes, and I gathered courage for what I would say next.
“Travis doesn’t quite have his poker face down—not like you and Thomas.”
Liis paused, the water still running over her hands. “What?”
The counter dug into my hip as I leaned against it. I crossed my arms. “C’mon Liis. You don’t believe I’m that clueless. Travis comes home from conferences with a busted eyebrow and lip. Fading bruises on his jaw and cheekbones. Cut and swollen knuckles.”
“Really? That’s odd,” Liis said, trying to seem busy again.
“You know what’s really odd?” I asked, crossing my hands across my middle. “Last month when Travis was in Philly and I got in that fender bender? Kostas came to help, and while we were waiting for the police to take the photos, he got a text message. From you.”
“Who?”
“Kostas,” I said, watching the wheels turn behind her eyes. “He’s always … around. But not. Almost like he keeps an eye on me for Travis when he’s gone.”
Liis grinned. “That’s kind of sweet. I can see Travis doing that.”
“Strange how he swooped in and bought Iron E from Becca, and then decided Travis was his go-to for conventions. And … he never goes.”
“You think so?”
“You know who else calls Kostas sometimes? Val Taber.”
“You’re saying these names like I should know them.”
“Liis,” I said, lowering my voice. “When you and Thomas visited last Christmas, you left your badge on your belt. It was hidden by your blazer, but when you leaned in to hug Jim, the lights glinted off the metal.”
She looked at me and chuckled. “Badge? What kind of badge?”
“Your federal badge.”
She burst into laughter. “Abby! You crack me up!”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “Travis was just let off the hook because they wanted Brandon instead? You don’t really think I’m that stupid. I know everything there is to know about Mick and Benny and his associates. Why haven’t you asked me to help? Why Travis?”
“Abby …”
“I want my husband home. And you’re going to help me.”
She glanced over my shoulder, and then met my gaze. “Help with what?”
“I’m going to get intel on my father, and in turn on Benny, and help you wrap this up so I get my husband back. Whatever agreement you have with him for immunity, him fighting for Benny, it’s going to stop.”
“You can’t be serious.”
I closed my eyes. “Just … stop,” I said, trying to stay calm. “Stop lying to me. Travis is forced to every time he leaves town. You’re going to help me do this, or I’m going to blow your cover.”
Liis leaned in. I’d finally gotten her attention. “Abby, you don’t understand how dangerous that is. You could get Travis killed.”
I sighed, finally hearing the truth. “I don’t mean with Benny.” I pointed with my thumb behind me. “Those boys made a promise to their dad not to go into law enforcement. I know it’s important to Thomas to keep up the façade. You help me help Travis, and we can all keep pretending for Jim.”
“That is a bad idea.”
As tiny as Liis was, she could be intimidating when she wanted to, I’d give her that. But I wasn’t backing down. It had taken me this long to figure it out and now that I had confirmation, I was going to convince her to help.
“This day will end in one of two ways. Either you and I have an understanding, or Thomas will have a lot of explaining to do. And when they find out he’s recruited Travis against his will and forced him to lie to me …”
“Okay,” Liis snapped. She took a deep breath and relaxed her shoulders. “Okay. But it’s going to be a long conversation, a lot of planning, and … Jesus, I could lose my job over this.”
I shot her a dubious look. “For me trying to repair my relationship with my father? Good luck to anyone trying to prove otherwise.”
Liis shook her head. “Abby, this is extremely dangerous. Travis wouldn’t want you getting involved.”
“You’re talking to me like these people didn’t pop in and out of my entire childhood. I know them better than anyone, and I know how to navigate the dark side of Vegas. This is what I know. You should’ve asked me in the first place. Travis wouldn’t be trading punches for a living … or whatever the hell else you have him doing.”
Liis thought about that. “You make a good point. But we’re still going to strategize, think of every possible scenario.”
“Deal,” I said. “Thank you.”
She closed her eyes and shook her head, frustrated. “Don’t thank me for this. This is … Just don’t thank me.”
We finished the dishes in silence, and then Jim called us into the living room. He held two bottles of champagne, walking around as he filled everyone’s cups.
I held up my hand. “I’m good, Dad, but thank you.”
“You’re not going to drink to your graduation?” Travis asked.
“I’m stuffed, and champagne will make it worse.”
“You want something else?”
I glanced at the liquor cabinet, then shook my head. “I have water. I’m fine, but thank you, baby.”
Jim held up his glass. “To my favorite nephew, Shepley and our darling America, my favorite niece—”
“Your only niece,” she teased.
“And still our favorite,” Jim said. “Shepley, you have always been the peacekeeper. Without you, I don’t know where Travis would be. You’ve always understood him in ways no one else did. You’re loyal, caring, and steadfast. You are good to your girl, to your friends, and family. You have become an outstanding man, and we couldn’t be prouder.
“And America, you are the apple of Shepley’s eye, you light up every room you walk into. You are a fierce protector of those you love. We love you both, and we’re more than just lucky that Shep’s brought you into our family. We’re better for it.”
“You’re damn right,” Jack said, raising his glass higher.
We all took a sip, and Jim held up his whiskey glass again. “And Abby … the Maddox family’s first daughter. Our little ray of sunshine. The woman who is the glue that keeps us all together, organizes our holidays, and makes sure her old dad takes his vitamins. We love you, Abby, we’re proud of you, and if my sweetheart were here, Diane would say … congratulations, our darling. You’ve outdone yourself.”
“Here, here!” Travis said, lifting his glass higher.
Everyone took a sip, and then I raised my glass. “Jim, your words, as always, are perfection. Please allow me to add a bonus toast to my best friend.”
“Bonus toast!” Trenton yelled.
I looked to America. “You came with me to Eastern State to keep me on the straight and narrow, and you shoved me at one-hundred miles per hour into Travis Maddox.”
Thomas choked out a laugh, making the rest of the family burst into laughter.
Travis frowned. “Hey …”
“We’ve studied together, walked to class together, eaten lunches and dinners and brunches together, we’ve happy-houred together, cried together, and fell in love together, and these last four years with you, and this family, have been the best of my life thus far. You’re sharp as a tack, you’re undeniably loyal, and you’re going to be one hell of a teacher. Congratulations, my sweet, sweet friend. The world is most definitely better that you’re in it.”
America’s eyes were filled with tears, and then she led everyone in taking another sip.
“And,” I began again, “you’ll all have to forgive me. I borrowed this next toast from my husband.”
Everyone groaned, again moderately offending Travis.
“Hey!” he said.
“Please forgive me for the language, but …” I held up my glass. “To douchebags! And to girls who break your heart.” I pressed my palm to my chest, looking apologetically at Travis. I could tell he was worried where this was going, so I allowed the tiniest of smiles to soften my expression. “And to the absolute fucking horror—when you loathe being the center of attention—of announcing to your entire family … that we’re having a baby.”
The room was silent, and then all eyes were on Travis, who was standing with a confused look on his face.
“We’re … You’re …” he stuttered.
I nodded, beaming. “I’m pregnant.”
“You’re …” His mouth fell open and he looked at all the faces of our family.
America gasped, holding her hand over her mouth.
Travis looked to me, tears in his eyes. “Pigeon …” he choked out. “I’m going to be a dad?”
Jim paused, the realization just hitting him, and then he began to wipe his eyes with his thumb and index finger. “I’m gonna have a grandbaby?”
Jack hugged him to his side. “Congratulations!”
I nodded again, feeling tears burn my eyes. “Two. Two grandbabies.”
Everyone looked at me with confusion.
“We’re …” I sighed, in disbelief myself. “We’re having twins.”
The family exploded into squeals, yelps, and applause. America screamed through her fingers.
Jim was laughing through his tears, elated.
“Two?” Travis asked, holding up his fingers. I nodded, and his bottom lip trembled. Then, he slowly lowered to his knees, hugging me at the waist.
I cradled Travis’s head until he leaned back and kissed my stomach.
“Hey, babies,” he said softly.
My lips pressed into a hard line and my face crumbled. I had seen Travis rage, fall in love, fear for our lives, worry, and I’d seen him at peace. Watching him as he realized he was going to be a father was absolutely my favorite.
He stood and cupped my jaw, kissing me over and over. I wiped the tears from his cheeks, and then he wiped mine before turning to his dad. “You’re going to be a grandpa!”
“Hell yes I am!” Jim exalted, hugging us both.
The family cheered again, then took turns congratulating us. We hugged, and hugged, and hugged some more.
My sisters were crying, and then my brothers began to shed happy tears, too.
That moment was what I’d dreamed of my entire childhood. The love I felt from everyone in that room was my highest hope, and because I fell in love with an unpredictable, hot-tempered, tattooed ladies’ man who no one could have imagined would’ve ever settled down, my life was more beautiful than even the most perfect wish I could’ve made.
About the Author
Jamie McGuire is the #1 New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Walking Disaster, the Maddox Brothers series, the Providence trilogy, and the international bestseller Beautiful Disaster, which paved the way for the new-adult genre. She was the first independent author in history to strike a print deal with retail giant Walmart, and her work has been translated into fifty languages. She lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with her three children. To learn more about Jamie, visit www.jamiemcguire.com.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my mother who has supported me in so many ways this year. You’re selfless, patient, and taught me to be the strong, independent woman I am, and that I can face any challenge and come out on the other side stronger and wiser. Thank you for always being there for me;
To Jessica Landers, for everything. You run my businesses, my day-to-day, and you’ve literally saved my life this year—one of the most difficult years of my life—more than once. You never tire of my late night, tearful calls, and aren’t afraid to demand that I not give up. You’re compassionate, yet know when to issue tough love. There is not enough thank you’s in the world to honor the kind of friend you’ve been to me. I’m here today because of you, and that is no small act of kindness;
To my Wednesday night besties, our weekly story times have gotten me through many dark moments this last year. I had no idea when I started a subscription service to read chapters of my book once a week that I’d develop lifelong friendships. Your support has been invaluable to me. I appreciate your love and understanding, your encouragement and advice.;
To Mark, my business partner, dear friend, and brother. Your advice and encouragement have been invaluable, thank you for always having my back;
To Hailey, you are the best daughter a mother could ask for. You are everything I’ve ever wanted to be, you inspire me daily, and you’ve supported me and held me through some very long nights. I love you more than I could ever say.
Jamie McGuire, Almost Beautiful
