“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…”
Chapter 27
Nash
Breeding is the mating of animals to produce offspring. The same is true of humans. We fuck, we reproduce, and then there’s a new generation waiting to follow in our footsteps.
