Page 79 of Almost Beautiful (Beautiful 3)

“You’re right, you know,” I offered. “He’s been through a lot, but he can handle it. And he’ll understand you more. Neither of you are going anywhere. Healing together is better than betraying his trust.”

She thought about my words, then nodded. “You’re right. I should tell him. But now he’ll be pissed that I didn’t right away.”

“Do it anyway,” I said. “Better to be late than not at all. And Cami … I really am sorry. I know you guys weren’t ready, but that doesn’t make it any less sad.”

Camille took a bigger bite, staring at her plate while she chewed. “Thank you ... and … Abby? Can we … can we start over? Can we just agree that we both messed up and probably don’t deserve the love we have, and that we’ll work our asses off to reverse that?”

“Oh, we deserve it. They’ve messed up, too. At least, Travis did. Plenty of times.”

Camille chuckled, taking another bite.

“Are you okay, though?” I asked. “I mean, really.”

“I’m okay,” she said with an appreciative grin. “This is exactly what I needed.”

I smiled back at her, for the first time feeling like we were on the same side. “Good. And,” I paused, making sure I meant it before speaking it aloud, “if you need someone to talk to after breaking the news to Trent, you can call me.”

“Really?” Camille said, her eyes glossing over again. She had friends, plenty more that she’d rather share this kind of thing with other than me, but I was sure the gesture was making her emotional more than anything.

I nodded. The moment she’d told me her secret, the suspicion I’d felt vanished. I knew she’d been hiding something. Now that she’d come clean, the feeling I couldn’t shake before was gone.

Not many people would understand what it was like to be loved by a Maddox boy. We had to stick together. I shoveled another piece of pancake into my mouth and smiled at my sister. We had a long life ahead of us. This was just the first day.

When we were done, I stepped out, looking up and shielding my eyes from the warm sun. Just as I took a step forward, I bumped into what felt like Travis.

“Oh! God, I’m so sorry!” I said, squinting to focus.

“Hey,” the man in front of me said. He flashed a grin that also reminded me of Travis, but something in his eyes damn near repelled me. That, and the fact that he’d left the house with the three top buttons of his Oxford shirt undone to show off his hideous gold chain. Coupled with all the gel in his hair, he looked like he came straight from Jersey Shore looking like the discount version of Pauly D.

“Excuse me,” I said, trying to side-step him.

“You’re Abby, right?”

I looked down at his outstretched hand, confused. “Abby Maddox, yes.”

He shoved his hands in his jean pockets. “I’m Travis’s boss, Brandon.”

“Oh,” I said, realizing too late the disdain in my voice.

He chuckled, looking down. Too soon, his eyes were right back on me. “I get it. I’ve earned the reputation I have. Owning a gym is kind of like working at Hooters. The better you flirt, the more money you make.”

I shook my head. “I don’t know anything about that.”

“Congratulations, by the way. Talk about a whirlwind. Travis is a lucky man. I remember when Becca told me she was knocked up. I was over the moon, and crazy in love with her. I don’t know, though, something changed along the way,” he said, shifting his feet. “She just never seems happy anymore. I kill myself at work trying to keep her comfortable, get her whatever she wants. I dunno, I do what I can, but I guess I’m just a dumb guy. Maybe you can give me some pointers.”

I crossed my arms across my middle. “Pregnancy isn’t something I’m familiar with, either.”

He laughed as if I’d said the funniest thing he’d heard all day.

“Well, Abby, it was very nice to meet you. Or should I call you Pidge?”

I shook my head emphatically. “That’s something only Travis calls me. I … wouldn’t.”

He smirked. “I wondered what kind of woman could’ve tamed the famous Travis Maddox.” He scanned me from head to toe. “Now I know.”

“Uh, nice to meet you, too,” I said, trying not to walk too fast to my car.

“I’ll walk you,” he said, jogging after me.