Redemption(55)

It was evident how Annie had been lured in by his charm and charisma, but I knew he couldn’t be trusted. Somehow, the way he looked at women, when he made eye contact, they all fell into his trance, myself included. His eyes were hypnotic, and I finally understood why it had been so difficult for her to break free. The way he spoke of her, to a stranger, clearly indicated he still harbored feelings, but I kept my thoughts to myself as he recounted how they’d met.

Lynn rolled her eyes at the stories he told before she finally intervened. “You seem to have a very distorted recollection of how events took place, Gray. Let’s not idealize or romanticize your relationship with Annie.”

She was trying to remain calm, but it was clear she would put him in his place if need be.

“Gray, this isn’t about you tonight. She’s not yours, and neither is that baby.” Lynn took a protective stance next to me, as though she thought she had to shield me from Gray’s trance.

He didn’t have a chance to respond before Dan came up beside him and ushered him away from the group to talk to him. I watched the way Dan’s expression changed, the way his hands and arms became animated in what I assumed was a warning. It was difficult to see Gray’s face, but the way he casually tipped his beer back as he listened to Dan indicated he wasn’t taking the words to heart. Just before Dan walked away, Gray held both his hands up as if surrendering to Dan. I hoped he’d gotten through to Annie’s ex. I could only imagine what his caution entailed knowing how much he cared for his best friend’s wife, how much he loved me, and how critical the safety of this baby was to all of us.

Before I could think any further into what was going on, Dan left Gray to rejoin us. He took my hand and pulled me away, excusing us from Annie’s friends.

“Brett and Annie just pulled up.” Dan kissed the top of my head and rubbed his hand on my belly. He’d taken to soothing me and comforting himself by rubbing my swollen stomach. It was hard to believe he was developing an attachment to the baby, but it couldn’t be anything else.

I tried not to enjoy it. There was no point in playing house. This wasn’t our child, and it never would be our child. Dan had ensured he wouldn’t have any, and I didn’t deserve any. I needed to be grateful for the unconditional love he showed me and find comfort in his embrace—it would always be just the two of us.

“Gray’s here. And he’s been drinking. I talked to him, and he assured me he was here to celebrate with you guys. Swore up and down he wouldn’t cause any problems. I didn’t want to make an issue of it with so many people here from the DC who weren’t around during his tenure with your wife.” The tone in which Dan issued the warning to our friends clearly indicated he believed Brett should proceed with caution.

Brett’s eyes flashed with anger, and his jaw tensed.

“Easy, man. I meant nothing by that.”

“I know. I’m just on edge with him here. He brings out the worst in me, and with Annie and Lissa—the babies.”

I caught it, but Dan didn’t. He said babies. Plural.

Annie had a secret.

My eyes darted from Brett to his wife, but she was staring off into the distance, and it didn’t take a rocket scientist to know she was staring at Gray. With my attention honed in on my friend, I missed Dan being pulled away by a coworker. Annie grabbed my hand, and together we made rounds. She introduced me to the people she knew, including Brett’s parents and her own. She seemed more comfortable with his, but I knew she had a strained relationship with hers. They’d just started to come around when the two got married, but it had been a slow progression and one Annie didn’t seem all that interested in diving into.

I didn’t bother to pry. My parents and I had parted company—I certainly wasn’t in a position to judge. I hoped for her sake she mended those fences for the baby, or babies if I’d heard correctly. Grandparents were important to the life of a child. But if she didn’t, I knew Annie would ensure this child got everything it needed and was showered with love.

I wasn’t terribly good with people I didn’t know. I put on a show with Annie’s friends because she loved them, but everyone else here was a stranger I wasn’t interested in buddying up with. As the night wore on, people consumed far more alcohol than food, and the crowd got louder and louder. Brett caught Annie’s attention, but she held firm standing with her friends refusing to join him.

Suddenly, Dan had come up behind me to put his arms around my ever-growing belly and hollered over the noise in the restaurant. “Y’all shut the hell up. My man’s got something to say.”

Brett was near the entrance to the building, while Annie and I, along with Dan, were closer to the kitchen. I saw Gray out of the corner of my eye but remained focused on Brett. Brett held his hands up to quiet the room, and everyone moved in closer to hear him. I’d lost sight of Annie with the people crowding around us but knew Lynn, Jenny, and Scarlett were with her.

“Annie and I are grateful to Lissa for her sacrifice and Dan for sacrificing Lissa. We love you both!” The grin that spread across his face was one of pure joy. And the guys again erupted in a raucous noise and inappropriate cat calls. He raised his hands to regain control. “But what no one here knows is, Annie is sixteen weeks pregnant.”

I stood in shock. I’d suspected it when Brett bobbled his words, but I hadn’t really expected it. And I certainly didn’t think I’d hear the news along with everyone else. It stung. I thought Annie and I were closer than that. But I guess we all have secrets. I wasn’t any different.