Page 96 of The Logic of Loyalty

911 Bobby is here, and he has taken over the meeting. I have a feeling you’re losing the promotion.

“Are you sure? If you need to take care of things, you can.”

He drags his eyes away from the screen, and the expression on his face is determined. “I’m confident that I am exactly where I need to be.”

I finally look at my babies with him, a wide smile playing at my lips the direct result of the choice he just quietly made for me. For us.

“So you think there is a higher chance?”

“Every pregnancy is different, but the probability is higher⁠—”

My phone rings, interrupting Trevor’s interrogation of my doctor. “Goodness, we are popular today.” I start to silence the call, but it’s Bethany, and she’s watching our boy today. “Actually, I need to take this. Is that alright?”

“Sure, of course. I’ll work through Trevor’s ever-growing list of questions.”

I answer the phone quietly from my perch on the exam table. “Beth⁠—”

A choked sob interrupts me from the other end of the line. “They took my car from me! Oh my God. I am so sorry. I was already running late to get him, but then mom calls and-and-and I-I—” Her voice is garbled and breaking up. I can hardly understand her.

“Whoa, honey. What’s going on? Who took your car?”

Trevor is silent and moves closer to me. I place the call on speaker, prompting Dr. Lee to excuse herself without a word.

“My mother!” She shrieks the words, making both of us jump, but Trevor’s face grows serious.

“Where are you?”

“I-I’m at their house. M-Mother said that she would call the police, and-and-and⁠—”

“Shh, shh. Take a deep breath, count to three, and let it out. Jacob is okay. I’ll message Billy, and he can pick up his kids and Jacob at the same time.”

He pulls up Billy’s contact and shoots him a message. Billy sends a thumbs-up emoji almost immediately.

“He’s got Jacob, so tell me where in their house you are, and as soon as we’re done here, we’ll come and get you, alright?” Trevor is calm and in control, making things happen.

“Y-yes. Alright. P-please do. I’m sitting by the road.” Bethany’s voice is quiet and filled with uncertainty.

It’s unseasonably hot today. With her pale skin— “Do you have sunscreen? Is there shade nearby? Do you have water?”

She snorts. “Yeah, I’m okay, Momma Paige. Just”—another deep breath—“she won’t even let me get my things out of it. Everything is still in there, including my purse, and my phone is about to die. My notebook …”

“We’re heading your way right away. The moment this appointment is over, alright? Stay safe.”

“Yeah, I can do that. Thank you, Trevor, Paige.”

“Love you.”

“Love you!”

Trevor and I say it at the same time, and a fuzzy warmth fills me at his show of affection for his sister.

“I-I love you both too. I’ll stay safe.”

She hangs up, and Trevor and I sit in silence. “Let’s get her in the Suburban, please? You’ll come with me?” I ask him, feeling unsure.

He looks at me like I’m crazy for asking, which makes me feel better.

“Absolutely, I will.”