“I admire the man he’s grown to be, and have no doubt in my mind that these two are going to have many years of happiness.”
He raises his glass. “To Travis and Charlotte.”
The room repeats him, and Travis leans down to kiss me before we clink glasses and swallow the bubbly liquid.
We stand around munching on appetizers and sipping champagne. I can’t stop smiling, seeing all the people who are here for us.
When the food is gone, the younger ones go out to the bar for some dancing. I’ve drunk enough to be perfectly tipsy and have a blast dancing with Meara and Mary. Travis comes out when a slower song comes on; otherwise, he hangs at the bar with the guys.
Every time I look over at him, he’s already looking at me.
“You two are disgusting!” Meara shouts over the music while jumping along to the beat.
“Shut up! We’re in love.”
“So what? Liam and I are in love, and we can at least stand on the other side of the room without eye fucking each other the whole time.”
I wordlessly flip her off and turn back around to look at my fiancé again. I step on Mary’s toes as I stumble back. Britney’s got her arms around Travis’ neck, and I can see her rubbing on him as he tries to pry her hands off.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” Meara says, anger laced in her voice.
“Hell, no.” I didn’t have the courage earlier to be confrontational, but you can bet your ass I’m doing it now.
The fury must be evident on my face, because people part for me like the Red Sea. My girls are flanking me on either side as I tap her on her shoulder. I make a point not to look at Travis, because I think I’d chicken out.
She turns around and eyes my skinny jeans, tank top, and flats with disgust.
“What?” Her ever-present red nail twirls her fake blond hair while she chomps on her gum.
“Do you mind removing your hand from my fiancé?”
She laughs and turns to look at him before talking to me again. “Wow. You’re engaged.”
I nod. Finally able to look at Travis, he’s looking at me with relief, and my heart squeezes. The unspoken words ‘thank you for trusting me’ are loud and clear.
“You’re a lucky girl,” she says, smiling. “I wonder if he fucks you as hard as he did me? I don’t think I’ve ever been fucked so good in my life.”
Meara and Mary gasp beside me, but I watch as Travis’ face falls, and shame filters through his eyes.
She continues spewing her venom at me while I drag my eyes from his to her overly made-up face. I don’t register what she’s saying because all I see and hear right now is red. My fist flies on its own accord, and I connect with the side of her face. Blood drips down her cheek, and she immediately starts crying.
“Ahh!” she screams. “Call the police, she hit me!” She holds her cheek and looks around, desperate for someone to help her.
“Why would you want us to do that?” Meara asks. “You pushed her, she was only defending herself.” Murmurs of agreement sound from all directions.
“I did not! You’re lying. You’re all liars.” Her bloodshot eyes search for a friendly face, but when nobody steps up, she runs out the front door, crying.
“Nice hook,” Pierce says, raising his fist for me to bump. I absently raise mine to his and watch out of the corner of my eye as everyone slowly walks away. I’m glad all of the parents are still in the other room and didn't have to see that.
I’m not sure what I’m feeling right now. Embarrassed, proud, hurt, and mad.
“Char—” Travis starts.
Holding up my hand, I cut him off, “Don’t. I just… I need a minute.”
Turning the opposite direction as Britney, I walk to the back door, avoiding eye contact with anyone. Flinging the door open, I rest against the brick in the alley.
“I’m sorry,” Travis says from the doorway. The steel door slams shut, and I hunch down, resting my hands on my knees.
“I’ve never hit anyone in my life.”
“Well, you did a great job for your first time,” he jokes. His shoes come into view, and my eyes roam up his body until they meet his.
“I’m sorry,” he says. “It was after—”
“No. Don’t. I don't want to hear it. We both have pasts.”
Relief flashes in his eyes, and he leans on the wall next to me. He reaches out for my hand, and when he feels my fingers, he intertwines them with mine. Both our heads turn and when we look at each other, laughter erupts from my throat.
“What?”
“I can't believe I hit her.”
“I would have done the same thing if a guy said that to me.” He shrugs.
“Yeah?”
“It was hot.”
I laugh again. “You would say that.” I nudge his shoulder with mine.
“It’s true.” He raises our hands and kisses my knuckles. “Do you need ice?”
I pull my hand out of his and open and close my fist. It’s a little sore, but I think I’ll live. “Nah, I’m fine.” I push off the wall. “We should probably get back.”
He nods and follows behind me. As I’m reaching for the knob, he grabs my shoulders and pulls me into his hard chest. “When I’m with you, inside you, the world disappears. Life makes sense and my mistakes are forgiven.” He turns me so I’m looking at him. “Do you understand what I’m telling you?”
“Yeah.” He’s saying Britney is a bitch, and she meant nothing to him. I get that, but it’s still tough to know she’s had a part of him that I so desperately want all to myself.
He’s looking beyond my eyes, and chills run up my spine at the intensity. “Good. Because nobody compares to you, sweetheart. Nobody.”
Chapter 26
Travis
I SWALLOW THE KNOT in my throat as I stand in the secluded room, staring at the space they occupy. Finally growing some balls, I turn and sit down across from them. The soft music filters through the speakers and the sun shines through stained glass, coloring the gray-carpeted floor.
I look around, and when I’m confident I’m alone, I begin talking. “Hey, baby. I’m sorry I haven’t visited you.” I stand again, too uneasy to sit still.
“I don’t really know what eight-year-old little girls like to play with, but I brought you this teddy bear.” I awkwardly set the plush toy below the stone with Tammy’s name on it. “I hope you like it.”
I shake my head and blink away the tears. This is the first time I’ve been here. Guilt spears through me for not coming to see my baby sooner, but I wasn’t ready before.
“I think about you and miss you every day. I hope you know I never forgot you.”
Fuck. I wipe my eyes again and pace, before looking directly at Tammy’s name.
“I was so mad at you,” I tell her remains. There is no mention of the baby written on the stone inside the mausoleum. It’s like she was never pregnant, and that pisses me off. “But I can’t be anymore. I’m getting married. I thought I’d moved on, but I realized I never told you that I forgive you.”
A bitter laugh escapes me. “This is more for me than for you, but I do. I forgive you. I wish there had been another way. I fucking wish you would have talked to me.”