“Why? I mean…I know that he has a reputation for being an ass, but his shows do well.”
“As I said, women are coming out of the woodwork all of a sudden.”
There’s something in her tone that tells me she knows more. “Syd?”
“Don’t ask. Just know that whatever he decides isn’t going to fly. So, there’s that. Gavin has said that Garrett’s screwed.”
Grady’s twin is a wicked good lawyer, so he probably made sure the contract was ironclad. “Good.”
“So, let’s talk other things.”
I sigh. “I don’t know what’s going on. He’s been weird. Like how he just acted toward Carter. I mean, they used to be friendly.”
“Jealousy.”
I roll my eyes. “Come on, Syd. You know better. He’s not jealous over me.”
“Uh, yeah he is. You know he had a crush on you in high school. And college.”
“And he outgrew it. Seriously.”
She scoots the end of the bed and leans forward to look at me. “Let me tell you what I see.”
I nod but don’t say anything. I hide behind my mug, sipping at my coffee, trying to stop the thrumming pulse in my neck.
“You started working together on the show. You saw him as your BFF’s little brother. And then, you didn’t. Probably because you had to coach him through all the episodes.”
My eyes widen. “What?”
She shakes her head. “You know everyone tells me everything, right? I knew, but you had it handled, and I felt it was between the two of you. So, there you are that first season, he needs you, but you also start seeing him as a man, not that little annoying twat who tagged along when we were behaving inappropriately. How close am I?”
I shrug.
“There you are, with a guy that you know better than anyone but me, and you fall for him. Mainly because he’s a good guy. Sure, he’s been an ass the last eighteen months or so, but he’s really one of the decent guys. And you fall hard. Don’t think I noticed you staying out of the dating pool for the most part. How close am I?”
“If I say pretty close, are you going to be smug?”
She shakes her head. “You’re both hurting and you’re both my family. It’s killing me not to kick his ass over it.”
“Don’t. Please.”
“Now, tell me about this new girl. What has he said about her?”
“The one from Amarillo?” She nods. “Nothing really. Just that she was a buffer. He never explained that.”
Her expression clears. “That’s what I thought. They’re all buffers.”
Her tone tells me that she thinks she revealed something amazing, but I’m still a little stumped. “What?”
“All those women were buffers because he still loves you. He thinks that you would never accept him.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“Nope. I don’t think so. It’s a theory I’ve had for a while and I thought to keep it to myself. But you two are being dumbasses.”
“Hey!”
She shrugs. “Seriously. So stupid.”
“Says the woman who had a crush on Grady for how long.”
“I did not have a crush on him. My lady parts did, as all lady parts should. Well, unless the lady parts in question go for other lady parts.”
“You can say lesbian.”
She snorts. “I didn’t want it to mess up my theme. But, back to you and Travis. I love you both, and I hate to see you in so much pain. Just know that some of his actions might have been out of desperation. He would never step over that line.”
“Line?”
“Please, tell me you aren’t that dense, Nancy.”
She only uses that tone when she’s irritated. “I must be because I don’t know what the hell you are talking about.”
“He’s still got a thing for you. But you’re forbidden fruit.”
I roll my eyes, irritated with the hope that has my heart beating out of control. I want that to be true, but all of his behavior tells a different story.
“Don’t tell me that you fall for that crap about pulling pigtails means a guy likes you.”
She shakes her head. “That’s not really what he does now, is it?”
“No, he disrespects me. That shit got old really fast. The women, well, that I can deal with.” That’s a lie, and the expression on Syd’s face tell me she knows I’m lying. “It’s the way he talks down to me. The he-man shtick has pushed me too far.”
“Yeah, I agree.”
We have suffered together. No matter what industry you are in, being a woman isn’t easy. For Syd, she had more than a few of her bosses come on to her. It’s one of the reasons she was so pissed off about being attracted to Grady. Thinking about Grady makes me think of Carter and Travis’ behavior around him.
“Do you really think he’s jealous of Carter?”
“He’s jealous with a capital J.”
“That’s absurd.”
“No, it isn’t. Carter represents so much Travis feels he lacks. He came from money—much like you. He’s successful and smart. It helps with his family but let’s be honest, he would probably be a billionaire without them.”
I nod. “But Travis is wildly successful.”
“He still sees himself as trailer trash deep down. And that’s another reason he feels he’s not good enough for you.”
I snort, then realize she’s not joking. “Syd? I don’t make you feel like that, do I?”
She shakes her head, but her face is somber. “It’s harder for Travis. I know a lot of people see the man he is today, but you know how shitty our family life was. He feels that he doesn’t measure up sometimes. I know he’ll say different, and you know that I have no overt problems with my background, but even I have doubts at times. It has nothing to do with what you or anyone else does. We didn’t just grow up poor. We grew up without any love. Just us, that’s it. You know.”
I nod. Their grandfather took them in when their mother had been deemed incapable of taking care of them, but he was a horrible person who resented both of them. It was not an easy life for either sibling.
“Look at us now though,” she says, smiling. “We both have careers we love, and I have so many shoes I make the most insane real housewife look normal. Travis loves that show, loves what you two do together. Just remember that as you work this out. And in the end, always remember that if he can’t be professional, you have every right to walk away.”
I nod and smile. “You got it.”
“So, I hear LuLu is in so much trouble thanks to the LOLs.”
I laugh and the atmosphere of worry seems to lift slightly. It’s still there, bothering me, bothering both of us I’m sure, but instead of letting it pull me back down, I smile and start telling her about the latest gossip.
Chapter Seventeen
Travis
We arrive at the Mason Jar just before noon and it’s packed. Thankfully, Nancy called ahead to make sure we could get a table. Their takeout is just as good as eating there in person, but Mason had assured her they would save us one of their big tables. As we settle at the long table that seats six, I make sure to get a seat next to hers. Unfortunately, Carter sits on the other side of her. I ignore him and look around at the restaurant. It’s housed in what used to be the train depot. The train no longer stops here, but Mason was smart enough to use the location’s history in the decor. We helped him when he renovated, and it was Nancy’s suggestion to keep the historical presence front and center. The arched windows were here when we arrived, as were the brick and wooden floors. It was amazing that it had stood open for over ten years, but it had been well taken care of. With just a little work, we made it shine, if I do say so myself. It was one of the first projects we worked on together. I glance over at her and she notices.