But I can’t.
If I’m going to prove myself to her, that she can trust me and that I’m all in, I need to change the game.
After turning off the TV, I slowly make my way back to my room and sleep off another round of pain meds. They make me so damn drowsy that I can barely see straight. As I sink into the sheets and my body goes numb, my thoughts drift to Viola and the girl who sat up on the rooftop with me when we were just kids.
“What’s your favorite movie?” she asked me, twirling her dark hair around her fingers.
“Hmm…” I thought about it for a moment. “Lord of the Rings, probably. I’ve seen it over a dozen times now.”
She rolled her eyes and sighed. “That’s boring.”
“Well, then tell me yours, if you think it’s so much better than mine.”
She smiled and looked up at the sky that was fading to black. “No laughing,” she warned, and I flashed her a devious smile.
“No promises.”
She glared back at me. “Then I’m not telling you.”
“C’mon, I’m just kidding. What is it?”
She shook her head no and pretended to zip up her lips.
I reached over and poked her in the side where I knew she was ticklish.
“Stop it!” she squealed, her feet kicking toward me. “Fine! I’ll tell you!”
I released her, but the touch of her warm skin on mine doesn’t go unnoticed.
“All right, spill it.”
“13 Going on 30,” she said with a shy look in her eyes. I’d seen her watching that several times since it came out, so I’m not surprised, but that didn’t stop me from teasing her about it.
“That’s because you have a huge crush on Mark Ruffalo!”
“Is not!” She pushed both hands against me, and I laughed.
I snorted. “Typical chick flick.”
“Oh really, Lord of the Rings? That’s a typical guy flick.”
“Men don’t have guy flicks,” I corrected. “We have action movies.”
She rolled her eyes again. “Boring.”
“So are chick flicks,” I countered.
“So you’d never watch a chick flick then?”
“No way. I’d lose my man card.”
The only reason I knew the term ‘man card’ was because Drew had said it several times to me. He mocked me for hanging out with Viola, but I tried to ignore it.
The sound of the front door closing shakes the house and wakes me. I think about the memory and how close Viola and I once were. We had formed a friendship that was bonded and full of trust. I want to feel that again. Most importantly, I want her to feel that again.
“Travis, are you awake?” Drew’s voice comes from the hallway as he knocks quietly on my door.
“Yeah, come on in.” I push myself up and lean against the headboard. “What’s with all the commotion?” I ask once he steps inside.
“Oh, sorry. I went to the gym for a couple of hours after work, and then I did some grocery shopping and bought you a few things.”
I raise my brows. “Really? Getting all domestic for me?”
“You wish,” he spits back. “But I figured you’d get sick of Viola’s PB&J specialty sandwiches pretty soon, so I grabbed you some cans of soup, ramen noodles, and chips.”
“Bon appétit,” I tease.
“I’ll bring dinner home after work tomorrow, but you guys are on your own for breakfast and lunch.”
“Thanks, man. Appreciate it.”
“Hopefully Viola doesn’t strangle you before the week’s over.”
I shrug, hoping he doesn’t see right through me. “I think my charm is starting to win her over.”
He laughs. “Right. That’ll be the day.”
Thumping from the kitchen startles me awake, making me nearly fall off the couch before I realize where I am. A blanket is over me, and I vaguely remember Travis covering me up before I fell deeper.
“Jesus, Drew!” I scold, looking over my shoulder to where the racket is coming from.
He pops his head around the kitchen wall and frowns. “Sorry, I didn’t realize you were catnapping on the couch that you hate sleeping on.”
“Maybe you two should think about getting an upgrade. You’ve had this couch since you were freshmen.” I stand and fold the blanket and throw it over the back. “What the hell are you doing anyway?”
“Unpacking groceries. I figured it was the least I could do for making you help this week.”
“It’s fine. He’ll probably sleep most of the time anyway.” I walk toward the kitchen and see bags covering the counter. “Did you buy out the whole store, or what?”
“Well, I wasn’t sure what you wanted or what you could make without burning it, so I got a little of everything.”
I arch a brow and pout. “Funny.”
He shrugs, unapologetically. “I know.”
I help unpack everything and put it away, although I have no idea where he wants all this stuff, so I just randomly put them in the pantry.
“I’m going to check on Travis,” he says as we finish unpacking. “I have three more bags in the car...if you don’t mind grabbing them?” He flashes a wide grin my direction, knowing I can’t say no.
I groan. “Fine. You better have bought ice cream.”
He winks before walking away and heading down the hall to Travis’s room. I grab the rest of the bags and unload them all before I hear Drew waltz back in. “That was fast.”
“Well, I wasn’t sure where everything went, so I just stuffed them all into the same cupboard.” I flash him an evil smile as I toss the empty bags in the recycling bin. “But I did manage to put the cold items in the fridge.”
“Why do you enjoying messing with my OCD?” I can almost see the twitch in his eyes and laugh.
“Because it’s just too damn easy.”
He groans and begins opening the doors to the cupboards and pantry. “Jesus, Vi.”
“That’s what you get.”
“For what?” he asks with genuine confusion.
“For making me drop by between classes and cutting into my study time,” I throw back in his face even though I don’t mind it that much.
“Well, according to Travis, you’re coming around to his charm.”
My heart begins to race in panic. “What?” I gasp, turning to read his expression. “What’s that mean?”
“Relax,” he says, chuckling at my expense. “You’re so jumpy today.”
“Am not!” I argue, although it’s a childish move.
“Man, I hope Travis lives to see this weekend.” He cracks a grin. “Should’ve warned him he’d be rooming with Aunt Flo, too.”
“Oh my God!” I squeal, throwing the first thing I can reach off the counter.
A banana.
“You’re such an ass sometimes!” The words come out between laughter, so I’m not too convincing. “I am not PMS-ing!”
“Could’ve fooled me,” he teases, throwing the banana back at me.
“Is this some kind of weird family tradition I’m unaware of?” Travis’s question comes from behind me, and the closeness of his body to mine sends a thrill down my spine.