“Well, then it’s a shame you gambled away my trust on someone who meant nothing to you.”
“Don’t say that, Viola. Please. I would never hurt you.” He grabs my hand and secures it between both of his over his chest.
“You already have, Travis.”
“Viola, please.”
Tears fall down my cheeks, and I don’t even have enough strength to wipe them away. “How can a relationship work if there’s no trust?” I ask, and he doesn’t answer. “It can’t.” I pull my hand back, and he reluctantly releases it.
“I will do whatever it takes to gain your trust back, but I promise, you have nothing to worry about. The one-night stands, the girls, and guys’ nights out—I’m done with all that.”
I shake my head and close my eyes. “It’s too late, Travis. I can’t do this again. I’ve given you my heart and have been in love with you for so long that I just can’t let you throw me away again.”
“That’s the first time you’ve ever said that.” His voice is low, and when I look back up at him, I can see he’s crying, too.
“And it’ll be the last.”
“Viola…”
I reach for the door and slide inside, shutting it behind me. He’s looking at me with his hands behind his head—his eyes red and swollen—and I can’t fight back the tears. I shift the car into reverse, and once I’m able, I shift again and watch him in my rearview mirror. He’s bent over, his knees supporting the weight of his hands as he shakes his head.
My heart is lying in that driveway, shattered into a million pieces, and I’m not sure it’ll ever beat right again.
Chapter 13
Travis
Viola’s graduation is tonight, and she hasn’t responded to any of my messages, calls, or emails. It’s been over a week. It’s killing me. I need her so fucking bad. It feels like I can’t breathe without her in my life. As much as it makes me sound like a pussy and an asshole, I don’t think I’ve ever truly felt this way before.
After Viola had stormed out, Drew sent Mia home, and he’s barely looked at me since. The fact that he’s more pissed about me being with his sister than the situation with Mia says a lot about their relationship, but that doesn’t matter because she’s full of shit. She always has been. I’m pissed that I ever supported their toxic relationship because somehow it’s bled into and affected my own.
On top of that, Alyssa has started coming around my office again, offering me her “services,” and it’s taken all of my willpower to calmly ask her to leave instead of kicking her ass out like I so badly want. I’m actually proud of myself for keeping my composure, considering my world is rocking on its axis.
This week fucking blows.
And fuck! I miss Viola.
She should be here with this fucking dog and me. Gryff whines all night long, wakes me up at least three times to go outside, and barks at every car or person who goes by. The little fucker sleeps all day and then wants to play all damn night. I can’t even be mad at him for being so damn annoying because he reminds me of her. When I think about how much she loved him, it makes me smile. He even still smells like her, so when he climbs up on my bed and nuzzles his way under the covers, I wake up with her scent surrounding me, and it’s fucking torture.
Not trying to be a crazy ex, but somehow seeming like one, I parked outside her dorm one night, hoping I’d catch her walking in or out, but she never did. I’m not sure what I would have said to her anyway, so it’s probably best she didn’t. I figure she’s probably staying with Courtney, but I don’t know where she lives, so I’m stuck begging over voicemail for her to return my calls. I’ve left so many messages that her voicemail eventually became too full to receive any more.
I need her to let me explain, to tell her the whole truth and not Mia’s twisted version of the truth. She has every right to be mad at me, but I can’t bear the thought of her flying across the country without seeing or speaking with her first. So even though Drew has made his feelings loud and clear to me about coming to her ceremony tonight, he can’t stop me. Their family is coming, too, so it’s not like she’ll be able to deny my existence.
I’m gone before he arrives home and find myself mindlessly driving around before I end up at the parking lot with a dozen red roses and a card. I scribble a note inside the card and will give it to her whether she wants it or not.
So many smiling faces are walking into the auditorium, and I try really hard to play the part. A lump forms in my throat knowing I will see her for the first time in over a week. Over the years, I’ve given her a million reasons not to trust me, but this time, my innocence is so fucking tragic that Shakespeare could have written it.
Right before the ceremony starts, I find a place to sit. The venue is crowded, and lots of people are holding signs for their loved ones. After the commencement speech, the announcer begins calling names by departments. My body goes rigid when I hear Viola Fisher followed by summa cum laude. Not that I ever doubted her, but she received the highest honors and I’m genuinely happy for her and so proud. The smile on her face grows, and the tears in her eyes form as she walks across that stage. She’s wanted this for so long, and now the time has come. I wouldn’t have missed this moment for the world.
Hooting and hollering and sounds from air horns come from an opposite corner of the room, and I instantly spot Viola’s parents and Drew. And it fucking hurts not to be sitting with them. They’ve always been my second family, and now I’m the outcast.
Viola sees them, raises her diploma with a fist pump, and walks back to her chair. On top of her graduation cap, I’m pretty sure it says Mischief Managed in golden letters. I can’t help but laugh at her Harry Potter nerdiness.
The next name that strikes my attention is Courtney Bishop, magna cum laude. Holy shit, she’s a little nerd, too. Well, who would’ve guessed that? Courtney walks across the stage with her long blond hair in waves and big high heels, and she treats it like a catwalk. A bunch of high-pitched whistles ring out close to me, and I turn and see what must be her entire family. Most of the men are wearing cowboy hats, and the women’s hair is heaven high. I can’t help but chuckle.
Once the students exit, I watch Viola glance around the room, as if she’s looking for someone. Me, maybe? I want to stand and yell her name, but I stop myself. The time begins to pass quicker, knowing I will see her face-to-face in a matter of minutes. I watch Drew and his dad make their way down the stairs, followed by Viola’s mom and stepdad. Though there are tons of people in the room, I keep my eyes on them, knowing Viola will be searching for them, too. I head outside where everyone is huddled, waiting for their loved ones, and when I turn the corner, I see her. Our eyes lock, and the smile on her face fades. It’s just the two of us in a sea of people, and all I want to do is kiss the fuck out of her. Instead, I tuck my lips inside my mouth and force my way through the crowd toward her. She gently shakes her head, giving me a silent warning, but I don’t care.
Before I’m able to mutter a word, Drew steps up and hugs Viola, pretending I’m not there. Viola looks at him and looks at me, and it breaks my fucking heart that she’s in this situation, which was exactly what she was worried about. Apparently, I’m a liar and betrayed my best friend. It was never supposed to end this way.