Page 9 of Forbid Me
“How did you know that?” I question as I stir my coffee and take my first sip.
“I may have seen you both being dropped off in the early hours of the morning,” she says with a shrug, putting the basket down on the kitchen table.
“Oh no, did I wake you?”
“No, I was already awake. So, as much as you might not want to discuss this with your mother, have you and Travis finally figured it out?” she asks, and my mouth drops open a little in surprise, to which she chuckles.
“How did you—”
“Honey, it was plain as day to anyone with eyes that you both love each other,” she tells me, and I feel bloody stupid that it seems me and Trav were the last ones to see it.
“Oh.”
“I’ll take that as a yes,” she says, as she bends to pull some washing out of the machine. When she’s finished loading the basket, she picks it up and carries it to the back door, before turning around and saying, “Don’t forget to invite him round here for dinner sometime, we’ve missed seeing him too.” And then she disappears into the back garden, leaving me flabbergasted. Well, fuck.
Travis: Come over to mine at 8pm x
Charlotte: Yes, sir *winky face*
Travis: Fuck, call me sir later and see what happens…
Charlotte: Will be sure to keep that in mind x
I let out a girlie shriek at his text message. It’s like the pain and hurt of being with Ryder has evaporated overnight, replaced by the excitement of being with a guy who I know would never intentionally hurt me. It’s refreshing, and Travis is just the tonic I needed.
I spend the rest of the day just chilling at home, texting Suzie to fill her in on the very quick turnaround of mine and Travis’ relationship, to which she called and we had an in-depth discussion about how she always knew we would end up together. Seems we really were the last two to figure it out. First my mother, and then Suzie. Would have been nice for them to have given me a heads-up before now, but like Suzie said, we had to figure it out on our own to accept it.
I know that tongues will be wagging about the Ryder incident last week when we go back to school on Monday, but I refuse to let that bother me, hoping people will finally see Ryder for what he is.
The time ticks by slowly as I anticipate seeing Travis, those butterflies swarming madly once again. I dress in my favourite ‘boyfriend’ jeans, a black vest top, and my favourite pair of trainers. I mean, Travis didn’t say what to wear, but seeing as I’m going to his house, I’m guessing that we’ll be staying there. He’d have told me if we were going out anywhere.
I say a quick goodbye to my parents, and my mum gives me a beaming smile as I leave. I know they’re happy for me. They never liked Ryder, and he never bothered to try and talk to them much on the few occasions when he would come around. Most of the time, I went to his place or we hung out at the local hotspots, anyway, and even that in itself should have thrown up so many questions—ones I’d long since learned to ignore because I never truly wanted to answer them.
I walk along the main road to get to Travis’, because unlike him, I don’t have the height to scale the fence at the back of the garden—plus my parents are unaware that he used to sneak in that way, and for future reference, I’d like to keep it that way.
When I get to his front door, I take a deep breath and knock, excitement and anticipation unfurling inside of me as I wait. And when the door opens, I’m blown away by the sight of him dressed in joggers and a white tank top that shows off his muscular arms. Years of playing sports has given him the perfect body, one that has made me swoon on multiple occasions.
“Hey,” he says, but before I can answer, he’s swooping me up in his arms and carrying me inside, my carefree laughter echoing around the hallway.
“Put me down, you brute,” I tease, and he releases his hold slightly, allowing me to slide down his body until my feet are back on the ground and his lips are covering mine. Oof. This guy. Total dreamboat.
“Hope you’re hungry,” he says when he pulls away and leads me by my hand through to the kitchen.
“Are your parents here?” I ask.
“Nope, it’s just you and me, baby,” he responds playfully, leading me out to the back garden, where my mouth drops open in surprise.
“Oh my god, Travis…” Words die on my lips at the sight before me. There, all around the patio, are candles, battery operated ones, twinkling lights framing the gazebo that covers a blanket underneath, and to the side is a picnic basket, with pillows all along one side.
“You like it?” Travis asks as I feel him stand behind me, his arms wrapping around me and linking around my midriff. I’m aware he’s having to crouch down a little to do this, and the way he makes me feel so protected, so wanted, almost brings tears to my eyes.
“I love it,” I whisper, those tears collecting in the back of my throat from how happy I am. I mean, fuck, this is all so unexpected.
His lips leave a kiss on my cheek, and I take initiative as I turn my face towards his, my lips connecting with his soft ones, our tongues meeting slowly, both of us savouring every second. I turn around in his arms and he lifts me slightly off the ground, carrying me over to the blanket and gently placing me down, him on top of me.
And suddenly, the food is forgotten as I slide my hands down his back, desperate to feel more of him. My fingers grip the bottom of his top, pulling it up slightly, and then he pulls away and looks down at me, saying, “Charlie, there’s no rush.”
“I know, but…” Oh God, does he not want this? That bastard insecurity rears its head, and I fight to push it back down.
