Page 32 of Faking it With the Player Next Door

Travis’ eyes flicked over to me for the first time, and his smirk widened. “So, this is the new guy, huh? What’s his name again?”

The way he said it, like I didn’t matter as Taylor had somehow traded down—it took everything in me not to punch him right there. But I held back, catching the warning in Taylor’s eyes.

Travis shrugged, clearly enjoying the situation. “You traded down, sweetheart. But that’s what happens when you can’t handle the real thing.”

I took another step forward, unable to keep the anger out of my voice. “You heard her, Travis. Leave.”

Travis looked between us, that smug grin never leaving his face. But he didn’t push it any further. “Fine. I’ll be around, sweetheart. Don’t think you can avoid me forever.”

He turned and walked away, and I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I’d been holding. Every part of me wanted to go after him, to finish what he’d started, but Taylor’s quiet voice stopped me.

“I… I need a minute,” she whispered, not looking at me before retreating into the house and locking the door behind her.

I stood there for a moment, staring after her, heart pounding.

The night I had carefully planned shattered, and I didn’t know how to handle the mess of emotions that replaced it. I grabbed my jacket and keys and headed for the tavern without thinking.

I needed space. I needed a drink.

***

Sitting at the bar, I stared at my half-empty beer, the frustration still simmering. The noise of the tavern blurred into the background as I kept replaying the scene in my head—Travis showing up, the way Taylor had tensed up, the look in her eyes. I hated it.

I hated him.

I felt eyes on me. The usual tingling of attention. It didn’t take long for someone to notice me whenever I walked into a place like this. Normally, I’d be okay with it, maybe even signing an autograph or taking a picture. But not tonight. I kept my eyes on my drink, hoping whoever it was would get the message and leave me alone.

The barstool next to me creaked as someone sat down. I didn’t bother looking until I heard Hunter’s voice. “Van? What are you doing here alone? Where’s Taylor?”

I sighed, rubbing a hand over my face. “She’s home.”

Hunter studied me for a second, clearly sensing something was off. “Something happened?”

I hesitated, then finally glanced over at him. “Travis showed up tonight.”

His reaction was immediate. Hunter’s eyes narrowed, and his jaw clenched. “Travis? That scumbag is in town?”

I nodded, feeling the anger rise again. “Yeah. He showed up at her place like he still had some kind of claim on her. Like nothing ever happened.”

Hunter slammed his drink down on the bar, fury flashing in his eyes. “That guy has some nerve. Where is he? I’ll deal with him.”

I grabbed his arm before he could get up. “He’s gone. He already left.”

Hunter muttered under his breath, but settled back onto the stool, still seething. “Unbelievable. After everything he did to her, he thinks he can just show up like that?”

I nodded, taking another sip of my beer. “It was bad, Hunter. The way Taylor reacted… I’ve never seen her like that.”

His expression softened, concern flickering in his eyes. “Taylor’s been through a lot, man. Travis messed her up. Took her a while to get back on her feet.”

Hearing the protectiveness in Hunter’s voice only made me feel worse. I hadn’t realized how deep the scars went, how much she’d already been through. And now I was making it worse. Between Ellie showing up, the lies, the confusion—I felt like I was pushing Taylor back into the same hurt she’d just barely crawled out of.

Hunter’s voice broke through my thoughts. More serious now. “Look, Van, I gotta ask. What’s going on with Ellie? Is she still in Coleman?”

“I don’t know, man.”

He frowned, clearly not satisfied with that answer. “Taylor has said little, but I can tell something’s bothering her. I think she’s beginning to see you the same way she sees Travis. And that’s not a good place to be.”

My stomach dropped. “Ellie and I… it’s over. It has been for a while, as I said last time. I haven’t even talked to her since she showed up at my place a few days ago.”

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