Page 222 of Catch Me
“Former favorite player.”
He laughed, even though he looked like he was going to be sick. I didn’t feel great about the whole thing, either, and I was worried about the outcome, but the cat was already out of the bag and he needed this.
I let go, leaning back, but I kept my eyes on him. As he started to draw again, I watched him work, the way his hands steadied, the way he poured himself into it.
He’d fight. I knew he would. But that fear, that kid he’d been—it was still there, lurking. And I’d be damned if I let anyone drag it out of him again.
After a while, he set the sketchbook down and leaned into me, putting his head on my shoulder. It wasn’t fixed, not even close, but it was something.
It was enough for now.
Chapter 72
Roman
The park near my place was dead quiet, just me, Travis, and Tessa crunching through leaves under a grey sky. It was barely December, cold enough that my breath fogged, and I’d dragged us out here because the apartment felt too small, like the walls were shrinking. Tessa tugged at her leash, sniffing everything, while Travis walked beside me with his hands in his pockets, his Braves cap pulled low.
My mom had called yesterday, and her voice was tighter than usual. She told me that my dad was coming to Seattle, allegedly to fix things. I didn’t know if that meant our relationship or me. I hadn’t said anything to Travis yet, but it was eating me alive.
I kicked a pebble hard enough to send it skittering across the path. “I’m gonna talk to my dad. In person.”
Travis stopped, turning to me. “You sure?”
“No.” I laughed humorlessly, shoving my hands deeper into my jacket. “But he’s coming anyway. He thinks he can fix me, I’m sure.”
He grabbed my arm, pulling me to face him. “He doesn’t get to decide that.”
His eyes were fierce, the brown burning like molten amber, and it hit me how much he meant it. I pulled my tablet from my bag, navigating to a page I’d done last night. It was a shot of me and Travis at the final game, kissing in the stands. It was the moment that sealed my fate, and drawing it had reminded me of my conviction that day.
“This is what matters to me,” I said, holding it up.
Travis took it, and a smile formed on his lips “We face it together.”
I nodded. “I’ll have him come to my studio.”
“Good.” He handed the tablet back, and I tucked it away. “You’re in control, Roman.”
“What if he hates you too?” I asked, the fear slipping out before I could stop it. “He will, you know. He’ll see us and—”
“Let him.” Travis shrugged. “I’ve dealt with worse.”
I stared at him. The wind ruffled his hair, and something loosened in my chest. Not much, but enough.
“Okay,” I said, stepping closer. “Together.”
He dipped his head to kiss me, and I let out a breath through my nose. Tessa circled back to us and whined like the impatient princess she was.
“She’s done with our shit,” I laughed.
Travis snorted. “It’s all the attention lately. Everyone wants her at interviews. She’s even been requested for a damn dog food commercial.”
“Welcome to fame. Looks like you’ve become a household name after all.”
“You jealous, baby?”
I hummed thoughtfully as I took his hand and started walking again. “Depends. If Calvin Klein reaches out, you’ll have to tell them I don’t approve of you being shirtless and posted all over the internet.”
“What if we did it together?”
