Page 64 of Connected By Love
“Okay, thanks.” I wait as I’m put on hold. She comes back on a few seconds later.
“She’s not answering. Did something happen? Did you guys have a fight?”
“No. I dropped her off at her apartment, and she texted me, saying she was going to take a shower before she came back over. It’s been over an hour.” I pace the floor and rake my hand through my hair, trying to keep it together.
I think back to our day and how perfect it was. Nothing indicated that she was upset. She was coming back here tonight. I know it. Then Addy showed up, but I would have heard Sophia if she knocked.
The voices. I stop pacing, and my heart beats wildly against my chest. Tell me Addy didn’t. I think back to how I told her I wanted Sophia as my wife and how I pissed her off when I denied her. Fuck.
“I have a big favor to ask. Is there any way you could come over and stay with Max while I go find Sophia? I think I know what happened. Max’s mom showed up when I got back to my house and I’m pretty sure Addy was the one who met her at the door. God knows what she told her. Max is sleeping, so all you need to do is be here.”
“What the hell, Travis? How did you let that happen? Max’s mom? Does Sophia need to be worried about her being at your house?”
“I was in my office and heard voices. When I came back out, Addy told me she was listening to a voicemail. I didn’t think she would lie about it. And to answer your other question, hell no, she doesn’t have anything to worry about. I’m…I’m in love with her, and I need to find her so I can tell her and make this right.” I wait for her response and pray she believes me.
“I’ll be there in twenty, but I swear to God, you better not be lying about Max’s mom.”
“I’m not. I can promise you that. Thank you, Bella.”
“You’re welcome. See you soon.” I set my phone down and place my hands on the kitchen counter. I bow my head and try to ease this tightness in my chest. What did Addy say to her to make her leave? I know one thing for sure. I won’t let Addy fuck up the one good thing I let my heart finally have.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Sophia
I don’t knowhow long I’ve sat here just staring out at the water. My mind and body feel numb, not quite knowing how I’m going to get through this. I need to talk to Travis, but part of me is terrified of what he might say. Now that Max’s mom is back, it changes everything. If any part of him wants to make it work for Max, I can’t stand in the way of them being a family. Max means too much to me to put my own needs first.
I hear the roar of the engine and a single headlight tearing down the road before it slows down and comes to a stop by my parked car. I see Travis quickly remove his helmet before walking over. Standing up, I watch him approach me, stopping inches in front of me. His eyes burn from the storm and turmoil within them.
Even though a million thoughts go through my head at the sight of him, I find myself worrying about Max. “Where’s Max?” I look back at his motorcycle. I know he must be sleeping now, and Travis didn’t take his truck, so he’s not with him.
“Bella and Maverick are at my house watching him. Do youhave any idea how worried I’ve been about you? I’ve been calling you nonstop. You couldn’t at least text me to tell me you’re okay? Fuck, Sophia. I’ve been going out of my mind for the past hour looking for you at every place I could think of that you might be.”
“I accidentally left my phone at my apartment.”
I hear him sigh and take a deep breath. I know he’s trying to calm down before talking to me. The silence weighs heavy on me and I wish with everything in me we could go back to our last night here and how I felt in that moment. “I didn’t know Addy was going to show up like that. What did she say…”
“I need to say something first.” I cut him off and wrap my arms around myself to try and find some comfort to ease the pain I know it’s going to cause. “I need you to listen and not interrupt me, okay? I will only be able to get this out once. Please,” I whisper.
I see him nod, and I close my eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath before continuing. “Addy told me that she’s back and how she wants to work on things with you.” I hold up my hand when he starts to speak, silencing him. He bites back what he was about to say and gives me my space to say what I need to get this off my chest. “If there is any part of you that wants to try for Max, I want you to do it. Max deserves to have his mom and dad together if there is any chance of you two working it out. I’m going to step aside and remove myself from the picture…for Max.” My words break on the last part, and I am barely able to get it out. Pain slices through me, but I know I’m doing the right thing. I have to put him first.
“Are you done?” He asks when I finish. I nod my head, and he steps closer to me, invading my space. I close my eyes tight as tears silently fall down my cheeks. I feel his thumb come out to swipe them away. “Open your eyes for me, wildcat,” he says softly.
I open them and blink back the tears. “Don’t make this harder than it needs to be,” I whisper.
“It’s my turn to talk, and I need you to listen very carefully to what I’m about to say.” He rubs his thumb across my cheek, and I force myself not to throw myself in his arms, needing to feel them around. I want him to tell me that this is just a nightmare that I’ll wake up from, and everything will be perfect again.
“Addy and I are over. We have been for a very long time. I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you would put aside your own needs for Max, but there’s one problem. I’m not letting the girl that I love walk away with my heart. I need that girl to stay with me and Max because if anyone can show Max what it means to be a family, it would be her.”
My heart beats fast against my chest as his words sink in. He gives me a small smile and weaves his hands in my hair, bringing my face close to his.
“I love you, wildcat. Deep down, I know I’ve been in love with you the moment you grabbed me in the hallway and had your way with me.” I let out a small laugh, and a smile plays on his lips. “So you see, I can’t let you remove yourself from my picture because you are what brings color to my canvas. Without you, there is no picture to draw.”
The tears flow freely down my face now as his words flow through me. “I love you too, so very much,” I say, crying from relief and joy that he feels the same way about me. “You and Max have had my heart from the beginning.”
He breaks off the last word as his lips crush mine. Taking his time, he kisses me with everything in him, and I gladly give him everything back. “I love you so fucking much,” he breathes against my lips before his tongue finds mine again. He lifts me up and my legs go around his waist as my hands dive into his hair.
“I need you, Travis,” I say in between kisses. “I thought I was going to lose you. I need to be as close as I can get to you. Please…I need to feel you in me to know this is real.”
