Page 42 of Pulse
“I don’t know. I guess I’d probably make sure Travis is set up for life and then take it day by day.”
My heart squeezes at the look in his eyes when he mentions his brother.
Troy’s said things about Travis here and there. I know his brother exists. I know they have dinner together sometimes. But I don’t know anything deeper.
“Are you close with Travis?” I ask.
He nods.
“He’s your only sibling, right?”
He nods again.
I smile. “We might be here a while. If you don’t start talking, you’ll have to listen to me, which usually irritates you.”
“Excellent point.” He gives me a crooked grin. “Trav is my only brother. We’re pretty close. I don’t see him every day or anything like that, but you know …”
I hop off the counter. “He’s really lucky to have you.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“How do you stay so positive? Just a few hours ago, someone threatened to kill you. And instead of crying on the sofa or freaking the fuck out, you’re …” He shrugs. “You.”
He holds my gaze as I stare at him, internalizing his statement. The warmth of his words, the care in his tone—something I’ve only heard in this way a few times over the years—caresses my heart.
This is the side of Troy that I wish I knew better.
There’s a weak spot, a soft underbelly, and he fights against it. He goes out of his way to prevent anyone from seeing him as anything but a hard-ass.Why?
“What else can I do?” I ask. “I could sit here and obsess over it and convince myself that my life is over. But what good would that do? And what if it’s not even true? What if it’s just Freddy being a prick? Do I let him win?” I grin. “I’m going to turn a lemon into lemonade and enjoy my time here. Even if itiswith you.”
He rolls his eyes, making me laugh.
“To be honest, I’ve been thinking about it all afternoon,” I say. “And the more I mull it over, the more I think it’s Freddy.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I do. This is a little sophisticated for him in a way. But, in a way, it’s not. Who sends an email like that? Someone who’s trying to scare me and upend my life, and the obvious answer is Freddy. Maybe he thinks it will drive me back to him. Who knows?”
Troy clears his throat. “That makes sense. But you do realize, and I’m not trying to scare you here, but there is the possibility that it’s not him and someone else has an agenda, right?”
“Maybe.” I walk to the small window and peer out. The view extends across the backyard to the sandy beach and beyond to the ocean. “Do you think I could go to the beach?”
“With me.”
I laugh. “Do you think you’re going everywhere I go?”
“No.I know it.”
“I’ll be getting a bath this evening,” I say, turning on my heel. The toe of my shoe catches on the rug, and I fly forward into Troy’s arms. “Oof.”
My fingers splay against his chest. His right arm loops around my waist, holding me in place. His body is as hard as a rock, and once reality settles in, my knees weaken.
I’ve never been this close to this man, but I’ve imagined it a million times. It’s better than the best daydream.
I lift my gaze to him, and the energy between us immediately shifts.
