Page 67 of Accidentally Forever
“That sounds like a damn fine plan for me.”
After the authorities had spoken to Travis, I received a few more threatening texts. We’d sent them to the authorities as well though there was nothing inherently dangerous about them according to the people in charge. Crew wasn’t sure he believed that. And frankly, I wasn’t sure either. Travis wasn’t in his right mind. I didn’t know what he was capable of anymore. But after those initial texts, he hadn’t contacted me again. Nor had he spoken to anyone in my family from what I could tell.
It was as if he had vanished in these past weeks. And while part of me was relieved because I didn’t have to deal with him, the rest of me was worried. And no matter how many times I told myself it wasn’t my problem,I wasn’t going to stop worrying. He had been my friend for years. And he was in trouble.
“If you want, I can have the private detective I hired see if he could help Travis.”
I blinked, looking over at the man I loved. “Your detective is just trying to figure out who did that to your cars, right?”
“You could’ve been at the house. You could have been hurt. And I don’t like thinking about that. So of course I’m going to try to figure it out on my own. I know the guy looked Travis up, but it isn’t like he is following him around or anything.”
I moved my hand, so it was over his on my thigh and squeezed. “Sometimes I feel like you can read my mind.”
“I’ve been wanting you for so long, sometimes it feels as if I can.”
I smiled at him as we pulled into the parking lot of the gallery. “That sounds creepily sexy. And I don’t know what that says about me.”
He barked out a laugh as he turned off the engine. “Well, your creepily sexy boyfriend will do anything you want him to.”
“I love you.”
Crew leaned forward and brushed his lips againstmine. “I love you too.”
“But back to your offer. I think following Travis is just going to make things worse. Which hurts to say.”
“Anything you want.”
“Well that’s a loaded statement.”
He snorted, and we got out of the SUV and headed toward the main building. Someone shifted out of the shadows, and Crew immediately put me behind him, his shoulders tense.
“You ruined everything,” Travis spat as he jumped at Crew.
I staggered back as the ghost of my friend swung his arm wildly, trying to punch Crew. “Travis! Stop.”
“You don’t get to be happy. You left me alone. How could you do this?” Travis asked, his voice high-pitched. He punched out at Crew again, and Crew just moved out of the way, before shifting quickly to the other side. He had Travis’s arms pinned behind him, the man I had thought was my friend kicking wildly.
“If you don’t stop, I’m going to break your fucking arm.”
My eyes widened at Crew, but I didn’t blame him for the threat. Not right now. I heard people running in the distance, and I figured my cousins who worked at the security side of the building were on their way. After all, this place was covered in cameras.
“Don’t you threaten me. I should have thrown youin jail. There are so many things I could’ve done to you. Look what he’s doing to me, Aria! All you care about is spreading your legs for him.”
“Travis. Let us help you.” He had to be high on something, his eyes wide, his body so thin. It looked as if he’d lost another twenty pounds. He had already had a small frame. Now he just looked like a shadow of who he had been.
Ford and Noah were there, arms outstretched because I knew they wanted to help the situation. But Crew seem to have it in hand.
“I don’t need your help. If you had wanted to help me, you wouldn’t have sent your pet cops at me. Wouldn’t have left me alone. But you’re nothing. I never want to talk to you again.”
“But youarehere. Let us help you. Travis. I know you’re angry. I know nothing makes sense. But if you are hurting, let us help.”
He spat at my feet before kicking Crew in the knee.
My boyfriend didn’t move, instead he just growled under his breath. “There’s nothing you can do right now. You need to stop, Travis.”
“Come on, Travis, let’s get you a cup of coffee,” Ford said calmly.
“I’mfine. I don’t need your help. I will come back. I don’t need you anymore, Aria. You never came when Ineeded you in the first place. So why do I need you now?” Travis just tugged himself away, and for some reason Crew let him go.
