Page 175 of Tied to You
“Hi,” he says tenderly. It’s the softness I remember him being capable of.
“Come on up.” I hold the buzzer long enough for him to open the door downstairs. Unsure whether I should wait here or go further in, I look around nervously, checking everything’s in place.
He won’t care. Relax.
I can hear Henry talking to me. Losing him has been so difficult.
Heavy steps sound outside the door, and I take a glance at the picture of our family. Riley was only five. It was around the time we found out Henry was sick. He gave up everything for us, cared for us when he didn’t have to…
You’re stalling.
“I’m scared,” I whisper to myself, my heart rate quickening.
This is the best thing for all of you.
Tears fill my eyes. “Thank you.”
I can picture Henry’s face, a wide smile stretching across his handsome features.You don’t have to thank me. Now go. He’s waiting for you.
“I’ll never forget you.”
I know.
The door knocks, and I wipe under my eyes, quickly checking my reflection in the mirror. Turning to the door, I brace myself before opening it, all air getting caught in my lungs when I see him.
Travis smiles, albeit small. He’s unsure. Scared, just like me. I’m not sure how long we get trapped simply looking at each other, but when he lifts a hand to scratch the back of his neck, I blink myself out of his trance.
“You going to let me in?” he asks uncertainly.
Shit. “Sorry.” I shake my head, stepping back, moving to let him past.
He steps inside, looking around the place before he turns to face me. We get caught again. Fuck, is it going to be like this every time we look at each other? “You, uh, kept your key.”
My eyes flick down. I kept my… “Oh, right, yeah,” I stammer, my hands going in my back pockets, “I guess I did.” Of course I did. My half our whole. I’m too scared to ask if he has his. “Do you want to come through?” I hold a shaky hand out, gesturing toward the kitchen.
He nods, and I walk, letting him follow me. I can feel his eyes burning into the back of me. “Nice place you’ve got here.”
I laugh under my breath, making it to the kitchen, turning to face him. “You mean my, what was it you said?” I lift my finger to my lips, tapping them a few times. “Sheltered, fancy high rise, I think you called it.”
Travis hangs his head, an embarrassed smile pulling his lips wide. “Fuck, I’m sorry.”
My head mirrors his, my playfulness dwindling. “It’s okay.” This placehasbeen my shelter ever since we bought it.
He looks up. “It’s good to see you, Mollie. Properly, I mean.”
I lift the kettle, and he nods at me. “You too.” This is the longest we’ve gone talking without one of us starting a fight. Filling it with water, I click on the kettle and turn to face him. “How’s Dean?”
Travis points at one of the chairs. “May I?”
“Of course.”
He pulls out his phone and his keys, placing them on the table before he sits.
I note his half of the keyring, and he raises a small smile watching me see it as I step closer on the other side of the breakfast island, closing the seemingly vast space between us.
My heart swells. He kept it.
“He’s not out of the woods yet. Mads is still refusing to leave his side.”
