Page 10 of Good Girls Don't Date Rock Stars (Rock Canyon, Idaho 2)

“No, not really. What about you?”

Pleased, he flashed her a wide grin. “Nope, not seeing anyone.” The silence stretched between them. “How are your parents?”

The small smile on her lips dissolved, replaced by sadness and pain. “My dad died of a heart attack.”

Reaching across the table, he took her hand. “Gemma, I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay; it’s been five years, and we were never really that close anyway,” she said, focusing on her menu.

Travis remembered how turbulent the relationship between Gemma and her dad had been. Dick Carlson had been the morning show host at the local radio station, and although he was amazing on the air, amiable and funny, he was the complete opposite at home. He’d once sat in her room listening to the old man scream at her for so long, it had taken all his willpower not to walk out there and deck him. Most of the time the guy had been okay, but when he was angry, her father was like the Hulk. Nobody wanted to see him like that.

Travis squeezed her hand, sorry that he’d brought it up.

“And your mom? Does she still live in town?” he asked.

“No. My mom moved to Boise to be closer to James, Drew, Dawn, and their families. She said she couldn’t stay alone in that house without Dad. So I took over her mortgage payments, got a loan, and now I’m a home owner. Yay, me.” Her laugh was a little forced, and it reminded him of all the times she’d brushed off a bullying comment someone had made about her. Gemma had always feigned indifference when he knew it really tore her up inside.

Wanting to get back the light atmosphere, he changed the subject. “Are you still friends with Mike and Gracie?”

“Yes, I am,” she said, her tone and demeanor brightening. “Gracie bought the coffee shop and renamed it The Local Bean, and Michael has his own computer business. We head out to Buck’s Shot Bar once a week for drinks, or to Hank’s for karaoke.” Smiling, she added, “You know, Buck still has a picture of you and the rest of the guys from the band up on his wall.”

Laughing, Travis said, “Ah, Buck’s. I miss that place. Used my first fake ID there, and he threw my ass out ten seconds later.”

“I remember. I had to come down and talk him out of calling the cops,” she said, shaking her head.

“I remember a pair of Toby Keith concert tickets being involved to bribe him. And you convinced him that he’d be better off using me for free entertainment.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Afterward, I believe we went down to that spot down by the river and you let me—”

“Travis!?

? Gemma blurted, squeezing his hand hard.

Laughing, he brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed her knuckles lightly, ignoring her attempt to jerk her hand back in surprise. “If it hadn’t been for you, I might not have made it out of high school, let alone had the career I’ve had. I owe you.”

Gemma’s eyes drifted down, but she stopped trying to pull away. “You deserved it. You’re very talented, Travis.”

“So, I take it you bought a couple of my CDS?” he asked.

“Try all of them and your movie. I thought they were amazing.” The smile she gave him was sweet and soft. How many times had he closed his eyes and seen that exact smile? Too many to count.

When they’d been friends, Gemma had been his biggest fan, pumping him up when he’d been ready to quit, and he’d adored her for it. In return, he would have died before letting anyone hurt her, and those that had dared had ended up with their asses kicked. If there was one thing he couldn’t stand, it was a bully.

Sure, he’d been just a dumb kid in love, but he was a man now, and those feelings were still there between them. If only he could get her to forgive him for not fighting harder. He should have followed her back to Rock Canyon and not given up until they’d at least had closure. They might not have stayed together anyway, but they wouldn’t be in this awkward limbo of polite conversation and stolen touches either.

But really, she should have believed me when I told her nothing had happened.

It was true they’d both made mistakes, but they’d both been young, too. And now they had both grown up.

Only one thing hadn’t changed: when he touched Gemma, she still felt like his.

AFTER THEY ORDERED, Travis continued to ask Gemma about what she’d been doing for the last ten years, and she was exhausted. She’d nearly mentioned Charlie half a dozen times. It was hard to hold back such a big part of her life, but the only other option was telling Travis.

His life is way too crazy to include a kid; what happens the first time he blows Charlie off for an interview?

The thought of her happy child being hurt sent cold fury through her body, strengthening her resolve. She wasn’t trying to be cruel, but she had to put Charlie first.

But is sitting here eating lunch with his dad putting Charlie first?

If he knew she’d seen Travis and didn’t tell him, Charlie would be brokenhearted anyway.

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