Page 99 of Love Me Forever

"It's just that, you know, being here, I can't stop myself from comparing my family to yours. Gran just said that I'm part of your family, and I can't wrap my mind around that."

"That's because you are." he said. "No matter what happens, you are."

The pang in my chest intensified. I understood what he meant. Even if we didn't work out, I was somehow still part of the family because of the baby. But even though I was happy that they were embracing the nugget anyway, I got nauseous at the idea of me not being together with Travis anymore and coming to these parties and seeing him with someone else.

"Mom messaged me," I said, deciding to lay it all out.

"What did she want?"

I sighed, biting into the corn.

After swallowing, I said, "Money. I think she wants to gamble again. It's the only time she doesn’t give me details."

"Let me handle her," he said.

I shook my head vehemently. "Of course not. She's my mom. I've got to deal with her. Honestly, there's nothing to do. I've learned that with her, it's best to just ignore her and not even reply to her messages."

"Babe—”

“No," I insisted.

He was staring at me, and I could tell he was planning to employ his persuasion skills on me, but he never got a chance because Paisley went into the middle of the yard and announced, "Everyone, pay attention. Grandma Lena, I've got a surprise for you. You're getting a makeup session inside here." She pointed with her thumb over her shoulder at her tree house.

"Damn, my niece is inventive," Travis murmured.

“Isn’t it freezing in there?” I asked. It was nice outside, but only in the sun.

“It’s insulated,” he replied.

Lena was smiling from ear to ear. “That sounds lovely, dear. Let's go up," she told Paisley.

"Anyone else want to have their makeup done afterward?" Paisley asked, looking around hopefully.

I stood up. "I will."

"No, you won't," Travis nearly growled. He was on his feet too.

I turned to look at him. "What do you mean?"

"See that ladder that goes up to the tree house?"

"Yes," I replied.

“You're not getting on it."

Stubborn man."Why not?"

"It's dangerous." He spoke through his teeth.

I pressed my lips together, trying to hold back laughter. He was being very overprotective!

Tate, who was nearest to us, said, "Well, brother, I think you're matching Declan in intensity level."

"No, I think he just surpassed me," Declan added. He was next to the grill, but clearly everyone in the family had the hearing equivalency of a bat.

"I think it's cute," Lexi said from next to Tate. Winking at Paisley, she said, "Come on, I'll go with you."

Tate looked at her in alarm. "No."

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