Page 52 of Travis

“Hey, why don’t you call Buck and invite him to the wedding?” Hanna suggests. “I think we could use a fun guy like that there.”

“Yeah, seeing as ninety-five percent of our guests are business contacts.” Liam states with a playful snort.

“You mean most of these people aren’t your friends?” Greg asks.

Liam shakes his head. “No, actually. I mean, a lot of them are coming, but the majority of our guests are people me and Hanna and her folks know through our businesses.”

“Do you want to invite more friends?” I ask. “It may be too late at this point, but it’s worth a try.”

“Well, that’s why I’d like to ask this Buck guy. He seems like fun.” Hanna comments.

“But won’t your friends be upset if you invite someone you’ve never met over choosing them?” I point out.

Hanna stares at her hands. “The truth is I don’t have a lot of friends that aren’t through business. Liam’s my best friend.”

Liam goes over and gives her a hug. “It’s funny how high school kids seem to flock to the kids with the bread, but then spread like they’re running away from a fire when said kids with bread need them for something.”

Then Greg pipes up and asks a question that makes the hair on my neck stand up. “So, how did you two meet? And, when did you start to get serious?”

Chapter 15

Travis

Buckhasgoneallout, I must say. He’s got all sorts of party games set up all over his house. It looks more like a frat house than a family dwelling, even though he’s single. Buck’s house is large enough to host large events, with a huge family area, which is on the main floor, and visible from outside. He spares no expense with his house, either, with cathedral ceilings and every square inch inside being either wood or leather. There are tiny white Christmas lights laced into everything through a string of garland. It looks great.

Four tables are set in the middle of the room, while a wet bar is off to the side, and conversational clusters of chairs and small tables are dispersed haphazardly. The bedrooms are on one side of the house, while the dining area, office, workout room, and powder room, are on the opposite side. The kitchen is behind the large entertaining area. He’s got an all season porch outside, too, and he uses that when he’s not using the family room. For a leather boot and accessory maker, he sure packs a punch.

All of Laura’s family are here, of course, plus the ranch hands, and my family. But it’s when Becky and Sara show up, that I find my real smile. “Hey, darlin’.” I say to Becky, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for coming.”

“What about me? Am I chopped liver?” Sara blurts teasingly.

“Never mind the two of you, I’m the dude with the gift.” Ron says, thumbing at himself. Little Macey is over playing with baby Grant. She loves little kids. I give Sara a kiss on the cheek and I take the gift that Ron has in his hand.

“Just what in the hell did y’all get me, anyway? You know the ropes here, buddy. No gifts.”

“Ah, it’s nothing special.” Ron waves. “Open it later.”

“Fair enough.” I nod, setting the box down on a nearby table.

I’m so glad Becky is here. I can feel the grin on my face. Sara’s gaze splits between me and Becky. “Well, let’s go mingle, babe.” She says to Ron. And I feel like that’s for my benefit. She can read me like a book.

As soon as they’re out of earshot, I pull Becky close, not caring if she pulls away or not. “I’m glad you’re here.” I murmur, watching her face change between a combination of trepidation and something else I can’t pinpoint. “You okay?”

“I’m fine.” She says too quickly.

I search her eyes. “It wouldn’t be a birthday without you, Becky.” My voice is almost a whisper. “I miss you.”

I wish like hell that I could read her mind. There’s something in her eyes, but it’s not the fire that I saw the night that we made love at Macey’s birthday party. It’s…fear? Nerves?

Then she says something that catches me completely off guard.

Becky

Coming here was a mistake. I know it the second I arrive and Travis pulls me to him. I feel like everyone is staring at us, wondering what our deal is. Are we broken up? Back together? What is Travis’s ex-wife doing at Travis’s birthday party? Shouldn’t a new girlfriend be here instead? He’s quite the catch, he should have another woman by now, what with the women that would love to be with him now that bitchy Becky is out of the picture. Why I’m thinking these things is beyond me. My stomach is rolling at the thoughts, and I stop myself from inwardly admitting that Travis holding me feels good.

So, instead of telling him that he shouldn’t be making a spectacle of us, I throw him something out of left field. I don’t even know where it comes from, but it comes out of my mouth, nonetheless. My words are cutting and snide. “Travis, just what did you say to Greg at the house that night that you were there?” I lift a hand before he can respond. “No, forget it. Just…stay out of my business, Travis. It is not your place anymore to stick up for me.”

He swallows, digesting what I just said. “Well, that’s where you’re wrong, Becky.” He argues kindly, licking his lips. “It doesn’t matter what happens between us, darlin’. I’ll always be sticking up for you when I think that someone’s trying to take you for a ride.”

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