Page 56 of Travis

“He came along with Hanna and Liam. I introduced them to Buck and he invited them. I guess Greg jumped at the chance. He must have come over just when he thought that they’d be leaving for Buck’s.”

“Asshole.”

“That’s putting it mildly.”

“Becky, I sure hope y’all are showing him the door after this.”

“Sara, I can’t. He’s got Chris, and I need a goddamn photographer.” I say, frustrated. “I haven’t got a choice. He’s got to stay until after the wedding.”

She purses her lips, unimpressed. “Well…keep the asshole on a short leash until then.”

“Believe me, I’m trying to.”

We hear voices coming down the hall, and then Ron, Travis and Grayson appear. “How are we all doing here?” Grayson asks me.

“I puked.” I shrug. “It just keeps getting better.”

“The lab has let me know that they’re just doing the analysis of your blood now. I’ll go get you some Gravol in the meantime.” He says, as he takes the sick basin away and leaves.

“Thanks, Grayson.” Sara says. And I notice that she steps out of the way for Travis, while she goes to the other side of the bed with Ron.

“Gosh, y’all would think you got your hands on this place.” Ron comments. “People are sure getting into the Christmas spirit this year.”

“I’ll say.” Sara agrees. “It’s kind of nice, though, isn’t it?”

“I think, this year, we can all use a little extra Christmas spirit.” Travis says, taking his hand in mine. Then he looks at me. “How are y’all feeling, darlin’?”

I think about it for a moment, and then I shake my head. “I don’t know.” Is the only answer I have. I have a million things to do, so many people to answer to right now, and this is the last place that I need to be, and the very last thing that I need to be dealing with. But I guess that’s how it works, right? Nothing ever happens when you want it to happen, and everything always comes at the worst of times. I think they call it Murphy’s Law. Damn Murphy.

“I’ll go give daddy a call.” Sara says. “Make sure mama isn’t driving him nuts.”

“I’ll go see if Grayson’s got that Gravol.” Ron states. And I get the feeling that they want me and Travis to be alone…a lot.

Once they leave, he draws in a deep breath and releases it. “You need anything, darlin’?”

“To not be here.” I scoff.

“Nobody ever wants to be in a hospital, Becky.” He says warmly.

“I know that, Travis.” I say, irritated.

He just smiles at me, despite my cutting tone. Why doesn’t he ever get angry at me? I am being such a bitch, and he’s just taking it all in. Sometimes I wish he’d just bite back. But his dinner plate eyes tell the tale. And I back off. Sara comes in a few minutes later. “They’re playing a video game.”

“Mama, too?” I chuckle, shocked.

“Like I said, I think daddy slipped her some brandy.”

Travis scoffs, grinning. “That I’d pay to see. Remember that whole ‘I will Survive’ incident?”

I look at Travis. He’s been in my life almost my whole life. He has almost the same history as I do. The same memories. Funny thing is, he cherishes the ones that I cherish, and I can tell by the smile on his face. I’m looking at him admiringly when Ron walks in, with Grayson in tow. “Okay, there are far too many people in this room.” Grayson states. He’s all business, with a file folder in his hand, and I’m guessing that my test results are back. “Sara, Ron, y’all want to step out for a moment, please?”

Sara pipes up, and I want to crawl into the nearest hole. “Grayson, anything y’all have to say, you can say it in front of us. We’re her family.”

A look that I’ve never seen before comes over Grayson’s face. “Sara, with all due respect, y’all need to step out.”

My stomach drops. This is not good news. My hands start to shake. I can feel my chin quiver. Travis interlaces his fingers through mine and it gives me a slight comfort, but I don’t think that anyone is ever prepared for the worst, are they? I feel like I need the sick basin again, but it isn’t there, so I swallow the bile back down again.

“Alright, fine.” Sara seethes, pursing her lips, looking him up and down, like he just insulted her, and I guess he did.

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