Page 71 of Huge Games

"Why not?" She looks between us, bemused. "Big is good for a man."

I accept the plate, trying to keep my smile suppressed while inside my chest feels hollow. Travis has a great life here. He has so much good that he’s going to leave behind.

"And you eat." She nods at her son. "I’ve made extra for you to take with you."

"I can’t take food through the airport."

She sighs and slumps into a chair before serving herself. Her weariness at the situation scores lines into her forehead. "Elias, you’ll take some with you?"

It’s my instinct to say no, but her need to take care of Travis through me is evident. "Sure. That would beawesome."

We eat, and everything is delicious. Darleen offers me seconds and then tries with thirds, but I’m almost fit to burst. Conversation is light, and rather than feeling like a spare part, I can tell they’re grateful to have me with them to distract them from what’s coming. Halfway through our meal, Gabriella arrives with Kain, Dalton, and Blake. She’s obviously updated them on the situation, and all the men’s expressions are concerned. "Trav, man. You’re seriously going?" Dalton rests his hand on his friend’s shoulder.

"I have to."

"Sit and eat," Darleen says, shoving a plate towards Blake. He accepts it gratefully.

"Dad is coming over in a minute. He’s just washing up."

It’s a hastily organized goodbye meal for a man who doesn’t want to say goodbye.

When I’ve finished what’s left on my plate, I make my excuses to leave, not wanting to invade their privacy any further. I’m handed three large containers filled with food by Darleen, who has glassy eyes. Saying bye feels like a line drawn through an experience I wasn’t looking for and would never have thought I wanted.

At the door, I’m at a loss for what to say, so instead, I slap Travis’s shoulder with my big hand and tell him not to forget us.

As I drive away, I can’t shake the feeling that this is the first step to everything good in my life falling apart.

23

CELINE

Elias calls to say he's outside my building, hours after he left to find Travis. When he knocks on the door, I ask Dornan to open it. I'm exhausted and rung out. The tears I've shed have left my face blotchy and my eyes so swollen I can barely see.

Dornan and Elias have a rapid, hushed conversation that I can't really hear. When Elias enters the room, he makes a beeline for me, squatting next to my bed so he's closer to my level, reaching out to touch my face. "Celine. Don't cry."

I curl up so I'm facing away from him, not wanting him to see my face in this state.

"Did you find Travis?" I ask.

"Yeah. He was at home."

"And."

"He's going."

"You couldn't convince him to stay?"

Elias's hand moves down my arm in a soothing stroke. "I couldn't. He's too fearful, even though the chance that it's his kid is almost nothing, in my opinion."

The lump in my throat burns like the surface of the sun.

Dornan sits at the end of my bed, resting his hand on my foot, and Elias pats my arm. "What happened with the video?"

"We watched it again," Dornan says. "It's definitely Eddie, and he must have posted it."

"That fucking asshole… I'm going to tear off his balls and make him eat them."

"I feel the same." Dornan's voice matches Elias's growl. "But it's not going to help Celine."

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