“I doubt that. I can only imagine the things Drew has said about me.” Her lips turn down, and I can tell she’s in a vulnerable place right now, but she brought this onto herself.
“He loves you,” I say. “He thinks the world of you.”
She nods, avoiding my eye contact.
“Long-distance relationships are hard. I didn’t think it’d be this hard, but with Drew’s crazy work schedule and my school schedule, things just got way more complicated than I imagined they could. Even when he came up to visit me for a weekend, he’d be on his phone all the time checking in at work, or he’d be talking about work.”
She sighs and continues without waiting for me to respond.
“He’s married to his job, and I got lonely, but then when we are together and things are great, it gives me hope that things will stay great until they aren’t again.”
The way she’s rambling on is making my head spin. I don’t talk relationship crap with anyone, so I should get extra credit just for listening to her babble on now.
“Well, maybe it’s best you both make a clean break. Sometimes you have to let go even when it hurts because you know it’s what’s best.”
“Wow,” she says with a smile, turning toward me. “Who knew Travis King was so poetic?”
I laugh and shake my head. “Don’t tell anyone.”
She flashes a genuine smile, placing her hand on my cheek. “I won’t tell. This secret will be ours. You’re not as bad as you want everyone to think you are.”
My lips turn down. “I don’t know about that.”
She reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “Well, I do.”
Mia stares into my eyes. “You’re just the distraction I need…”
Chapter 2
Viola
PRESENT DAY
MiafuckingMontgomery.
What the hell was Travis doing with her? Why the hell were theytogether? And why was she naked?
All questions I probably won’t get answers to, at least for a while. I want to trust Travis. I want to believe nothing happened between him and Mia, but the circumstances aren’t looking good right now.
Courtney offers to drive me once she sees how badly my knees are shaking. I call Drew as we walk to the Jeep to find out which hospital they were sent to.
“Placerville?” I gasp. “Why the hell did they transfer them up there?”
“Closest hospital to the scene of the accident,” he informs me. He’s already up there, in full cop mode, but they haven’t allowed him to see them yet.
“What was he doing up there?”And with her?
“I don’t know, Vi. You know everything I do.” I hear the concern in his voice and try to stay calm for both of our sakes.
“Okay, sorry. I’m just worried is all.”
Courtney gives me a look, knowing I’m full of shit. As we climb into the Jeep, she quietly suggests I just tell Drew and get it over with, but until there’s something to tell, I’m keeping my lips sealed. If he was hanging out with Mia and something happened between the two of them, there’d be no secret to keep. There’d be nous. But I have to try to give him the benefit of the doubt before jumping to conclusions, regardless of how easy that is.
I can’t deny how the thought of it makes my throat dry. I’m not naïve enough to think that sleeping with Travis changes things. It doesn’t change who he is or who I am. In fact, until I know what happened between us this past week meant something, and where we stand, it may be better to pretend it never happened. But even I know that’s easier said than done.
I’m losing myself in my thoughts when I hear Drew yelling my name through the phone. “Viola!”
“Sorry, I’m here.”
