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“Should’ve seen him in college.” He snorts. “Girls were nearly crawling at his feet, and he was just so oblivious to it.”
I nod in agreement. “I imagine a lot of broken hearts followed.”
“Yeah, that’s why this whole thing with Mia pisses me off. I wish he’d just let her go and move on. She’s bad news.”
I swallow again, fidgeting with Gryff’s collar as I think of a way to bring up that night. Figuring the best way is just to rip it off like a Band-Aid, I ask, “Has she cheated on him?” Cringing, waiting for his reaction, I watch as his fingers tighten around the steering wheel.
“She claims she didn’t, but she was with a guy when I found her.”
My blood boils, and I’m tempted to call her up myself and tell her to stay away from Drew, but knowing the conniving bitch she is, she wouldn’t, just to piss me off even more. In a weird way, it’s also comforting to hear she was with another guy, which solidifies my trust for Travis.
“Not surprised,” I say on a shallow breath.
We pull into the driveway, and Travis takes Gryff from me before getting out. “Let’s take him for a walk.” He flashes a knowing smile and winks.
We silently walk hand in hand as Travis holds his leash with his free hand. It’s so peaceful and easy, and I almost forget Drew is in the house sulking.
“I’m really going to miss you when you leave,” he says in a soft tone. He doesn’t look at me, but I can see that his mind is going a thousand miles a minute.
“I’m going to miss you, too.” I squeeze my hand in his, letting him know everything I don’t know how to say. “Gryff will like taking all these walks with you when I’m gone.”
“He’ll be pretty big by the time you return.”
“Maybe show him a picture of me every few days, so he doesn't forget,” I say, smiling and finally getting a laugh out of him.
“I can do that, but just know they’ll be the ones of your tits and ass.” He smirks, and I playfully bump my hip into his.
We walk a few more steps before he stops and pulls me into his chest. “I hope you know I would wait for you, even if it was a year or six years. Every day you’re gone is going to suck major ass, but I’ll be thinking of you every second.”
“You know you really suck at not making me feel guilty.” I pout, sticking my lower lip out at him.
He leans in and pulls it between his teeth before releasing it. “Good. I want the guilt to consume you.” A smile plays at his lips, and I can’t resist smiling back at him.
“It’s just six months,” I remind him. “That’s easy peasy.”
He sighs, brushing his thumb over my cheek. He presses a soft kiss to my lips, and I melt into him. Gryff starts whining, tangling his leash between our legs.
Travis breaks the kiss and untangles the leash while muttering a few curse words.
“Maybe you can take him to a few of those puppy classes and get him all trained before I’m back.” I smile at my brilliant idea.
“He might need more than just a few.” He groans, adjusting the leash again and leading us back to the house.
Courtney is in heaven when we return, and she makes me promise to invite her over again soon to “visit Gryff.” Travis and I avoid each other the rest of the night while I finish laundry. Drew’s already suspicious, so the more distance between us right now, the better.
The weekend flies by, with studying for finals and coming over to play with Gryff. Fortunately, Drew works all weekend, so we don’t have to pretend while we’re together. He continues wallowing around when he’s home, so I do my best to cheer him up and casually mention Courtney in conversation. As expected, he doesn’t take the bait, so I’m left watching him mope on the couch instead.
By Tuesday night, Drew is so damn anxious, I can’t take it anymore. Mia is to arrive any minute, and like usual, I sit on the couch, pretending to act indifferent. Travis has been bringing some of his work files home to look busy while Drew is home.
“Dude, drink this,” I hear Travis say. I look up and see him handing Drew a shot. “You’re wound up tighter than a G-string. You need to relax.”
“I’m trying,” he says through clenched teeth, taking the shot and finally pouring it down his throat. “But I haven’t seen her in so long, and I have no idea what she’s going to say, which is making me anxious as hell.”
He pats him on the shoulder and pours more whiskey in his shot glass. “Whatever happens, man, I’ll be here, okay?”
“Thanks.” He pours it down and holds it back out for a refill.
Tires crunch in the driveway, and we all look toward the door. Goose bumps cover my skin, and I can’t help feeling nervous for Drew.
