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I nod and look to the ground. “Yeah, I heard.”
“Well, back then, just like you, my relationship with my husband and son was complicated. In fact, my husband and I weren’t speaking when he died because the night before the accident that took them, we had an argument. Then the very evening of the accident, my son and I quarreled about something before they went out. Then they were gone…”
“I’m so sorry…”
She wipes a tear from her eye. “My point is, I have tried so hard to remember what exactly we fought about. I remember I thought it was a big deal, but now, I can’t even remember it. But because of whatever it was, I wasn’t on good terms with the people I loved most when they left this earth. That is something I will regret until the day I die. So whatever it is that’s going on between you and your lady, deal with it. Deep down you know what youhave to do to make things right. Don’t waste any more time. Do what you have to.”
I let her words wash over me. The more they settle the more sense they make.
I take off my apron. “You are so right.”
She chuckles. “Of course, I am.”
I pull her into a hug and kiss her on the cheek. “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. Now go. I’ll finish up here.”
I can’t get out of there fast enough. Kelly has knocked some sense into me. I know what I need to do. I have known this whole time, but I have been a coward. I’ve been so afraid to lose Paige that I’ve basically almost ensured it.
I’ve pushed her away every chance I’ve gotten since I found out about TJ. All that needs to stop. I have to tell her and let the chips fall where they may. Of course, I hope she chooses me, but it’s a choiceshehas to make.
I get on my bike and head back home. My heart is moving just as fast as the machine between my legs. I know what I have to do, but that doesn’t mean I’m still not terrified. This can end in so many different ways, and I’m not sure that I am prepared for what may come.
In the end, I have to rip off the Band-Aid, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
17
PAIGE
What the hell was all that about?
That was such a stupid fight to have. Yeah, maybe I was being a little sensitive, but Travis? That was weird, right?
The man is many things, but ineloquent isn’t one of them. It’s almost as if he said what he said to pick a fight with me.
Is he trying to break up with me? It’s a question I’ve had for a couple of days now, but I keep pushing it out of my mind because I decided I was being paranoid. I dismissed it because of who he was prior to the last few weeks, but I can’t ignore what is in front of me now.
First, he was emotionally distant. Then he was distant physically, claiming to be busy. I don’t know his net worth, but the man runs several companies worth a couple billion. He’s always been busy, but that’s never stopped him before. So what’s different now? Why has he been avoiding me this entire week? Then you add on what happened tonight and I’m starting to think he’s doing this on purpose.
Is it something I did? Did I say something to put him off?
No, I’m not going to do this. I’m not going to blame myself for whatever this is. If I did something to rub him the wrong way, the adult thing to have done would have been to talk to me about it.
Maybe it’s Mom’s cancer. I know he was there for me during her most recent hospital stay, but maybe that’s just because he didn’t want to be an asshole and run away. Maybe it’s all too much for him.
Argh! I need to talk to someone about this.
I walk into Travis’ room and sit on his bed. I disturb the sheets which smell just like him. A waft of his scent comes up to meet me and my heart aches.
I dial Haley’s number and she answers on the fourth ring. “Hey. What’s up?”
“Not much. Can you talk?”
“Hold on…” I hear some shuffling for a moment then she’s back. “Sorry, I handed Maggie to Fred. I’m alone now. What’s going on?”
“Okay, I’m about to tell you something, and I need you to not freak out.”
“Okay…”
