I cross my arms over my chest. It wasn’t that long ago, surely he hasn’t forgotten. It takes him a minute, but it clicks. “Christ, you’re still on about that?”
“I thought you were dead!” I scream, and it feels good to finally let it out and let him have it. “You said you were fine. Clearly you’re not.”
“Why do you care!?” he roars.
My eyes dart around the parking lot to make sure we’re still alone. The last thing we need is for both of us to get arrested. I take a breath, lowering my voice. “I just do. I care about…all of you.”
He laughs bitterly. “Right, all of us. Because we’re paying you.”
I shake my head. “No.” He cannot seriously think that’s the only reason.
“Do me a favor and stop caring.”
I want to tell him it’s not that simple. I can’t juststop.I’ve tried. I don’t know when my feelings for Travis shifted into more. I suspect a while ago. I’ve just been too stubborn to admit it, like Liv said all along. The physical aspect was one thing, but I’m in uncharted territory. I don’t know what to do.
Headlights illuminate the parking lot, stalling our argument. For once I’m missing the crew bus. Sadly, it’s long gone.
37
TRAVIS
My muscles tenseas the bus stops next to us. Ellie doesn’t say anything, and when the doors open, she tosses my bag of possessions at me and steps on. I sigh heavily, preparing myself for the absolute hell that’s about to ensue, and follow her.
My feet aren’t even fully inside before all the yelling starts. Of course, it’s from Calvin and Tanner. They put Liam in charge of driving, which shows just how much they wanted to bitch at me.
We’re all going to die.
Liam can’t drive when he’s anxious. He’ll put us right through a tree.
My eyes go to Penn, he’s sitting at the kitchen table, arm draped across the back of the booth, staring at me with his usual stoic gaze. Guilt gnaws at me. He’s the one person I hate disappointing, even more than my parents. They’re easy to disappoint. He’s not; he has my back always.
“This is a nightmare. I hope you’re happy,” Calvin barks as I make my way through the bus. I intend to go straight tomy bunk and tell them all to fuck off for the next six to eight hours.
“Where the hell are you going? Deal with this shit, Travis,” Tanner bites out, right on my ass.
When I spin around, he’s in my face. “Leave me alone,” I seethe.
He presses closer, our noses nearly touching. “Quit being a bitch and tell us what the fuck happened. You hung us out to dry tonight. You don’t get to play the victim.”
I shove him back, and he stumbles into the table.
Penn jumps up. “Ok, everyone chill.”
Tanner straightens himself, his glare leaving me for Penn. “No, you don’t get to take his side right now.”
I smirk. “Jealous?”
“Travis,” Penn growls.
Tanner scoffs. “You’re a dick. Grow up and take some responsibility for once. They threw a fucking shoe at Liam!”
My eyes flick to the back of Liam’s head as he tries to drive the bus. He seems fine. “I didn’t do anything! I had to piss!”
Tanner laughs, getting in my space again, and my fists clench. “That’s rich. It’s never your fault, is it?”
“Fuck off.” I turn to head for my bed, but Tanner grips my shoulder. I shake him off and shove him again, but this time he grabs hold of my shirt and yanks me into him.
All hell breaks loose.
