17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
TRAVIS
Wakingup with Andi in my arms is the most incredible feeling. I’ve had plenty of women, plenty of one-night stands, and plenty of forced relationships that were doomed from the start. What I haven’t had is someone like Andi, who looks at me and sees the real Travis. She doesn’t see the rock star, the status symbol, or the golden ticket to the sweet life.
She sees me for who I really am and doesn’t expect me to be anything else.
I know Luke must still carry a pretty heavy torch for her. How could he not? Even with his relationship with Syndi being played up in the media, I know the telltale signs of a fake relationship. Even through a camera lens, they’re pretty easy to spot since I’ve been in enough of them myself.
Luke is not in a relationship with Syndi, even though she is very much in a relationship with him. In her mind, anyway. I can’t explain the mystery behind the engagement ring and the necklace yet. It may be just a way for them to play off of the notoriety Andi and I have built. Keeping the four of us connected in the news increases the hype for everyone.
Everything’s a game in this business. Another move on a gigantic chessboard to get to the coveted spot, knocking the pawns over as we go. That’s what makes Andi such a breath of fresh air. She doesn’t play the games, she doesn’t look for ways to use people, and she isn’t constantly playing the angles to further her career.
I know she loves singing and she’s fascinated with the crowds cheering her on, but I don’t know that she’s become addicted to this lifestyle yet. I don’t think she ever will be—she’s just too wholesome to be caught up in this rock star world. Being around her reminds me that I’d be nowhere without people who believe in me, give me a chance, and support my dreams.
It’s still really early, barely after sunrise, and I’m not normally awake at this time. Andi’s soft body beside me woke certain body parts up before my brain was even fully functioning. When she starts to stir, I know the very instant that she realizes I’m in the bed with her. Every muscle in her body tenses, she inhales sharply and holds her breath, and her hand twists the sheet into a tight knot in her fist. After her rash decision to purge herself of any memory of Luke, I thought she’d have a flood of regret this morning.
I’m actually glad she does. That tells me just how faithful she really is. It’s been two months since they broke up, and they’ve had no contact at all. Part of her says she still belongs to him and that she’s been unfaithful to him. My mission in life is now to completely remove him from the equation and have those intense feelings directed at me.
“Andi,” I whisper from behind her. “It’s okay, baby. Relax. It’s just me.”
She releases the breath she’s been holding and immediately drags in another. As she exhales quickly and inhales just as rapidly again, I’m afraid she’ll start hyperventilating if she doesn’t calm down.
“Just listen to my voice, sweetheart,” I murmur softly. “Let go.” I wrap my hand around her closed fist. After a second, I feel her hand relax under mine.
“Good. Now breathe with me,” I instruct, taking an exaggerated breath and letting her feel my chest rise. She mimics my movement.
“That’s it. Now, release it slowly,” I say as I let my own breath out. She follows suit.
“Just focus on breathing with me, Andi. Nothing to it.” I feel her muscles start to respond to her calmer state, and her body relaxes against mine more. When she laces her fingers with mine, I can’t help but smile.
“That’s my girl,” I praise her. When I hear her sniffle, I know she’s trying to sort through a mountain of feelings alone.
“Just listen to me, okay?” I ask and she nods. “You feel guilty because you think you’ve betrayed Luke. Because you still think of yourself as his, and you know you’re not that kind of person, right?”
She nods slowly.
“You also feel guilty because you have feelings for me, you enjoyed making love to me last night, but now you’re thinking we moved too fast.”
Sniffling, she nods again.
“You have nothing to feel guilty about, baby. If you need to take things slower with me, we’ll go slower. I’ll wait for you because I’m not going anywhere. There’s one thing you need to come to terms with, though.
“You’re. Not. His. Anymore.” I emphasize each word. “It’s been two months with no contact from him at all. If he had any idea of what he lost when he lost you, he’d be hanging on to the windshield wipers of this bus right now, begging you for another chance.
“All I’m asking for is the chance to prove that I’ll make you happy. I’ve waited so long for this, Andi, and I won’t let you down,” I promise.
My heart soars when she nods again.
“I’m sorry I’m such a mess,” her watery voice says softly.
“I have a confession to make,” I say, leaning up on her shoulder so I can see her face.
“What?”
“I’m glad you are a mess right now. It tells me your heart, your mind, and your body are all loyal to one man. I want to be that man you’re loyal to,” I confess.
