20
CHAPTER TWENTY
ANDI
“What was that all about?” I ask Travis as he takes his seat next to me again.
“Our Phoenix concert has been delayed because of a problem at the arena. We’re going to L.A. next,” he explains.
“So we have a few days free?” I ask.
“Yeah, we do,” he replies distractedly. Then he seems to understand my reason for asking and turns to look at me. “Do you want to stay here in Vegas to watch the fight tomorrow night?”
“Yes, I do want to watch. Not for the reasons you think, though. You met Shane backstage tonight. He’s fighting, too, and he’s been my brother since we were teenagers. Mack has been like my dad. I’d like to be there to support them,” I explain. “You’re welcome to stay and go with me if you want.”
The hope shines in his eyes, and my heart squeezes in my chest. “You’d want me to stay with you?”
“I want you to stay with me,” I confirm. “You’ve kept me sane these last couple of months. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“I’ll take that. For now.” He smiles.
“Thank you for not pushing me, for being so understanding. The last thing I ever want to do is hurt you,” I tell him.
“You’re not that kind of person, Andi. You wouldn’t intentionally hurt me, and I know that. I admit that I can’t wait to hear you say those three little words to me. But Iwillwait as long as it takes,” he says as he strokes my face.
I can’t tell him I love him yet because my heart still isn’t whole again. I’m torn between knowing that he’d be good to me, take care of me, and give me all of his love—and still working through thewhat-ifswith how Luke and I split.
Seeing him holding hands with Syndi tonight brought back all the memories of my engagement ring. When he gave it to me, how happy I was, and how much it hurt to see her wearing it. In one way, I feel like an idiot for even thinking about him now because that sent a pretty clear message to me.
But then he looks at me like he did tonight. I got the feeling he wanted to talk to me, like he had something to say. He looked like he missed me and was glad to see me. When he grabbed Travis, it confused me to no end because he was there with Syndi. Why would he care that Travis was standing there with me?
“You know, you’re really too good to me,” I say as I cup his face.
Our faces are close. We both keep looking back and forth from the other’s eyes and lips. The evidence that we each want to get lost in the other is there. The only thing that holds me back is the repercussions of another failed relationship. I wish I could just throw caution to the wind and jump in with both feet.
Why can’t I just go for it? Other people do it all the time without a second thought of what the results may be. My friends back home love the thrill of a new relationship, the getting to know each other phase, and the eventual settling in to a routine.
“So, is it just the two of us, or is everyone else staying too?” I ask.
“Are you okay with it just being you and me?”
“I’m more than okay with that,” I say without thinking. I’m trying out this gut reaction thing.
His smile is contagious. “Good. We’ll stay here a couple of days and meet up with the band in L.A. I have a place there. I can have my motorcycle brought here, and we can ride to the next show together.”
“I’d love that. You’re sure it’s not too much trouble?”
“Nothing is too much trouble if it means I get to spend more time alone with you.”
My resolve is really disappearing, and the reasons why I can’t just give in to my feelings are dwindling. Travis is breaking down my defenses and finding his way into my heart more and more every day.
“Thank you for agreeing to go with me, Travis. I know it can’t be comfortable for you.”
“Andi, as long as you’re there with me, I have no reason to be uncomfortable. I’ll be the luckiest man there. But I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. I’m okay with Luke being part of your past. I just want to be part of your future.”
How am I supposed to stay strong when he says things like that?
* * *
