Page 78 of Tough Guy and the Show Off

My nerves kick up and I realize how much I want him to like it here. Why? It’s not like he can be here with me. The Magic would never trade him, and even if they would, it’s not like Trav wants to leave Boston. That’s his hometown. He’s said a thousand times that he can’t picture himself being happy anywhere else.

He follows me inside to the lobby, looking around at the elaborate art deco design, but he’s quiet, even as we ride the elevator up.

“You okay, Trav?”

“Of course. It’s just weird thinking about… nothing.”

“No, talk to me.”

He exhales in a huff. “This is where you live now. At the hotel I could still sort of pretend we were on a roadie together, but this is real.”

“Yeah, it is.”

He forces a smile as the elevator opens. “Show me the place.”

Trav hovers behind me as I unlock my door with the keypad then step to the side so he can enter. He does, looking around with a blank expression.

“Not what I was expecting,” he says, removing his coat and draping it over the back of the couch.

“What were you expecting?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know. Something modern like you had in Boston. This is… old.”

“It’s a prewar building. It’s a good part of town. There’s some swankier places, but I didn’t want to overspend.”

“Sure. I get that.” He runs his hand over the island counter. “It needs a refresh.”

“It does. I’m meeting with a designer in a few weeks.”

He doesn’t like it. Not at all.

“Can I show you what sold me on the place?”

“Yep.”

I grab his hand and lead him across the living room to the patio doors, pulling the drapes open with one hand. In spite of the cold, I open the doors and tow him out onto the balcony.

When I turn to look at him, his mouth is open. “Wow.”

“It’s big enough for a table. A grill too. Views of the city and the lake. It makes up for the size and age of the apartment.” I step a little closer to him. “It made me think of you, Trav. The minute I saw it, I knew this was the one for me.”

He turns and throws his arms around my neck and I hold him close. “You’re the best person in the world.”

“I don’t know about that.”

He steps back, holding my gaze. “I do. Show me the shower so we can get to the good stuff.”

“Shower, then dinner first. We need our energy for what we’re gonna do.”

Trav nods, and I take a second to just enjoy him being close to me again. Here, in my space, giving me memories to hold on to.

I lead him back inside and down the hall to my bedroom and en suite. He glances around the room as he peels out of his sweatpants and t-shirt. When he’s naked, he squares his shoulders, his eyes heating.

“Care to join me, Bozy?”

“Hell yeah.”

I practically tear my clothes off and pad into the bathroom to start the shower.