When Travis and Nicole meet on a bus for the first time, he thinks she's his ex, Rachel, who broke his heart two years ago. But he doesn't understand why she's pretending to not know him, and his curiosity leads him to keep an eye on her.
It doesn'...
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"Why do you ask?" He made as if to get away, but I tightened my hold on him, pushing myself closer against his body. Tension rolled off him in waves, and those intense eyes became guarded.
"Because I'm curious," I said, watching his eyes for any slip of emotion that would peek through. Nothing. "I didn't even know you were in a relationship before. Never thought of it, I guess."
"Well, I was. We were younger and attended the same school, but I was a year ahead." His voice was tight. "Her name's Rachel." He avoided my probing eyes and stared into the water instead.
There was a lot more he was holding back, and it made me want to pry even deeper, even if it was foolish and I might get insecure in the process of digging. "What happened then?"
He shrugged. "She called it quits. I still can't figure out where I went wrong."
"Oh." My brows furrowed with curiosity. "You should ask her."
"I really wanted to, but I didn't have the chance."
"Why?"
"Her family moved, and she's blocked me everywhere, so I can't reach her in any way."
I grimaced. "That sucks."
"It does," he agreed with a nod. "The truth is, we were not meant to be, plus, it's all in the past now."
My heart immediately went out to him. Without him having to say it, I knew he'd loved her, and he had been hurt. No wonder he didn't want to take any chances with me. He was simply trying to avoid the same heartbreak.
"I'm so sorry," I whispered. "You deserved some closure."
"It's a tough world we live in." He let out a deep sigh. "Any more questions?"
"Yeah." I nodded. "What was she like?"
He tensed again. "I- Rebecca, how is this 'getting to know me better'?"
I blinked innocently. "I'm curious."
He let out a groan and muttered begrudgingly under his breath.
"Come on," I urged, "tell me."
He looked like he would do anything but that. I waited patiently. He gave up with a sigh. "Fine. She's beautiful." His eyes fluttered shut. When he opened them, I felt the familiar flip in my insides that was so intense it was as if I'd been punched in the stomach. "But she doesn't come close to you, Blue."
My heart leaped. "Travis-"
"I mean it." His hands went to my thighs again, holding them steady. Then I felt him begin to move in the water.
With me having to do nothing, it was as if I was gliding. My cheek went back to pressing against his chest. I let my arms drop from his neck to wrap around his torso. Our bodies seemed to melt and mold naturally against each other, as if we were one.
