I’m taking a rain check on the pajama party. There’s a fight tonight, and I’m going to watch it at Jason’s house.
Viola
Alrighty.
I smile almost immediately.
Drew will be gone for the next few hours, guaranteed, and Travis will be home any minute. My heart begins to flutter, and my mouth goes dry. I shouldn’t feel this way, and I kind of hate myself for it, but I push those thoughts aside. A part of me enjoys the thrill of sneaking around with Travis.
Like clockwork, I hear the rumble of the Challenger heading down the street. The engine cuts off in the driveway. I quickly tuck my hair behind my ears, lick my lips, and pick up my book. The door swings open and quietly clicks closed. I shut the book, and my mouth falls open when I see Travis. He’s distraught, and his hair is a disheveled mess. I swallow hard, waiting for him to speak, but he doesn’t. Instead, he walks to the kitchen, and I hear the freezer door open and shut. Tequila.
“Travis?” I’m genuinely concerned by his demeanor.
“I’ve had a shitastic day.”
He’s on edge and isn’t making eye contact with me. I watch him take another gulp of tequila straight from the bottle.
“Okay? And?”
My phone begins to ding in the living room with text messages and lots of them.
“You should probably get that,” Travis says and takes another swig.
I sigh and go into the living room and grab my phone. Courtney has sent me a total of fifteen text messages in one minute. I unlock my phone and begin reading.
Courtney
OMFG!!!!!!! You’re never going to believe what just happened.
Courtney
Toby just broke up with me. WITH ME!
Courtney
Over text message.
Courtney
What a fucking ASSHOLE!
Courtney
SERIOUSLY, LOLA! I’M PISSED! HE MET SOMEONE ELSE.
Courtney
I saw pictures of them together on Facebook and asked who she was.
Courtney
SO HE BREAKS UP WITH ME! I’M SO FURIOUS!
The text messages go on and on, and she’s still sending them.
Viola
I’m so sorry. Everything is going to be okay. I’ll text you back in just one minute. I’m not ignoring you, I promise.