sofa.
“That was eons ago, Autumn. Surely you deserve to be happy, be with someone who loves you. Even you admitted that you left home to find your own life, make your own destiny. Girl you’ve traveled to practically every nook of the world, and I’m certain you can find something underneath one of these rocks you’ve overturned, even if it’s Travis.”
“Truth is I ’m not sure that I trust myself to believe I can find what you and Trae have. I’m okay with where I am. It’s easier than fearing I’ll have to reveal myself to someone else.”
Reggie ’s mouth dropped and she glared wide-eye at her friend. “I don’t know many people who deserve this more than you. And as for Travis, he really is a nice guy. I just sometimes question his lack of discipline when it comes to relationships. Like you, I think he runs for cover so he won’t be hurt.”
“I don’t shy away from hurt, Reggie. You know I’ve lived my share and some. I don’t know.” She paced in front of the mantel for a minute. “I just don’t want anything complicated, and getting into a relationship to me spells exactly that.”
“Listen , open your heart just a little. You might be surprised by what you leave yourself open to. Besides, wouldn’t it be cool if we ended up friends and sisters-in-law?” A wide, toothy grin lit her face.
“Girl, you need your head examined. I’m not having this discussion anymore.” She plopped down on the sofa and picked up the photo album.
“Won’t you at least call him?”
“I’m not talking about this.” She set down the album and left Reggie staring at her back.
* * * *
Travis rolled out of bed just a little past 10:00 a.m. Mass started at eleven. He was a grown man, out of his mother’s house, but was still expected to be at church either on Saturday or Sunday. He missed mass the day before, and dreaded the conversation he would have with his mother if he didn’t get to the church this morning.
It hadn’t mattered that he ’d pulled up to his driveway at six thirty after hanging out with his brothers all night. He knew his brothers would be dragging too as they took seats at the very rear of the same church.
He stood under the cool water for several minutes , and then reached for a plush towel to dry off. As he stood before the mirror shaving, his mind went back to Autumn. Days earlier, he’d bragged about how no woman would make him think twice about her.
Travis realized that he’d lied. For the life of him, he couldn’t figure out why he was pursuing her. He admitted to the physical attraction. He liked her tall, toned body and beautiful, flawless face. Travis felt her tremble when he stood or leaned close to her. She would drop her gaze when he looked directly at her. He liked that too. “Damn!” he yelled. He dropped the razor into the granite sink and grabbed the wet face cloth to dab the blood spot on his chin.
When Travis slipped in to the pew next to Michael, his middle brother leaned over and whispered, “What happened to you? You get in a fight between the club and here?” He snickered.
Travis poked him with his elbow. “How about a knot on your head?”
“You’re in church.”
“ Which is why you should be quiet and pay attention.”
After church they generally hung out together. However, today Travis had other plans : sleep. He planned to be in the office bright and early on Monday morning, especially since he’d not been to work in more than a week. He left one of his general managers in charge while he helped his mother finalize arrangement for his great-uncle’s funeral and burial. Clem had left her as executor of his estates even though he had living children. Needless to say none of his children were happy with that arrangement.
Finally back at home, Travis flipped opened the visor on his BlackBerry case and slid his thumb across the face of the phone. He scrolled down through his call history, checked his voice mail and text messages. Nothing.
“That was eons ago, Autumn. Surely you deserve to be happy, be with someone who loves you. Even you admitted that you left home to find your own life, make your own destiny. Girl you’ve traveled to practically every nook of the world, and I’m certain you can find something underneath one of these rocks you’ve overturned, even if it’s Travis.”
“Truth is I ’m not sure that I trust myself to believe I can find what you and Trae have. I’m okay with where I am. It’s easier than fearing I’ll have to reveal myself to someone else.”
Reggie ’s mouth dropped and she glared wide-eye at her friend. “I don’t know many people who deserve this more than you. And as for Travis, he really is a nice guy. I just sometimes question his lack of discipline when it comes to relationships. Like you, I think he runs for cover so he won’t be hurt.”
“I don’t shy away from hurt, Reggie. You know I’ve lived my share and some. I don’t know.” She paced in front of the mantel for a minute. “I just don’t want anything complicated, and getting into a relationship to me spells exactly that.”
“Listen , open your heart just a little. You might be surprised by what you leave yourself open to. Besides, wouldn’t it be cool if we ended up friends and sisters-in-law?” A wide, toothy grin lit her face.
“Girl, you need your head examined. I’m not having this discussion anymore.” She plopped down on the sofa and picked up the photo album.
“Won’t you at least call him?”
“I’m not talking about this.” She set down the album and left Reggie staring at her back.
* * * *
Travis rolled out of bed just a little past 10:00 a.m. Mass started at eleven. He was a grown man, out of his mother’s house, but was still expected to be at church either on Saturday or Sunday. He missed mass the day before, and dreaded the conversation he would have with his mother if he didn’t get to the church this morning.
It hadn’t mattered that he ’d pulled up to his driveway at six thirty after hanging out with his brothers all night. He knew his brothers would be dragging too as they took seats at the very rear of the same church.
He stood under the cool water for several minutes , and then reached for a plush towel to dry off. As he stood before the mirror shaving, his mind went back to Autumn. Days earlier, he’d bragged about how no woman would make him think twice about her.
Travis realized that he’d lied. For the life of him, he couldn’t figure out why he was pursuing her. He admitted to the physical attraction. He liked her tall, toned body and beautiful, flawless face. Travis felt her tremble when he stood or leaned close to her. She would drop her gaze when he looked directly at her. He liked that too. “Damn!” he yelled. He dropped the razor into the granite sink and grabbed the wet face cloth to dab the blood spot on his chin.
When Travis slipped in to the pew next to Michael, his middle brother leaned over and whispered, “What happened to you? You get in a fight between the club and here?” He snickered.
Travis poked him with his elbow. “How about a knot on your head?”
“You’re in church.”
“ Which is why you should be quiet and pay attention.”
After church they generally hung out together. However, today Travis had other plans : sleep. He planned to be in the office bright and early on Monday morning, especially since he’d not been to work in more than a week. He left one of his general managers in charge while he helped his mother finalize arrangement for his great-uncle’s funeral and burial. Clem had left her as executor of his estates even though he had living children. Needless to say none of his children were happy with that arrangement.
Finally back at home, Travis flipped opened the visor on his BlackBerry case and slid his thumb across the face of the phone. He scrolled down through his call history, checked his voice mail and text messages. Nothing.
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