If fridge and a microwave make something a kitchenette, then I do have one, so not really lying.
“Oh, that’s fantastic.” She holds up the old ice cream tub. “Here, I made you some cookies.”
“I can’t take all of these.”
“What am I going to do with them? I’m heading out of town. Don’t make me waste them.”
“If you insist,” I say taking the tub from her and sliding it in my truck. I lean close and give her a peck on the cheek. “Thanks, Mrs. Peterson.”
She giggles. “Of course, dear. Now don’t eat them all today.”
With the amount of sugar in them, I would end up in a diabetic coma if I did that. “Yes, ma’am.”
I wait for her to cross the street back to her house, then I get in my truck. As I’m driving away, my phone starts dinging with Nancy’s text tone. I know she knows I got the coveted double chocolate cookies from Mrs. Peterson. I smile and ignore the texts. She’s probably pissed that I didn’t offer to share any of them with her. I make my way through town as I keep getting texts from Nancy.
My mind goes back to my conversation with Josh.
“We have to tell her, Travis.”
“I know that. I just think we need all the facts. I also need to talk to Grady. He needs to know. If this isn’t random, it might have something to do with the show, so he needs to be on board.”
“Just so you know, I am not agreeing to this. I’m gonna talk to her later today.”
“I get that. Just give me a few hours.”
I sigh and realize that I need to make sure I talk to Grady. Once I get back to the office and I’ve stored the cookies, I look at my texts.
Nancy: You better bring in some of those cookies.
Nancy: You slimy MOFO!
Nancy: I deserve those cookies. I have put up with Mrs. Peterson for years. Those should be mine. In my mouth. RIGHT NOW.
Nancy: *angry girl with brush* gif
Nancy: You are dead to me. Also, I’m telling your sister how mean you’ve been.
I roll my eyes.
Me: You snooze you lose. You should have come out when she walked across the street.
I know that she saw everything that was going on, but she didn’t want to deal with Mrs. Peterson. I call Grady.
“Travis, is something wrong?”
“Not really.”
“That doesn’t bode well. Do I need to call Syd in here?”
“No. Please, not yet. Nancy had a flat tire last night.”
“Yeah, she and Syd talked about it.”
“What she doesn’t know is that it was deliberate.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I mean, Josh and Mitch told her it was deliberate, but not that she might be targeted. Fuck, I saw the video. Guy walks up and knifes her tire.”
“Dammit. And what does Josh think?”
He thinks Nancy is going to kick my ass and he’s probably right.
“Not sure yet. We didn’t get a look at his face. And it could be some asshole mad at the world. But, he’s worried. As hot as it was last night, the asshole was wearing a hoodie and jeans. And he looked a little older. Most vandals are teenagers.”
“Shit, yeah.” He sighs. “Either way it would probably be good to have someone from At Home take a look at her security system.”
“She doesn’t work for you anymore.”
There’s a beat of silence, and I know what he heard. Hell, I recognize the bitterness dripping from every word.
“Listen, Travis, I know that it’s been a shit few days, but let’s keep our heads on straight, all right? What we have to worry about is Nancy’s safety. If there is someone stalking her, then we need to know. First, because we love her. Second, we are the ones who put her in the predicament.”
“That’s—”
“I’m going to hold you off right there, Travis. We are. We helped make you stars and if something happens because of the show, my family would be beside themselves. And then there’s your sister. She loves Nancy as much as she loves you. She’s her sister.”
“Yeah.”
“So, I need to make sure Nancy’s safe.”
I think about it. “If she knows I told you, she’s gonna be pissed.”
“Then, let her be. You’re just trying to keep her safe. I’m going to talk to Josh—because I want to talk to Syd’s ex-boyfriend so badly—and see what he suggests. I can’t force Nancy to take any kind of security.”
“She’s not going to accept it unless there is a definitive stalker.”
“You know this for sure?”
“Yeah. Syd said that Nancy was considered a kidnapping target for most of her life. The Howards are definitely one-percenters, and there were a lot of oil families that became targets. She had security for a while but in college, she got fed up and got rid of them.”
He sighs. “Okay. The big thing is that she needs to have people around. I know from being at her house that she has a good security system.”
“Yeah, if she remembers to set it,” I mutter.
“Just keep an eye on her while I talk to Josh and see what he says.”
“He might not release information to you.”
“No, but he’ll release it to Syd, you know that.”
True. “And then she will end up here.”
“If it keeps Nancy safe, I don’t care.”
Shit, he’s right. But… “It would put her in the line of fire. I can’t have two women I…”
My voice trails off as I realize I almost admitted to loving Nancy. Granted, most people would think it was brotherly love, but that is definitely not the feeling I have for her. And if I say it out loud, I’m worried that Grady will figure it out.
“I get it. I do. Hell, the idea of Syd being around Nancy right now has me more than a little unsettled. But this is her job, and by not telling her is disrespecting her, Travis. You should know that better than anyone.”
Dammit, he’s right. This is what Nancy was probably referring to. I respect both Syd and Nancy. I don’t know two smarter women. It doesn’t mean I don’t want to protect them. And while I don’t really mind Syd knowing, I know what the result will be.
“Let me talk to Josh about it, then I’ll let you know when I’ll tell Syd. Truth is, if there is even a slight chance of an issue, she needs to know for her job, but also because Nancy is her sister in spirit.”
“Okay but let me know before you do it. Text me a warning because Nancy is going to be pissed at me and I need to be prepared.”
He chuckles. “You might as well start because we both know how this is going to go. I’d suggest you contact her now, let her know now. Sort of rip the bandage off.”
“Thanks for the advice,” I say, not trying to hide my sarcasm.
“Hey, just trying to help you win Nancy back.”
Immediately, the fine hairs on the back of my neck rise up. “What do you mean by that?”
“Um, the fact that you want her back on the show.”
I relax and release a relieved sigh.
“Oh, and the fact that you’re in love with her.”
I don’t say anything, and the silence stretches out so long that I wonder if he hung up on me. Then I hear the squeak of his chair as he shifts. “Listen, Travis, I have experience in loving someone who has no idea. Your sister was not easy to deal with. It was…unnerving. But, once I admitted it to myself, it was easier to come to terms with my feelings for her.”
“And when did this turn into a therapy session?”
“Ugh, right? Your sister. She’s turned me into this person who talks about feelings. So annoying. I’m going to call Josh and ask him about this mess.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll text you a warning before I tell Syd.”
“Cool. Thanks.”
“No problem.”
We hang up and I’m left alone with my feelings and a lot of cookies. Double fucking chocolate cookies. Grady mentioned coming to terms with my love for Nancy, but
the truth is that I’ve always loved her. It turned from friendly to romantic sometime in high school and it hasn’t changed. It’s not like I haven’t had relationships with other women. There was no way that Nancy was going to pay attention to Syd’s goofy younger brother. Not then. I think about the way I used to get tongue-tied around her and how almost every wet dream I had in those days featured her. I don’t even want to think about the amount of times she came to mind while I masturbated all those years ago. Now…fuck, the same. But it’s different.
It is. Damn, when did it turn from admiring love to a love that seems to have sunk into my bones and my soul? I can’t think of another woman right now. Yes, I know I was fooling around with that woman in Amarillo while we were shooting, and that makes me an asshole because I knew it wasn’t going to go anywhere. Is that what I’ve become? A creature who uses other women as substitutes for the one woman I love.
Shame and disgust fill me. Yeah, I knew I was doing it, but when I think about it—really think about it—my stomach clenches. Shit, I’m an asshole. I played with their emotions and hid behind the idea that I never promised them anything more than a fling.
Evil Sis: What the hell is going on?
Damn, the woman has a weird sixth sense when it comes to me. No matter what, she picks up on things. I’ve learned in the past that I need to be sure not to lie to her. Shade the truth? Yeah, but making sure not to outright lie to her.
Me: Why?
Evil Sis: Grady is acting weird.
Me: How is that different? That whole family is strange.
Evil Sis: Travis Beauregard Fillmore!
Shit. Okay.
Me: I was just worried about Nancy’s flat tire.
Two seconds after she reads the text, my phone rings. Great going, Travis.
I answer it because she will come after me otherwise. She’ll alert Josh and the LOLs and make my life a living nightmare.
“What?”
“Oh, so sweet, Travis. What the hell is going on there?”
“Tell him I’m coming on Saturday. I can’t wait to see him and Nancy.” Shit. That sounded like Carter.
“Carter, go find someone else to bother today.”
“But Thursdays are my day with you.”
I roll my eyes. Carter Hawthorne is a pain in the ass. Granted, everyone babies him and part of everyone is Nancy. Their friendship went from zero to sixty in the last couple of months. They are constantly texting, and it irritates me. Most guys don’t last that long with Nancy.
“Listen, I have a little work I have to do,” my sister is explaining to Carter. She puts up with his shit, so I’m assuming there is a reason. I do know that he has some kind of genius ability to know just where to open clubs and how to make them successful. Still, he’s like a puppy with ADD.
“I heard you say Travis. That’s not work. He’s your brother.”
A sigh from my sister and I have to fight a smile. She loves that whole family, and I know that Carter has always been like a second little brother to her.
“Well, sit there and be quiet. Now, Travis, tell me what you’re talking about?”
“Her flat tire was deliberate. Josh is worried it wasn’t just random vandalism.”
“What? Why didn’t she call me? That woman!”
And now I’ll have to call her or go over there.
Fuck.
“She might not know.”
There is a beat of silence. “You didn’t tell her? And why do you know?”
“I went over to talk with Josh about it and Wyatt had the security recording.”
“And.”
“What?”
“And why didn’t you say something to her? Why didn’t Josh tell her?”
“We thought—”
“Wait. Are you the call Grady took not too long ago?”
She might not be his executive assistant anymore, but she still knows everything that goes on there.
“Yes.”
“So, let me get this right. You talked to Josh, you decided not to tell her, then you called Grady and not me?”
The way her voice has lowered means she’s pissed.
“Yeah.”
“Because, little women can’t handle things? Right? We’re just fragile little creatures?”
“Uh, Travis, I’m with you. Protect the womenfolk!” Carter is apparently with me. Great.
“It’s not that,” I defend.
“Oh? It sounds like it. Why wouldn’t you tell her?”
“I didn’t want her to worry.”
The instant the words come out of my mouth; I regret them.
“I think it would also be smarter for her to know about this. She should be on her guard.”
Dammit, she’s right. And now I feel even worse. Something cold settles in my gut, and I don’t know if it is because I’m worried about her reaction or just worried about her.
“Oh, okay, I’m with your sister, although I’m not hearing your arguments, dude.”
I want to kill Carter. “I’m going over there right now.”
“Good. And please, remember that this might just be some creeper going through Juniper. You definitely get them from time to time.”
I know what she’s doing. Her words aren’t for me. They’re for her. She’s trying to convince herself that nothing is wrong, and that Nancy will be fine. I don’t blame Syd. When she loves, she loves fiercely.
“I’ll text you after I’m done so you can get on the phone and trash me.”
She chuckles. “Okay. Be careful. Love you.”
“Love you, Travis,” Carter yells out.
I roll my eyes.
“Love you, Syd.”
We hang up and I’m on my way out to the truck when my phone buzzes. I look down.
Nancy: Get your ass over here right now. I have to yell at you, and I want to do it in person.
Well, shit.
Chapter Thirteen
Nancy
As I stand in front of my refrigerator and stare at the contents, I try to decide if I should have a late lunch. Unfortunately, I have a craving for those double chocolate cookies that Travis ran away with. I’m about to grab my phone to send another yelly text to Travis when my doorbell sounds.
Frowning, I walk over to the door and look through the peephole. When I see Josh, my stomach clenches. I open the door.
“Hey, you,” I say stepping back and motioning him to come in. “What’s up?”
I close the door and my worry increases when I realize he really isn’t his usual self. Josh is always smiling, always one of those perpetually happy people that usually make me sick. Josh is different. He makes me feel good.
“I take it you haven’t talked to Travis about your tire.”
I shake my head. “Come on in the kitchen. You look like you have something to tell me, and I have a feeling I need to sit down.”
Once we’re settled at the kitchen table, and he’s turned down any refreshments, he says, “We think you were targeted, Nancy.”
“Targeted?”
He sighs. “So, the guy who knifed your tire was dressed in a hoodie and jeans.”
“Last night? It was in the eighties until after midnight.” In South Texas, July and August are the worst. Sometimes, our lows can be in the eighties, and when you add in the humidity we experience here, it’s horrible. “You think this dude dressed up like that just to knife tires?”
“Specifically, your tire.”
Something cold settles in my stomach. “Mine? How you do you know that?”
“He waited around. Wyatt gave me the whole night’s recording and after going through it, we found out he hung around for a long time, waiting for people not to be around.”
I shrug even as goosebumps spread over my skin. Not the good kind like right before something wonderful happens. This is more like the way the stupid girl in any horror film feels as she stumbles through the forest because she was an idiot and separated from the group.
“That doesn’t mean that
he was after me, right? Maybe he was just looking to screw with someone.”
He sighs and I know whatever he’s about to tell me is going to be bad. Really bad.
“Listen, I wish that was true. I mean, I wouldn’t want some asshole running around Juniper vandalizing property willy nilly, but there were signs he was after you specifically.”
“What?”
“He waited, Nancy. Then he went after your car.”
I shrug, trying my best to quell the panic rising to choke me. “That doesn’t mean anything. Maybe he just hated my car.”
Okay that sounds stupid. Dude gets dressed in a hoodie and jeans, then goes knifing tires of cars he doesn’t like. Still, it makes better sense than someone is after me.
“He waited,” he repeats in a grave voice, one that sends shivers of panic through my blood. “Then, he went after your car. The one parked by the front door, under a light.”
I blink. I hadn’t even thought of that.
“Yeah, the guy could have knifed anyone’s car tires, but he took a chance on the car by the front door and under a light. It would have been easier to get caught.”
“A thrill seeker?” I ask lamely, my voice almost wooden.
“No. He waited. Watched.”
“What?”
“Yeah, we looked over the recording and found him leaving the area. After getting some more security recordings, we found out that he skulked around the area. Even though we don’t think he wanted to leave you stranded at the bar. But he was there when Travis showed up.”
I frown. “Wait, you said something about Travis talking to me about it. Did he know about this?”
“He knew part of it. He doesn’t know all of it.”
“But you didn’t tell me.”
“He came by the station, was there by chance when Wyatt showed up.”
I rub my temple trying to wish away the headache that just started up. “And he told you not to tell me.”
“He thought we should wait until we knew for sure.”
Anger flames through my blood and I want to hit something. Or someone. Part of it is because of Travis thinking I didn’t need to know any of this. The other part of it is someone coming after me, making me feel unsafe. I always feel safe in Juniper. The eyes of the LOLs and the rest of the small town are always out there, keeping track of everything you do. Now, though, I feel exposed, but since I can’t attack the person who is at fault, I frown at Josh.
Love to Hate You: An Enemies to Lovers, Best Friend's Brother Romantic Comedy (The Fillmores Book 2) Page 12
