by Beth Rinyu
I wiped the tears from my eyes upon seeing that it was my mother.
“Hey, Mom!” I tried to sound as upbeat as possible.
“Hello, Missy, do you have anything that you’d like to share with me?”
Big mouth Tressa! “I don’t know, do I?” I tried not to laugh.
“Spill it, Mia!”
My mother and I had a sisterly relationship. I felt like I could talk to her about anything, but sex was where I drew the line. “I went to Vermont for a couple of days with Travis, which I know that big mouth already told you.”
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me,” my mother said, sounding a little like her feelings were hurt.
“I’m sorry, Mom. I just was feeling a little guilty over the whole thing to begin with.”
“What? Why?”
“I just feel like I’m betraying Eric.”
“Oh, Mia, sweetie. Don’t feel that way. You’re moving on with your life and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s perfectly normal.”
“I know.” Sometimes just hearing my mom reaffirm what I already knew deep down inside was all I needed.
“So, tell me all about it.”
I couldn’t stop smiling as I told my mother all about the past few days, making sure that I left out some details, which I was sure she had already surmised.
“I’m so happy for you, Mia. He seems like a really nice guy.”
“He really is.”
We chatted for a while longer before saying our goodbyes. I hung up with her and the doubt that I was trying to ignore slowly came creeping in. What if this weekend was just a fling to him? I was hoping that my heart could handle the rejection if it was.
My doubt was quickly washed away when I picked up my phone to find a text from Travis: I just wanted to thank you again for a great weekend. Can’t wait to see you again.
Chapter 21
Travis….
I couldn’t believe what a great time I had. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t focused just on the physical aspect of it, although it was good; in fact, it was great! Sex with Mia was so much more than I had imagined. She was so innocent, so different from any other woman I had ever been with. I could still see a little apprehension on her face over us sleeping together. She was doubting herself and our relationship. I wished that she had more confidence in herself and in us. But given my reputation, she had good reason to doubt. I was hoping that the text that I had just sent would alleviate that doubt and put her worries to rest. This was really a first for me, something I had never experienced before. I was falling hard for a woman. Mia was no longer part of any plan. She was still the perfect girl – the perfect girl for me.
Chapter 22
Mia…
The months passed and Travis and I grew closer by the day, allowing me to erase any uneasiness that I had about his feelings for me. My world seemed to be happy once again. I was meeting Eric’s parents for lunch. They had retired down to Florida and were up visiting Eric’s brother. I still kept in touch with them through emails and an occasional phone call, but I hadn’t seen them in well over a year. So to say I was excited about our lunch date was an understatement. I walked into the restaurant and immediately saw Eric’s mother, smiling and waving her hand at me. My smile became a mile wide.
"Hey, guys!"
They both got up and hugged me. Eric's mom hugged me for a little while longer before placing her hand on my shoulders, looking me over and smiling. "Mia, you look wonderful, honey."
"Thanks."
I sat down and jumped into conversation right away, filling them in on the last few months of my life.
"And who is this special guy?" Eric's mother asked with a huge grin.
"His name is Travis Montgomery."
"The Olympic swimmer?" Eric's dad asked with surprise.
"Yup!"
"Oh, Mia, we’re so happy for you!" Eric’s mom exclaimed.
"Thanks." I bit my lip and tried to fight the tears, thinking about Eric and how these wonderful people would have been my mother- and father-in-law right now.
"Mia, what's wrong?” Eric's mother asked.
"Nothing; it just seems weird talking to you guys about another man."
She looked at me sympathetically. "Oh, Mia, you know that this is what he would have wanted for you."
"I hope so," I said as I looked down at the table. "So, tell me all about Florida?" I said, trying to switch the topic.
Eric's mom began to tell me all about their house in Florida. She complained about the heat, the bugs, and her bouts of homesickness. Eric's dad was just the opposite; he was enjoying his time in the warm weather on the golf course all day.
"So did Patrick and Jessica have the baby yet?" Patrick was Eric’s older brother; the two of us had always been super close when Eric and I were together. He was like an older brother to me as well.
Eric's mother looked at me sadly. “Yes they did. A little girl; she had to have emergency open heart surgery."
"Oh my God." My heart sank.
"She's still in the hospital, but she's holding her own."
"I'm so sorry." I felt sick to my stomach.
"To make matters worse, Patrick was just laid off and his health benefits run out the end of the month. My sister and I are trying to put together a fundraiser to help them out."
I felt just horrible. I wanted to help them out in the worst way possible.
"Well, would it help at all if I asked Travis if he could attend this fundraiser?"
Eric's father’s eyes had a glimmer of hope as he gazed at me. "Mia, that would be wonderful. Do you think he would mind doing it?"
"No, I really don't think he would have a problem with it as long as he doesn't have anything already scheduled. Do you have a date?"
"Well, we were thinking about the tenth of November, but we'd be willing to change it to accommodate his schedule," Eric's mother said.
"Perfect! I will let him know and then I will let you guys know if he's okay with that date."
"Mia, you haven't changed a bit. You're still an angel." Eric's mother smiled with tear-filled eyes as she reached over the table and grabbed both of my hands.
***
I finished up lunch and called Travis. He was just getting done with his run. Since he was still at the park, I told him to wait for me there. It was a beautiful October day and I wanted to spend it outdoors. I got out of the cab and spotted him sitting on the bench, waiting for me. He got up and wrapped his arms around me. "You're all sweaty," I said.
"Well, since you wouldn't let me run home and shower first, this is what you get."
"I don't care; you're still just as cute, sweaty or not. Here, I got you something to replace all of those calories that you just burned off." I stuck the open bag that contained his favorite, a peanut butter fudge brownie, under his nose. We both sat down on the bench as I broke off a piece of the brownie and fed it to him.
"Oh, Mia, you know the way to my heart."
I kissed him gently on the lips. "You taste like peanut butter." I giggled. "Hey, Travis, did you have any plans on November tenth?"
"I don't think so." He pulled out his phone and opened his calendar. "No, nothing. Why, what's up?"
I explained to him everything that was discussed at lunch with Eric's parents. I knew that he probably would be more than willing to help, but at the same time, I didn't want him to think that I was taking advantage of his stature.
"Yeah, that's fine," he said as if it were no big deal.
I smiled and broke off another piece of brownie. "Just for that, you get another piece," I said as I stuck the brownie in his mouth. He laughed and pulled me to him. He pressed his sweaty forehead onto mine. “You are the best boyfriend in the world, you know that?” I said as I kissed him softly on the lips. He smiled and kissed me with a lot more passion. I had my arms wrapped around his neck as our lips slowly disengaged. “I think I may just have to show you just how much I appreciate you.”
“That’s s
ounds good to me,” he said as he quickly stood up. He pulled me up from the bench and wrapped his arm around me.
“After you take a shower of course.” I laughed.
He pulled me close once again, giving me another kiss, just as a photographer snapped our picture.
I stood on my tippy toes and whispered in his ear, “I think we’re going to look hot in that picture!”
“Baby, you always look hot.”
“And you just won another bite of your brownie.” I laughed as we walked off hand in hand.
Chapter 23
Mia…
It was a beautiful crisp early November afternoon. I had just returned from an overnight visit at my sister’s. She had given birth two months ago to another beautiful baby girl, whom I couldn’t get enough of. I took an early train home so I would be able to meet up with Travis. He had just returned from Colorado. He had been there for the past four days for some advertising promotion and to do some snowboarding. I found that I missed him like crazy when he was away. I pulled my ringing phone from my purse as I stepped off the train. Somehow, the name “Travis” displaying on my phone always made me smile.
“Hey, you!” I answered.
“Are you home yet?” he asked.
“Just getting off the train and getting ready to grab a cab.”
“Good, tell the driver to drop you off at my place.”
“Okay.” I smiled upon thinking that in a few short minutes I would be able to hug him.
I quickly got out of the cab and took the elevator up his apartment. Travis lived in an upscale apartment on the Upper West Side, which was about four times the size of mine. I knocked lightly as Travis answered the door. I was surprised to find Chloe, his agent, there when I entered. Travis immediately wrapped his arms around me and kissed me on the lips.
“Hi, Mia,” Chloe said in a very monotone manner.
“Oh, hi,” I replied, trying my best to be cordial. There was just something about her that I did not like.
“I’m sorry, I had just stopped by to tie up some business deals with Travis. I’ll be on my way now.”
She was almost to the door when she turned back around. “Oh, Travis, don’t make any plans for the tenth; there’s a big sponsor dinner that you need to attend.”
"No, I can't do the tenth."
"Why not?" I could tell she wasn’t pleased one bit.
"Because, I promised Mia I would attend a fundraiser for her."
"Oh and let me guess, you're not getting paid for this fundraiser, are you?”
I never wanted to smack someone as much as I wanted to smack her right now. I knew that I should probably keep my mouth shut and mind my own business but I couldn't. "No, Chloe, he's not getting paid. Some people actually do things out of the goodness of their heart instead of worrying about the money." The words were out before I could even stop them.
"Oh, I'm sorry; are you his agent now?"
“Good-bye, Chloe,” Travis said, trying to break up what was just about to begin.
We both ignored him. "No, I'm not, but that doesn't mean that you control him just because you are."
"Well, it doesn't mean you control him either, just because he's fucking you. If that were the case, then half the female population would have rights to him." She laughed.
You fuckin’ bitch! The words were just about to leave my lips, but I stopped myself, seeing the anger that had flashed over Travis' face. "You know what, Chloe, why don't you just shut the hell up? Mia isn't my agent. She's my girlfriend and that means a hell of a lot more to me. Now you’ve discussed everything business related with me that you needed to, so just leave.”
"Whatever," she said, chuckling. "Keep thinking with your dick instead of your brain, Travis, and see how far that gets you."
"Go to hell, Chloe," Travis snapped.
"Fine, just remember that you have an appointment with EFE tomorrow. Do you think you could tear yourself away from Mia long enough to attend?” she asked, seeming unfazed by any of it. "Nice seeing you again, Mia," she said snidely as she flashed me a sarcastic smile before walking out the door.
"Why do you let her act that way?" I asked.
"What are you talking about?"
"The stuff she says to you, it's just wrong. She works for you, not vice-versa."
"She's harmless. All you have to do is tell to shut up and she backs off."
"Well, I don't like her," I pouted.
I really tried not to give much thought to Chloe up until now. The few times that I had encountered her, she always seemed a little standoffish to me and sometimes a little too touchy-feely with Travis. He always made a point of making me feel as if I had nothing to worry about by making sure that he was extra affectionate with me whenever she was around.
He wrapped his arms around me.
"Can we please stop talking about her? I missed my girl these past few days,” he said as he placed his lips on mine.
“I missed you too,” I said as I ran my fingers through his hair. “Somebody needs a haircut.”
“My hairdresser is off today.” He smiled.
“I think she could make an exception for a very handsome guy. But not without a price.”
“Oh, yeah, how much is it going to cost me?”
I bit my lip and smirked at him. I took his hand and pulled him toward his bedroom.
“Ah, that’s my favorite form of payment.” He lifted me into his arms and kissed me on the neck as he carried off to his bedroom.
***
The last remnants of daylight were creeping through Travis’ bedroom window as I lay in his bed, wrapped up in his arms.
“You do realize that we spent all of this beautiful afternoon in bed?”
He turned on his side and pulled me closer. “And, what’s wrong with that? I can’t think of anyplace else that I’d rather have been.”
“Me neither,” I said as I nuzzled into his bare chest.
“Hey, Mia?”
“Yeah.”
“I love you.”
I looked up at him, speechless. He gazed at me through his long, dark lashes. “You don’t have to say it back. I just wanted you to know how I feel.”
I bit my lip to stop the tears of joy that were forming in my eyes. “I know I don’t have to say it back, but I want to. I love you too, Travis.”
Travis Montgomery loved me and I loved him back. Life was definitely looking up!
Chapter 24
Travis….
Mia was so excited to introduce me to everyone at the fundraiser. I was amazed at how many people had showed up. I signed my name so many times that my hand was numb. I could tell right away how much Mia had meant to this family. But then again, Mia meant a lot to anyone that she encountered. She just had a way about her that made you instantly fall in love with her.
“You are just so popular,” Mia said as she stood on her tippy toes and kissed me. “Do you want something to drink?”
“Sure.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back.”
I watched as she walked away. She was just so damn cute, always worrying about taking care of everyone else.
“Hey, Travis.” Eric’s brother Patrick broke me from my trance. “I just want to thank you again, for coming out to this. You have no idea how much this means to me and my wife.”
“No problem.”
Patrick looked over at Mia. “She’s a great girl. After my brother died, she was pretty messed up. I was really worried about her. She didn’t handle it well at all. So, to see her this happy again is a beautiful thing. She loves with all her heart. Just please take good care of her; she deserves nothing but the best.”
“I plan on it.”
He smiled at me and placed his hand on my shoulder.
“You really are a lucky guy.”
Yeah, I was….I really and truly was.
***
We were spending the night at Mia’s parents’ since the fundraiser was right by their house. Mia’s mom was babysitting her n
ieces so her sister and brother-in-law could meet us out for a few drinks. Mia was so excited for me to spend time with her family. She couldn’t wipe the smile off her face.
"You have no idea how happy I am right now!" she said as we walked into the bar. "I’m spending the night with my favorite people." She stopped walking and wrapped her arms around my neck. "But you are my most favorite. Thank you so much for doing that for Eric's family today."
"No problem." I leaned down and kissed her.
"Now, Travis Montgomery, don't be gettin' yourself all hot and bothered; there will be none of that tonight.”
“Oh, it’s too late for that,” I whispered in her ear.
Her mile-wide grin quickly disappeared when I pulled my ringing cell phone from my pocket and the name Chloe displayed on the caller ID. I immediately silenced it, ignoring her call. I wrapped my arm around her, but I could feel her tensing up. We were just about to enter the bar when I took her hand in mine.
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She tried playing it off.
“Mia, come on. Don’t be pissed. I didn’t answer it.”
“Well, I don’t see why you would have to again; it isn’t like she hasn’t called you already at least twenty times today.”
“Mia, I’m sorry; she’s trying to put together this-”
“She’s just trying to be a bitch because she knows that you were doing the fundraiser for me, Travis.”
She walked in ahead of me. Her mood had totally shifted from just a few seconds ago. She found her sister and brother-in-law, who were seated at a table in the bar area, and gave them each a hug.
“Hey, Travis!” Tressa wrapped her arms around me while her husband, Shane, shook my hand.
I was just about to sit down when I was approached my two women. “Oh my God! Travis Montgomery!” they both said in unison. “Can we get a picture with you?” the shorter blonde asked.
“Umm, sure,” I answered.
She handed Tressa her cell phone to take the picture. Tressa was all smiles as she snapped the picture. Mia, on the other hand, didn’t look amused. “Thank you so much!” they said before walking away.
