Page 119 of Almost Beautiful (Beautiful 3)

I nodded. She was right. No more sightings of the Feds.

“Is it the Keaton Hall anniversary?”

I shook my head. “I don’t think so.”

“It was nice to see everyone come up to him.”

I nodded again. I couldn’t say it out loud for fear someone might be listening, but I’d never seen Travis so emotional.

We’d heard so many stories about Travis directing someone to safety or Adam leading them outside. I didn’t know that Adam had gone back in several times to help as many as he could to get out.

With every grateful hug, Travis had struggled to keep it together.

“He seemed more at peace after that … for a little while. There’s something else.”

“He’s upset?”

“I’m not sure. Something’s off.”

“What do you think it is?” She looked around. “Or do you not want to talk about it.”

“I don’t know. I think I need some fresh air. I’ve been in a funk all day. I couldn’t concentrate in my classes.”

“Yes,” she said standing. She held out her hand. “Let’s walk.”

I took her hand and grabbed Toto’s leash and a jacket before locking up behind us.

I spoke as soon as I thought we were far enough from the apartment. “I’m going to tell you something, but you can’t freak out.” We’d both left our cellphones behind, accustomed to an abundance of caution.

“Is it that bad?”

I sighed, waiting as Toto sniffed a good spot to relieve himself. “A week before the wedding, Travis met with Adam. Brandon is involved, and Travis was sure he was going to turn him in, and Travis would go to prison.”

“Brandon? How?”

“He’s Adam’s partner. They were streaming the fights online and making millions. Brandon was attempting to make a deal with the Feds for immunity."

“That motherfucker,” she grumbled under her breath.

“Travis was even more afraid that he’d take me down with him. So, he”—I almost couldn’t say the words—“he tried to end it.”

“What?” she yelled, immediately looking around. Her next words were quieter. “What the fuck did you just say to me? I know I did not hear you say Travis ended it before the damn wedding.”

“He tried. I really thought he was going to. I barely talked him out of it.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” she said, angry.

“He changed his mind. I didn’t want to get into it before St. Thomas. I just wanted to enjoy it. I wanted everyone to enjoy it.”

“Abby …”

I closed my eyes, trying to keep from crying again. “He changed his mind, Mare. But there for a hot minute I really thought I was going to lose him.”

She hugged me. “Oh, my God. Oh my God, Abby, I’m so sorry I wasn’t here.”

“It’s not your fault. It’s no one’s fault. He was acting out of desperation. But now it’s like he’s not worried about it anymore. Since St. Thomas, he hasn’t mentioned it. But … there’s something else. He’s different. I don’t know if he regrets not cutting me loose or he’s upset that Brandon is going to make him start traveling for work. What I do know is, it’s not prison. It’s like he knows he’s off the hook. Maybe he cut his own deal and he doesn’t want to tell me? I’m not sure, but it’s something.”

We continued walking, and America took my free hand, holding it to her middle with both of hers. “I just can’t believe he’d be willing to walk away from you. Even for that.”