Page 49 of Almost Beautiful (Beautiful 3)

In the Wrong

Travis

IHESITATED. “RUIN IT HOW?”

She swallowed, staring at the dark television screen.

“Please don’t tell me you’re in love with Tommy.”

She chuckled but worry still flickered in her eyes. “Trav ... I love you. I love you so much, I do stupid things. So, please, please remember that when I tell you what I’m about to tell you.”

I frowned. “Just tell me.”

“I …” she sighed. “God, I’m just going to say it. I’m just going to say it. I … I asked Parker for a favor today.”

“Parker?” I seethed, already feeling my temper flare.

“Yes, but,” she closed her eyes. “It was for you. I’m worried about you.”

“What does that have to do with Parker?”

“Just ... please hear me out,” she said.

I clenched my teeth and nodded.

She continued, “Remember the guys from The Red? The ones you and Shep beat the shit out of? They’re not cops, Trav, they’re from the college paper. They’ve been asking questions about you. The people who go to The Circle, they won’t talk to the cops. But I’m afraid they’ll ... what if those wanna-be reporters get someone to admit you were there?”

I waited a full minute to calm down before I spoke, breathing through my nose, trying to get my hand stop shaking. “You,” I began, feeling that old but familiar rage bubbling to the surface. “You come tomeabout our shit, Abby.” My face twisted. “You don’t go to Parker fucking Hayes. He is thelastperson you should …” I sighed, feeling my eye twitch. It had been a long day, and I’d rather take an elbow to the face than hear from my wife that she was talking to Parker.

Her eyes filled with tears. “I know. You’re right. I don’t know what the hell I was thinking. I acted impulsively in a moment of desperation. He was there, and ... he agreed to help me if I had coffee with him.”

I closed my eyes. “Abby.” I took a deep breath. “Tell me you didn’t.”

I looked at her, my stare probably more severe than I’d wanted it to be toward my wife. Tears toppled over her lower lashes and streamed down her face. Every muscle in my body tensed as I waited for her answer, on edge about her news and that she was upset.

She shook her head. “I’m sorry.”

I let out a sigh. “Goddamn it, Pidge.”

“I didn’t go because I wanted to. I don’t want to be anywhere near him.”

“Thenwhy?” I yelled. She winced, and I stood, pissed that I wasn’t handling the situation better. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to yell, but damn it, Pidge.” I began to pace, my hands perched on my hips. “Do you know how satisfying it must’ve been for that piece of shit? That you agreed to spend any time with him alone at all?”

“I know. I’m sorry, Travis. I did go, but I left. I left before the coffee was even on the table, the second I got a better idea.”

I stopped to look at her. “You met him there, right?” My heart felt like it was about to blow right outta my chest. “You didn’t get in his car with him.”

Her face paled. “He drove.”

I looked away, trying not to lash out. “That’s just fucking great. Parker Hayes on a lunch date withmy wife!”

“I ubered back to campus when I realized I didn’t need him.”

“Why in the fuck would you need him, Abby? You don’tneedhim!”

She held up her hands, attempting to calm me down. “Iknow. I know that now. I was considering borrowing money for a bribe, but …”

I turned to her, feeling my anger about to boil over. “I don’t want my wife owing Parker Hayes anything! Do you hear me?”