Page 50 of Almost Beautiful (Beautiful 3)

“I know. I know, and I’m so sorry, but I was desperate, Travis! I can’t lose you!” she cried.

We were both breathing hard. Her cheeks were soaked with tears. I’d never seen her so frantic. She was screaming that she loved me and needed me and all I could think about was my damn ego. My shoulders sagged. “But you left?”

“I’m so sorry,” she said, wiping both cheeks with her wrists. “I feel terrible. I would never intentionally embarrass or hurt you. It was what I thought I had to do at the time, but I should’ve thought it through. I was wrong, and stupid, and I wish I could take it back.”

I blinked a few times, realizing this was the first time she’d fucked up. She was the one in trouble for once. I sat next to her and frowned, trying my best to look stern. “It better not happen again, Pidge. I mean it.”

She shook her head. “It won’t.”

“I can’t believe you did that,” I said, my voice thick with disappointment. Her bottom lip quivered, and she burst into tears again.

I couldn’t take it anymore. “It’s okay,” I said, sitting next to her. “It’s okay, Pigeon, I’m not that mad.”

Her entire body shook as she sobbed. “I know you’re disappointed. I’m disappointed in myself.”

I cupped her cheeks in my hand, forcing her to look at me. “Don’t you know?”

She sniffed, shaking her head. “I hate disappointing you.”

“There is nothing you could ever do to make me think less of you. You think I don’t know what’s at stake if the Feds find out the truth? We’re not in the clear, yet. How can I blame you for doing whatever it takes to keep me home?”

She turned, kissing my palm. “I was so stupid, Travis.”

“You are many things, Pigeon, but never stupid.” I leaned in to press my lips to hers, and she pulled me closer.

I could feel her hot tears smear on my cheeks, her soft tongue caressing mine. For the first time, I realized Parker was a pointless source of contention. He was no more a threat than her ex, Jesse. She felt the same for me as I did her, and that kind of crazy love led to irrational behavior at best. But she didn’t want him. It was me and her, and no one else. A switch flipped in me, and it took that moment to finally realize all the jealousy I’d felt was pointless.

I was going to ignore that Parker tried to take advantage ... for now.

“You came up with another plan?”

“I did. It’s risky, but the benefit outweighs any risk. Parker let it slip that Justin and Ricky are in major debt. They show up to the Sig Tau poker nights.”

My brows pulled together. “Those games get insane, especially when the rich kids like Parker are at the table.”

“Yes, but I’ll win. They’re going to owe me, Travis, and then we don’t have to pay them anything.”

“What do you mean? I thought you said you were done?”

“This is important. If you’re okay with it, I think it’s the best option.”

I thought for minute, wondering if keeping me out of the local school paper was worth Abby going against the one thing she’d promised herself she’d never do again. “I don’t know, Pigeon. You said …”

“I know what I said!” she yelled, covering her eyes with one hand. Her next words were quieter. “I know what I said.” She put her hand on my knee. “But if I can do it for my loser father, I can do it for you. Please, Travis. Don’t argue with me. I feel helpless and it’s making me crazy. Just … let me do this.”

I glared at the television, and then looked at my wife. “You’re sure?”

She nodded.

“Okay.”

“Really?” She sniffed.

I wiped her cheeks with my thumbs. “Just you and me against the world, right, Pidge?”

She managed a small, tired smile. “You bet your ass it is.”

I planted a kiss on her mouth, her cheeks still wet from her tears. She pulled away, and then crawled into my lap. I held her tight, her head fitting perfectly between my neck and shoulder.