Page 52 of Almost Beautiful (Beautiful 3)

“Fair enough. But you can come visit on the weekends, right? They’ll at least let you come see me.”

“Yeah. Yeah, of course.” She released me, wiping her nose. She smiled and shook her head. “God. This is stupid. There are much worse things happening in the world.”

“Not to you, and not right now. It’s okay to be upset about being apart from Shep for three months. You’re right. It does suck.”

She smirked. “Thanks.”

“For what?”

“Not making me feel like an asshole.”

I made a face. “That wasn’t intentional. You’re still an asshole.”

America playfully elbowed me as a woman behind the counter stepped in front of us with a smile.

I pressed my index finger against the glass, pointing to the white cake. “It should say,Happy 20th Birthday, Travis.”

“Actually,” America said. “Can you make it sayHappy 20th Fucking Birthday, Travis?”

The woman smiled. “Sounds like a fun party.”

I mirrored her expression. “It will be.”

“Kegs. Ice. Cups. Music. Cake ...” I said, pointing at the various stations. “We’re missing something. I feel like we’re missing something.”

America crossed her arms, nowhere near my level of stress. “If you’re comparing with years past, I’d say you’re missing at least two dozen sluts.”

I shot her a look. “Funny.”

America giggle-snorted, and then walked across the room, picking up a small balloon and touching it to her lips. Her cheeks bulged; her face turned red.

I looked at my watch. “Less than an hour.” I glanced outside. “Why isn’t anyone here, yet?”

“Spring training,” America said.

I hissed the wordfuckunder my breath, and then froze when I heard a commotion just outside the door.

“I said no! Stop! Fucking stop, Travis!” Shepley said as he fell backward through the door and onto the living room floor.

Travis stood in the doorway, breathing hard, a wide, triumphant grin on his face. “Honey, I’m home!”

My mouth fell open, and in what felt like slow motion, I scream the wordNo!

“Why is he here?” America asked her boyfriend, accusation in her voice.

Shepley stood up and brushed himself off, red-faced and annoyed. “The second I tried to get him to go anywhere but home, he knew, okay? I did my best!”

Travis smirked, but his expression fell away when he saw mine.

“You couldn’t have just pretended? You had to force your way in here to ruinallmy plans?” I whined. I wasn’t going to try to pretend. It was unfair.

“Baby,” Travis said, shoving Shepley to the side as he walked toward me, arms out.

“No,” I said, pushing him away. “Don’t touch me. Don’t!” I said, sulking. “Do you know how long I’ve been planning this? I didn’t run around trying to ruin my surprise party!”

“No,” Travis said, encapsulating me in his thick, inked arms. “Parker ruined it.”

I frowned, pushing him away. “I was still surprised! You still pulled it off. Get off me!”