Page 56 of Almost Beautiful (Beautiful 3)

We danced and drank, ate cake and laughed. It was a perfect evening—even the neighbors left us alone for the most part. The police only showed up for a single noise complaint.

Half of the football team was present, as were most of his brothers from Sig Tau.

Jim, Thomas, Taylor, and Tyler all called at different times, but each time, Travis would go outside to chat with his family.

I kissed Travis every time he left, and all night I was reminded of my birthday, of how sweet he was that night, and how hard I tried not to fall in love with him.

Looking back, my stubbornness seemed like such a waste of time and effort. I was always meant to be Mrs. Maddox. Every turn I’d made, everything that had happened to me—good or bad—had led me to my husband.

At one point, Travis backed me into the hall and curled his fingers behind my neck, impatient to put his warm mouth on mine. He tasted like cheap beer and sugar, and I drew him deeper into my mouth.

Just when I thought he might lift me into his arms and carry me into our bedroom, the rhythm of his mouth slowed. He pulled away, kissed my cheek, and then whispered in my ear. “I’m surprised you haven’t set up shots for me, yet.”

“I didn’t think you were hard up for money.”

“I will be if I don’t get that job.”

I breathed out a laugh. “You’ve got the job. You just have to go in and accept it.”

Travis glanced around the corner, and then returned his attention to me.

“What?” I asked.

“Just making sure they’re not trashing the place.”

“Aw. Listen to you. All grown up.”

Travis frowned. “I’ve never had a party here.”

I thought about it. He hadn’t since we’d met. It hadn’t crossed my mind as to why, but it surprised me that he hadn’t before.

I thought of the first time I’d seen his apartment and remembered thinking that it didn’t smell like the usual college boy dwelling: dirty socks and stale beer. He and Shep kept it picked up and vacuumed.

I was married to the man and realized there were still things about him I didn’t know, simply because I’d never asked.

“What’s that face?” he asked.

“I was just thinking how much I’ve failed at getting to know you.”

He kissed my forehead. “You know me better than anyone else.”

“I didn’t realize you didn’t have any parties here. What other mundane things about your past did I fail to ask about?”

He shook his head. “I don’t care to talk about my life before you, anyway. Everything changed when I met you. And, to answer your question, I didn’t want to have to beat someone’s ass for breaking anything.”

I touched his cheek. “Strictly a love dungeon, huh?”

Travis's face twisted into disgust. “A what?"

I giggled. “Nothing.”

“Oh, you got jokes,” he said, playfully pinching my sides with his fingers.

I ran out into the living room, giggling and hiding behind America. Travis only chased me for a few seconds before a slow song came over the speakers. My favorite song; our song.

Travis pulled me into his arms. We swayed for a few moments before Travis squeeze me tighter against him.

“You sort of told me you loved me the last time we danced to this song at a birthday party,” he said.