Page 68 of Once Upon A Second Chance

Travis.

He’s leaning against the porch railing like he belongs there.

Same smug smile. Same grease-stained jeans. A cocky little tilt to his head that used to make girls in high school swoon. Now it just makes my skin crawl.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I say.

“I heard about the thing at the pharmacy,” he says, like this is a casual check-in and not a violation. “Thought I should come see for myself. Make sure you’re okay.”

“I’m fine.”

He steps closer. “That’s not what I heard. They’re saying he hurt Rebecca. And if he hurt her, Penny…”

I back toward the steps, keys tight in my fist. “You don’t get to play the hero here, Travis.”

He lifts his hands. “I’m just trying to save you from making a mistake.”

I almost laugh.

“Save me?” I repeat. “You’re the reason I double-check locks. You’re the reason I changed my goddamn phone number. I don’t need saving. Except maybe from you.”

He frowns, like I’ve broken some internal script.

“You don’t mean that. You’re just upset. The whole town’s talking—”

“Yeah. And you’re not helping.”

I move to unlock the door, but he takes a step toward me.

“You’re still not seeing it,” he says. “He’s got you twisted. I’m the only one who ever really cared about you.”

I spin to face him. “If you don’t leave right now, I’m filing a restraining order.”

That gets a laugh. “No, you won’t. You wouldn’t do that to me.”

I meet his eyes, dead steady. “Watch me.”

Then I walk.

Down the porch steps. Past the driveway. Straight onto the sidewalk like my spine is made of iron.

“Penny!” he calls, confused. “Where are you going?”

I don’t answer.

He follows.

“Come on, stop being dramatic. You’re not seriously doing this—”

I keep walking.

“You file something like that, and you’re gonna regret it.”

I stop.

Turn.

And I say it loud. Clear. For the whole block to hear.