Page 46 of Tied to You

Travis balks. The harsh lines tarring his forehead dispel somewhat before he lets out a sigh, hearing my phone ping again. Stupid timing. “Who’s texting you, Mollie?”

I look up.

“Is it him?” he asks, almost possessively.

No. It won’t be Henry. He made it clear no more contact unless I was choosing him. “It’ll be my dad.”

One of his eyes twitches. “How do you know?”

I sigh, knowing I need to tell him. “Because other thanposh boy,” I say nonchalant earning me a frown, “there’s only one other person who would text me.”

“What about your friends?”

I frown this time. “Myfriendsaren’t interested in me. They care about money and power. That’s it.” He frowns, and I quip him a look. “I mean it, I don’t care about any of it.”

“I know.”

My body sags with relief. “You know?”

Travis rubs his head before explaining. “You wouldn’t have chosen to workhereif money interested you.”

I hold his strong gaze.

“That, or you’re hiding from someone.”

My whole body stiffens.

“Your dad?”

He reads me so well, it’s scary. I deflate a little, knowing he has me sussed.

“So your dad wants you to go home?”

Jesus.I nod, happy to let him work this out, but tightening my hands. I know I’ll see him this weekend. Quite frankly, the thought saddens me.

“What do you want?”

To find myself. To be happy.I honestly don’t know why those words don’t come out of my mouth.

Travis sighs at my silence, and my eyes mist with my tears. God damn it. I didn’t want to cry again in front of him. I was weak earlier when Blackjack passed. But I need to pull myself together. I need to be my strongest now more than ever.

Travis was so in control when I picked him up and brought him back to the farm. The way he made sure we were all okay was nothing short of confirmation of my feelings. I get the sense he’s doing the same thing again now, taking control, making sure I’m okay. But I’m not sure I deserve it.

“It’s okay not to know what you want, Mollie.”

I swipe under my eye as I listen.

“Neither of us asked for this.” He steps closer, resting his forehead against mine, coming back to me.

Leaning into his touch, I let out the air I was holding.

“But I won’t make any promises to be your knight in shining armour.”

I swipe again under my eye, my heart racing. Rejected.

“Something tells me that’s not what you need, anyway.” He gently kisses my forehead, then drops his face to in line with mine, his hands moving to hold my nape. “But I seeyou.”

He sees me? Slowly, I lift my gaze, my chest heaving.