7. Travis

travis

. . .

D riving home from Cassidy’s, I glance over at the brown bag stuffed with DVDs and can’t help the smile on my face. She wants a leading man? I’ll give her one.

I pull into my driveway and throw my truck into park, then grab the bag and rush inside. I’m not sure I’ve ever moved so fast in my life. Dumping the bag out onto the couch, I shift the cases until I find one that feels like Cassidy. It has a blonde woman with a gold dress—close enough. I pop the disc into my gaming system, and while the opening credits begin, I make my way to the fridge for a beer.

After the first thirty minutes, the movie isn’t inspiring. There’s a woman writing a column for her magazine and trying everything in her power to get the man to break up with her. It doesn’t apply to my situation, so I try for another.

This one has a woman who looks like she has a stick up her ass. Another thirty minutes, and it’s also not helpful—she’s engaged to her assistant to avoid deportation. Again, it doesn’t help .

The next one I try, fits my predicament perfectly. There’s even a marriage pact! Except, the guy ends up with the young, blonde chick when he should’ve ended up with his best friend. I’m not loving how it played out, especially with me being the friend, not the one engaged.

Good thing it’s fiction.

I grab another DVD and it’s one I remember from when I was a kid; my mom loved it. I already know the story: Small town girl makes it big and is engaged to some rich prick. She goes back home and falls for her ex-husband, except he never signed the papers. While it’s not exactly what I’m dealing with, there’s some kind of love triangle, so I give it a try, watching until the end. She chooses her first love, which is promising.

If I can prove I’m better than Zack, it could show Cass she’s supposed to be with me. I pull up my messages and send a group text to Ingrid, Cass, Zack, Ashlyn, and Caleb.

Axe throwing tomorrow, anyone?

Ingrid

Cay and I are in, if Pop can watch the kids.

Ashlyn

That sounds like fun! What time? I get off at 4:30.

Ingrid

Can you bring me blueberries, Ash? I need them for Sunday breakfast.

Ashlyn

Absolutely!

Zack

I’m in if it’s after 5.

I’m off tomorrow, so whatever works for everyone, works for me.

Cass

I start work at 7.

Great! Let’s meet at 5 and grab a beer until Zack is off work.

Caleb

Pop said he can watch the kids, so we’re in. See you tomorrow.

And just like that, I’m one step closer to making Cassidy mine.

F ive was probably the worst time to meet up; it’s packed at the axe throwing bar with everyone getting off work. I’m able to get the bartender’s attention and order a pitcher of beer with several pint glasses; I’ll order something for Cass when she arrives.

Ashlyn arrives first and I pull her into a side hug, as I ask, “Hey, boss, how was work?” She’s a sheriff in town and I’ve heard today was slower than usual.

“I need something stronger than beer,” she laughs. “Thanks for inviting me, I really needed the night out.”

“Of course. Did you bring me berries? Or is Ingrid the only one who gets them these days?”

Smacking my arm, she passes me a small bag. “I knew you wouldn’t let me live it down if I didn’t bring you your own stash.”

“Fuck yes!” I open the container, popping one into my mouth, not giving a fuck that they aren’t washed. Her family has them at the farmers’ market every weekend, but with fire season, I haven’t been able to go for the past few months. Thankfully, things are slowing down, and I’ll resume my weekly trips. Ashlyn has always been a sweetheart, bringing them by the station on her days off, and making a special trip to Pop’s for the weekend breakfasts he hosts.

Ingrid and Caleb come up behind Ashlyn, and Cay’s deep rumble startles her, “What are we drinkin’?”

I pour beer into two glasses for them and signal to the bartender. Ashlyn orders a gin and tonic, and I order a whiskey neat. We chat for a minute, when Cassidy comes in, her platinum blonde hair like a beacon drawing my attention to her. The three of them turn, finding Cass approaching wearing her scrubs. I signal to the bartender to order a diet cola with a few cherries.

Cass begins to order the same, but I stop her. “I already got it.” I wink and return my attention to Ashlyn and Cay who are talking about an upcoming football game. I couldn’t care less, but their teams are playing each other, so I’m doing my best to pay attention to the shit talking. It’s proving difficult with Cassidy next to me. I place my hand on her lower back and lean in to whisper, “Are you ready to get your ass kicked in axe throwing?”

She runs her tongue over her teeth and chuckles. “We’ll see about that.”

Spotting Zack entering the bar, I pull back, loving the light rosy blush creeping up her neck to her cheeks. As he approaches, I pour him a beer and paint on my signature panty-melting smile that works on all genders. “Hey, glad you could make it.”

I pass him the pint, and he wraps his arm possessively around Cassidy’s shoulders. I don’t let my smile falter as he replies, “Thanks, man. Are we playing in couples?”

“Ooh, can I be on Caleb’s team?” Ashlyn volunteers. “We’ll kick all of your asses.”

Ingrid chimes in, “Can I be on Zack’s then? I’m a weak link and he’s good enough for the both of us.”

Wait, what? He’s good? My plan is falling apart by the minute.

“If that’s the case, that means you’re with me, Cass,” I announce. With Zack glancing behind him at the bar, I wink at her. She rolls her eyes at me, but little does she know I beat Cay and the guys at the station every time we play.

We check in at the host stand and our lane is ready. After setting down our drinks, I suggest Zack goes first—I need to know what I’m working with. He lifts the axe and tosses it, spinning through the air until he hits in the four-point circle.

Mother. Fucker.

Ingrid cheers, while Cay and I grumble to ourselves. Ashlyn is next, whipping the axe into the three-point circle. Caleb whoops and shouts, “Hell yes, Ash!”

“You want to go first?” I ask Cass and she shakes her head, sipping her diet soda. This whole outing was a fucking mistake. If I destroy Zack, I’ll look like an asshole. If I let him win, there’s more at stake than an innocent game of axe throwing. I’m fucked.

I pick up an axe, take a deep breath to slow my heart, and toss it. Landing in the dead center, I do my best to hide my smirk as I turn to face my friends. Ingrid gasps, while the rest of them clap politely. There’s no fanfare, not a single one of them celebrates it. My eyes land on my girl, and while she’s not celebrating, there’s a twinkle in her eyes that I can’t ignore .

Taking a seat next to her, I whisper, “Do you want me to win?”

Ingrid takes her shot, only hitting the two-point circle. Cass finally replies, “ We should win. But if you let Ingrid win, I’ll forgive you for coming by yesterday.”

“Forgive me?” My voice carries, but thankfully not enough for anyone to notice except Ashlyn. Zack and Cay are discussing something, so I ask, “What is there to forgive?”

Caleb is up and earns four points. Cassidy sets down her drink for her turn and as she’s about to throw, I stop her. “Wait!” She false-starts her throw and turns to me with a glare. I stand and correct her form, moving the axe further back to give her more momentum. “There. Go for it.” I take a seat and she chucks the axe, hitting the middle red circle. “Yes, just like that, baby!”

“Baby?” Ashlyn mutters quietly, but loud enough for me to hear. My eyes widen.

I sit down, clear my throat, and correct. “Amazing throw, Cass.”

We play for the hour and with the last throw left to Cass, our team needs three points to beat Ingrid and Zack. Ashlyn and Cay are a point behind us, which I’m not surprised by; it was clear forty minutes ago this was a dick measuring contest between Zack and me.

Before Cass gets up, I tell her, “Keep it in the one-point circle.”

“But then I’d have to forgive you.” She lightly licks her upper lip with a chuckle.

Cassidy tosses the axe and it earns us four points, winning the game. She lifts her arms with balled firsts in celebration as I sag back into my seat in defeat. Zack is on his feet in an instant and wraps her in his arms, swinging her in a circle. She laughs, then kisses him as he sets her down. Jealousy pools in my belly watching them; he’s touching what’s mine.

“Easy there, tiger,” Ashlyn warns. “She’s not yours.”

My gaze snaps to her. “What are you talking about?”

“I know all about your little quest for Cass. This is chess and he’s three moves from checkmate. Don’t do something to hand it to him in two.”

I don’t know how the hell she knows; Caleb wouldn’t have said something. Maybe Cass did? It doesn’t matter, she’s right. I need to bide my time, or I’ll lose the only woman I’ve ever considered spending the rest of my life with.

With Ingrid and Caleb wanting to take advantage of a night out, and Cass needing to get to work, we go our separate ways. All the while, Ashlyn’s words play on repeat in my head. Cass is pissed that I showed up at her place, and rightfully so. She’s engaged, and I made the selfish decision to stop by when she wanted to rest before work.

The game has changed. Back to my romantic comedy movie marathon for ideas.