Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

TRAVI S

“Hey,” Travis whispered hoarsely, opening his eyes on the large couch in the theater room where he and Becca had obviously fallen asleep watching one of the Star Wars movies. It was so funny to see her reaction to Kylo Ren/Ben Solo because what he thought would be the end of their date was only the beginning.

After six hours of watching movies and snuggling together, she suddenly began frantically patting his arm, pointing at the screen, and hissing, ‘Look! Look!’ just as the two characters kissed… and the dude died.

And this was her favorite scene?

He turned and stared at her in disbelief as her whole expression melted, and the woman sighed openly in bliss. That look on Becca’s face was so soul-shaking that he couldn’t help but share his opinion.

“You know that guy just croaked, right?”

“Don’t ruin it for me,” she retorted distractedly. “Can you rewind it sixty seconds?”

“Really?”

“Oh yeah, there’s an art to this scene.”

So Travis obliged and watched her utterly fascinated as she proceeded to coach him on this mysterious ‘art.’ Obviously, he was about to learn how his girl wanted to get kissed, and there was no bigger stude nt in the universe at that moment. If Becca wanted this moment, he was an apt pupil.

“Look at that expression,” she whispered mindlessly, leaning forward in her seat and staring like she was seeing the miracle of creation for the first time. “Ben is so distraught, so emotional, and he knows that even if he redeems himself – he’s already lost. She’s gone, and without her, he’s nothing anymore; nothing else matters.”

“Really?” he gaped – Becca got all that from Ben Solo rocking a corpse while sitting on the ground? Maybe all the theories were right in the world and women did speak another language because he wouldn’t have guessed any of that.

“Now, see that? It’s finally dawned on Ben that he has the ability to give Rey the biggest gift – life and a piece of his soul. He pours everything into that simple touch, holding her close and praying that he can look at that spark in Rey’s eyes once more…”

Travis stared – mystified – because Becca was getting choked up. The dude killed millions, and she is eating this scene up? Oh my gosh… seriously?

Her hand reached blindly beside her, grabbing his material-encased thigh – and he nearly came out of the recliner with the need to hide what was happening to the rest of him, not a foot away from those digits. She wasn’t trying to turn him on and had no clue what that simple, excited touch did. He didn’t care that her fingernails were digging in his thigh. She was reaching for him, touching and talking to him.

“Look! There! Oh my gosh, Travis, that smile,” she wept passionately, still staring at the screen and pointing with her other hand – and he could not take his eyes from her profile, stunned. “That man knows how much he is losing and can feel himself slipping away, but he doesn’t care. His perfect soulmate, his love, his everything had just found her place, her orbit like they are binary stars destined for each other across the universe and then that trash happens!”

The snarl, combined with the pain in his leg, nearly caused him to yelp as she was now yelling at the movie screen like a hockey fan, spewing all sorts of angry words and her opinion of what seemed like an affront to nature to Becca.

“Look at that garbage! Seriously? That is not how you end a trilogy with this much emotional build-up – and gosh dang it – you should be keelhauled and horsewhipped for doing this to half the population! What’s wrong with you people? You never , ever kill off the hero…”

“Becca…” he began gingerly, trying to lift one of her fingers from his thigh because it was starting to smart as her fingernail pinched his skin.

“And the hero always gets the girl… it’s a rule!”

“Becca, he was the bad guy.”

“HE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF HIS REDEMPTION ARC!” she snarled, turning to look at him, and he backed away in the recliner, holding back laughter at the sudden change in her. “DON’T YOU SEE THAT?”

“Explain it to me…” he choked out, trying not to howl in delight, realizing that she really did love these things – just like him. His precious girl was a little more engaged, vocal, and opinionated than he was, and it was amazing.

He watched her animated face as she launched into a majestic tirade at the screen, pointing out all the flaws or things that she would have done differently in the last five to ten minutes of the movie. Delighting in her outlook and her outraged behavior, and even admired the way she made him pause the movie to describe a particular scene and what should have happened.

The only artist here was Becca.

She was like a painter complaining that the canvas was badly made. It didn’t stop her love of the art form, but rather, it was enthralling to realize that she just wanted others to understand, appreciate, and put in as much effort as she felt the story deserved. She was passionate, amazing, brilliant, and utterly enchanting as she thoroughly moved the scene forward – frame-by-frame.

And Travis was in love .

There was no doubt about it in his mind.

He wanted to see all of that passion and dedication flung about in his direction as he looked at her sleeping face beside him. Both recliners on the couch were in a Zero-G position and sometime during the night, she pulled a throw over her lap, snuggling against him. He wasn’t sure which of them nodded off first, nor did it matter. Glancing at his watch, he saw it was nearly nine in the morning and smiled as she nuzzled her cheek against his shoulder once more.

“Becca, sweetheart, we’re going to need to get up and get ready if we are driving out to the farm for lunch…” Travis whispered and bit back a laugh as he saw the instant she came awake. Her eyes flew open, and her frame curled against his side, tensed like she’d been electrocuted. “Shhh, shhh, it’s just me. You’re fine. Do you want some coffee? I’ll go make us a cup if you want to grab something out of my closet or…”

“I need a shower and get my things…”

“So, take one,” he interrupted softly, touching her cheek and not wanting this moment to end. “I’m sure that there are a few extra things in the cabinet, or we can stop by your place on the way out of town.”

“Do you mind?” she hedged. “I made my brother’s favorite dessert to take with us. Nothing wrong with trying to butter him up or starting the afternoon on a positive note, right?”

“Are you worried?”

“Me? No, of course not…” but Becca didn’t sound too sure either.

“Becca, this afternoon will be fine,” he said confidently, although her lack of conviction made him a little nervous. “We’ll go, have a great time, meet your family, and this is just a chance for us to say ‘hello’ as a couple – together.”

She looked at him, and his heart sank as he braced himself. It was never a good sign when someone didn’t meet your eyes or hesitated – and Becca was doing both. When she finally put her hands in her lap and started popping her knuckles, he spoke up.

“What’s on your mind?”

“We’ve been on one date – and we can’t even get out of the house hardly because of that pack of photographers and news crews trying to get the scoop on who the famous hockey player is dating. We’ve known each other for a few weeks, Travis. It’s been so nice, but don’t you think this is moving a little fast?”

Yup - he was going to be sick to his stomach.

“I’ve dated women in the past that I couldn’t wait for that first dinner to be over with,” he began quietly and saw her eyes finally look up to meet his. “I’ve also dated someone for a year, someone who pestered me all the time about how I needed to get rid of my stuff and that jewelry needed to be a certain dollar amount or you shouldn’t bother…” he paused and then touched her hand. “And then I met you.”

“More like you picked me out of a crowd, a lineup” she retorted nervously, rolling her eyes before looking at him.

“I met a woman who wasn’t afraid to show she liked Transformers,” he said softly, holding her gaze. “A person with such a kind heart that when I was hurt, she was immediately at my side and stayed there – and that meant a lot to me. I’ve finally met someone who is easy to talk to, someone I enjoy texting or chatting with, and someone who is wonderful to be around. You’ve accepted me as I am; we enjoy spending time together, so forgive me if I am pressuring you, because this feels good, feels so perfect to me.”

“It does to me, too,” she admitted in a hushed voice, her eyes glistening as her lip wavered slightly. “It just feels fast sometimes, but it also feels amazing. You make me feel special…”

“You are special – to me.”

“Travis…”

“Look,” he said softly, interrupting her. “If you need time, I’m fine with that because this relationship means a lot to me. If you want to date for a m onth, great. If you want to date each other for a decade – that is fine also,” and heard her nervous chuckle as she smiled shyly at him. “What we have is incredible, and you can take as long as you need – so long as we’re a pair, a couple. I cannot see myself having movie night with anyone else again after snuggling with you for hours on end.”

“I’m sorry I fell asleep,” she began.

“I’m not,” he replied tenderly. “I adore the fact that you feel safe and cozy around me – and holding you all evening was a joy, never a chore. In fact, anytime you want to watch a movie, my shoulder is yours to lean on, okay?”

“Okay,” she whispered, squeezing his hand in a silent communication. He loved that she did such a simple thing so instinctively. He clung to those little squeezes at the hospital because it was like a silent ‘you’re going to be okay’ reminder from her, making him feel safe.

“How about you get that shower and get ready – and I’ll give you some privacy,” he offered. “I’ll head into the kitchen, make some coffee, burn some toast, and then we’ll get McDonald’s drive-thru on the way to your apartment because the toast will be inedible.”

They exchanged a smile as she suddenly leaned forward, hugging him close.

“Thank you,” she whispered, kissing his temple.

Travis rolled his eyes silently in frustration because he wanted to kiss her so badly. Maybe he would call the doctor on Monday and see if they could take the stitches out early or something. If anything, these stupid stitches and the fact that he still couldn’t kiss Becca were going to guarantee that he wore a helmet covering his whole face from here on out.

“You’ve got nothing to thank me for, Becca,” he breathed, holding her close and breathing in her faint whiff of perfume. “This is who we are – a couple learning our way through our relationship.”

“I was thanking you for picking me out of the crowd that day,” she whispered against his ear, “because I really do treasure what we have – it just seems too good to be true sometimes. ”

“You can believe in it because I’m not going anywhere. You’d have to get rid of me first – but don’t, okay? My heart couldn’t take it,” he chuckled, closing his eyes and offering up a silent prayer of thanks.

They left an hour later, stopped by Becca’s apartment, and Travis gave a brief statement while she made a run for the front door. She was right. This was getting pretty ridiculous. If it was just him, he could deal with that – but harassing Becca was another matter completely.

One he did not appreciate in the slightest.

“Hello, everyone,” Travis began and silently had his agent’s voice echoing in his head what to say – and what not to say. “I really appreciate all of my fans and the care that everyone has shown in my recovery. I hope that the myths are right – that a little scar will make me look even tougher on the ice, eh?” He flashed them a smile, trying not to wince as it pulled on his lip, before speaking again.

“Now, I’d be happy to answer a few questions, so long as you give my girlfriend a break. She’s not used to you guys following her to work and the grocery, and if I catch you continuing to do it – then all these spontaneous interviews might come to a stop. And why would we want that to happen, eh, fellas?”

“So Travis, you are confirming that you and Rebecca Baird are dating?”

“Today’s a date, and we are currently riding together in the car – yes,” he chuckled, knowing he was twisting their words playfully. “Next question?”

“It’s early in the morning, were you together all evening? We didn’t see her car leave your subdivision.”

“Ohhh, straight for the jugular, eh, Wilson?” Travis chuckled, playing it o ff. “I didn’t want to snitch on you fellas sleeping in your van by the guard shack outside of my house.”

“So Miss Baird was at your house?”

“Of course she was. We watched a few movies and had dinner – just like normal people.”

“Is it serious for you two?”

“Aren’t all relationships supposed to be serious?”

“So you are confirming that you two are in a relationship?”

“Technically, since I know about half of this group and we’re having an easy discussion between acquaintances, I suppose you could say that we sort of have a relationship, too. I mean, that would put me talking with four or five people at once – which would tarnish my golden boy image. Are you guys trying to get me in trouble?” he teased almost flirtatiously with a mock-gasp. “You wouldn’t be doing that, would you?”

“Are you and Miss Baird going on another date soon?”

“Today is another date on the calendar,” he said evasively, arching an eyebrow and chuckling. “Do you want to know the more personal aspects of my life, too? Do I chew with my mouth open, burp, what color is my underwear, boxers or briefs? Where’s the ‘line’ at, boys?”

“Are they boxers or briefs, Travis?”

“I was joking, sir. They are present – and that is all anyone needs to know.”

“And for Becca to find out?” one reporter asked, causing several others to chuckle as Travis frowned. This one guy was twisting things, and he was going to put a kibosh on it quickly – or end the interview.

“I don’t like your implication. What’s your name?”

“Robert.”

“Well, Robert – I won’t be answering any more questions for you if you continue along that line. I don’t need to discuss my personal life with a gossip columnist under the guise of a sports reporter. That was a joke made in poor taste by me, hoping you would leave us alone – not double down on harassing me or my girlfriend. It also had nothing to do with hockey. While I answer personal questions like this occasionally, it’s for my fans and because it’s usually an innocent question or a joke – but your obvious innuendo was neither of those things.”

“But you aren’t denying it either,” Robert pressed, and Travis was done. He looked away, facing some of the other reporters.

“I’ve made a mess of my past and learned from my mistakes – because I value my life and the blessing that I’ve been given, allowing me to play a sport that I enjoy as a career. I’ve always tried to keep work and personal separate. I know that the questions are out there and lingering – so as a courtesy to my fans, I’ll answer that question once for you – and that’s it,” Travis said simply and knew he was precariously close to losing his temper like Theo on the ice. He wasn’t going to have Becca’s name trashed in the media, especially before they took off to meet her family.

“I believe in the sanctity of marriage, and while some of my actions in the past might not conform to that statement, I also believe that meeting the right person can change a man. No one will know if it’s boxers, briefs, or what color my underwear is – including Becca. That is personal, just like religion and relationships. The only person who needs to know anything about either is myself and my God – and none of you fit the bill. If I marry someday, I guarantee that not even my wife would ask such a crass thing. That question from Robert was designed simply to make a scene or get attention – and I won’t have it. Is that clear? Does anyone else have any more questions pertaining to hockey?”

Silence surrounded him for a few moments before someone piped up.

“Mr. Giroux, is it true you are going to be wearing a different helmet at practice now because of your injury?”

“That’s the best question I’ve had in a week,” Travis praised and chuckled. “And to answer it – Yes! That is a huge affirmative, and the equipment coach already has one waiting in my locker for the next practic e. Now, if you will excuse me and give us a bit of privacy, I will be happy to answer any more questions before Wednesday’s game,” he said congenially and then frowned, singling out the obnoxious report and making an example out of him.

“Except for you, Robert – you should go talk to your boss because by harassing me and my girlfriend, I’m done with you. In fact, one word, and I guarantee several of my teammates would be done doing candid interviews like this, too.”

You could have heard a pin drop – and unfortunately, that silence enabled him to hear Becca’s apartment door open behind him. She was already finished and returning to where he was waiting.

“Anyone else want to test me?” Travis said bluntly. One man stuck out his hand and shook Travis’, while the reporter he knew as Wilson started waving away some of the others.

“Let’s go people…”

“Wilson,” Travis called out easily over their heads, giving the man a boon since he was helping corral everyone away from Becca. “Thank you, sir – and you get a solo interview Wednesday in the locker room. I appreciate everyone giving us space.”

“Thanks, Travis!” the man hollered openly, giving him a thumbs up. “Have a great weekend, you two.”

Travis gave an easy wave and walked toward Becca who was now hanging back, looking at the reporters warily.

“C’mon, it’s fine. They should be leaving us alone for a bit. I was just throwing the dogs a bone, and now they’ll go play for a while until they want another one,” he chuckled and gave her a smile before reaching for the glass Pyrex dish. “Want me to carry that? It looks delicious.”

“Sure,” she replied and looked past him again. “And you are sure about this?”

“Yup. We’re clear – and they should be leaving you alone. Well, for a while at least.”

“Really? How? ”

“I told them if they kept harassing and following you, there would be no more interviews,” he smirked and winked at her. “So if they bother you again, please let me know. I could do without them and would happily tell the reporters to go away or sic the coach after them.”

“Oh, thank goodness,” she sighed, looking utterly relieved as she met his smile. “We’re free then? Just a couple of normal people heading to a barbecue?”

“Just you and me, a couple of normal people who want some privacy for a family barbecue,” he said softly, leaning forward to carefully kiss the tip of her nose. “Let’s go. I’m excited to meet everyone.”