Chapter Fourteen

Beth and her friends were still discussing Travis when Jaron made it back to the table. Jaron sat down, pulling Brian into the seat next to him. "This is Brian." He went through everyone around the table, pointing at each person, surprising himself that he remembered their names.

"So Brian, what do you do for a living?" Of everyone in their group, Amalia was the first one who would engage in conversation.

The band started up again, and no one could talk anymore, which saved Brian from going into his life story.

Jaron felt his phone vibrate insistently once again. Travis had texted twice. The first one read, So? The second held a bit of bite in every word. Where the fuck did you go? Are you all right?

Jaron rolled his eyes. I'm fine.

It's about fucking time.

What?

Did Brian touch you?

What r u talking about? He would never hurt me.

I meant did you let him touch you in a sexual way.

That's it. None of your business.

It took Travis a full five minutes to respond.

All the while Jaron fumed and tried not to look Travis' way when the need for it pulled at his gut.

U r right. I'm being an asshole.

Jaron refused to respond.

Please.

Leave me alone. What a jerk. We're not dating. Remember?

Do you have a thing for Brian? Jaron put his phone into his pocket without responding.

It vibrated a couple of times, but he ignored it.

Beth stood and pulled Sherry to a doorway at the back of the bar. Jaron watched them with a satisfied smile. At least someone's night had gone in the right direction.

His phone vibrated again.

Trina must have finally talked Gene into dancing because they joined the few others when the band played a slow song.

A warm presence slid behind him and then Travis' breath fanned across his cheek. "I need to talk to you."

When Jaron turned, Travis moved just enough for their gazes to meet. Travis held out his hand, wanting Jaron to take it. Jaron shook his head and turned back to the other three occupants at the table.

Travis sat in the chair Trina had vacated, facing him. He took Jaron's hand right before pleading with his eyes.

Damn it. Why the hell did that look have to work on him?

Jaron sighed and nodded. Travis pulled him out of his chair and out of the bar.

It seemed like everyone watched them leave.

When they were outside and into the parking lot, Jaron thought they'd have whatever conversation Travis needed to have out in the open, but Travis pulled Jaron over to his truck.

"Did you meet Brian here?" Travis had Jaron against the side of the truck, penning him in before Jaron could protest, mostly because Travis' questions pissed him off. Travis angered him more than anyone else on the planet. Jaron didn't want to analyze the reason why. Instead, he focused on Travis' questions.

"None of your business."

"You are my business, Jaron."

"No, I'm not. I'm not one of your little weekend fucks, so stop treating me like I am."

"I know you're not."

"I doubt you even know what you're doing right now."

"For the first time in my life, I know exactly what I'm doing." Travis' gaze went right to Jaron's lips.

Jaron knew what Travis intended but couldn't let it happen. If he did, he would fall hard, and in the end, the fall would hurt. He put a hand over Travis' mouth. "You know my terms."

Travis nodded and removed Jaron's hand, holding it to his chest. "I don't want casual or anyone else. And I need you to tell me the same thing because I'm a possessive asshole. I'm sorry. I know that makes you mad, but I can't help the jealousy."

"Brian's my best friend from high school. Haven't seen him since I've been back. Friends is all, though. And no, I didn't meet him here. It's a small town with one bar. Just ran into each other."

"So you're saying yes?"

Jaron smiled. "I'm saying yes."

Travis looked at Jaron's lips right before he kissed him. When their lips came together, the kiss was tentative, as if Travis feared scaring Jaron or injuring him somehow. Maybe he just feared rejection.

Travis cupped Jaron's cheek and tilted his head to get a better angle. That started a slow ride to dominance.

Jaron let Travis take what he wanted. He let him turn the kiss from a hot coal to a burning flame one lick at a time. He wrapped his arms around Travis' shoulders and pulled him closer until Travis' body was flush against his. When he felt Travis' hard length against his abdomen, he forgot everything. Every thought vanished until all he knew was their physical connection. And if he felt that way with clothes on, he'd lose every brain cell he had when they finally got naked.

Travis pulled away first. He rested his forehead against Jaron's, taking the time to catch his breath.

"Why'd you stop?"

"Because if I don't, our first time will be in my truck. I can romance you better than that."

Jaron smiled and closed his eyes. "After that kiss, I don't know if you'll have to try very hard."

Travis chuckled.

"Think they'll come up for air soon?" Brian's voice might as well have been a bucket of ice water. It had the same effect.

Jaron shook and tried to push Travis away when he saw Jackson Bartlett and Brad Flynn standing in the parking lot just feet away from Brian, Beth and their little group.

Travis tightened his hold, angling them so no one saw Jaron.

All of the bullying he went through in high school flashed through his mind. Some deeds had etched themselves under the skin, festering at all the wrong moments. It didn't matter how many years had passed or the strides Jaron had taken to put all that behind him when his childhood bullies stood feet away.

Jackson had raised eyebrows but otherwise didn't seemed fazed. Brad had been the one who scared Jaron the most and always had. Time and distance hadn't changed that.

"Show's over." Travis ran a hand down Jaron's arm and kissed his temple. "I'll never let anyone hurt you. You're safe."

His attempt at soothing Jaron worked. He relaxed, and the urge to run left.

"I didn't know you were a faggot, Heath," Brad said. Jaron would never forget his harsh voice.

Jaron held his breath, shaking again. When he felt Travis stiffen against him, his focus changed. "Don't let him get to you." Looking over his shoulder at the others standing around, he implored one of them to help him calm the situation. Everyone's gaze was on Brad.

"Look at that. The little fag turned Heath." Brad's laughter followed.

Travis turned and went after Brad like a bullet.

Brad's head whipped back. He had blood on his lip. Some of it coated his teeth. When he returned the punch, Travis took it without stopping.

Travis punched Brad in the stomach and didn't wait for him to recover before knocking him backward with another fist to the face.

Brad's brawn made up for the couple of inches Travis had on him. He knew how to use all the muscle to his advantage too. When he came at Travis, he didn't hold anything back.

The only difference between Travis and Brad was that Travis didn't seem to feel a thing. He went after Brad like a pissed-off bull, giving him blow after blow.

"Travis!" Jaron yelled and finally moved off the truck when he realized Travis wouldn't stop. He tugged on Travis' arm, trying to pull him away, but he only succeeded in getting jerked around with every punch.

Jackson sighed and cursed, shaking his head before getting in between them. "Let it rest!"

When Jackson pushed Brad back, he stayed back, so he turned to Travis, holding him in place with his hands on his chest. Travis didn't quit. He tried to push past Jackson at every turn. "Don't come near him. You understand me."

"Calm down."

"Fuck you."

"You'll hurt Jaron." Jackson nodded to Jaron's hand on Travis' arm. "You'll elbow him on accident if you don't stop."

Travis looked at Jaron's hand. His expression softened by the time their gazes met. Jaron pulled gently on his arm until Travis came to him. Travis wrapped him up in a hug, and it was only then that Jaron realized he still shook.

"Let me take you home."

Jaron nodded. "Yeah, I've had enough excitement for one night."

Travis put him in the passenger seat of his truck and closed the door.