22. Travis

Iguess I'm just going to have to tell him myself. Maybe it's better this way. If he blows up, I can protect Ava from the hurt. If he blows up and disowns me, what will I do? Will I still choose Ava? Can I really throw away decades of friendship? Can I forget about her? The answer is no to both questions.

I locked myself in my bathroom after the horseback ride with the ladies, which went really well. I think they all had a great time! I was a little preoccupied. It sounded so easy–pretending that last night didn't happen. But I just can"t stop thinking about her. I need to kiss her again. I need to hold her again.

"I'm in love with your sister," I say out loud in the mirror to myself. "I'm in love with your sister." It's easy to say to myself. I close my eyes and repeat it, picturing Ryder on the other side, "I'm in love with your sister." Is he going to hit me? He might punch me in the face. I'm prepared for it. I'll let him hit me if that's what it takes.

It's nearly time for the bonfire. It's usually an enjoyable night for everyone. We grill hot dogs and hamburgers for dinner and then have s"mores for dessert. We roast marshmallows and sing and dance around the fire all night. It's a great send-off for our guests. They go home the following day smelling like a campfire, with camp tunes stuck in their head. I'm sure these ladies will have a great time.

I am a little nervous about what Barb will do if Ava isn't there to protect me. Especially since it's her last night. She might be emboldened because it"s her last night.

I've also got to find a spot for Ryder. He thinks he'll stay for the bonfire and leave afterward, but I doubt he'll be up for driving home. I haven't told him I've had his sister sleeping in my bed with me to protect her.

Maybe it'll be a non-issue. If I have the courage to tell him tonight, he might not be staying after all.

"Dad, are you in there?" Mia knocks on the door.

"Yep, be out in a minute."

"Kenny is going to light the fire!"

"Ok, I'm coming." I take one last look in the mirror at myself, just in case Ryder decides to break my face.

"Where's Ava?" Mia asks.

"She must still be working," I answer.

"I'm going to go get her. I know she wouldn't want to miss the bonfire."

"Ok. Good luck." Maybe Mia will have better luck.

"Tell her I"ll drag her out if she doesn't come out! She can work on the story later," Ryder says.

"Ryder, there's something I've got to tell you," I say nervously.

"Travis, darling, be a dear and help me with this hot dog," Barb says.

"Hey, babe. There you are." Ava appears next to me and grabs my hand. Barb shoots daggers at her and slinks away.

"What did you want to tell me?" Ryder asks, looking at me holding hands with his sister like it is nothing.

"Uh–we–I'm?—"

"I already told him! We're pretending to be together, so Barb leaves him alone," Ava whispers to Ryder.

"Oh yeah, I know. You guys are doing great. If Ava hadn't told me, I would have totally thought it was real," Ryder says without an ounce of anger in his voice. Maybe he'll actually be ok with it!

"Tell me about what happened with Chad down at the station."

"Oh, he's booked and will probably go to jail for a long time. Travis and I had words with him, so if he ever gets out, he knows we'll kill him if he gets anywhere close to you," Ryder says.

"Wow. Jail for a long time? Just for trespassing?"

"It was more than trespassing," I say. Ryder gives me a warning look.

"What?" Ava says, looking back and forth at both of us.

"Ry, I can't lie to her."

"She doesn't need to know," Ryder says under his breath. "Wow, look at that fire."

"I don't need to know what?" Ava asks. I can tell she's not going to let it go.

"The police found his car. Chad's car was parked not too far from here. In the trunk was a bag with zip ties, gloves, tape, a knife…"

"Oh, my gosh. He was going to murder me."

"Or at least threaten to. But you're safe now," Ryder says.

"Yeah, that psycho will be locked up for a long time. You've got nothing to worry about." I put my arm around her and pulled her into me. I know I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe—forever. Ryder gives me a look that I can't read.

"Well, I'm going to go grab a beer. Anyone else?"

"Yes, please. I think I need one after all this."

"Gotcha, sis. Be right back."

"Ava, I'm going to tell him." I turn her toward me and look her in the eyes.

"Tell him what?"

"About us."

"He already knows," she says.

"I mean, for real. I don't want to pretend. I thought I could–but I can't. I at least have to try."

"Travis, are you sure?"

"I've never been more sure about anything. I'm going to wait till this party dies down, and then I will tell him."

"Tell who what?" Ryder is back, holding a beer for each of us.