“But nothing. The way you’re looking at me right now? This is exactly why I didn’t tell you.” I closed my eyes. “I won’t live like that anymore, Trav. Not even with you.”
“Whoa! Calm down, Pigeon. Let’s not get carried away.” His eyes focused and he walked over to wrap me in his arms. “I don’t care what you were or what you’re not anymore. I just want you.”
“I guess we have that in common, then.”
He led me to the bed, smiling down at me. “It’s just you and me against the world, Pidge.”
I curled up beside him, settling into the mattress. I had never planned on anyone besides myself and America knowing about Mick, and I never expected that my boyfriend would belong to a family of poker buffs. I heaved a heavy sigh, pressing my cheek against his chest.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“I don’t want anyone to know, Trav. I didn’t want you to know.”
“I love you, Abby. I won’t mention it again, okay? Your secret’s safe with me,” he said, kissing my forehead.
“Mr. Maddox, think you could tone it down until after class?” Professor Chaney said, reacting to my giggling as Travis nuzzled my neck.
I cleared my throat, feeling my cheeks radiate with embarrassment.
“I don’t think so, Dr. Chaney. Have you gotten a good look at my girl?” Travis said, gesturing to me.
Laughter echoed throughout the room and my face caught fire. Professor Chaney glanced at me with a half-amused, half-awkward expression and then shook his head at Travis.
“Just do your best,” Chaney said.
The class laughed again, and I sunk into my seat. Travis rested his arm on the back of my chair, and the lecture continued. After class had been dismissed, Travis walked me to my next class.
“Sorry if I embarrassed you. I can’t help myself.”
“Try.”
Parker walked by, and when I returned his nod with a polite smile, his eyes brightened. “Hey Abby. See you inside.” He walked into the classroom, and Travis glowered at him for a few tense moments.
“Hey,” I tugged on his hand until he looked at me. “Forget about him.”
“He’s been telling the guys at the House that you’re still calling him.”
“That’s not true,” I said, unaffected.
“I know that, but they don’t. He said he’s just biding his time. He told Brad that you’re just waiting for the right time to dump me, and how you call him to say how unhappy you are. He’s starting to piss me off.”
“He has quite an imagination.” I glanced at Parker and when he met my eyes and smiled, I glared at him.
“Would you get mad if I embarrassed you one more time?”
I shrugged and Travis wasted no time leading me into the classroom. He stopped at my desk, setting my bag on the floor. He looked over at Parker and then pulled me to him, one hand on the nape of my neck, one hand on my backside, and then kissed me, deep and determined. He worked his lips against mine in the way he usually reserved for his bedroom, and I couldn’t help but grab his shirt with both fists.
The murmuring and giggles grew louder after it became clear that Travis wasn’t going to let go anytime soon.
“I think he just got her pregnant!” someone from the back of the room said, laughing.
I pulled away with my eyes closed, trying to regain my composure. When I looked at Travis, he was staring at me with the same forced restraint.
“I was just trying to make a point,” he whispered.
“Good point,” I nodded.
Travis smiled, kissed my cheek and then looked to Parker who was fuming in his seat.
“I’ll see you at lunch,” he winked.
I fell against my seat and sighed, trying to shake off the tingling between my thighs.
I labored through Calculus, and when class was over I noticed Parker standing against the wall by the door.
“Parker,” I nodded, determined not to give him the reaction he was hoping for.