chapter 21
While Tom and Jared were busy figuring out how to put the tents together, Tracey and I went to my trailer to talk. She told the boys that she wanted to see my parents, so that it wouldn’t be blatantly obvious that we needed a moment to gossip. I filled her in on everything that had happened, and could tell she was upset I hadn’t kept her in the loop.
“I just thought that you would be disappointed in my choices and want me to break up with Travis. I really love him Tracey, and regardless of this little hiccup, I want to be with him.”
“It’s not a little hiccup, Paige. He’s keeping your relationship a secret. I get how at the beginning it was probably best for you since the Bitches of Eastwick were out to get you. But now that you all have resolved your issues, he should be shouting his love to the world,” she insisted. Tracey was right and I whole-heartedly could not deny it.
“I know. We were in the middle of a fight over it as you all pulled in this afternoon.” I said.
“Yeah, that was weird. Jared wondered who the guy was that was chasing you down and realized he might have some competition. Now I feel like a jerk, agreeing to this trip and encouraging him to come and see you. I thought that you two would kindle things,” she admitted.
“Yeah, sorry. I’ll let him know what’s going on. Hopefully, he won’t be too upset. Although, he did have a year and a half to make his moves and didn’t,” I stated.
“Yep, who knew you were going to run off to the wilderness and fall in love with a local.” she said. “I was purely kidding when I made that joke before you left home. I really didn’t expect it to actually happen,” Tracey said, shaking her head in disbelief that it had.
“Maybe you should tell Ashley yourself Paige, and then Travis won’t have to confront her. It’s surprising how much fear one little girl can instill in so many. Well, I’m not intimidated by her,” Tracey stated.
“I actually think it has more to do with him not wanting to deal with confrontation. He probably is afraid that once he tells Ashley she will go back to Cora and he might end up receiving a sobbing phone call. That’s my theory,” I said.
“Yeah, you are probably right, he doesn’t want the ghosts of girlfriends past to haunt him. Well, he needs to get over that fear if he expects to keep you around.”
I decided to keep Tracey’s suggestion of me telling Ashley myself in my back pocket. Before I let Travis tear us apart over this, I would resort to that.
After Tom and Jared got the tents up, which practically took FOREVER, the four of us decided to go out and grab some dinner. They all filled me in on the latest drama that was happening back home and who was dating whom. Jared was being flirtatious, but I was avoiding his physical advances. The opportunity to tell him about Travis and I hadn’t presented itself yet, so in the meantime I was doing my best not to encourage his flirtations.
We finished our meal and made our way back to the campground. The bonfire was blazing, and everyone was gathered around for a marshmallow roast. We decided to join in the fun, since we hadn’t had dessert yet. Tom and Jared had actually never roasted marshmallows before, so they were eager to do it. As I was watching them awkwardly trying to figure out how not to burn the marshmallows, I couldn’t help but compare Jared to Travis. Although they both come from money and are both very smart, kind and gorgeous, Jared is a bit of a prince who spends his time getting his hair done and making sure his car is washed, while Travis works in a coffee shop and has spent his summers working on the campground in order to help his parents out. The comparison made me admire Travis that much more. I already knew how down to earth Travis was, but seeing Jared in action, especially out of his element, made me more aware of how lucky I was to find Travis. He was the exact guy I’d hoped for but never dreamed I’d find.
Travis and the rest made their way over to us. “Hey Paige!” Ashley cried.
“Hey!” I responded. I was trying to get a read on her demeanor to know whether Travis had spoken with her this afternoon. I figured she would say something, or give me a wink or some kind of signal if she had been clued in, but there was nothing. Trying to brush off my disappointment, I took the opportunity to introduce my friends to everyone. Travis was quiet and didn’t really join in the conversation. It was only when Jared handed me a couple of perfectly roasted marshmallows that Travis finally acknowledged our existence, which was evident by the glares he began giving Jared.
Tracey must have picked up on them too, because she immediately jumped in and pulled Travis into conversation. As I chatted with Tom, I could slightly overhear their conversation and heard Tracey asking questions trying to get to know Travis. I knew she wanted to learn about the guy who had stolen her best friend’s heart. Before long, Travis and Tracey were laughing and I knew he had won her over. It didn’t take much to see what a great guy he was, and judging by Tracey’s attitude she was now a fan.
Jared and Britney were in conversation while the others headed over to the basketball court to shoot some hoops. Tom asked Tracey if she wanted to head back to the campsite, he clearly had something on the brain and was making a ploy to get some alone time. She excused herself from the conversation with Travis, then bid the rest of us goodnight before skipping off down the hill with Tom wrapped around her waist. Travis moved his way to my side, and reached out to discreetly brush my finger. I wanted to wrap my arms around him, but couldn’t.
“Hey, do you guys want to join the others for a game of horse on the court or go in the game room to shoot some pool?” Travis asked, pulling Jared and Britney from their conversation.
“What are you up for Paige?” Jared turned to me to ask.
“How about we go shoot some pool?” I said.
“Great. You joining us Britney?” Jared asked. His sudden interest in Britney was cute, and made me hopeful that he might not take my rejection so hard.
After a couple games of pool, Jared asked if I wanted to go hang out back at the campsite. I agreed because I wanted to take the opportunity to tell him about Travis and me. I knew Travis would be upset by the fact that I was leaving with Jared, but he would just have to deal. After all, he wasn’t allowed to be mad at me when it was apparent that he hadn’t told any of his friends yet.
“Sure. Let’s take off.” I said. Travis immediately tried to make eye contact with me but I avoided his stares as I turned toward Britney to wish her a good night. I gave her a hug, and then exited with Jared. I quickly typed Travis a text though so that he wouldn’t worry about what my intentions were.
Me: I hope you don’t mind. I’m going to go break it to Jared that you’ve stolen my heart. I will make sure he knows not to mention it to anyone. Although, hopefully by tomorrow that won’t be necessary.
Travis: I’ve been freaking out all day knowing that he is here to win you over, and at the same time you are mad at me.
Me: I’m not mad. Just disappointed. Hope you can rectify that.
Travis: I’m going to. Promise. Please don’t sleep in the tent with him.
Me: I promise I won’t.
Travis: Do you still love me?
Me: Maybe?
Travis: Maybe?? What will tip your hat to the yes side of that answer?
Me: If you meet me around the side of the bathroom and give me a goodnight kiss ;-) and make it a GOOOD one!
Travis: Friends don’t kiss?
Me: Right, thanks for the reminder. I almost forgot my standpoint.
Travis: Wait No!!! I’ll meet you in 5 minutes.
Me: K ;-)
I knew I was going back on my earlier stance, but I didn’t want us ending the night on a bad note. After all, he had won Tracey over and had been pretty friendly to my friends for the latter part of the evening in spite of his concerns. So, I told Jared that I needed to use the bathroom and would meet him back at the campsite in just a few minutes. He made sure I didn’t need an escort before turning and walking in the opposite direction of where I was headed.
Travis was waiting for me when I got to the side of the building with a very sexy smirk on his face. “Hi baby!” he said, wrapping his arms around my waist. “I wish you could come back to my site with me and WE could have a sleepover,” he said.
“I need to go talk to Jared, but I think he’ll take it well. Did you see him and Britney hitting it off?”
“I don’t think you realize how much flirting he was directing your way. I think Britney was just his way of trying to make you jealous.” Travis offered his opinion.
“Well, if that was his tactic it clearly wasn’t successful. Your butt,” I said, cupping my hands down into the back pockets of his jeans, “had me distracted all night,” I teased.
“Are you objectifying me?” he quipped. “Well, I have to say the same about yours,” he said, mimicking my actions.
Travis pressed me against the wall of the building and gave me a kiss that made my knees weak. As the kiss continued and our tongues mingled together, Travis lifted my legs up around his waist. I moaned as I felt him pressing between my legs, which elicited a low sound from the back of his throat.
“Take me upstairs Travis,” I breathlessly pleaded. I wanted him more than anything, and was ready to be his in every way. Something inside of me wanted to claim him and ensure that he was mine, regardless of who knew it.
“What about Jared, he’s waiting for you?” Travis asked while not breaking the kiss.
“I don’t care about him, I want you Travis, now. All of you!” I said, making my intentions blatantly obvious.
“Babe, not tonight,” he denied, pulling back from my lips to look into my eyes.
My ego was instantly wounded and I felt rejected once again. What guy would turn down his girlfriend offering up sex on a silver platter? I pushed myself away and wiggled out of his arms. All I wanted to do was take my hurt pride and go back to the campsite. As I turned and started to walk away, Travis grabbed my arm to stop me. “Paige you deserve better than the make-out room that’s why I said that.”
“Goodnight Travis,” I said and then quickly rushed around the corner to where I was in plain sight of the others. I knew Travis wouldn’t try to chase me or make a scene in front of them, which also hurt like hell. So I hurried my pace and made it back to Jared.