“You can’t!” Grandma grasped her hands tight within hers. “You need to talk to him. He loves you. I know him, he does! He’s just scared!”
“And I’m not?” Kacey yelled. “I’m terrified!”
Grandma gave her a peculiar look. “Does Travis know how Jake reacted that night?”
Kacey slowly shook her head, feeling a little guilty for allowing her hurt heart to put them in the same category.
“Go,” Grandma said, surprising her. ”Get on your plane. I’ll take care of this.”
Kacey shook her head. “There’s nothing to do but pick up the broken pieces.”
“There’s always something to do.” Grandma handed her the keys to the BMW. “Just leave it at the airport, and I’ll have Wescott take me down there to retrieve it tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Grandma. I love you.”
“I love you too, honey.” Grandma kissed her cheek and walked quite briskly into the house. The last thing Kacey heard before she started the car was Grandma yelling at the top of her lungs at Travis.
Kacey pulled out of the driveway feeling completely raw as she left the house, full of memories for the second time in her life, knowing with certainty that it was not in her future.
“Sorry, Mom, Dad.” Kacey wiped the tears from her eyes. “I guess I’m just not good enough.”
Chapter Thirty
Travis stared at the running water in the sink for what felt like hours. Really, it was probably thirty minutes, but he needed to get his speech perfect. Words often failed him, but he was going to try to convey the raw emotional need he had to be with Kacey, and not just for one night.
But forever.
“Travis!” Grandma’s voice echoed into his room. What the heck was she doing back?
“Coming.” He ran into his room and put on a pair of jeans just in time for Grandma to come bursting through the door.
“You are officially my least favorite grandson.”
Travis smirked. “So I was your favorite before?”
“You are a jackass.”
“Grandma, I hardly think swearing is appropriate—”
“She’s gone.”
Travis felt his world tilting. He sat on the bed and put his hands over his face. “What do you mean she’s gone? She was just here.”
“She left.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re a jackass.”
His heart constricted. “What did I do? I mean, I didn’t say I love you back, but I was so ashamed of myself for not having said it first, for taking her to bed and not telling her how much…” His voice went hoarse and then silent.
“Well, she thinks you’re ashamed of her.”
“What?” Travis bolted from the bed. “That’s impossible! I didn’t say anything hurtful!”
“I know.” Grandma sighed. “That’s the problem. You didn’t say anything at all.”
“What?”