Chapter 32 #2
“We’ll talk about it later.” I pull back enough to look at his father.
He’s standing now too, and the similarities are eerie. Same dark hair and dark eyes. Even the same uneven smile.
“Hi. I’m Gene Bennett,” he says as he extends a hand.
I stare at his outstretched palm, but don’t take it. Instead, I look back to Travis. His chin dips in a small nod as if confirming what I’d already pieced together. This is his dad.
The pull to look at him again is too great. I need to look at the piece of shit that hurt Travis so deeply he believes that it’s his fault he doesn’t have a relationship with him. I truly cannot fathom the things he’s done. Not to anyone, but especially to Travis, his own son.
“I’m Hannah,” I say, stepping closer to Travis. I wish I were taller to physically block more of him. “His wife.”
“I figured as much.” He waves toward the empty seat next to Travis’s. “Please. Join us.”
“You don’t have to,” Travis says to me. “I won’t be long.”
“No. I’d love to.” I leave no room for arguing with me. There’s no fucking way I’m leaving Travis alone with this guy.
The three of us sit, and we’re temporarily reprieved from conversation while the server brings me water and asks if I’d like anything else.
“No, thank you.” I’m only here for Travis.
“So, Hannah, how did you and my son meet?” Gene asks me. He leans back in his chair, the picture of cool indifference.
“I moved into the house next door.” I leave out all the other details because frankly, I want to tell him as little about me as possible.
“And when was that?”
I already know what he’s getting at. I haven’t known Travis long. What’s ironic is not that long ago I would have been as skeptical of our relationship as him. But I already know I love his son more than he does, so he can fuck right off.
“Only a few months ago.”
Travis’s knee is bouncing next to mine, and his breathing is too fast to play off as nervous energy. He’s stressed, physically pained by being in this man’s presence. I rest my hand on his thigh and squeeze gently. His leg stops, and he brings his hand down to intertwine our fingers.
“What are you doing in Moonshot? I thought you lived in…” I trail off. I don’t remember, and I don’t care.
“Grand Rapids. And I came to visit my son.”
I just barely hold back a snort and an eye roll.
We manage to pass the next few minutes without me stabbing him with a butter knife.
Travis and Gene talk, mostly about hockey and Moonshot’s chances of making it to the playoffs this season, and a little about Gene’s company.
I already know he owns a successful development company, so I tune out a lot of it.
That is until, he says, “It could be a great investment for you and a joint project for us.”
“I don’t know shit about any of that stuff,” Travis says.
“I could teach you. You’re going to need a plan after hockey ends. What do you have, another ten years if you’re lucky? Then what?”
“I don’t know, Dad. I’ll figure it out when it gets here.”
Gene scoffs. “I’m giving you an opportunity to help build one of the biggest luxury apartment complexes in the country. Don’t let the past stand in the way of what could be a bright future for the both of us. We can work together.”
My fingers are squeezing Travis’s so tightly that he pulls away and covers my hand with his instead.
“And if I say yes, then what? What do you want from me?”
Gene shifts, the first sign of discomfort he’s shown. “I have the contacts and experience to get us going, but there are up-front costs.”
And there it is. What a fucking prick.
Gene’s mask returns and he waves a hand. “But we don’t need to talk about any of the details today.”
“If you’re only here because you want the inheritance money, then you should know I can’t give it to you.” Travis takes a drink of his water.
Gene’s gaze moves to me, though I’m not sure why until he says, “Surely you signed a prenup.”
“No, we didn’t, but that’s not the reason.” Travis doesn’t look at me, but his hand covering mine clasps tighter.
“Whatever the reason, I’m sure we can work it out.”
Travis shakes his head. “I can’t give you the money because it’s gone.”
“All of it?”
Travis stares at the tablecloth. “Yeah.”
“How in the hell did you blow ten million in a matter of months?” Gene asks. A little of his carefully constructed facade slips, and I see clearly the asshole that he is. Not that I needed more proof. The way he treated Travis tells me everything I needed to know.
“Does it matter?” Travis asks.
“I can’t believe this. Of all the stupid, irresponsible, and selfish things you’ve done, this takes the cake.”
“He’s selfish?!” I ask, unable to hold back any longer. This guy can’t be for real. “What about you?”
“This is between me and my son, sweetie. Don’t worry, I’m sure he’s still making enough to keep you in diamonds and brand names.”
Travis’s body goes rigid. “What the fuck did you say to her?”
“It’s fine. I don’t care what he thinks of me,” I say.
Travis doesn’t relax. He’s finally glowering at his dad. I only wish it were on his own behalf and not mine. “Hannah isn’t like that, and you aren’t going to talk about her that way if you want anything from me.”
“It sounds like you don’t have anything for me anyway.” Gene looks like he wants to say more, but the server returns. We all fall quiet. My heart is racing, and Travis is tense beside me.
When the server leaves again, Gene places his napkin on the table. “Excuse me. I think I’ll hit the men’s room.”
As soon as he’s gone, I turn to Travis.
“I’m so sorry,” he says immediately.
“You’re sorry?” I shake my head. “He’s the one that should be sorry. God, what an asshole.”
“Yeah, but I’m used to it, and you’re only here because of me.” He searches my face. “I was scared I’d never see you again and now here you are. Why are you here?”
“To stop you from doing something stupid like having dinner with your dad. Why are you here with your father after everything he’s put you through?”
“I thought maybe I needed to fix things with him so you and I could move forward. I know how important family is to you. And knowing you lost yours makes it all the worse. Mine is alive and I don’t talk to them. What does that say about me?” He runs a hand through his hair.
My heart aches, and I could almost laugh if it weren’t so tragic.
“Travis. Husband.” I scoot closer and place a hand on his cheek. His brown eyes meet mine, lost and sad. “Your dad is a prick and from the sounds of it, your mom is too.”
He lets out a rough chuckle. “No shit.”
“They don’t deserve you or your time. Not a second of it. You don’t owe them anything, and you certainly don’t have to force a bad relationship with them to prove anything to me. I know who you are. You’re a kind, generous, good man. I don’t love the guy you could be. I love you.”
My admission doesn’t make him smile like I hoped.
“I fucked up. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the inheritance and that I paid your fees after I said I wouldn’t.
No, actually, I’m not sorry about the second thing.
I wish I were, but I’m not. I’m sorry it hurt you and I could have given you a heads-up, but the truth is I would have found a way no matter what your answer had been.
I can’t stand by and watch you struggle when I have the means to help.
And I don’t know how to reconcile that. I love you more than anything and I’m so afraid I ruined everything. ”
I frame his face with both hands now. “I was mad and hurt and…scared.”
He nods, lips pulling down at the corners.
“When I found out my fees were paid and I thought I landed a new sponsor, I couldn’t wait to tell you. I knew how proud you would be of me.”
“I’m already proud and you will find a sponsor. I believe that with every fiber of my being. It’s why I want so badly to help you. You deserve it more than anyone I know. You are so fucking talented, and you work hard. The people who have overlooked you are going to be so fucking sorry they did.”
“I know you did it for the right reasons, but it’s still hard for me to accept. I’ve taken care of myself for a long time. It’s almost a defense mechanism. If I don’t let other people take care of me, then I don’t need them. And if I don’t need them, then it won’t break me when they leave.”
“I’m not going anywhere. Not if you don’t want me to.
When I married you I was ready to spend forever with you, and I still feel that way.
And I didn’t just pay your fees. I paid all the girls at the gym’s fees.
And I want to set up a scholarship for other women in sports.
The difference in pay is bullshit. I’ve been able to support myself from the beginning.
I want other people to have that too. But especially you.
” He takes a breath but then keeps going.
“You’re incredible, Hannah. I know I’m biased, but I still know it’s true.
I’d rather you have the opportunity to chase your dreams, even if it costs me my chance to be with you.
And there’s one more thing. I want to pay for Wren’s semester in Italy.
She’s my sister too, at least for the time being, and I never had one of those before. ”
There’s a stubborn tilt to his handsome jaw.
“What do you mean if it costs you your chance to be with me?”
“I assume this is over.” He can’t quite look at me as he says it.
God. He truly believes that. “You stubborn, unbelievable man.”
His brows lift as he locks eyes with me, and hope etches into his features.
“I’m not going anywhere, okay? Except home.”
“Really?”
“Yes,” I reassure him. I can see his dad returning to the table, so I stand. “Get whatever closure or peace you need from your dad, but do it for you, not me. I know the man you are. You’re my husband and I’m not ready to give up on us.”
His features relax, and a little of Travis’s normal happy expression resurfaces.
I face Gene. “Your son is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Despite all your efforts, he turned out to be a hell of a lot better man than you could ever dream of being. I promise to treat him with more love and care than you did.”
I should probably throw in an It was nice to meet you. Or Hope to see you again. But neither of those things are true so I don’t.
Travis laughs then covers it with a cough. He stands too. “We’re going to head out. Thanks for stopping by. It was a good reminder.”
“Where are you going? The food hasn’t even arrived yet.” Gene tries for endearing, but he’s too slimy to pull it off. “Sit down. We haven’t finished yet.”
“Yeah, we have. We were finished a long time ago.” Travis fishes some cash out of his wallet and tosses it on the table. “Goodbye, Dad.”