The Journey Collection (9 page)

“Max!” Penelope threw her hands up.

“Sorry, Mom, but I knew he’d fall for it. Not my fault he’s sucker.” Shrugging his shoulders, Max turned his attention back to the game.

Penelope turned back to Travis. “Yeah, he’s definitely your son.”

“That he is.” Travis smirked. Penelope reached out to smack him on the back of the head, but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his lap. “Don’t be like that, baby.”

“I — I . . .” she stammered before letting her words die out completely.

Travis kept his eyes locked on hers. A dozen emotions flashed in them: happiness, longing, and need, just to name a few. Releasing his grip on her wrist, he brought his hand up and stroked her cheek.

“Travis.”

“I love you, Penelope,” he whispered. From the corner of his eye, he saw Max and Russ look over him with shock on their faces. No doubt they’d heard his confession, but Travis didn’t care. “Every day that we were apart, you were the first person that I thought of and the only woman who danced through my dreams at night. I never stopped loving you. Not ever.”

“Travis,” she whimpered and turned her face into his touch. He could feel the tears on her face. “Don’t say it just because you think that’s what I want to hear.”

“Look at me,” he ordered, though his tone wasn’t forceful. Penelope shifted her attention to him. “I love you. So much that the thought of ever being away from you again scares the shit out of me. You’ve always been mine, Penelope. I was just too big of an idiot to know that my life would be empty without you.”

“Travis, I — I . . .” Penelope sat up and leaned forward so that her forehead was pressed against Travis’s.

He could see the doubt and fear in her eyes, but behind all of that was something better: hope.

“I love you, too.”

Before she could utter another word, Travis closed the distance between their lips, tasting the sweetness of her kiss for the first time in a decade. Everything was perfect.

***

Chapter Ten

Stay

Travis stretched out under the sage-green sheets that wrapped around him. He rolled onto his side and buried his face in the pillow under his head. A wistful smile tugged at his lips. It had been a long time since he’d felt this peaceful in the morning, and he knew it had everything to do with what had happened after the game the night before.

After the Broncos had demolished the Greyhounds by more than four touchdowns, Travis and Russ had walked Penelope and Max to their car. Travis had intended to go home with Russ. He and Penelope had spent much of the night wrapped up in each other; their love for each other had been shown in whispered kisses. Travis never wanted to let her go. Just as he had resigned himself to the fact that he had to — even for just a night — Penelope had wrapped her fingers around the front of his shirt and murmured one word: “Stay.”

It was a simple request that had pulled at his heart, but the last thing Travis wanted to do was to push Penelope for more than what she was ready for. However, the look in her eyes, the need and yearning that poured out of them weakened his resolve. With a glance back at Russ, who gave him a simple nod, Travis agreed.

Of course, he’d had no idea what would happen when they reached Penelope’s house. Max had run right in, yelling goodnight from over his shoulder. A moment later, the sound of his bedroom door shutting echoed through the quiet house. Penelope and Travis stood in the middle of the living room, just lost in each other.

Taking a deep breath, she’d reached out and woven her fingers with his, gently leading him down the hallway and into her bedroom. Slowly, they had begun to strip off each other’s clothes. Travis had known the moment he’d slipped into her bed that everything had changed. He hadn’t wanted to rush Penelope, yet he couldn’t resist the way her body felt against his. She’d been made for only him to hold, to love, and to cherish. Covered in a light sheen of sweat, Travis had nestled Penelope against his chest and held her while they’d drifted off to sleep.

“You’re going to suffocate yourself.” At the sound of Penelope’s teasing voice, Travis turned his head to look at her. She was sitting on the side of the bed, wearing a T-shirt and a pair of sweatpants. “Good morning.”

“No, it’s a great morning.” Travis moaned when a soft pink tainted her cheeks. “What time is it?”

“Just after nine,” she replied, leaning over and kissing him. “And you need to get up. Max has already asked at least a dozen times where you are. I’ve done everything I can to keep him out, but that boy is persistent.”

Travis laughed. “He takes after you on that one, baby.”

“Oh, I know,” she giggled. “Come on. I might have made breakfast.”

“And what might you have made?” Travis asked, sitting up.

“French toast.” Penelope smirked when he moaned and climbed off the bed, dragging his boxers off the floor and slipping them on. Pulling open the bottom drawer of her dresser, she tossed Travis the maroon workout shorts he’d stolen from the school when he graduated. They’d been his favorite, but the night he and Penelope had first made love, he’d given them to her.

“I can’t believe you still have these,” Travis mumbled.

Penelope smiled. “Of course I kept them. They were yours, and when I wore them, I felt closer to you. Especially when I was pregnant with Max.”

Travis nodded and put them on. They were snugger than they used to be but not by much. Once he had his shirt on, he walked around the bed and slipped his arms around her waist. Leaning in, he brushed his lips across hers. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” She placed her hand on his chest. “But I’m starving, so let’s go eat. Besides, French toast is Max’s favorite, too, and he might have already eaten all of it.”

Travis released her with a menacing growl. Penelope laughed, which made it difficult for Travis to keep a straight face, not that he was really trying. They walked into the kitchen just in time to see Max loading his plate with four slices.

“Max, really, couldn’t you have waited?” Penelope huffed and slid into the seat next to him. She pulled two of the slices off and added them to her plate.

“Mom!” he wailed, falling back in his seat. “I was gonna eat those.”

“Yeah, well, you eat what’s in front of you, and then we’ll talk, little man,” she snickered.

Travis sat in the chair next to him and graciously accepted the two slices Penelope offered him. Once Max had poured half the bottle of syrup onto his plate, Travis doused his and handed the bottle to Penelope. Using his fork, Travis cut off a corner piece and popped it into his mouth. The moan that reverberated from his chest had Penelope and Max turning to stare at him.

“What?” he inquired his mouth still full of food.

“Do you like it, babe?” Penelope’s lips twitched.

Travis swallowed and nodded. “It’s da . . .” A quick look at Max caused him to pause. “It’s really good.”

“You were gonna cuss,” Max teased him.

“No, I wasn’t,” Travis grumbled. “And you, little man, can’t prove a thing.”

Max snorted. “Yeah, yeah; whatever. But I’m telling you, Travis. You have to be careful around her. She has doggy ears, I swear.”

“Um, sitting right here,” Penelope exclaimed, throwing her hands up. “And I do not have doggy ears. I just happen to know when you’re being a bad boy.”

“If you say so, Mom,” Max scoffed, turning his attention back to his food.

Once he’d eaten his two slices and declared that he was done, Max placed his plate in the dishwasher and muttered something about going outside. Travis insisted on doing the dishes since Penelope had cooked; she didn’t argue with him. Once he had everything put away, he grabbed her hand and led her into the living room. They spent the morning wrapped in each other’s arms and flipping through the channels in a vain effort to find something acceptable to watch.

Just before lunch, Travis’s cell phone rang. He scrambled over to pick it up off the floor where he’d tossed it the night before. He groaned when he saw the name on the I.D.: Stewart Thornton. Stewart was the owner of the Sharks, and a call from him could only mean one of two things: either they were trading him to another team, or they were cutting him. Either way, Travis had been dreading this call for over a month.

With a sigh, he slid his finger across the green arrow and answered the call. “Hello.”

“Travis!” Stewart cheered, causing him to pull the phone away from his ear. The man had no control over the volume of his voice. “How’s everything over in the Lone Star State?”

“Great. What can I do for you?” he asked, trying to get Stewart to come straight to the point. Penelope and Max wandered in from the kitchen. She gave him a curious look. Travis shook his head and mouthed that he would tell her when he got off the phone. She nodded before sitting next to Max on the sofa.

Stewart chuckled. “Okay, I’ll get right to it. I know that you were hoping to get back on the roster, but I just don’t see it happening, Travis. You’ve had six good seasons, and with your injuries, I think we’re better off just letting it be as it is.”

“So, you’re cutting me,” Travis gritted, leaning against the closest wall. “Just like that.”

“Yes and no,” Stewart replied. “We’ve agreed — me, Coach Johnson, and Cal — that your ability to play has been compromised, but we’d like for you to consider coming on as a coach. Jerry left, and we’re looking for a fresh new leader for special teams.”

“You’re offering me a job?” Travis laughed. Max huffed and ran out of the house. The screen door slammed shut behind him. Travis took a step to follow him, but Penelope shook her head and chased after him. Travis sighed and leaned back against the wall. “No.”

“What?” Stewart paused. “You can’t be seriously turning down a job?”

“I — I am,” Travis stammered. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate the offer, Stewart, but my life isn’t in Miami anymore. I’m sorry, but I have to respectfully decline your offer.”

“You won’t get another one, Travis,” Stewart cautioned him. “Not from me anyway.”

Sighing, Travis replied, “I know, but I still have to say no. Sorry, but I have people who are counting on me and I can’t let them down — not again.”

“Well, okay, I guess if there’s nothing I can do to change your mind. I mean, hell, Travis, you didn’t even hear how much I’d be paying you or anything.”

“No, sir, I didn’t, but like I said, I can’t accept it. Money isn’t going to make me change my mind, either.”

“Not even for the high end of seven figures?” Stewart asked.

“No,” Travis said. “I’m sorry.”

Stewart huffed. “Okay, well, I guess that’s it. We’ll keep to the terms of your current contract, but after that, we’re done.”

“Thank you, Stewart, for everything. I’ve loved my time with the Sharks.”

“You’re a good player, Travis. Probably one of the best I’ve seen. I hope you know what you’re doing.”

Travis moved over to the screen door and looked out at Penelope and Max sitting on the front steps. “I know exactly what I’ve giving up — and what I’m gaining.”

Ending the call, Travis placed the phone on the coffee table before he opened the screen door. Penelope and Max looked back at him. Both of their eyes were red, and their cheeks were stained from their tears. Penelope stood up and walked past him without a word. Travis reached out for her hand, stopping her from going inside. She looked back at him but didn’t say anything as she pulled her hand from his grip. The door closed behind Penelope, leaving Max and Travis on the porch.

“Are you going to leave now?” Max asked. The despair in his voice tugged at Travis’ heart.

With a sigh, Travis sat on the step next to him. “No,” he said.

Max’s head whipped up, and he smiled. “No?”

Travis shook his head. “I can’t leave you, Max. You and your mom — well, you’re my family. I can’t be away from you anymore.”

“What about the Sharks?” Max frowned. “They offered you a job, right? Are you just gonna abandon them now?”

“They don’t need me anymore.” Travis shrugged his shoulders. “I had a good career, but now, I’m ready to stay home.”

“And home is with me and my mom?”

Travis inhaled a sharp breath and nodded. “If you’ll have me.”

Max scoffed. “Dude, of course we will.” He stood up and wrapped his arms around Travis. “I’ve been waiting for you to come home. Don’t leave us again. We need you.”

Travis’ lips trembled as he hugged his son back. “I need you, too. You have my word that I will not leave you.”

“I hope your word is worth something, Travis,” Max said, pulling back. The sound of the screen door opening pulled their attention to Penelope. “I’m gonna go shoot hoops at the courts.”

“Be safe,” Penelope called after him. Max waved her off and took off down the driveway. She sat next to Travis, sliding her hand into his. “Did you mean it?”

“Mean what?” Travis brought their hands up in front of him. “Did I mean it when I told him that I need him? Or maybe you’re referring to my promise.”

“Both,” she whispered, tilting her head back and meeting his gaze.

“I did. Coming home and meeting Max . . . Penelope, I can’t let him go.” Travis shook his head. “And I won’t make the same mistake with you, either. I left you once, but now I know that I was an idiot for doing it.”

“You were,” Penelope replied. “But you can’t just turn down an offer with the Sharks, either. I supposed Max and I could move to Miami with you. At least then we’d all be in the same place.”

He huffed. “No, I won’t let you do that.” Before Penelope could argue with him, Travis added, “Max’s life is here. He has friends. You have your job at the paper. Besides, my dad is here. We’ve started working through our issues, and it’s gonna be a lot easier to do if I am here.”

“Travis,” she fretted.

He brought his hands up, cradling her face between his palms. “I love you, Penelope, and I love our son. I will be here for as long as you want me.”

“How’s forever sound?” A tear trickled from her eye, landing on Travis’ finger.

“It’s a good start.” Travis leaned in and captured her lips with his. “This has been the greatest journey.”

“What journey?”

Travis pressed his forehead against hers. “The journey home.”

***