The Bet (The Bet #1)(33)

“You guys still talk?”

Travis looked away. “Me and Jake? That would be a resounding no. This weekend is the first time we’ve spent more than a day together in years.”

“Why?”

Because of you.

Because I love you.

Because he’s an ass.

“Let’s just say we had a falling out. I didn’t exactly agree with the path he took in his life, and he thought I was too uptight. End of story.” Travis held out his hand. Kacey took it.

He led her to the next exhibit.

“Do you miss him?” Kacey asked.

“I miss who he was. I miss who he could be.” He laughed bitterly. “Is that terrible? To wish someone was different just because you don’t agree with the person they are?”

Tears welled in Kacey’s eyes. “No, I don’t think that’s terrible. If it makes you feel better, I miss him too.”

“You live in Seattle.”

“I miss who he was. Besides, the first time I talked to Jake in two years was last week.”

Travis wasn’t sure if he was relieved or upset that his brother had been proven a liar yet again. So he hadn’t kept tabs on Kacey like he’d told everyone? Interesting. Though his heart still had trouble with the thought that she had any sort of tender feelings towards Jake, regardless of if it was for her old version of him or the new one. “Well, you guys were best friends. So I understand.”

“He never held my hand. ”Kacey laughed. “Isn’t that ridiculous? We never held hands.”

“What?” Travis’s head snapped up. “But you guys dated, and you were together all the time. I mean…” He nudged her a bit. “…You held hands at sixth grade skate night. That has to count.”

Kacey laughed and shook her head. “Yes, let’s bring up skate night, because that’s not totally forced! I swear they encourage it! Playing Savage Garden while telling the girls to pick a cute boy. That’s probably how Jake’s gold diggers first learned how to hit on men.”

“Skate night,” they said in unison.

“Doesn’t count though,” Kacey interjected. “Like I said, it was forced. I mean he kissed me when we dated…”

Travis hoped his cringe wasn’t too obvious.

“I remember the one time I reached for his hand in high school when we were dating. He pulled it away and shook his head. Later he told me he didn’t want to appear like we were too exclusive.”

“What an ass.”

“Yes, I think that was the beginning of the end.” Kacey sighed. “Look! The bear’s out!”

“Crap, are you serious?” Travis grabbed her and pushed her into the brick wall lining the far side of the exhibit. Adrenaline coursed through him.

“Um…” Kacey shook his flexed arms. “What are you doing?”

“You said…” Travis’s breathing was ragged from fear. “You said the bear was out.”

Kacey bit her lip then burst into laughter. Her head rested against his chest as her shoulders shook. “I meant that he wasn’t sleeping behind the little alcove. Maybe I should have yelled that he was visible? Then you wouldn’t have had a heart attack.” Kacey leaned in and gave him a mocking smile. “Well, at least I know you’re still afraid of bears.”

He hated damn bears. Even the gummy ones. “I was just trying to protect you.”

“And yourself.” Kacey nudged him then grabbed his hand. “Admit it, your heart was beating like crazy. You were sweating.”

“I hate bears.” Travis felt like he was ten all over again. Kacey had asked him why he was crying, and he’d told her it was because Care Bears were on TV again.

That Christmas she’d bought him a Care Bear.

He’d cried.

Again.

He blamed his parents for taking him camping too often as a child. When he was three, a bear wandered into their campground and he never got over it. His mom said he’d cried for the entire day when he found out the bear ate his graham crackers.

“Look.” Kacey pointed at the large menacing bear. “He’s just playing.”

What she probably saw was the bear happily playing with a piece of wood. What Travis saw was a bear ripping things apart with its ten-inch claws.

“Do you still have Mr. Happy?”

“I hate you just a little bit right now. How did this go from me cheering you up to discussing my phobias?”

“Do you?” she teased.

“No, Mr. Happy, my Care Bear, suffered a very tragic accident the same year you got him for me. Something about the bonfire and no firewood.”

“See if I ever get you a present again.”

He’d probably accept a damn bear from her at this point if she just kept holding his hand.

Travis looked at his watch. “Well, as much as I loved our quick one-hour trip, we’ve got to head back. Grandma really did say something about wedding plans, but I’m pretty sure that was code for Go rescue Kacey so I don’t have to drive without a license.”

“Really?” Kacey squinted her eyes in disbelief.

“Yes, she does believe you’re getting married, and my parents are literally planning the ceremony as we speak. You better hope Grandma reigns them in. Otherwise you’re getting married Sunday.”