Into the Tide (Cottonwood Cove #1)(94)

“It’s about damn time you admitted how you felt. And we were hungry, so here we are,” Georgia said, making her rounds and hugging everyone.

“You need to talk to Travis before you leave for Chicago. You should go there with a clear conscience.” Brinkley slapped me on the chest and looked up at me.

I nodded. “I will. I needed to get this all figured out so I could let him know the plan. And then book a flight to Chicago.”

“That’s already done. Georgie and I booked you on a flight out tomorrow morning. We used Finn’s points.” She chuckled. “I emailed you the confirmation. So, you best get your ass back to Cottonwood Cove and talk to your best friend and make things right.”

“Can we please eat first? I’m starving,” Brax groaned. “And we’ll need to fuel up before you tell Travis that you’re in love with his sister. We may even need the Navy SEAL for backup.”

The girls chuckled, but Wolf raised a brow. “Do you want me there?”

I shook my head. “No. But thank you. I’ve got this. Travis and I have gone to blows before, and I probably have this one coming for not telling him sooner. I’ll take it on the chin if that’s what he needs to do.”

Brax shivered dramatically. “I’m a lover, not a fighter. That shit terrifies me.”

“Hugh’s going to be just fine.” Dylan smiled up at me. “I’m happy for you. You deserve this. Now let’s take the food down to the conference room so you can get back home and deal with the broody brother and then go get your girl.”

And that was exactly what I planned to do.

We all ate together, and then Brax and I were back on the road, pulling into Cottonwood Cove around dinner time. It had been a long day, but I finally felt like I was doing what I was supposed to be doing.

I hadn’t felt that way in a long time.

Because Lila James had been the missing piece I hadn’t even realized I was looking for.

“Are we really doing this?” Brax asked.

“You don’t have to come with me. I’m ready to tell him, and I don’t mind doing it on my own.”

“Hell, no. I may not be a good backup, because you know that I bruise like a peach. But I’ll make sure he doesn’t kill you,” he said with a chuckle.

I wasn’t worried about Travis hurting me. Hell, I was bigger than him. I just wanted him to know that I loved her, and I hoped that he would believe me. He was my best friend, and he was important to me. But I wasn’t walking away from Lila regardless of what Travis had to say about it. He could punch me as many times as he wanted to, and it wasn’t going to change the outcome of this. I’d fucked up by lying to him, and I’d own that. But I wouldn’t apologize for loving his sister.

We pulled in front of his house and got out of the truck.

“Are you nervous?” Brax whispered as we walked up the sidewalk leading to his front door.

I chuckled. “Not even a little bit.”

“Thank God that one of us is okay. I feel like I’m going to shit my pants.”

“Relax. It’s fine.” I knocked on the door, and Travis pulled it open right away.

“Hey. Did you get my text that Shay is at her sister’s for dinner? I wanted to see if you wanted to meet at Reynolds’ for a beer.”

I hadn’t seen the text. “Nah, we’ve been driving. Just came from the city. But I need to talk to you.”

His brows cinched together. “Something happen with my dad?”

“Nope. I checked on him yesterday, and he’s doing really well.” I walked inside after he took a few steps back, inviting us in.

“What’s wrong with him?” Travis flicked his thumb over his shoulder at Brax, who was unusually quiet.

“He’s nervous,” I said, when we reached the kitchen. “He thinks there’s going to be a fight, and you know he’s a delicate flower.”

He and I both chuckled, and Brax crossed his arms over his chest and rolled his eyes.

“Why would there be a fight?” Travis walked to the fridge and pulled out three beer bottles.

“Oh, I don’t think glass bottles are a good idea.” Brax set his on the counter after Travis handed them to us.

I set mine down, as well, leaning over the kitchen island, across from Travis. “I’m in love with Lila. I should have told you sooner, but I didn’t know it was going to turn into something serious.”

He set his bottle down on the counter, his face turning bright red with each passing second as he processed my words. “What the fuck did you just say to me?”

“You heard me. And you getting mad isn’t going to change anything.”

“Look at me, Hugh,” he said, his voice eerily calm. “Did you fuck my sister?”

“I’m not going to answer that because it’s none of your fucking business. I love her, and that’s what matters.”

“Oh, yeah? So, you were just fucking her all this time and keeping it from me. And now it’s turned into something serious? So, you were willing to cross that line when you didn’t know?” he shouted, as he came around the corner and stopped right in front of me.

“If that’s how you want to look at it, that’s your choice. I’m in fucking love with your sister. Don’t belittle it,” I said, my voice coming out louder and harsher than I meant it to.