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Must’ve cost this guy a fortune.
So… he’s got money.
I take another look at him and note a few things I missed before. He’s in designer jeans, and those sneakers are of the thousand-dollar variety. Bet that chain around his neck is actual gold.
Well, hopefully, he has more good qualities than the ability to buy big diamonds. I wish them nothing but the best.
I found happiness, and I hope Jess does, too.
“Babe, did you even get us a table in the shade?” she asks Travis out of the blue.
“I, uh…” he mumbles.
She quirks a brow, then folds her arms over her chest. Her irritation sparks, searing hot. “So… What? We have to, like, sit out in the sun? You know I’m trying to avoid tan lines.”
“Yeah, yeah… right. I’ll go see if I can snag something.”
The poor dude scurries away.
Was I that bad when Jess and I were together?
I remember exchanges like this, but I couldn’t see clearly when I was in them. I heard her demands and knew she was high-maintenance, but I put up with it because it was easier than resisting.
“How’d you two meet?” I can’t help but ask.
“Oh, it was awesome.” Now that he’s gone, her irritation fades, and she goes back to being Perky Jess. “It was at this sick party, at my friend’s place—lots of big-deal celebrities. Musicians, actors, actresses, you name it. You know that punk band Lost in London?”
I scratch the back of my head. “I think maybe…”
“Well, they’re a big deal, so I’m sure you do. Travis’ brother plays drums. Also, his dad owns an airline.”
“Wow, how about that.”
“Yeah, I know, right? So cool. Anyway, they’re all real jet setters, you know? His dad bought them all this trip to Greece, and Travis invited me, and we just figured, why not make it official first? He popped the question when we were in Vegas for his brother’s show. It was a totally crazy weekend.”
“Sounds it…”
She leans to the side so she can see the outdoor seating area. When she smiles at Travis, it’s bright and sweet, like she didn’t just rip into the guy for slacking on his table-procuring duties.
“Anyway, it’s super great to see you. Travis saw some of the pics on your Insta and wanted to check this place out. We’re here for a few more weeks, so if you want to chill, gimme a call.”
She pulls her aviators out of her shoulder bag and pops them on. “Okay, looks like he got us something with at least some shade. I have got to sit. My feet are on fire in these friggin’ shoes.”
She clops away on her teetering high heels, leaving me in a cloud of perfume.
How did I live with her?
Why?
It’s a mystery to me that I cannot figure out with certainty right now. But I do have a couple of sneaking suspicions. When we met, I had sponsors for my riding. I was getting press, spots on television, interviews, all that. I was a ‘big deal’ in the motorsports world. Maybe Jess liked that… and I liked having a number-one fan.
I’m glad I’m over that chapter of my life.
I feel like I’ve matured a lot since we were together. For the first time, it really hits me that my relationship with Jess was based on my celebrity status within my sport. After my accident, I stopped doing stunts, and I lost sponsors. Of course, Jess and I fell apart. Looking back on it now, it all seems so shallow and unhealthy.
The barista sets my smoothie on the counter. I pick up the frosty, ice-cold beverage and take a long slurp.
For the next forty-five minutes, I sit in my truck with Nola, feeding her treats while I suck down my lunch.
