“Yep,” Rachael kept her answers short and to the point. She checked her watch and counted down the minutes until they would leave. Leslie, sensing her reluctance to talk to the handsome ball player, came to her immediate rescue.
“Marcel, is it?”
He nodded and sipped his coke. She stuck her hand out abruptly and shook his.
“Let me clue you in on a little secret here. We’re going to play a game. Look around this circle of girls.”
Marcel did as Leslie instructed. He glanced from girl to girl. “Okay, what next?”
“If you’re looking for a hook-up tonight, which one of us would be most likely to be interested?”
Rachael spit her beer out, coughing and giggling.
“I don’t know.” Marcel stammered. Leslie had shocked even him. He didn’t know what to say or how to respond. Rachael safely assumed that no other girl had ever been this direct with him before.
“Well, I figured as much- because Marcel I know what you’re all about. I know who you are. And, you see Rachael here? Well, she’s the virgin of this group and she’d be the only one. So, run along.”
Rachael laughed.
Leslie sipped her wine. “Sorry about that. I know what he was after. His picture used to hang upstairs long ago, back when we were allowed to do those things.”
“Really?” Rachael smiled.
“The Black-Balled List of losers and users,” Sienna grinned. “Every house had one. Guys to avoid. Guys who were bad news. Marcel made the list in several houses. He’s famous on Greek Row.”
“Thanks girls, but I was in no danger of falling prey to Marcel.”
“We know, but I needed to send a clear message anyway.” Leslie explained.
The night continued with more dancing and even more beer. By two o’clock the club was closing and Rachael was sure she wasn’t as sober as she could be. Outside they waited for the car, and it looked like Alexa might get sick.
“I think we have a man down,” Sid helped her sit on the sidewalk.
Rachael sent another message to the driver and it seemed he was over ten minutes away.
A truck Rachael had seen many times at the Sigma house slowly rolled past them. It stopped just beyond them and the driver got out. Glenn approached them, trying not to stare at Rachael’s shirt.
“Need a ride, ladies?”
“Nope, we’ve got it.” Sid countered.
“Speak for yourselves,” Kerrie went over and opened the truck door. Travis sat in the front seat. His eyes locked with Rachael and her apparent wardrobe change. His look was less than pleased.
Sienna followed Kerrie and went over to climb in. Rachael didn’t budge. “I’ll wait here for the cab. I’ll take Sid and Alexa home.”
Travis jumped out of the truck and came over to talk to her, shaking his head.
“Get in the truck, please.”
“No thanks. I’m doing what you told me to. Out dancing with the girls. I thought you were going out with the guys.”
“I did, but we played pool and shot darts at a bar. None of whatever you call this for me,” Travis gestured towards her top.
“You’re confusing me, Travis. Either you hit pause on us or you didn’t. Which is it? Because earlier today you couldn’t even be bothered to talk to me. And, now tonight, you want to come rescue me. Like some knight.” The uber driver pulled up curbside. Rachael and Sid assisted Alexa into the car. Rachael closed the door. “And by the way, this,” Rachael gestured to her own chest. “I thought this was better than the kiss me shirt. I can’t help it they don’t have A/C in there.”
Rachael opened the front door to the small compact car and climbed in, shaking the glass in the door by the force of her slamming it and locking it.
#
Rachael awoke around noon with a viscous headache and the second worse hangover of her lifetime. Thoughts of moonshine and throwing up down the side of her own stirrup and pants leg was not among her fondest memories. She rolled over and saw Lucia was not in her bed. She needed to go see Travis. She’d wait until she could stand or walk straight. It might have to wait until tomorrow. Rachael rolled back over and fell asleep once more.
Chapter Twelve
Rachael jogged over to get her car a few days later. She hadn’t gone to speak with Travis after all. Hadn’t she tried enough? The ball was now in his court. She’d written the letter and apologized. He’d been clear about his intentions and his course of action. He’d even gone as far as to suggest that she do the same.
Travis didn’t call or text her, and she didn’t text him. By the end of a month of avoiding each other and living their separate lives, Rachael was really beginning to feel that they were broken up. Really and truly split up. She missed him terribly, but continued to go out on weekends and hang with the best of them.
But day after day, it took its toll. She was tired of having to pretend she didn’t care what he was doing when deep down she really cared. Truth was she was tore up over Travis and the fact that he’d pushed pause. She found herself aching to be with him. Even just a phone conversation would make all of the difference. And, finally, after class Wednesday night in mid-December it became more than she could handle. It was a little after nine o’clock when class let out and she decided that it was time to go over and confront him. It was now or never.
She purposefully drove to his place. The lights were on and loud music belted out the backdoor. Rachael didn’t bother going around front. She could see lots of people milling around on his porch and the French doors stood wide open. She stepped up onto the porch and Salvatore gave her a look that looked more worried than anything else. Inside, a keg sat along the kitchen wall and guys and girls alike were funneling beer. She glanced around searching for Travis. He sat on the couch playing poker with a group of guys, but there was something peculiar about this particular poker game. The guys were shirtless and so were the girls. Rachael’s blood boiled.
She walked over to Travis and handed him her ring. Turned on her heel, and marched outside. It took him fewer than three strides to catch up to her outside on his back porch.
“What are you doing?”
“What the hell does it look like I’m doing, Travis!”
“It’s just a game of poker.”
“Do I look like an idiot? Do I have dumbass written across my forehead? Strip poker?”
“I always fold when it gets beyond shirts, always.” Travis looked like he’d been drinking for days- and he smelled like it, too.
“Whatever Travis. Sure,” Rachael fought back tears. Is this what they’d become?
She turned and ran to her car. Travis chased after her, but she wouldn’t listen and nearly ran his foot over. Rachael drove and drove. She wished she could call Maysie and Shannah, her best friends, and share everything. Ask them what to do. But she couldn’t. She hadn’t told them about it and truth be told she was embarrassed and devastated.
Rachael had a few weeks until exams and she knew she could pass them. A few short weeks, then she’d go home for Christmas- and put this nightmare behind her.
#
A note on her car windshield the following day told her Travis had been by, but hadn’t wanted to see her either. She didn’t know if she should open it or not. She was afraid to open it.
First, the situation with Colten, now the situation with Travis playing poker. Where had they gone so terribly wrong? Regardless of how she felt, and regardless of how muddled things had become, she had to read his note. She seized it off of the windshield and tore it open.
Dear Rach,
I was wrong to play strip poker. I know it looks really bad- like the Colten situation, but worse because I chose to play the game. I never got naked and never hooked up with anyone. I haven’t touched another girl. I swear it. We’re young. And I’m probably stupid. I know you must think I am. I called this pause and it was a bad idea. A really bad idea. All we’re doing is hurting each other. Causing bigger problems than we ever had to start with. Can we
call it a truce? Can we rewind? Can you put this ring back on your finger? Can you find it in your heart to forgive me? I screwed up big time. I can fix it. Give me the chance.
Love, T
Rachael pulled the beautiful one-carat solitaire and its simple wide gold band from the envelope. Rachael slipped it back on her finger. She wasn’t sure what would happen and if she was ready to talk things over yet, but she knew she wasn’t truly done with Travis. It looked bad yes, but the bras the girls had been wearing weren’t any different than a bikini top. And, Colten had been completely naked. She saw the similarities of the situations and she saw the differences.
Can I forgive Travis?
#
Rachael found herself on the interstate driving home after exams. Travis hadn’t called her. He was truly giving her time and space. They’d had a lot of that lately.
It was like he’d vanished and taken a part of her with him. She had stopped by his place a few times over the last couple of days, feeling much like a stalker, but his truck was never there. Whether it was morning, afternoon, or even at night after she finished with classes- his truck was gone. She began to wonder if he’d dropped out of school. And if he hadn’t, where had he vanished to? Even his roommates had moved out.
Lucia had apologized and felt really badly about her role in their break-up. She hadn’t had Colten back to the house for any late night hook-ups. Rachael assured her she could care less whether Lucia and Colten got married, let alone dated or did whatever it was they were doing. She really didn’t care at all. The only thing that concerned her was Travis. It’d been three weeks since the poker party and she still hadn’t called either of their parents. Maybe he’d told his and they were just not bothering to say anything. Rachael couldn’t even be sure if their wedding was on. Everything was up in the air. She’d put the ring back on, but were things actually okay? She knew the answer to that question was a resounding no.
Rachael phoned Shannah. Shannah didn’t let on that she knew about their fight and subsequent pause and eventual break-up. Rachael wasn’t even sure what it meant herself. She’d told herself repeatedly that they weren’t broken up- not really. That they were merely regrouping. That word sounded so much nicer.
Rachael passed by Baxter Ranch on her way to her own house- she couldn’t help it. It was sort of on the way. His truck wasn’t there either. Rachael stopped at the gate and waited.
What should I do?
Rachael didn’t want to alarm his parents, but she knew they must know something. Mrs. Baxter would have to know something. Rachael pulled in and opened the gate for herself, pulling through it, and locking it back. The house was quiet, with the usual two Florida cur dogs loose in the yard. She knew one, but the other one was new. He was a large black and tan male dog. Rachael couldn’t be sure he wouldn’t bite her. Rachael honked the horn to let someone know she was there.
Mr. Baxter appeared on the front porch. He squinted out at her and waved her in. Rachael climbed across to the passenger side and got out. Mr. Baxter came out to greet her.
“Maysie and Ginnie aren’t here. They’ve gone to choose wedding cakes and other such things. Would you like to come in and have a cup of coffee?”
Rachael shook her head. “Mr. Baxter,” Rachael paused, not knowing how she should word something such as your son may have broken up with me and he’s kind of missing at present. “Have you seen Travis?”
“Nope, can’t say I have. I’m guessing you haven’t either.” Mr. Baxter winked at her and put his arm around her shoulders. “Come inside, sweetheart. Humor me and let’s have that cup of coffee.”
Rachael felt the sting of tears in her eyes, but she didn’t want to cry in front of Mr. Baxter. She knew she shouldn’t. He gently squeezed her shoulders and walked her into the house. Inside, he went over to the kitchen counter and worked at trying to make coffee with a Keurig.
“These advanced pieces of equipment are a little too advanced for a simple country boy. I’ve spent the better part of the morning trying to brew a cup of coffee. Could you help me out?”
“Sure,” Rachael went over and checked the water level finding it was nearly empty. She filled the reservoir and pressed the power button. It roared to life and purred, brewing the perfect cup of coffee.
“Well that makes sense. Given time I’ll master this thing, but that’s the thing about us country boys. Sometimes we’re slow to change. Slow to accept or even acknowledge change. But eventually, with a little guidance, we can come around.”
“I don’t want change,” Rachael realized that Mr. Baxter and she were no longer discussing coffee. “I thought I did, but I don’t. I like my old fashioned pot of coffee just the way it is.” Rachael spied a coffee pot on the counter, shoved out of the way, in a far corner of the kitchen. She walked over and located the old paper basket filters and put one in it. She filled its reservoir and put fresh ground coffee in the basket. She pushed the button turning it on. “You see, this one may take longer to brew, but the end result is a better cup of coffee.”
“And I could never survive on this one measly cup anyhow.” Mr. Baxter dumped a packet of artificial sweetener in his mug. “Now, if I were looking for Travis, I’d say he was on a hunting trip. Maybe out in Minnesota. Just a guess, but Wade and he like to go out there. He’d stopped going these last two years, on account of high school, but that would be my guess.”
“Minnesota?”
“Grouse season. They love it. They take Wade’s bird dogs and go for two weeks. Not that I’m saying that’s where he is, but that would be my best guess.”
Rachael flung her arms around Mr. Baxter, hugging him tightly. “Thank you, Mr. Baxter.”
“Well, it’s the least I can do after you saved me from caffeine failure.”
“Is he coming back?” Rachael asked.
“From where?” Mr. Baxter winked. “Now, you run along and try not to worry so much. Have fun. You have a long time to be married to that boy. Enjoy the here and now of single college life while you can.”
Rachael drank the last of her cup of coffee and disappeared outside. Rachael felt relieved and while she hadn’t heard it straight from Travis she knew his father must have known exactly what had transpired. Outside Rachael started her car and headed down the long gravel driveway. At the end of the driveway she spied a truck she knew all too well. Travis sat there, staring at her making her way up his family’s dirt road. Rachael couldn’t decide what to say or how to act. It’d been weeks since she’d last spoken with him. She felt a mixture of emotions she didn’t know quite how to handle. He’d gone and disappeared on her. He’d cut her out of his life and if it hadn’t been for his father, she still wouldn’t know where he’d been.
Hunting with Wade…
The initial relief Rachael felt gave way to renewed anger. She couldn’t believe he’d left the state and left her to worry about him- for weeks! And, all the while, he’d been hunting. Grouse!? She couldn’t even believe it herself.
What a typical guy thing to do.
He got out of his truck and opened the gate for Rachael. She drove straight through it and waved out her window to him. He watched her go. She didn’t even slow up until she glanced in the rearview mirror spying the ticked look on his face.
And it’s game on, Travis Baxter.
And the tennis match they’d played years ago hit restart once again. It was his serve and she was wondering if he could make it across the net…
Rachael knew she was being immature. Wasn’t it her mess that started the whole thing? Now, here she found out he was okay. That he had only been on a hunting trip- and now, she was blowing him off.
He deserves it…
Rachael went home and stormed into the house. Her mother stood in the kitchen making chili. The smell filled the small house and Rachael was instantly glad to be home. She ran into the kitchen and hugged her mother.
“What brought this on?”
“I’ve missed you.” Rachael opened the refrigerator and
sighed. “Look at all that wonderful food.”
“They’re not feeding you at that sorority house?”
“Not like this. The food bites. Literally. I’ve eaten a few things that I swore were near raw.”
“Yuck.”
“Yep, it’s been a diet of noodles and rice and any salad or veggie. The meat usually looks questionable and I just can’t go there.” Rachael held an apple in her hand, taking one enormous bite.
“Are you going to tell me about the huge fight you and Travis had, or do you want me to pretend that I don’t know?”
“Did he take out an ad?”
“No, not an ad, but he told Wade. Wade told his dad. His dad told Mr. Baxter. Then, Ginnie and I knew. But I have to give Mr. Baxter credit. He didn’t say much.”
“What did he say?”
“Something about Travis needed to take a breather and regroup. He doesn’t like the attention you’re getting from guys off at college. That sort of thing.” Her mother offered her a spoonful of the chili as the official taste-tester. “More salt?”
“More salt and a dash of pepper,” Rachael took a swig of water. “No, it was nothing like that. It turns out my roommate was sleeping with Colten. I really hadn’t put two and two together. Then, one night she goes to the movies and I stayed in. I come back to the room and he’s there totally nude.”
“Travis!”
“No! Oh my gosh, Mom. Colten.”
“Colten! Was naked in your room? Alone?”
“Yes, until I waltzed in. He came in through the window. I guess that was their usual thing. Then, out of nowhere there’s Travis- at the window.”
“And Colten is still standing there naked?”
“He has a pair of boxers mid-thigh at this point.”
“This is getting good.” Her mom took another bite of chili. “And Travis, beat him to a pulp?”
“You knew?”
“No, just a lucky guess. I know Travis. Then, what?”
“Travis stays out all night long and ends up breaking up with me.”
“He broke up with you?”
“He’s calling it a pause. Whatever that is.” Rachael took a last bite of her apple and opened the backdoor to toss the core outside. “Then, I caught him playing strip poker with a bunch of hussies and some frat guys. Then, he ultimately disappeared for over three weeks like a total tool. Then, today he shows up back home. I just saw him at his parents’ house.”
Cowgirl Coed (Redneck Debutante Series Book 4) Page 14