Keep My Heart (Top Shelf Romance Book 7)

by Lex Martin

  “What the hell?”

  My head pops up just as Travis slides out of me and looks.

  “Oh my God.” I finally see what he sees, and we both rush to adjust ourselves. He pulls his shorts up, I yank my shirt back down, and we both rush to our seats, fighting to get our clothes back on.

  Just as I buckle my belt back into place, a knock startles us both as a cop appears on Viola’s side of the car.

  Chapter 20

  Travis

  “Fuck,” I mumble under my breath again as the tapping of the flashlight on the window rings through the car. I lower it, and the cop shines the light right in my face.

  “Everything okay in here?”

  The car smells like sex, and the windows are foggy, not to mention the writing on the back window. I’m fucking fantastic, and it’s pretty obvious what we were doing. My dick is still halfway hard, and my body is humming from the rush of being with Viola. I smile as the officer shines the light on Viola. I catch a glimpse of her hair that’s a sexy mess. The longer he stares at her, the brighter her cheeks become. She tucks her swollen lips into her mouth, and I hold back a chuckle.

  “We were just having a friendly conversation,” I say, trying to pull the attention from her. Luckily, I don’t recognize the officer as one of Drew’s cop friends, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. I’ve met up with him and his buddies at the bar after their shifts several times, not always remembering every face he’s introduced me to. The last thing we need is someone recognizing Viola or me and catching us together while he’s away on vacation.

  “On the side of the street? Not a very smart decision, son.”

  I nod in return.

  “I need your driver's license and proof of insurance.”

  I lift my butt out of the seat and reach for my wallet, which is no longer in my back pocket. I look around for it and see it in the back seat along with the condom wrapper.

  “My wallet is in the back seat,” I explain. “May I get it?”

  The officer nods, his lips turned down in annoyance.

  “Interesting message on the back of your car there.” He gives a disapproving look.

  I clench my jaw, trying to hold back my reaction and reach behind the passenger seat and grab my wallet. I immediately take out what I need and hand them over to the officer. I glance over at Viola, her breathing still hitched and her eyes wide.

  The officer shines his light over my license to read it. “I’ll be back in a few moments, Mr. King,” he says before walking back to his car. I glance in the rearview mirror, watching the flashing lights light up the street.

  “God,” she says, releasing a deep breath. “Drew cannot find out we were together in your car. That’ll be too suspicious, considering he thinks I’d rather eat rat poison than be alone with you.

  “Damn, I knew you hated me, but rat poison? Really?” I arch a brow, trying to lighten the mood.

  “Shut up,” she says, rolling her eyes and leaning her head back against the headrest. I don’t want Drew to find out about us this way either, but the more I think about it, the more I wonder what his reaction would be.

  Would I be crossing the lines of our friendship? Would he think I’m not good enough for her? Or that I’d just be using her like all the rest?

  It’s too early in the game to tell, but for her sake, I don’t want our little secret getting out.

  The cop returns and hands me my cards back. “This is your warning, kids. Don’t let me catch you parking on the side of a busy street again unless it’s an emergency.”

  I give him a small smile of understanding, and it takes everything I have in me to keep my mouth shut about how needing to fuck Viola in the back of my car was an emergency. A desperate sex emergency, but still.

  He jerks his head toward the street. “Now, get out of here before I change my mind.”

  I nod my head, roll up the window, and pull onto the street.

  She finally relaxes and bursts into a fit of laughter. “I don’t think I’ve ever had an adrenaline rush like that in my life.” She’s smiling.

  “Get ready for many firsts.”

  Viola leans her head back against the headrest as I shift gears and slam on the gas. The engine roars as we merge onto the highway, and I shift once again until we’re cruising. Minutes pass and the silence cuts through the moment like a sharp knife.

  “What are you thinking about?” I ask. She’s quiet, and I feel like she’s building that wall she’s perfected over the years. She turns her head and looks at me. If I could pull this car over on the freeway and fuck her again, I would. She’s that addicting.

  “What are we doing, Travis?”

  I grin. “We’re going back home for round two.”

  “The truth, that’s all I want for once. Not a Travis King smartass answer.” The frustration and confusion are clear in her voice. She tucks her hair behind her ears, just like she did when we were young and would get nervous around me. There’s no jab at me, no hateful remark. Viola genuinely wants to know what we’re doing, but I don’t have an answer. The sexual tension between us has been evident for years, but now that we’ve finally crossed that line, I don’t think we could ever go back.

  I focus on the road ahead of us, thinking how selfish I’ve been. I want her, but I’m worried if this goes any further than what it is right know, that I’ll only end up hurting her. I can’t give her what she wants and especially what she deserves. I won’t allow myself to be the man my father was to my mother. It’s one of my biggest fears and biggest reasons I need to protect her from me.

  I take the exit off the highway and travel down the service road before turning into my neighborhood. I think about how to answer but know that whatever it is won’t be enough for her. “I don’t know.” I swallow, trying to find the right words, but nothing sounds right. “Being with you—”

  She waits with bated breath for my next words, but they never come because when I see Jason parked in the driveway, my driveway, leaning against his car with his hands tucked into his pocket, I see red all over again

  “Shit,” Viola mutters under her breath. “I forgot we made plans.”

  I slow down before pulling into the driveway and parking in my usual spot. I rev the engine, but Jason, being the coward he is, doesn’t look at me.

  I leave the car idling as my jaw ticks with rage.

  “Are you fucking serious?”

  “Travis, I’m—” she begins, but I interrupt, choking out in mock laughter.

  “Go on, Viola. Your date is waiting.” I can’t believe she’d do this, but I have no hold on her. She’s not mine, no matter what’s happened between us, but that doesn't make any damn bit of difference to me right now.

  “Travis…” she pleads, desperate for me to allow her to explain, but I don’t want to hear any of it.

  “Get. Out.” My words are cold and emotionless. I can’t even look her in the eyes.

  “Travis, please.”

  I lean over her body and grab on to the door latch until it pops open. “Make sure to tell him I got you good and loosened up for him. Fucked you real hard and broke your pussy in.”

  She sucks in a breath and narrows her eyes at me. My words are harsh, but that’s my intention. I want her to feel the same way I do at this very moment—angry, hurt, and confused. Just the thought of them together sickens me.

  “Now.”

  She forcefully pushes open the door and before shutting it she leans in. “Fuck you, Travis.”

  “No thanks. Been there, done that.”

  Viola slams the door and walks away toward Jason and his smug expression. She flashes a fake smile, but I don’t wait around to watch them together. Instead, I reverse the car out of the driveway and peel out as I speed down the street. At the first stop sign, I slam my fist against the steering wheel. I don’t even know how to process all of this. I’m losing myself, and I need to get a fucking grip.

  This is everything our relationship is founded on. We can�
��t be in the same space together for long without a fight breaking out. One moment, we’re fucking perfect, and the next, we’re at each other’s throats. All that tension bottles up and releases in harsh waves, ready to jump each other’s bones or kill one another.

  I end up driving to Good Times and decide I need a drink or two. I’m still in the slacks and dress shirt I wore to work, my hair now a mess, and the anger evident on my face. I need more than a drink at this point. My head is in a haze after all that’s happened today, and I replay every moment as I walk to the empty stool in the middle of the bar.

  “Whatcha having, baby?” The bartender leans against the counter in a low-cut shirt. She’s cute and eyeing me like she’s going to take me home and do naughty things to me.

  “Whiskey and Coke.”

  She pours it tall and winks at me as she hands it over. I offer her a weak smile, and she licks her lips. If this were any other time, I’d be laying it on thick, flattering her and commenting about her looks, but right now all I can think about is Viola being with that tool bag, Jason.

  I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket, but I ignore it. I need time to think. Or rather, I need to drink and not think at all. A few big gulps and the whiskey and Coke is gone. The bartender points at my glass, and I nod for another. As she sets it on the bar, I hear a familiar voice behind me.

  “Travis?” I turn around and see it’s Courtney. “What in the hell are you doing here?”

  She looks genuinely confused as she sips her martini. The music is loud, and she’s yelling to be heard.

  “What are you doing here?” I don’t really care to hear her answer. I turn back around to my second whiskey and drink. She takes that as an invitation and sits on the stool next to me.

  “You’re supposed to be in your bedroom, showing my best friend a good time.”

  I sarcastically laugh. “No. She’s too busy fucking someone else.”

  “Jesus Christ,” she mutters. “You’re both so damn stubborn.” I shrug, not disagreeing with her statement but not agreeing either.

  “That’s it.” She grabs her phone from her purse, picks up her martini, and walks off.

  “Don’t—” I turn toward her, but she’s already vanished into the hordes of people on the dance floor. Fucking great. I don’t have the strength to chase after her, but she doesn’t seem like the type of girl who listens very well anyway.

  “Drowning in your sorrows over here?” the bartender asks with a smile on her face.

  “Something like that.” I’m not in the mood to chat.

  “She’s one lucky girl.” She pours me a shot of tequila. “This one’s on me. I’m Krystal.” She holds her hand out and reluctantly, I take it.

  “Thanks, Krystal. I’m Travis.”

  “Travis,” she repeats. “Well, whatever you’re drinking to, feel free to stay as long as you’d like.” She winks before getting called over to the other side of the bar.

  The dynamic of the room changes as the music slows down. There are countless drunk couples grinding all over each other on the dance floor, so I bow my head and take another swig.

  As I start on my third drink, I glance in mirror that lines the bar and see Viola walk through the door in the same blue jeans and T-shirt she was wearing earlier. She makes a beeline to Courtney who’s eagerly waiting on the edge of the dance floor with a huge smile on her face. Courtney pulls Viola into a big drunken hug, then points at the bar. I don’t know what the hell Courtney told her, but I try to blend in anyway. If I get up now, I might be able to make it to the door without being seen, but I have a tab open, and Krystal is busy at the other end of the bar. My body stiffens because I don’t want Viola to notice me, so I focus on my drink. After a few moments, I hear a clearing of a throat behind me, but I ignore it.

  “Travis,” Viola snaps.

  I suck in a deep breath and swallow hard before turning around. I see Courtney behind her, pushing her way through the crowd and parting their bodies like the Red Sea. Her lips are spread in a wide grin, and I curse under my breath at the realization that she called Viola here.

  “Where’s your date?” I ask in a dissatisfied tone, glancing behind her as if I expect him to be following her inside.

  “Just stop it. Okay? Shut the fuck up and listen for once.” Viola places her hands on her hips. The flashing lights from the dance floor streams over her body and even though she’s not dressed up, she’s the sexiest woman in this entire room. She doesn’t even have to try.

  “Oh hey, Travis. I didn’t know you were here. Did you order my drink, Lola?” Courtney gives me a wink, then turns to Viola.

  “No.” Viola isn’t amused, her lips in a firm line.

  Courtney’s been dancing for the better half of the night and smells like gin, perfume, and sweat. I shake my head, and a small smirk plays on my lips as Courtney leans over the bar like the typical drunk girl and orders another drink. She pats me on my back before she goes back to the dance floor.

  Viola doesn’t even notice. The only person she’s looking at right now is me. And she’s shooting daggers at me.

  I lick my lips and as hard as it is, I look her in the eyes. She’s flustered and upset, and I study her face.

  “Have you been crying?” I’m genuinely concerned.

  “No.”

  “Liar.”

  She rolls her eyes. “Whatever.”

  My mouth slightly falls open to respond, when I realize I’ve done exactly what I never intended to do–hurt Viola. I should’ve let her explain and probably overreacted to the situation, but when it comes to Viola Fisher, I can’t control the impulse to stay guarded around her.

  “Forget it. You’re an asshole, Travis. I should’ve figured as much.”

  “Okay, I deserve that.” I wave to Krystal to close out my tab. “But in my defense—”

  “Your defense?” She raises her brows. “Fuck off.” She spins around and begins walking through the crowd.

  Shit.

  I don’t wait for my total. Instead, I just place a couple of twenties down and rush after her. “Viola, wait!”

  She ignores me and holds her arm up in the air, flipping me the bird with her right hand as she strides toward Courtney, who’s in a large group of girls dancing.

  There’s no way I’m going to let her run this time.

  I can’t stand to look at Travis any longer. My heart is racing as it slowly breaks, and all I want is to find Courtney and get the hell out of here. She’s the only reason I showed up anyway.

  As soon as she texted me and asked for a ride home because she’d been drinking, I put on my shoes and drove over. After Travis’s stunt, I sent Jason away and sat alone in bed. I didn’t want to be that stupid girl who cried over a boy, but the way he acted the moment he saw Jason, without even letting me explain, had my emotions overflowing. This back and forth, from good moments to bad moments to hurtful moments, is becoming too much for me. I don’t know how much more I can take.

  The plan was simple. Come in, grab Courtney, go back home and bury my face in my book until I pass out. When I walked in, the last person I expected to see sitting at the bar drinking was Travis.

  It’s not the time or place to be so confrontational, not while I’m so volatile, so I turn and rush through the crowd as he calls my name. I can’t do this anymore, and I have to stop it before I fall too far. Though I’m pissed at him, I’m madder at myself for even letting it get to this point. What the hell was I ever thinking?

  Travis continues to call out my name, but I ignore him. Before I reach Courtney, he grabs my arm and pulls me to him. My body presses against his hard chest, and I suck in a deep breath before I meet his eyes. Travis searches my face, and for a moment, I can’t find any words. We are lost in a sea of bodies, the only two people on the dance floor not moving to the slow beat of the music. His skin touching mine almost burns, and I have to get away from him before I say something I’ll regret later.

  “Release me,” I say with a voice full of veno
m.

  “Not happening.”

  I try to pull away from him, but his grip only tightens.

  “Now,” I hiss, mimicking his tone from before.

  But he doesn’t.

  He gives me no other choice. I push against his chest, making him stumble back. His grip releases, giving me the chance to walk away and grab Courtney.

  “It’s time to go,” I yell over the music.

  I turn and look at Travis, who’s still standing where I left him, not taking a step forward.

  “It’s time to go,” I repeat, pulling her through the crowd.

  “Not yet,” she slurs. She has had way too much to drink.

  “I can’t stay here another minute, Courtney. I have to go.” The air is thick, and my heart is ready to pound out of my chest.

  “Where’s Travis?” She stumbles, and I catch her.

  “We’re done. I don’t care where he is.”

  She pulls her hand out of mine and stops walking. “I’m catching a ride with Chelsea. She’s right over there.” Courtney points at her friend, who waves at me, and now I’m even more frustrated than I was before as realization sets in.

  “Did you know he was here?” I stop and ask her. Now I feel like it was a giant setup. I should’ve known better, known this was another one of Courtney’s antics.

  All she does is giggle, giving herself away. “You’re both your own worst enemy. But I love you, Lola. Not in the girl-on-girl kind of way, though.” She giggles again, alcohol lingering on her breath. “I mean, if you ever wanted—”

  “Oh God,” I interrupt before she can continue her rambling any longer. “You’re ridiculous.” I’m annoyed at her, but she leans in and gives me a hug anyway.

  “I’ll see you later, okay? I have a designated driver. I’ll be fine. Make it right.” Courtney wiggles her little butt onto the dance floor and waves bye to me as I walk out the door, seething. All I can do is shake my head. Once the cool breeze hits my face, I finally feel like I can breathe again. I walk toward my car, my mind reeling and my body still screaming from being with Travis earlier. God. If only he would’ve listened to me and let me explain myself. This is all a giant fucking mess.