actually say anything. “Listen man, I’m not going to lie to you and tell you that we went on a date and that was all. We went on a date yesterday morning and we’ve been together since.”
“I don’t even want to think about what that means.”
“Your sister’s an adult, Trav. You know exactly what that means.” Seeing that Travis was about to lose his cool, he added quickly, “I’m not just hanging around for sex. I like her. A lot. More than I ever thought. And, I think she likes me too.”
“She’s fragile.”
“She’s the strongest woman I’ve ever met.”
“Because that’s what she wants you to see,” Travis said “She’s closed off. She won’t tell you she’s hurt. She’ll just keep it inside. So this is me telling you that you’re going to hurt her. You won’t even know it, but I swear to God, when it happens, I’ll make you hurt, Enzo.”
“Give me some credit, okay? I’m not some asshole. I’m not going to hurt her. If anything, I’m trying to break through. But like you said, she’s closed off.” Enzo took a deep breath and exhaled. “Who hurt her?”
Finally relaxing his stance, Travis sat down on a bench. “Me and my sister, we don’t come from your world. You understand that?”
“I understand that. I don’t care. Money doesn’t mean anything to me.”
“That’s because you have it,” Travis said. Hesitantly he continued, “Listen, man, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. But do not hurt her. She doesn’t deserve it. She’s been hurt enough.”
“Is it your mom?” Enzo asked cautiously.
“My mom?”
“Yeah, she called today and—” Enzo wasn’t able to finish because Travis stormed out.
—
JL sat in a corner of the gym with her e-reader in her hand waiting for Enzo and Travis to finish their powwow—at least that’s what she thought they were doing when she’d seen them walk into the locker room twenty minutes earlier.
“What the hell?” she shrieked as her e-reader was yanked from her hand.
“Mom called?” Travis snapped.
“No big deal,” JL said. When she saw that Enzo was close behind and about to get between her and her brother, JL stopped him by placing her hand on his chest.
“I need to speak with my sister,” Travis said to Enzo. Placing his hand on her forearm, Travis pulled her outside, but Enzo followed. He didn’t hover, but he wanted her to know she wasn’t alone, even if she didn’t need anyone with her.
“When did this start? And I hope to God this just started, JL.” When she didn’t answer, he blew out a deep breath. “Jamie Lynn, damn it! What is going on?”
“She’s called me a few times, okay? Like I said, it’s no big deal. I ignore her calls.”
After some silence he blew out a breath and his features softened. “Darlin’, it’s a big deal. That woman is toxic. You can’t let her in. You know that.”
“I’m not. I promise.”
He turned to Enzo and addressed him. “She’s not to talk to our mother.”
JL shoved Travis by the shoulder. “I don’t need a babysitter, and I don’t need you telling me what I can or can’t do.”
“I’ll deal with you and Enzo, but I will not deal with you talking to Mama. She’ll eventually wear you down, and before you know it, you’ll be lending her money, enabling her as she sucks you dry, financially and emotionally. You know it. I know it. She knows it.” Then he pointed over his shoulder to Enzo. “And now he knows it.”
“I already told you, I’m fine. It’s fine. She called the house and I hung up on her.”
“If you’re serious about her, you’ll make sure she stays away from our mother,” Travis said to Enzo, and then looked at his sister for a moment before shaking his head and walking away, agitated.
“I don’t want you to worry about my mama. He’s always just been very overprotective,” JL said, embarrassed.
He cupped her cheek. “Sweetheart, I heard how she spoke to you. I didn’t like it. I don’t know the whole story and I won’t pressure you to tell me it, but with what I do know, maybe your brother’s right.”
“It’s all good. Don’t worry,” she said as she gave him a kiss.
Enzo interlaced his fingers with hers as they walked out of the Academy and into his car. It felt so natural to be with her, as if they’d been together forever instead of mere days.
“I thought you were taking me to dinner,” she said from the passenger seat.
He started,