Travis & Viola Duet

Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

TRAVIS

I’m a man of routine. I like structure and schedules. Every morning as I blend my protein shake, I watch the news and catch up on current events before heading to the gym before work.

I watch Viola sleeping peacefully on the couch, and it stops me in my tracks. Once her phone alarm goes off, all peace is gone. But it’s not hard to notice that when her lips aren't pulled tight in her normal pout and her eyes aren't shooting daggers at me, she actually looks sweet. Almost like when we first met as kids.

I was so ticked when my parents told me we were moving from Arizona to California, even if it was because my dad found a better paying job. I didn’t talk to them for a week, but at twelve years old, I didn’t have much power over the situation. Leaving my friends and the only home I’d ever known didn’t settle well with me. That first night we were officially moved into our new home, I saw a couple of kids around my age playing across the street. Still avoiding my parents, I hid up in my bedroom and watched from the window. The boy looked around my age and the girl probably a couple of years younger, but something about the two of them made me walk out my bedroom door, down the stairs, out the front door, and walk across the street toward them. The girl immediately stopped giggling, and they both stared at me.

Eventually, I told them my name, and they immediately accepted me into their lives. Viola was only ten, but she seemed mature for her age. Drew seemed to be bothered that she was always following us around, but I didn’t have a little sister, so I thought it was cute. Drew not so much.

For the next couple of years, Drew and I were teammates in basketball and football. His parents let me carpool with them, Viola always tagging along to our practices and games, and she was pretty cool most of the time. I grew to enjoy her company, and a part of me became protective of her. Anytime Drew told her to get lost, I’d stand up for her and tell her she could stay. I knew she didn’t have many friends at school, and I had started thinking of her as one of my closest friends. Drew didn’t want her hanging around us, but I didn’t mind. In fact, the two of us often hung out, and those were the moments I longed for most. But then one summer our relationship changed, and it’s never been the same.

Once I’m at the gym, I push myself harder than usual. Lifting weights is an outlet I desperately need. Ever since college, I’d been working out religiously. I needed a way to blow off some steam, and once I figured out that working out was a good way to release it, I became an addict.

Today, I bench an extra twenty pounds and run three miles without stopping. Sweat drips from my body, so I take a quick shower at the gym, then rush home. There’s too much pent-up aggression inside me.

On the way home, I can’t help thinking about Viola and how we’ll be living in the same house for two weeks without a referee. Though it’ll be fun to watch her squirm as I cross her perfectly drawn line, she’s right about getting in my way. Hopefully, her disdain and hatred doesn’t wear on my balls. However, I’m thinking I’ll make it my mission to push her to the limit. Either she really hates me or she secretly wants to f**k me. I’m pretty certain it’s the latter.

Once I arrive back at the house, I grab my gym bag and head back inside. After I quickly toss my bag filled with dirty clothes on the floor, I head straight for my bedroom. I grab one of my suits from the closet and toss it on top of my bed. As much as I hate wearing them every single day, I’m determined more than ever to climb the corporate ladder and prove to myself and everyone else that I can do it.

At the firm, I’m one of the youngest employees, and it’s my mission to become one of the youngest executives in the history of Crawford Marketing. I’m on track, but it’s been a lot of proving myself and learning as much about the industry as I can. But I love a challenge. The job itself can sometimes be a bore, but it doesn’t hurt to have the CEO’s daughter suck me off every week. That alone makes me feel like I’m on top of the world.

It’s Thursday, and if everything goes as planned, I may take a vacation day tomorrow and start my weekend early. No reason to let Viola ruin my plans.

Crisp white shirt, black tie and suit, and dress shoes make me look like I own the place; bonus when it makes women drop to their knees in point five seconds. As I’m pouring a cup of steaming hot coffee in my travel mug, I see Viola’s iPhone sitting on the table in the living room out of the corner of my eye. With a devilish grin, I grab it and place it in my breast pocket before heading back out the door.

The moment I walk to my car, Viola pulls into the driveway like a bat out of hell. She looks annoyed, or maybe that’s just her regular expression, but I flash a smile at her because I know it eats at her sanity.

“Have you seen my phone?” she asks.

I place a hand in my pocket and feel her phone as I lean against the door of the Challenger. She glares at me, and I look down at my watch to catch the time. Viola whispers something under her breath, obscenities probably, as she turns on her heels and walks toward the house. I don’t have to be at work for another twenty minutes, so I have time to play. I put my thermos of coffee in the car, and then follow her back inside.

She’s frantically pulling cushions from the couch and storming around the house like a madwoman. It’s cute when she’s worked up, which seems to be all the time when she’s around me. I stand and watch for a few more minutes, then pull it from my pocket and hold it in the air. She stops immediately, and I tilt my head and look at her. She releases a deep breath of relief and walks toward me, but I place it back in my pocket. It won’t be that easy, sweetheart.

“If you want it, come get it.”

“f**k off,” she hisses. “I really need my phone. Give it back.”

“Well, we both know it’s not for a booty call.” I grin, but she looks less than amused. “Do you even know what that is?” My condescending tone has her nostrils flaring.

She groans and tucks her chestnut-colored hair behind her ears. “Travis, I’m going to count to five and then you’re going to hand me my phone, or so help me God, I’ll rip your balls off and shove them down your throat.”

“I dare you,” I whisper and take a step forward. I’m messing with her, but she doesn’t think it’s funny at all, which pleases me even more.

She puts her hand out with her palm flat. “One.”

“I’m not a child.”

“Then don’t act like one,” she fires right back.

I take another step forward.

“Two.” She raises a brow. “I’m serious, Travis.”

Another step.

“Three.” She huffs. “I’m not kidding.”

Another step.

“Four.” She releases a groan. “Stop, you’re being annoying.”

I’m uncomfortably close, and she shifts on her feet.

“Please,” she whispers. She’s so calm it’s almost scary.

“Tell me why I should,” I say. I’m inches away and can smell her hair and the soap on her skin. Being this close to her is dangerous, but I can’t stop myself.

“You’re an asshole. I can’t handle you today.”

“I don’t think you’ll ever be able to handle me, princess.” I pull her phone out of my pocket and hold it up. She rips it out of my hand, then storms out of the house. The door slams behind her, and I wonder what I did all those years ago that made her hate me so much.

When I walk out, she shakes her head at me before backing out of the driveway and then stomping on the gas. I blow her a kiss and wave.

At the office, it feels like Monday morning on c***k. Blake enters with a stack of file folders, and by the look on his face, I know what he’s about to tell me isn’t good. He sets the folders on my desk next to the work I have to get done today before I leave if I want to take the day off tomorrow.

“Can you look over these contracts today?”

I stop typing, study the stack, and then look up at him. I’m not a f*****g miracle worker. “Today?”

“There’s a last-minute director's meeting in the morning, and Mr. Crawford wants a full rundown of where we are with expiration dates. They are reviewing forecasts and market predictions and want to know how many more potential clients we can sign before the next quarter. Stacy is busy, and Julie called in sick.”

“What about Alyssa?” I ask.

Blake rolls his eyes because we both know she doesn’t do anything other than be the office eye candy in her super short skirts and low-cut shirts. Must be nice to be the CEO’s useless daughter.

I exhale, knowing I have no choice. “Fine.”

“Before the end of the day,” Blake reminds me before shutting my door behind him.

Leaning back in my chair, I pinch the bridge of my nose. I’ve only been here for twenty minutes, and the entire day is already f****d.

My door clicks open, and Alyssa struts in. She hasn’t been in my office since our arrangement began and we had agreed to meet on a different floor than our own. Her bravery is nothing more than an annoyance, especially considering the extra work I’m doing is because of her. I’ll make sure to give her what she deserves the next time I’m pumping my d**k in and out of her mouth.

She leans against the door and smiles. Alyssa is sexy as hell with big blue eyes and a tight little body. She can blow me, but she can’t blow our cover. I lick my lips and look at her like she’s lost her f*****g mind.

“I’ve been thinking about you,” she says, her tongue slowly running over her bottom lip, obviously up to no good.

I stop what I’m doing and interlock my fingers together. “Alyssa, what are you doing?”

“I want you, Travis.” Her voice is sweet and sultry. “I can’t wait any longer.”

I swallow. I feel my d**k slightly harden by her words and stand. I stalk to her and run my fingers through her hair grabbing her head and pulling her face close to mine. I hear her moan with pleasure. Alyssa is a s*x kitten who loves getting off just as much as I do. She’s undeniably f*****g hot, and the fact she's my boss’s daughter makes my c**k salute a little higher. I get high on just the rush of sneaking around as it is, and there can't be anything more to us than that. And it needs to stay that way.

“If you get out of my office and don’t pull s**t like this again, I’ll meet you in the supply room on the second floor at lunch and will make it worth every little second.”

She leans forward and takes my bottom lip between her teeth and growls. “Deal.”

When she leaves, I suck in a deep breath and adjust myself. Almost instantaneously, I start on the shitty busy work that Blake left for me, hoping it takes me less time than he gave me. One day I’ll get a project worth something, one that’ll allow me to prove my worth to Crawford Marketing, but today is obviously not that day.

I’m pissed, and Travis King is to blame. It isn’t the first time, and I’m certain it won’t be the last. Flaunting himself in that perfectly tailored suit that hugs him in all the right places makes me hate him even more. My mother always told me that life wasn’t fair and seeing him dressed like that is proof. I want to gouge out his beautiful dark brown eyes. Because of him and his stupid games, I’m rushing around to make it to the other side of campus. Travis set the foundation for my entire day. Asshole!

I like to pre-read chapters before class to make sure I’m fully aware of what will be discussed. I double-check my syllabus on my phone that I fought for this morning and read while I power walk. Call me nerdy, but I don’t have perfect grades by sliding by. Honestly, I could probably teach the classes I’m enrolled in because I’ve studied and researched the subjects so much. By some miracle, I finish the chapter and arrive to class with five minutes to spare. My shoulder is practically numb from the huge bag of books I carried across campus.

Once I sit down, I tuck my hair behind my ears and try to calm down. My heart is racing a million miles per hour, and when I close my eyes, what do I see? Travis’s stupid face, smiling, and I can almost hear the rough in his voice. I close my eyes tighter, take in a deep breath, and then exhale slowly. My economics professor begins to sound like the teacher from Charlie Brown, and I know I need to get a grip. Finally, he asks a question about supply and demand, and I raise my hand to answer.

“Correct, Ms. Fisher,” he says with a knowing smile. I smile in return, pleased with myself. I don’t mind being the Hermione Granger of the econ department. Five points to Gryffindor.

The day flies by, and I can hardly believe I only have one more day until spring break begins. One more day until I'm stuck in the same house as Travis f*****g King. I wish I could fast forward through the next two weeks and get it over with as soon as possible.

I walk across campus toward the dorms, switching shoulders when my bag becomes too heavy. As I pass the library, I hear a familiar voice call my name.

“Lola! Wait up,” Courtney yells, jogging up behind me, her blond hair pulled into a ponytail. With every step she takes, her bracelets jingle. She’s been calling me Lola for years. Courtney complained that Viola reminded her too much of Violet, the first and only girl she’s ever dated. So, she started calling me Lola instead, and it just kind of stuck.

I smile as soon as I see her. She’s breathless, and I can’t help but laugh.

“Jesus, woman. How fast do you walk? I’ve been trying to catch up with you since we left the lecture hall.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” My brows furrow, wondering how I could've been so lost in my own thoughts to drown the rest of the world out. “I’ve been a little out of it today. What’s up?” We continue walking.

“I fly to Dallas on Sunday for our family reunion and won’t be back until Thursday, so we need to hang out this weekend. Will you be around?” She bumps my shoulder, knowing exactly what my plans are.

“Yeah. I’ll be staying at my brother’s house.” With a guy I absolutely loathe.

“With Drew and Travis?” Her inflection goes up when she says Drew’s name, but she knows exactly how I feel about Travis—almost the exact opposite of how she feels about Drew—but that story’s for another time.

“Drew’s going out of town. So yeah. I’ll be living in hell for two weeks with Travis.” I pause and grit my teeth. “Just Travis.”

“You say it like it’s a bad thing.” She pinches her lips together in a knowing smirk.

“It’s the worst thing that could possibly happen to me.”

Courtney met Travis a few times in passing and instantly thought he was s*x on legs, but she knows how I feel. She’s the only one that’ll listen to me b***h about his antics. My mood shifts, and it’s not a good one, and she notices.

“Come with me to Texas then. I can promise cowboys and delicious carbs.” The corners of her lips turn up.

All I can do is laugh. “I’d love to take you up on that offer, but I have tons of reading to do and stupid jocks to tutor.”

“Fine,” she says, exaggerating the word. “Choose books over your best friend again.”

Courtney is the best friend every girl wishes she had, and I’m lucky to have her as one of mine, even if we don’t have much in common. She’s loyal, kind, and good at purposely making me laugh when I’m trying to study.

Her phone goes off, and she squeals. I’m sure it’s Toby, the love of her life. “I gotta go. I’ll text you what time this weekend.” She gives me a quick hug, then turns around and heads the other direction.

“Perfect,” I say with a laugh.

The wind feels nice against my cheeks, and the sun kisses my skin as I walk across the grass toward the dorms. I want to remember how this feels. As I think about my future and the opportunities and possibilities, everything looks so bright. In less than two months, undergraduate life will be nothing more than a fond memory. Life will change, and my friends and I will start new chapters.

I walk into my dorm room and find Ashley sitting on the couch, listening to music through her earbuds so loud that I can almost make out the words. I drop my bag by the door, giving my shoulder a much-needed rest, then walk toward her, waving my arms to get her attention.

“What?” she says, pulling out an earbud.

“You’re going to be deaf by the time you’re thirty if you keep listening to your music that loud.”

She rolls her eyes at me. “I didn’t realize I was rooming with my mother.”

“Shut it.” I glare. “So, I have a huge favor to ask,” I say sweetly, batting my eyes at her.

She puts her earbud back in, then bursts out laughing at my scowl. I place my hand on my hips, and she removes the earbuds once again. “What is it? I fly home first thing tomorrow so whatever it is has to be done tonight.”

“I really, really, really need help carrying my boxes and bags over to Drew’s house. I’ll even buy Starbucks on the way. Venti. Extra shots. The whole menu if you want.”

Her eyes widen. “You’re taking that much with you?”

“Just the essentials. Clothes, my Harry Potter collection, textbooks, and a dozen other books I want to read over break.”

She chuckles, knowing I’m taking way more than just my necessary essentials.

“I don’t want to have to do more than one trip, so that’s why I need your help.” I smile sweetly.

She sighs. “Fine. I have to run across campus and pick up some paperwork from the lab first, but it won’t take more than ten minutes. Plus, you know I’m a sucker for free coffee,” Ashley says, her lips pulling together in a smirk. “I’ve decided you’re getting me a Trenta instead, by the way.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

“That’s because you play to my weaknesses.”

“Only because you’re the best roommate ever. But please don’t tell the other ones I said that.”

She gives me a thumbs-up before putting the earbuds back in and rocking out to some song I can’t make out because the beat is too fast and the lyrics are jumbling together. I plop down on the couch next to her, and she moves her feet so I have more room. I lay my head back and stare at the ceiling until my vision blurs, then I close my eyes. I hardly slept a wink last night, and it’s beginning to catch up with me.

My five-minute catnap is interrupted when my phone goes off. It’s a message from Drew.

Drew: You know you’re the best little sister in the entire world, right?

Clearly, Drew needs a favor, and after hearing he’s leaving this weekend, I’m not sure I feel like being much help. Actually, when I think back on it, that was the restart of all of this drama with Travis. I had been able to avoid him otherwise.

Viola: What do you want?

I reply, suspicious. It beeps seconds later.

Drew: I want you to know how much I love you and tell you how you’re the greatest and my most favorite sister ever.

I sit up on the couch and groan.

Viola: I’m your only sister. So, spill it.

Drew: Well, see Travis texted me and asked if I could bring him lunch again today because he’s super busy, but I’m stuck at work and can’t leave. He swears he won’t ask again for the rest of the year.

I immediately see red, and my fingers can’t fly across the screen fast enough.

Viola: NOT f*****g HAPPENING! HE CAN STARVE FOR ALL I CARE!

For someone who has his s**t together, he needs to plan better. Bring a sandwich, make a protein shake—for f**k’s sake, takeout is always an option.

Drew: C’mon, sis. It’s totally not like you to be like that when people are hungry.

I sigh and close my eyes. Why must he do this to me?

Viola: It’s not happening, Drew. The sob story won’t work today. He can do delivery. And don’t ask me again.

I know it’s harsh, but I don’t care.

Would Travis bring me lunch if I were starving and couldn’t leave? After I sit for a second, I feel a little guilty because even though I hate his guts and he doesn’t really care for mine, he would do it for me. I wait a few minutes then send a text back to Drew.

Viola: Fine. He’s getting the most fattening meal I can buy or worse.

Drew: Thanks, sis. I knew I could count on you. Love you!

I’m tempted to text some colorful things back to him, but instead, I get up, walk to the kitchen, and throw something together, and then grab my car keys.

While I walk toward my car, I ask myself what the hell is wrong with me. Something inside tells me I should’ve stuck with my original response.