His shoulders straighten, just a touch. “I don’t know any Amber.”
My throat tightens. “Do not lie to me, Travis. I swear to God, after everything, do not...”
He steps closer but I put a hand up.
“I can’t talk about it now.” His voice is almost scarily firm. “But she’s not another woman, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“Then who is she, Travis?”
He exhales, frustrated. “I swear I’ll explain. Just... not now.”
My chest aches with betrayal. I raise my hand. “Can you just get out?”
He reaches for me. “Violet—”
“No, you promised no more secrets. Please, get out.”
He does as I ask, which almost hurts more, because he didn’t cave and tell me. Instead, he chose to turn and walk away.
That fucking hurts.
I click the lock and press my back against the door. I stand, trembling, desperate to know who Amber is—and terrified of the answer.
While I’m sitting there, on the floor, I message Reagan. I haven’t spoken to her for a few days, and I miss her. I miss chatting and I need someone right now.
V - Can you fucking believe, I’m in lockdown again.
R - Oh shit, why?
V - Jeremy dropped the case and decided he was going to come after me on his own. It’s a long story, but it’s not great.
R - Girl, what the fuck? Are you in danger? I am calling.
My phone is already buzzing before I can type a reply. I answer and Reagan’s voice barrels through the speaker, frantic and strangely comforting. “Vi, are you somewhere safe? What is happening?”
I exhale. “Not really. They have me locked down. Jeremy’s gone full psycho and apparently wants to murder me, so clubsecurity is the big plan. Also, Travis talks in his sleep and said some other girl’s name, which is just... honestly, the cherry on top of my shit sundae.”
“Whoa, back up—he what?” Reagan’s voice is almost shrill.
I choke out a laugh, more broken than funny. “He literally said, ‘Amber, I’m sorry, baby’ in his sleep. And when I confronted him, he said it wasn’t what I think but can’t tell me right now. Is that not the sketchiest shit you’ve ever heard?”
Reagan is quiet, which is never good. I try to fill the silence, but she jumps in first. “Look, Vi, two things. First, are you sure it wasn’t some weird dream gibberish? Like, dudes are morons—maybe he had a nurse named Amber or some fling that went wrong.”
I want to believe that, so badly.
“I don’t think so. He said he would tell me, which means he knows it is something more than just a name. Something just feels... I don’t know, off about it.”
“Talk to him, honey. It’s all I can say. It’s the only way. Just talk to him. Now, let’s move on to Jeremy, because holy fuck. Is he violent? Like, he’d really come for you?”
My hand finds my cheek, cold against hot skin. “Yeah. Sally said he was basically threatening me as he walked out of the office. And he has been known to do crazy shit before, remember.”
“I remember, but I figured that was just grief and hurt. This... this is a whole new level of crazy. Do you want me to come there?” Reagan’s voice drops, protective. “Because I will. I have a bat and my car is big enough to run over any asshole that gets in your way.”
I let my head flop back. “No, just talk to me, okay? Distract me. Say something inappropriate.”
She’s silent for a beat, then, “I did sext my boss by accident last week. While sober. So it’s possible your tragic life is still less embarrassing than mine.”
It catches me off guard, the laugh that comes out. “Well, who was the text for?”