Unhinged √

Epilogue

 
   I saw a lot of movies during the two weeks of our breakup but until this moment, I didn't realize I never paid attention enough to any of them to even catch a title. Travis is making us watch Step Sisters because Pokello recommended it and the dancing girls remind him of Janice, he even called her as we were about to begin the movie so we had to start thirty minutes later because those two can gossip for years.

"You know, I really did think you'd become a frat boy. I've never been happier to be wrong". He picks up a popcorn that almost fell into my eye and eats it.

I turn in his lap so I'm looking up at him and not the TV.

"What? Loud men and backward baseball hats don't do it for you?"

"Nah. I'm more a sweaty jersey kind of guy, believe it or not".

"I knew you were sniffing through my dirty laundry you perverted swine". I pinch his cheek hard and he dumps the entire bowl of popcorn on my face. Thank God there was no sugar in that shit.

Before I can get up, I feel a wet appendage lick across my closed eyes.

"Travis". I almost choke as the popcorn that was settled on my lips escape into my mouth.

"Shh. You've got something on your face". He licks from my cheek to the edge of my nose. Then slowly, he regresses towards my eager lips.

"You look quite swiney, hulk". His lips graze mine as he speaks but he prevents it from being more than the whisper of a touch.

I arch my head forward but he moves away slightly.

"You hurt my feelings Jake". The smirk on his lips zero out the fake hurt in his voice.

"How can I make it up to you?" I try to arch further up but my muscles whine in pain and I groan.

Practice has been crazy since we qualified for the league's finals, well, my teammates did, coach wouldn't play me after all the practice I missed. The team seemed happy to have me back at practice, expressing concern over my sudden disappearance and all the shit with the media.

Ingrid had done the interview as she said she would and they all congratulated me on the baby. When they noticed the ring on my finger, I had to buy drinks. Their support was warming because I could see it was genuine, they really are the best team a man could ask for.

"You should really consider not overworking yourself at practice. What will you do at the main event?" Travis gently massages my shoulder.

"Why don't you tell coach Ray that? He has never come this close to a championship in his life".

"How old is he? Thirty five?"

"Forty".

"Compared to the other oldies, his career is doing well".

"That man won't be satisfied until he is coaching some Italian club owned by a mafia or something". Travis barks out a laugh, then attempts to clean up my face with his hand.

"You are going to be at the game right?"
He scoffs.

"Like I'd miss such a defining part of your career".

It is going to be a defining part of my life, our lives but I shut up and let him kiss me.

The doorbell whines angrily and I get off the couch, sparing a glance at the long forgotten movie before going to get the door.

"Mother". It comes out as a sigh and for a moment, her expression looks hurt.

"I saw the news. You are marrying him".