addicted. (a tayvis short story)

c h a p t e r . e i g h t

"Trav!" Ian called from Joe's arms as Travis walked into the house. Taylor closed the door and walked over to all of Ian's things she had packed for the weekend.

"Hey, son," Travis said back to Ian getting closer to Joe. "Come here."

"Trav!" Joe looked at the two of them and quickly became annoyed. Ian was practically jumping out of Joe's arms to get to Travis. Travis took Ian from Joe and hugged him tight.

"I know. We haven't seen each other since yesterday." Travis laughed as he began to tickle Ian a bit. Their bond had grown so much since the new arrangement started. Travis was loving the one-on-one time he was getting with Ian. 

"Well, here's everything you should need for the weekend," Taylor stated, picking up one of the bags she had packed.

"I don't need all of that. Ian and I worked on his new room all week and I finished up last night," Travis told her looking at all of the bags. This was the first time Ian was staying away with Travis over night. He was a bit nervous, but he knew he could handle it. "All I need is some of his toys. I bought some new ones, but I know when children sleep away, something to remind them of home is good to have."

"Oh...you sure you have everything?" She was shocked. She was so sure that he was going to need things that she felt as if she had packed up half of Ian's room to send with him for the next few days. She was also proud of him—proud of him for stepping up and taking care of what he thought Ian would need to be comfortable at his place.

"Yep, even bought him a car seat," Travis said, putting Ian on his shoulders.

"Be careful," Taylor warned nervously, even though Ian was giggling.

"I know what I'm doing," he stated, walking towards her with a chuckle trying not to snap. Travis held his hand out for the bag, and Taylor sighed before handing it to him. He had been so distant ever since their argument after their first co-parenting dinner. She couldn't blame him, but she didn't want things between them to be so awkward. It wasn't good for either of them or Ian. "Ian and I need to get going. We have a man's weekend planned." Travis said, then headed toward the door.

"Travis, wait!" Taylor called as he walked out of the house.

"What are you doing?" Joe asked in an annoyed tone.

"Nothing, I need to talk to him," she told him before making her way out of the door. Travis heard her call him, but he didn't stop. He didn't owe her anything. He was there for Ian. He honestly wanted to get custody of him, but he knew he was just upset, and he didn't want to hurt Taylor like that. "Travis!" She called again as he was getting Ian into his new car seat. "Can we talk?"

"Okay." Travis finished getting Ian settled before turning to face her. His tone was cold, and his face was emotional.

"I don't want things to be awkward between us," she told him, feeling a bit of pain in her chest from the way he was speaking to her.

"Things aren't," he told her, closing Ian's door and walking around to the driver's side.

"Trav, stop it!" she demanded as Travis opened the driver's door. Travis turned to face her, and she could see the anger in his eyes despite his attempts to hide it. "Just stop this. I want us to be civil with each other."