Miss Me; When I'm Gone (editing)

CHAPTER 9 (Travis)

(P.s sorry about spelling errors and bad grammar as such, I've been uploading by my phone)

Travis

My thoughts were all over the place as I tried like hell to figure out what had happened in the car.I'd never seen anyone do that before.

It had been hard to drive as I watched Blair struggle with writing down a simple address. I hadn't realized she was having a problem until she made a soft panicked noise her throat like she couldn't breathe.

My gaze had gone to her face, and I'd seen she'd gone pale. Glancing down at the paper, I'd also seen three E's instead of three 3's. Her backwards B had been enough for me to know something was off.

She had to have an explanation.. One that made sense.

"I'm stupid... I... My brain doesn't work right. I went to school for twelve years and still didn't graduate. I can't pass a test. I can't.. I can't even read, not much."

Holy shit.

She lifted her hand up to wipe her tears, and her full lips were puckered up. She was even gorgeous when she cried.

"You're not stupid," I said tightly.

I hated hearing her call herself that. Something was wrong with her, but she wasn't stupid.

She let out a sad laugh and continued to wipe away her tears.

"You may be the first person who knows about this and doesn't think I'm stupid."

My body tensed, and an angry coil tightened in my chest.

"Did someone tell you that you were stupid?" I asked, unable to keep my emotions out of my voice.

I was pissed. She stiffened, the glanced at me warily.

"Yes." She replied softly.

"Who?"

"You're so... Nice. Why are you so nice? I clean your sister's house. You don't know me, not really. But you open doors for me, and you don't act like I'm an idiot, and you.... Want to help me?"

She said her last bit as a chocked sob.

"No one cab help me. You can't fix what isn't there. And my brain just isn't all there."

Fucking hell.

"Don't say that again," I warned her.

I was done hearing her demean herself. I had seen intelligence shining in her eyes.

"Your brain is fine."

Blair's eyes flashed something I didn't understand, and then a small smile tugged on her lips as she sniffled.

"You're a really nice man, Travis Miliani. I don't normally like men. They... Make me nervous. But you, you're different."

My own fucking emotions wee too raw for this. I couldn't let myself question why she didn't trust or like men. The haunted look in her eyes when shed admitted that sent off a warning sign, even I couldn't miss. She had more secrets, I'd bet my life on it.

Simple fact was, girls who looked like Blair knew men well. They had been controlling them since they hit puberty. Men didn't frighten them. They owned men. Unless... No. I wasn't letting my thoughts go there right now. But God, I hoped I was wrong.

"I have to leave in two days. I'm going back to California. I've got business to handle. But I am going to help you. When I'm gone, you can call me, and I'll be there to listen. I'm a really good friend. But I need you to promise me that what I set up for you, to help you, you'll do. You will trust me to put you in good hands. I won't let anyone hurt you. I'm a phone call away."

I wasn't sure what the hell I was going to do in two days, but I had some connections. I was Jaco Miliani's son, and sometimes that means something. I never used it for myself, but I'd use it to help Blair.

Jaco would demand the best, and Blair was getting the best.

Blair tilted her head to the side, and I wondered again how long her hair was. How it looked draped across her shoulders. Did it naturally curl, or was it straight?

"Why?" She asked.

"Why, what?"

"Why do you want to help me?"

I didn't even pause.

"Because you're worth helping."