Wildest Dreams - A Taylor Swift Adoption Fanfiction

One Shot Chapter 4: Mandy Tests Travis

Author's note: this is for  smilesxcarson

  I couldn't be bothered to develop the full thing, these two scenes were just vivid in my head 

"So," I say, deliberately dropping my fork with a clatter that makes mom wince. "You play football. With your brother."

"Jason and I both do, yeah," Travis nods, seemingly unbothered by my tone. We're at the dinner table - just the three of us, though I know Tree's probably monitoring everything from her office upstairs.

"Must be nice," I say. "Having a brother. Being all... brotherly. Bet you never fight or anything."

"Mandy," Mom warns softly. She knows exactly what I'm doing and I know I'll get a lecture later. "Put your claws away."

"No, it's fine," Travis says easily. "Jason and I actually fought all the time growing up. Still do sometimes."

I narrow my eyes. "Oh really? What happens when you get angry?"

He considers this. "Usually we talk it out. Or I go work out until-"

"Right," I cut him off. "Because men are so good at 'talking it out' when they're angry."

I can feel mom trying to reach me, but Travis just stays calm. "Some aren't. That's why it's important to learn better ways."

I deliberately spill my water, watching his reaction. But he just reaches for a napkin, no tension in his movements.

"Here," he offers it without entering my space."Accidents happen."

"Wasn't an accident," I say bluntly.

"I know," he replies simply.

That throws me slightly, but I recover. "Does your brother know you're here? Playing happy family with us?"

"He does," Travis nods. "He'd like to meet you both someday."

"Great," I say sarcastically. "More football players. Just what we need."

"Baby," Mom starts.

"What?" I challenge. "I'm just making conversation. Getting to know Travis from the grocery store." I know she'll have a talk with me later about bullshit boundaries and manners. I don't care.

Travis catches the reference but doesn't react to my tone. "You can ask me anything you want, Mandy. I get why you're suspicious."

"Do you?" I stab at my food. "Because how I see it, you're just another guy trying to convince us he's different. That he won't-" I cut myself off and say nothing else.

"That I won't turn out like Joe?" he finishes quietly.

The name hangs in the air between us. Mom's hand tightens around her fork.

"You don't know anything about that," I snap.

"You're right," he agrees. "I don't. But I know enough to understand why you're protecting your mom. Why you need to make sure I'm safe."

"I don't need to make sure of anything," I lie. "I just think it's interesting how you show up with your perfect answers and your stupid football stories and expect us to what? Trust you?"

"Mandy," Mom says again, but her voice is gentle. Understanding.

"No, I mean it," I continue, anger and fear mixing in my chest. "Your brother probably thinks this is great, right? You dating America's sweetheart? Bet that looks good for the family brand-"

"Actually," Travis interrupts calmly, "Jason said I better not mess this up because you sound scarier than any defense line I've ever faced."

That stops me for a second. "What?"