Miss Me; When I'm Gone (editing)

CHAPTER 17 (Travis)

Travis

Listening to her soft voice was the only thing that could calm me down. I was standing on my front porch with my boots on and keys in my hand. When she hasn't called back and wouldn't answer the phone, I'd been ready to go after her.

If she hadn't answered that last ring, I was going to call Dave and Dean to check on her, and then I was going to ask my father to order a private jet immediately and fly my ass to Miami Place. Hell, my knees had almost buckled with relief when she finally answered the phone. I wanted Owen to get his ass to her and tell her what happened so she would know. And so she wouldn't be alone.

But until then, I want letting her go. Fuck, I wouldn't let her go once Owen got there. I was seriously close to calling Dave and Dean to stay with hr until I got there.

She was struggling more tonight than she had in weeks as she read to me. I hated the thought of her being scared and alone. I also hated the fact that she lived in that apartment by herself. It wasn't safe. This proved that.

"Owen's at the door," she said.

"I want to hear what he has to say," I told her. I didn't want he hanging up on me.

"Ok. I'll just, um, set the phone down."

I waited as she opened the door. Owen asked if she was ok, and it sounded like j was hugging her. She let out a small sob and asked if he was on. Then he was assuring her that he was fine.

"What happened?" Blair asked.

"I don't know the full story. When I was headed to the stairs, I heard wheels screech, and then I heard Jakob screaming at Melanie that she was a slut. Melanie began calling him names, too, and then he pulled out a gun from his waistband and shot her. She took off running and screaming, and I was trying to frantically dial nine-one-one when the second round went off. I saw.... I need to sit down. Shit. I'm going to need a stiff drink tonight."

"You don't need to be alone," Blair said.

"My man is on his way. He'll hold me tonight," Owen replied.

"Good."

That didn't help me. I didn't like the idea of Blair being alone tonight, either. I also fucking hated that she was on the first floor. It was dangerous down there.

"I saw her go down, she just crumpled to the ground. There was a pool of blood around her, and she wasn't moving. It wasn't the smartest thing to do, but I went running toward her. And then the bastard fired at me. He missed and took off, but I don't know if I'll ever be able to get that image out of my head; of a gun pointed at me."

Shit!

"Oh, no, Owen!"

"The guy in her apartment that shed been having an affair with took off running in his underwear, like the punk-ass he is. The Police caught him though. He didn't get far. He was scared shitless. They got Jakob too. He stuck around too long, then ran his car into a ditch going too fast around the curve. The Police got him as he was running away from the car. This place was a fucking circus. People opening their doors and screaming yelling. No one was trying to help; they were just panicking. He just.... Killed her. Shot her dead. Damn psycho. They'd been series for three years."

"That's awful." Blair's voice was off. She was upset.and he was going to fucking leave Ber alone by herself while he cuddled up with his boyfriend?

"I've got to go get a shower and some tequila. Anything to wash this shit out of my head. You stay bolted up. You'll be safe, though. The Police will be all over the scene most of the night. It's fine. But if you need me, just call."