Devil's Despair: Travis's Stand Part 43

My edges are rough and my will is strong, but in equal measure, so are hers. She wrapped her madness around me and rather than fight to avoid it, I risked the consequences of what loving someone can do.

My parents weren't able to show me the love between a man and a woman. I'm learning as I go, just as Sarah is. We're making our lives our own and we're doing it together.

"I feel your sarcasm. Just cause we're getting married in 2030 doesn't mean I'm going to give you slacking pa.s.ses."

Removing her foot from my lap and climbing on top of her carefully, I blanket her with my body and look down at her. She's smiling.

"f.u.c.k your slacking pa.s.s. 2030? I thought we were getting married next year?"

"I'm not sure I'll be ready next year," she answers.

Together, Sarah and I have healed each other through our losses. Together we grew from them, and together we'll live side by side sharing our lives with a fighting frustration that neither of us would ever want to change.

"We don't have to get married at all," I return honestly.

Her eyebrows furrow in question and she looks nervous. "You want your ring back?"

"f.u.c.k no. Even if we never get married, you're wearing that b.i.t.c.h for-f.u.c.king-ever."

Lifting her hand from my shoulder, she studies the ring, but more importantly the promise that it stands for, with careful consideration. "We could move the wedding up. If you want kids, we probably should."

"If I want kids?" I ask, sliding my hand into the boxer shorts of mine she's wearing.

Yes, I want Sarah's kids. I want as many as she'll give me. I want them to look and act like her, but be strong like me. I want them to have her eyes, my height, and learn to respect those around them.

"Travis." She rolls her eyes, but not from enjoying my hands on her. She's annoyed. "I know you know how to make them. You've showed me before."

Taking my other hand and pinning her in place, I give her the full weight of my body. I lift the hem of my s.h.i.+rt she's wearing. My thumb grazes her pebbled nipple.

"I want everything," I say as I squeeze it harder than she's already used to.

"You're such a pain in the a.s.s," she tells me, smiling.

"I love you, Sarah," I whisper, bending down to kiss her lips softly.

"I know," she replies as she kisses me back.

Our group is chaotic. Our family of friends is confusing and sometimes frustrating beyond belief. But it's ours. We stand by each other through every heartache, tragedy, victory, and celebration. When one of us struggles, the others shoulder the pain as their own.

We cope with our misfortunes as one and celebrate our milestones and successes the same way.

It's what we always have been and always will be-a family.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.

Paul and Dallace-When I told you I was starting another book and I knew this time of year was going to be tricky, you both said, "Do it." I can't tell you what it means to me to know you have my back. I love you both so much.

Ashleigh Grapeness-Travis tested the limits of your mad beta skills. I think this version, #3678, is the last you'll have to see of him. Thanks for sticking with this and not yelling at me as much as I think you'd have liked to. Now that it's done-ONWARD!

Amber-All the music! Great picks and those you chose helped me through some writing block issues. Thank you so much!

Melissa-Thank you for reading the early pieces of Travis, offering your feedback, then re-reading it again. I'm so glad I know you!

Hot Tree Editing-Becky Johnson-So, special mention goes here. I moved my editing date twice. I know it's a pain in the a.s.s and I didn't make anything easier by pus.h.i.+ng it off, but you understood and eased my mind in knowing you'd still be around when I was finally done. Thank you again and again!

Betas-Rosie, Lena, Joselyn, Sam, Keri, Chris, and Julie Travis wasn't perfect when you got him. You made him that way with your feedback. I appreciate your willingness to shred the ever-lovin' c.r.a.p out of him. I can't thank you enough.

Bloggers-Oh my! Where do I begin? So many of you actively devote your time to help authors like me, who love to write but suck at marketing, promote my work. It seems most of you never ever sleep! I've appreciated getting to know you and can't ever repay what you've done for me.

Pimp crazies! Denielle Hoppe, Elizabeth Thiele, and Connie Thompson. If I had a street team, you'd be running it with ease. I can't express how happy it makes me when I wake up, most time early mornings, and have found you tagging me in posts to promote my work. You'll always have my undying grat.i.tude. I think what you do for authors is absolutely amazing.

Proofreader-Danni. Thank you for the extra eyes right before I hit publish. I appreciate you taking the time to get it done just so I feel that much better.

Cover Art created by: Melody Simmons of ebookindiecovers.com.

Editing by: Hot Tree Editing Services.

Formatting by: Champagne Formats.

SERIES PLAY LIST.

Ace and Raegan: Neil Diamond "All I Really Need Is You"

Kenny Rogers "Lady"

Hayden and Lacey: Matt Nathanson "Kept"

Bette Midler "Baby Mine"

Travis and Sarah: Sara Bareilles "Gravity"

Brantley Gilbert "Play Me That Song"

Andrew Belle "In My Veins"

The Despair Series: Sara Haze "Every Heart"

MORE ABOUT A.C. BEXTOR.

Other t.i.tles by A.C. Bextor.

Lights of Peril Series.

Holding On.

The Way Home.

Toxic.

Tied To You.

Devil's Despair Series.

Ace's Redemption (Stand Alone).

Hayden's Verse (Stand Alone).

Travis's Stand.