The Choice Read Free Page A

more than to push her buttons in return.
    “Not recently,” he said.
    “Why not? She’s nice.”
    She’s also more than a little neurotic, Travis thought. But that was beside the point.
    “She broke up with me, remember?”
    “So? It doesn’t mean she doesn’t want you to call.”
    “I thought that’s exactly what it meant.”
    Megan, along with Allison and Liz, stared at him as if he were just plain dense. The guys, as usual, seemed to be enjoying this. It was a regular feature of their evenings.
    “But you were fighting, right?”
    “So?”
    “Did you ever think she might have simply broken up with you because she was angry?”
    “I was angry, too.”
    “Why?’
    “She wanted me to see a therapist.”
    “And let me guess—you said you didn’t need to see one.”
    “The day I need to see a therapist is the day you see me hike up my skirt and crochet some mittens.”
    Joe and Laird laughed, but Megan’s eyebrows shot up. Megan, they all knew, watched Oprah nearly every day.
    “You don’t think men need therapy?”
    “I know I don’t.”
    “But generally speaking?”
    “Since I’m not a general, I really couldn’t say.”
    Megan leaned back in her chair. “I think Monica might be on to something. If you ask me, I think you have commitment issues.”
    “Then I’ll make sure not to ask you.”
    Megan leaned forward. “What’s the longest you’ve ever dated someone? Two months? Four months?”
    Travis pondered the question. “I dated Olivia for almost a year.”
    “I don’t think she’s talking about high school,” Laird cracked. Occasionally, his friends enjoyed throwing him under the bus, so to speak.
    “Thanks, Laird,” Travis said.
    “What are friends for?”
    “You’re changing the subject,” Megan reminded him.
    Travis drummed his fingers on his leg. “I guess I’d have to say . . . I can’t remember.”
    “In other words, not long enough to remember?”
    “What can I say? I’ve yet to meet any woman who could measure up to any of you.”
    Despite the growing darkness, he could tell she was pleased by his words. He’d learned long ago that flattery was his best defense at moments like these, especially since it was usually sincere. Megan, Liz, and Allison were terrific. All heart and loyalty and generous common sense.
    “Well, just so you know, I like her,” she said.
    “Yeah, but you like everyone I date.”
    “No, I don’t. I didn’t like Leslie.”
    None of the wives had liked Leslie. Matt, Laird, and Joe, on the other hand, hadn’t minded her company at all, especially when she wore her bikini. She was definitely a beauty, and while she wasn’t the type he’d ever marry, they’d had a lot of fun while it lasted.
    “I’m just saying that I think you should give her a call,” she persisted.
    “I’ll think about it,” he said, knowing he wouldn’t. He rose from the table, angling for an escape. “Anyone need another beer?”
    Joe and Laird lifted their bottles in unison; the others shook their heads. Travis started for the cooler before hesitating near the sliding glass door of his house. He darted inside and changed the CD, listening to the strains of new music filtering out over the yard as he brought the beers back to the table. By then, Megan, Allison, and Liz were already chatting about Gwen, the woman who did their hair. Gwen always had good stories, many of which concerned the illicit predilections of the town’s citizens.
    Travis nursed his beer silently, looking out over the water.
    “What are you thinking about?” Laird asked.
    “It’s not important.”
    “What is it?”
    Travis turned toward him. “Did you ever notice how some colors are used for people’s names but others aren’t?”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “White and Black. Like Mr. White, the guy who owns the tire store. And Mr. Black, our third-grade teacher. Or even Mr. Green from the game Clue . But you never hear of someone named Mr. Orange or Mr. Yellow. It’s