Previously…
– Travis consoled Rosie after her final showdown with her ex, Diego, and hoped they might be able to have a fresh start.
– Jake blamed Matt for the car accident that injured Marcus and caused the death of Tori’s unborn child.
– Kathleen and Jimmy prepared for the grand opening of their new bar, The Wild Lady.

 

The sounds of Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love a Bad Name” hit Travis Fisher as soon as he begins to open the bar’s heavy front door. He steps into the coat check area and then moves right through a set of saloon-style doors, which swing open to reveal the full expanse of the bar that his biological mother and her husband are opening tonight. In one corner is a ring featuring a mechanical bull; careful lighting keeps the bar invitingly dim but not dark.

“Kathleen’s in the back,” a voice calls out, and Travis swivels his head to see Elly Vanderbilt behind the long bar off to one side of the space. As she steps out from behind it, Travis crosses the varnished wood floor, its knots and marking adding to the place’s rustic charm.

“Looks great in here,” he comments over the music.

Elly beams at him. She wears a pair of artfully ripped, dark denim jeans with knee-high boots and a ruched black top. Her brilliant red hair cascades over her shoulders in loose waves.

“They did an awesome job, right?” she says. “It’s crazy that, after all this work, this place is going to be full of people in just a little while.”

“I bet Kathleen and Jimmy must be excited. I wanted to congratulate them before everyone gets here.”

“They’re just going over some stuff with the kitchen staff.”

Travis’s attention is briefly pulled toward the end of the bar, where a swinging door opens to reveal a male barback with a messy man-bun carrying a tray of freshly washed glasses.

“Sounds like you were a huge help to them,” Travis tells his ex-girlfriend. When she shrugs, he adds, “Any chance you’re thinking of switching careers to bar management?”

Her face hardens. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You know I’m not exactly a fan of your career choices at the moment.”

“Luckily for both of us, your opinion on the matter carries no weight whatsoever.”

Travis clutches his chest, as if covering a stab wound. “Oh, man. That cuts deep.”

She continues to scowl at him. “I’m serious. It’s my life, Travis. I can represent Spencer and Natalie if I choose to.”

“Yeah, and Peter is my nephew. Sort of. My mom and dad are his grandparents. Jason is my uncle. I’m not exactly some random rubbernecker.”

“I know you care about everyone involved in this,” she says, softening her voice a touch. “All I want is to make sure they come to a resolution that’s best for Peter and doesn’t deny anyone the chance to be a part of his life.”

“Which is exactly what Spencer and Natalie did to Jason with that sham of a wedding. I honestly can’t believe they’ve gone this long without killing one another.”

“I’m not going to discuss my clients’ lives with you. Tonight is about Kathleen, Jimmy, and this place.”

“Okay, maybe you are a natural-born attorney after all,” he says. “But I know you, Elly. I know you have a good heart. I’m trusting you that, no matter what happens at that custody hearing tomorrow, you will keep Peter’s best interests in mind.”

“I promise,” she says as she grabs a rag off the top of the bar. “I’m going to go grab Kathleen for you, okay? Have fun tonight.”

“Thanks,” Travis responds with a faint sigh as he watches her head toward the back room.

—–

Molly Taylor sits alone in the well-appointed kitchen of her home, listening to an episode of Oprah Winfrey’s “SuperSoul Conversations” podcast that is playing over the Sonos soundsystem. A glass of pinot grigio rests before Molly, hardly touched. She is curling her fingers idly around the stem of the glass for what must be the twentieth time when the doorbell finally rings.

Despite the anxiety churning in the pit of her stomach, she bursts out of her chair. Quickly she strides into the foyer and to the front door. When she pulls it open, Conrad Halston’s smiling face greets her. He is dressed in dark jeans, with a green-and-blue plaid shirt tucked into them.

His smile recedes as he takes in the sight of her, in LuLuLemon tights and a white tunic-style top.

“Why aren’t you dressed?” he asks. “Are you still not feeling well?”

“I’m fine,” she says.

“Are you sure? The doctor said that if you feel faint…”

“It isn’t that.” She pauses for a breath as she steels herself. “Why don’t you come in?”

“I take it you don’t want to go to the grand opening,” Conrad says, his tone now more guarded.

Molly shakes her head. “Conrad, I think we should talk.”

—–

Matt Gray presses the doorbell and then shifts his weight from one foot to the other as he awaits a response. He thought it wisest not to announce himself before visiting, but now that he is here, he dreads the reception he might be given.

He is both relieved and frustrated when it is his sister-in-law who answers the door.

“Matt. Hi,” Mia Davich Gray says somewhat tentatively. “What’s all this?” She motions toward the very full grocery bag that he is cradling with one arm.

“I brought some meals,” he says. “Thought you guys could use ’em while you’re focused on getting Marcus better.”

“Thanks.” She offers him a warm expression. “We appreciate it.”

An uncertain spell of silence falls over them.

“I got Marcus some of those chocolates from the place on Pier 23, too,” Matt says, as he digs into the bag and pulls out the tin. “Thought he might like those.”

“I’m sure he will.” Mia reaches out to take the bag.

Matt holds onto it. “Can I come in?”

She glances behind herself, into the house. “I don’t know if that’s the best idea right now.”

“Because of Jake?”

“Because–” Her pause serves as all the confirmation Matt needs.

“Because Marcus is resting, and I don’t want any more stress or chaos affecting him,” she says at last.

He nods somberly, knowing that he can’t argue with her on that front.

“I want you guys to know how sorry I am for everything,” Matt says. “I didn’t cause that car crash, but I did get all of this going, and I’ll never forgive myself for it.”

“Good,” a voice proclaims from behind Mia. Both of them turn to see Jake Gray at the foot of the staircase.

“Not now,” Mia tells him, managing to deliver her warning in a relatively gentle tone.

“He’s the one who turned up here,” Jake says. “And if you think you can smooth this over with a couple of dinners and some chocolates, brother — you’ve got another thing coming.”

—–

“Oh, I’m so excited!” Kathleen Bundy squeals as she releases Travis from an enthusiastic hug. “I can’t believe it’s really happening.”

“It is. You guys should be proud of yourselves,” Travis says. They stand toward one side of the Wild Lady’s kitchen, while staff bustle about preparing French fries, chicken wings, and other snacks offered on the menu.

Jimmy Trask, who stands just beside his wife, clasps a hand lovingly over Kathleen’s shoulder.

“Couldn’t have done any of this without this special lady,” he says.

Kathleen leans against him giddily. She wears a red plaid shirt open over a white tank top, with jeans and well-worn brown leather cowboy boots.

“Is Rosie here?” she asks her son.

He casts his gaze down toward the kitchen’s epoxy floor. “I don’t think she’s coming.”

“Awww, that’s a shame,” Kathleen says. “That girl doesn’t know what she’s missing.”

“Sorry to hear that,” Jimmy adds.

Travis lifts his shoulders and then lets them fall in a defeated shrug. “It is what it is. I can’t force her to want to give this another shot, you know?”

“And someday, she’s gonna regret it.” Kathleen gives Travis a comforting pat on the arm. “But you know what? I bet there are gonna be a heck of a lot of single ladies here tonight.”

“It’s a weeknight,” Travis says. “I work tomorrow. I can’t get too wild.”

“Who said anything about getting wild?” Kathleen says.

Jimmy chuckles. “After all, he is your kid…”

“I’m just saying,” she continues, “have a drink or two, talk to some new people, maybe get a phone number. Can’t hurt, can it?”

“I guess not,” Travis agrees, though he feels anything but up for socializing with strangers right now.

—–

Molly and Conrad sit on opposite loveseats in her living room, facing one another over the antique, intricately carved wooden coffee table.

“I started to get dressed, and I just thought… I can’t do this tonight,” she explains.

“Because of me,” Conrad says. He stares off at the piano in the corner of the room, behind her.

“Not because of you. Because of me.”

He turns back and regards her with a dejected look.

“Are you actually giving me the ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ break-up talk?” he asks.

“It’s the truth,” Molly says, swallowing the lump that has formed in her throat. “After everything that’s happened, I’m realizing that I’m not in a place to commit to anyone. And you deserve more than half my attention.”

“Why don’t we take a beat, then?” Conrad asks. “We can take a few weeks apart. Once you’re fully recovered and things have settled–”

“I don’t want to negotiate this, Conrad. I know how I’m feeling right now, and I can’t guarantee that my feelings will be different in any amount of time. That pressure isn’t fair to you or to me.”

He slaps his hands against his denim-covered thighs. “That’s it, then?”

She bows her head gravely. “I guess so. I’m so sorry. You’ve been terrific — this isn’t a reflection on anything you’ve done.”

“But I couldn’t do enough to convince you to give this a fighting chance.”

Lost, she is unable to come up with a proper response as he stands.

“I owe you a lot,” she finally manages to say. “As an attorney, as a friend, and as a boyfriend.”

“But, again, none of that counts for much in the long run, does it?””

“I didn’t say that.”

Conrad moves to the edge of the living room but stops where the carpet meets the hardwood floor of the hallway.

“I really do hope you’re at peace with this decision,” he says, “because once I walk out of this house, there’s no going back.”

Molly remains tight-lipped for a long moment before saying, “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Unfortunately, that seems to be unavoidable. Good luck, Molly.”

As much as she wants to tell him to wait, she knows that there is no use. Instead she listens to the clapping of his loafers against the wood floors and then the opening and closing of the front door. He doesn’t quite slam it — Conrad is too polite, too composed, for that — but the sound nevertheless echoes through the otherwise silent house. Molly can hear it all around herself for minutes after he has gone, a stark reminder that he is gone.

Although it hurts to know that she might no longer have him in her life, she still feels resolute in the knowledge that she has made the right decision.

—–

“Jake,” Mia scolds her husband more sharply.

“He doesn’t get to hand-wave this away,” Jake replies, and although he is speaking to Mia, his eyes are fixed squarely upon his brother.

“That’s not what I’m doing,” Matt says. “It’s a– a gesture. And now that Marcus is home, now that he’s safe, I wanna do what I can to rebuild this.”

“I’m not interested,” Jake says flatly.

Mia places a hand upon his chest. “That’s not fair.”

“I wasn’t driving that car,” Matt says. “Like I said, I’m always gonna regret how this went. But Marcus is okay. He’s gonna recover. Tori’s the one who’s going through a loss — and she wants nothing to do with me, either, if that makes you feel better.”

Jake sets his jaw and folds his arms, presenting an unwelcoming, impenetrable posture. “That’s smart of her. For the record, Marcus isn’t ‘okay.’ He’s spending his summer stuck in bed, and he’s doing physical therapy, and he probably won’t be able to play ball this fall.”

“But he’s alive, and his injuries aren’t permanent,” Mia says. “We’re very grateful for that.”

“So am I,” Matt says.

“That’s the thing,” Jake interjects. “I fell for this once. How sorry you were, all that crap. I let you back in.”

Matt feels the color draining from his face and the breath sticking in his chest.

“I lost my wife because of you,” Jake says. “Because of your shitty judgment.”

“Jake,” Mia tells him sternly.

Jake turns to her. “You loved Nicole, too. And you know I love you. I’m lucky I found you. I’m thankful every day for you and Marcus. But this–” He jabs his index finger in Matt’s direction. “This is not gonna happen again. I’m not gonna lose my son, or you, because of my brother’s recklessness.”

Matt can see the pure rage in Jake’s eyes. He came here thinking this was a chasm that could be bridged, but now, witnessing Jake’s fury, he understands how far gone they are.

“Give Marcus my best,” he says, “and please, take this so it doesn’t go to waste. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything.”

As soon as he has forced the grocery bag into Mia’s arms, he bolts from the front door and back down the driveway. He gets into his truck without ever looking back at the house, and he drives off down the road quickly, not sure if he can bear the pain of Jake’s anger and disappointment a moment longer.

—–

Some time later, bodies fill the Wild Lady. “Simply Irresistible” by Robert Palmer fills the air as patrons talk, look over the neatly framed band posters and memorabilia that cover the walls, or wait their turns to ride the bull. With a nearly empty beer in hand, Travis sidles up to the crowd clustered near the bar.

He watches as the bartender prepares some kind of complicated, fruity-looking drink with approximately a hundred ingredients and hands it to a woman. She hands him a credit card, then takes a sip and makes a sour face. Although Travis can’t hear what is being said, he sees the woman hand back the drink, and the bartender begins adjusting it.

Travis lets out an annoyed sigh, and he catches the eye of the dark-haired girl beside him, who is making a very similar expression.

“Who orders a drink like that at a busy bar?” he says.

“And then sends it back!” the girl says incredulously. She is several inches shorter than him, with dark hair and blue eyeshadow. A leopard-print halter top and leather skirt complete her look.

“It’s ridiculous,” Travis groans. “Come on!”

“I know. I’ve been waiting, like, forever,” the girl says, quickly checking the time on her phone.

“Blame that lady, not the place,” he says. “And it’s their first night, anyway, so I’d cut them some slack.”

The girl smirks. “All I want is a drink already.”

Travis downs what is left of his beer, hesitates for a moment, and then asks, “What are you getting? Mind if I buy you a drink?”

Her grin widens. “Not at all. I’ll have a gin-and-tonic.”

“Got it,” he says as he extends his hand for a shake. “I’m Travis, by the way.”

“Thanks, and nice to meet you,” she responds. “I’m Jasmine.”

END OF EPISODE 983

Is Travis about to get himself into trouble?
Can the Gray brothers find a way to reconcile?
Did Molly make the right choice by breaking up with Conrad?
Talk about all this and more in the comments below!

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