"Then stop arguing about it. You don't have to make the choice now. Vance is not going to let you go with the knowledge you have while we're here, and we're talking months. I don't know how many, but months and things change. Come on, TJ, if anyone knows that, it's you, and when the time comes, you make the choice that's best for you." He cupped TJ's cheek. "I want you happy and safe. That's all that matters to me." It'd hurt, but from the start, he'd pushed TJ to make the choice that was best for himself and he wouldn't stop now.
He chuckled. "I have a feeling that I'll be saying it more and more." With the cigarette out of the way, he moved even closer. "Slowly, as they let go of the past as well. Help them, be that bridge between past and future. Show them that you have changed, and then they can see that it's possible."
Travis sighed. "Have you considered that he's just hurt? I know he dismissed it, but he'd gotten pretty close to Rachel, and I'm sure that logically he knows that there was no other way that could end, but maybe there's a little resentment there. We're still together and he had to leave her behind, and it's not the first time that's happened to him."
He pressed a leg between TJ's, getting as close as it was possible considering they were standing outside. "Stop doubting yourself You are doing much better than all of them. It might be weird, but it's true, and if you don't believe it, I'll keep saying it until you do."
Travis chuckled. "You're pretty good and more than good enough for me, which is the only things that matters." He nodded. "All right, we'll go to dinner. It's going to be fine; I promise. At least with your parents. With Savannah, I don't know. How are you going to handle all the hugs and kisses?" he asked, laughing.