Tear Down These Walls

by Sarah Kay Carter

  “TEAGAN!” She hears bellowed behind her.

  She ignores him and runs out the door, around the corner of the building, and leans against the wall. Unable to control it, she lets the flood of tears flow down her face, clenching her hands to her chest. The chill in the air bites her tear-stained cheeks.

  Suddenly, two hands are grabbing her. “Teagan, what’s wrong!?”

  Teagan looks up at Trent and just shakes her head. “I can’t.”

  “What can’t you do?” Trent whispers, pushing her hair out of her face. “What’s wrong?”

  “Dwayne wants me to stand up with Justin in the wedding,” Teagan whimpers. “I can’t. I can’t do that.”

  “Why in the hell would he want that!?” Trent yells. “That asshole shouldn’t even be at the wedding.”

  “My groomsman broke his leg,” Teagan replies. “Justin fits into his tux and everything.”

  Trent exhales, “That has to be the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.”

  “I can’t do it Trent. I can’t. Not after what he did!” Teagan exclaims, grabbing his hands. “What am I supposed to do!? They are my friends!”

  Looking lost in thought, Trent stares at her. Finally, he narrows his eyes and says, “Maybe we are going about this the wrong way.”

  “What do you mean?” Teagan sniffles.

  “Justin has had control over everything this whole time. We need to take that away from him.”

  “Huh?”

  “You have let him ruin the last four years of your life. Don’t let him ruin this, too. Let’s start with this, how do you feel about the video now?” Trent asks, squeezing her hands.

  Teagan giggles, “Justin’s horrible in bed.”

  “Right, so…..he lost control there. You need to go about this in a different way. You need to show him that you are fine and past it. BETTER YET, you need to shove it in his face.”

  “How?”

  “Make it perfectly clear that you have moved on. Act like it’s not even a blip on your radar.”

  “Show that he isn’t even a blip on my radar,” Teagan echoes.

  Trent smiles and nods, “Exactly.”

  “Okay, then you may be mad about one thing,” Teagan states, looking up at him. “But it makes this workable.”

  “What?” Trent replies.

  “I said you were my boyfriend,” Teagan whispers, grimacing.

  His eyes soften, and he asks, “Why would I be mad about that?”

  “I don’t know,” Teagan mumbles. “You were so anti-dating, pro-platonic friends.”

  “This is different. We’re still friends…just with more benefits.” Trent smiles suggestively.

  “Raunchy sex in the back seat of your truck?” Teagan giggles.

  “More along the friendly make out line,” Trent chuckles. “But if raunchy sex comes up, sure why not.”

  “Shut up!” Teagan exclaims, poking him. “You’re such a liar.”

  “I guess you will never know,” Trent sighs happily. “So, that’s beside the point. You’re going to stand up in the wedding, and we are going to be one smoking hot couple. Make sure every outfit you have is dynamite, and we will make sure Justin knows he doesn’t have a chance in hell with you.”

  “You are sure you are okay with being my boyfriend for the weekend?” Teagan asks. “I just want to make sure.”

  “Shit, I will buy you a ring and be your fiancée,” Trent laughs. “We will do whatever is necessary.”

  “I think that’s going a little far,” Teagan laughs back. “But I think this is the best idea ever! What better way to stick it to Justin than revenge? I don’t care if he’s sorry or if he misses me or talks about me all the time. I’m over his pathetic ass.”

  Brushing his fingers down her cheek, Trent says, “Exactly.”

  “Thank you,” Teagan whispers, putting her hand on the side of his face. “This means the world to me.”

  “I would do anything for you,” Trent whispers.

  Teagan stares into his eyes and steps up closer to him. “Thank you.” She stands up onto her toes and kisses his cheek. Trent pulls her into a hug and holds her tight against him.

  “We will get you through this, and you will come out much stronger. I promise,” Trent murmurs into her hair.

  “I should call Georgia back,” Teagan states.

  “I have to start the class soon,” Trent replies, glancing at her phone. “Don’t take too long.”

  “I won’t,” Teagan says. Trent kisses the top of her head and then walks away. Teagan dials Georgia’s number and holds the phone up to her ear.

  Georgia answers, “Are you ever going to talk to me again?”

  “Well, I am calling you, aren’t I?” Teagan laughs.

  “True,” Georgia sighs. “I will talk to Dwayne. We did ask you first.”

  “No, you know what, I talked to my boyfriend, and he made a point. I have moved on from Justin, and I can do this for you guys. It’s your day, and if that’s what you want, then that’s what I will do. Trent will be there to put Justin in his place if need be.”

  “Are you sure?” Georgia asks hesitantly. “It’s a lot.”

  Teagan holds her head up. “It’s fine, but I won’t do anything with him more than necessary. I will walk down the aisle with him, I will take pictures, and do the grand march, and dance. I won’t do more than that.”

  “Thank you,” Georgia sighs. “Dwayne will be happy. You know, Justin is back to his old self. You did love him once.”

  “Don’t say shit like that,” Teagan’s voice rumbles. “He means nothing to me. He’s not my friend, Georgia.”

  “Okay, well, I will let Dwayne know. Are you still the least bit excited about this?”

  “I am excited that you are getting married, and I get to be part of it.” Teagan smiles.

  “Good.”

  “But, I have to go. Trent is starting his self-defense class, and he’ll be mad if I miss it.”

  “Okay, I will call you next week, just to go over everything,” Georgia replies. “Have a good night, and thank you again.”

  “You’re welcome and bye.” Teagan hangs up the phone and exhales loudly. “I can do this.” Nodding her head, she goes back into the building.

  Trent is standing to the side of the mat. Teagan walks over to him and sets her stuff down. “Everything set?” He asks.

  “Yeah,” Teagan replies. “We are good to go.”

  “Good.” Trent says. He leans over and gently kisses her on the lips. “You’ll do fine.”

  Raising an eyebrow, Teagan whispers, “Why did you kiss me? Aren’t you and I supposed to be professional here, Mr. Grayson?” She grins.

  He leans in and murmurs, “Those girls over there are literally trying to hit on me now. So, we are going to play boyfriend and girlfriend for the rest of these classes.”

  Teagan laughs, “Okay stud. Go teach class.”

  “Sounds good babe,” he teases back.

  When he turns to walk away, Teagan smacks him on the ass. With a shocked look, Trent turns around. “Have fun, honey!” She teases. Trent points at her and playfully glares. Teagan grins.

  Emily finally shows up five minutes into class. “Sorry I’m late,” she whispers to Teagan “I lost track of time.”

  “Where’s Victoria?” Teagan whispers.

  “She has a study date with Patrick,” Emily replies, rolling her eyes. “He’s much more entertaining than this.”

  “I don’t know,” Teagan murmurs. “Trent can be pretty entertaining.”

  “Especially for you,” Emily giggles. Teagan smiles and laughs with her.

  Trent starts to talk in front of the group. Emily leans over and whispers, “So, you’re talking to Isaac tonight?”

  “Yeah,” Teagan replies. “Trent’s going with me.”

  “I hope not to beat him up.”

  “No!” Teagan retorts. “Moral support. He knows everything.”

  Stepping closer to Teagan, Emily murmurs, “Yeah, Vic
toria told me. She also said you wouldn’t tell her much about what you and Trent did.”

  “Yeah, because it is our relationship. I wouldn’t be telling your secrets to him. I’m not going to tell you guys what he and I talk about or do.”

  “Do…..what exactly do you do?” Emily teases.

  “Nothing,” Teagan giggles. “It’s not even like that.” She glances up at Trent in front of the room.

  “Well, I will be royally pissed if you don’t spill a little bit if something finally does happen,” Emily declares quietly, with humor.

  Giving her a playful look, Teagan says, “Well, supposedly he is very well endowed. I’ll give you that little tidbit of info.”

  “Have you seen it!?” Emily hisses. “Teagan!”

  “No,” Teagan snaps. “I have not! He just told me that because I said that Justin had a small penis.”

  “He did?”

  Teagan rolls her eyes. “I don’t know. That is what the rest of the cheerleading squad said.”

  Emily pauses and says, “You have never seen another man naked?”

  Glaring, Teagan answers, “No, I have not.”

  “Honey, we need to rip that band aid off,” Emily states seriously. “We can go to the male strip club.”

  “WHAT!? NO!” Teagan yells.

  Everyone, including Trent stops and looks at her. “Are you all right?” Trent asks, raising an eyebrow.

  “Yes,” Teagan spits out. “Sorry.” She turns her attention to Emily and glowers at her. Emily just shrugs her shoulders.

  “Why don’t you come here,” Trent says to Teagan, sticking his hand out. “You can save your gossiping for later.”

  “Yes honey,” Teagan sarcastically quips back. Trent smirks, and Teagan can’t help but smile back.

  At the end of class, Emily says good-bye and wishes Teagan luck with Isaac, and Teagan waits for Trent. When he meets her at the door, he asks, “Do you want me to drive?”

  “Sure,” Teagan replies. Trent opens the door, and they walk outside. It’s getting cooler as it gets darker, and she pulls her jacket around her to keep out the chilly fall air.

  When they get into the truck, Teagan sighs, “I’m really nervous.”

  “Well, what are you going to say to him?” Trent asks, as he pulls away from the curb.

  “I don’t know. Part of me wants to tell him the truth, and another part is too scared to,” Teagan mumbles, her breath puffing around her face in a slight, white cloud.

  “Can that video be found on the internet still?” Trent inquires.

  “No,” Teagan answers. “I have never been able to find it.”

  Trent nods his head, “Then there is no way of him really seeing it, is there?”

  “No,” Teagan sighs. “It’s just….still a little raw.”

  “That’s understandable,” Trent says. “I think you should be honest with him. If he ever does anything, I will kick his ass.”

  Teagan smiles at him. “Is that your answer to everything?”

  “Well……no, but in this situation, it seems like a logical answer,” Trent quips, grinning at her.

  She looks out the window. “We will see how the conversation goes.”

  “All right, babe,” Trent replies softly.

  The coffee shop is pretty dead when they arrive. “It’s only open for another hour,” Teagan declares, as they get out of the truck. “At least that gives us a time frame.”

  Trent chuckles and says, “We can leave whenever you want. Don’t be uncomfortable.”

  “Okay,” Teagan sighs, rubbing her hands together. They walk into the coffee shop, and Teagan sees Isaac right away. He is sitting at a table alone holding a white mug. Isaac looks up at her and smiles. When his eyes drift to Trent all the color drains from his face. Teagan walks over to the table. “Hi,” she exhales.

  Hey,” Isaac counters, not taking his eyes off of Trent.

  They sit down and Teagan nervously looks down at the table. “So…..” she starts.

  “Listen, I’m sorry,” Isaac spits out, gripping his mug. “I didn’t mean to do that.”

  “Yes, you did,” Trent snaps. Isaac shuts up quickly.

  “Trent,” Teagan sighs, putting her hand on his. Trent takes it and squeezes it.

  Isaac looks at them and says, “Man, I didn’t realize you two were dating. I would never have kissed you.”

  “We aren’t dating,” Teagan states. “That’s not why I freaked out.”

  “Okay,” Isaac replies hesitantly.

  Nervously, Teagan takes in a deep breath and says, “I have issues with guys.”

  Staring at her, Isaac asks, “Since when?”

  “Since my senior year in high school,” Teagan answers calmly. “I had something horrific happen, and it changed the way I viewed dating and relationships with men.”

  “But, you have gone on dates,” Isaac points out.

  She shakes her head. “I don’t let them touch me, and I hadn’t kissed a guy since high school up until recently.” Teagan feels Trent squeeze her hand.

  “You weren’t…..” Isaac mutters, his eyes widen a bit with concern.

  “Not like you think, no,” Teagan replies. She takes in another deep breath and says, “My ex-boyfriend videotaped me losing my virginity and put it on the Internet.”

  There is dead silence as Isaac stares at her. “You have to be fucking kidding me.”

  “No,” Teagan whispers. “It’s a long story, but that’s why I sort of freaked out on you. I’ve almost had a phobia of being physically touched, especially if I’ve been drinking. I never let a man get close to me because I don’t know if they’ll hurt me like my ex did.”

  “That’s understandable,” Isaac agrees. He looks at Trent. “But, you can let him touch you?”

  “Yeah,” Teagan says. “Trent and I are very…..close.”

  “But not dating,” Isaac states.

  Teagan shakes her head.

  “So, I take it you won’t be dating any time soon,” Isaac sighs.

  “Isaac, you are my friend, and I care about you, but not in that way,” Teagan declares softly. “I’m sorry, but I’m not interested in a relationship.”

  “It has to do more with me than this issue, huh?”

  Shrugging her shoulders, Teagan says, “I don’t know. The thought of dating anyone freaks me out, and I keep my romantic interests at a distance.”

  “I think you two should date,” Isaac suggests, looking between Trent and Teagan.

  “What?” Teagan gasps.

  “Come on,” Isaac chuckles. “We all saw you two together. It’s very apparent. There is something going on here.” He looks between the two of them.

  Teagan vigorously shakes her head. “It’s not like that.”

  “All right,” Isaac teases, with a smirk. “Either way, I’m sorry that happened to you. I had no idea.”

  “I know you didn’t. And I am sorry it happened, too.” Teagan snorts. “But, it happened, and I am moving on, slowly.”

  “Good,” Isaac assures her. “So…..”

  “Yeah?”

  He leans back and asks, “Are you ready for that test tomorrow? I swear I am going to bomb it.”

  Looking up at him, Teagan stutters, “What…are you talking about?”

  “Dude,” Isaac emphasizes. “We have a major test tomorrow.”

  “Oh, I know, I just…..”

  Isaac smiles, “I get it, you don’t want to date. You’re still my friend, and we have a class together. So, I hope I don’t epically bomb this test tomorrow.”

  “Me too,” Teagan sighs, relieved he took that as well as he did. “I hate art history.”

  “Especially since I didn’t let her study much on Saturday,” Trent interjects. “I made her watch a fight.”

  “Oh man, you got to see that!” Isaac exclaims. “So jealous!”

  “I know Jed, one of the fighters,” Trent states.

  Teagan leans forward and says, “He won! I had never seen a fight befor
e. That was crazy!” She looks at Trent. “I can’t believe you did that for a profession.”

  “See,” Trent laughs. “Would you really want to see me fight?”

  “Probably not,” Teagan replies. “I would cover my eyes most of the time.”

  “Oh my gosh,” Isaac groans, “You’re such a girl.” Everyone laughs and then talks about Trent’s fighting career.

  Later that night, Trent pulls up to the dojo. He looks at Teagan. “That went well.”

  “It did,” Teagan agrees. “Thank you for going.”

  “No problem,” Trent says. “I would gladly help in any way that I can.”

  “Thanks,” Teagan whispers. She looks at him. “I should go home. Get some last minute studying in or try to at least.”

  “Okay,” Trent replies. He pauses and then says, “This week sucks for me, so I probably won’t be able to see you at all.”

  “Oh,” Teagan replies, trying not to sound disappointed. “That’s fine. You have a life to live.”

  “I do,” Trent chuckles. “I should have Saturday free. If you aren’t busy, we can do something.”

  Teagan thinks about it for a second. “Well, it’s the harvest festival at the university. We could check it out. I also have to do some last minute shopping for the wedding, especially if I’m supposed to look smoking hot. I have to get the wedding present, too.”

  “Where are they registered?” Trent asks.

  She bursts out laughing, “Get this…..Target, which is all right, and Macy’s. Who can actually afford Macy’s?”

  “His name is Dwayne Riggs, correct?” Trent asks, glancing over at her.

  “Yeah, good memory, wow,” Teagan snorts.

  “I will take care of the wedding present.”

  Shaking her head, Teagan says, “You don’t have to do that.”

  “Teagan, do you have money for a wedding present and clothes?”

  Reluctantly, Teagan whispers, “Not really.”

  “That’s what I thought,” Trent laughs. “I will take care of the wedding present.”

  “Well, thank you,” Teagan replies. “Now, I am on a mission to look good.”

  “Want a guy’s opinion?” Trent inquires.

  A smile spreads across Teagan’s face. “You’re volunteering to go shopping with me?”