Tear Down These Walls

by Carter, Sarah

  “More than just lunch,” Trent says, as he closes his door. Teagan does the same and follows him to the restaurant. He opens the door for her, and they walk inside. It really is a diner. The red and black checked floor meets the black and white tiled walls and squeaks under their feet. Pictures of 1950s music and movie stars are scattered along the walls between old records and photos of people eating at the diner. She can hear music coming from the little, old-fashioned jukebox in the corner. Teagan loves it right away. “Pick where you want to sit,” Trent suggests.

  Nudging her head, Teagan turns to the right and walks down to a booth. She slides in on one side, the black leather of the seat conforms to her body, and Trent gets in on the other. They sit there and stare at each other for a second. “So,” Teagan starts. “What’s good here?”

  “Their breakfast food,” Trent replies, pulling out a menu next to the napkins in their shiny, silver dispenser. He slides it across the white tabletop to her.

  “Thanks,” Teagan says quietly. She opens up the menu and looks at it. “Oh yeah, they have chocolate chip pancakes. I know what I’m getting.”

  “You decide that quickly?” Trent laughs.

  “They are chocolate chips pancakes. There is no other choice,” Teagan shuts the menu. “And bacon, must have bacon.”

  “So, you’re definitely are not one of those girls that starves themselves in front of guys.”

  Scoffing, Teagan says, “Hell no, what’s the point? If a guy doesn’t like you because you actually eat food, then he needs to be out on the curb.”

  “I totally agree,” Trent replies.

  “So, since you are all buff and have to live by your own set of rules, do you only eat healthy food? Like egg white omelets and steamed veggies?” She pretends to gag.

  Trent grins, “No, I exercise every day. I figure I have free reign then.”

  “What do you do for exercise?”

  “A combination of things,” Trent answers. “Weight lifting, martial arts, running, pretty much anything physical.”

  “Do you have to keep up with all of that for your line of work?” Teagan asks.

  “Yeah, it can be a very physical job. I need to know how to defend myself and the person I am protecting,” Trent replies.

  “No offense, but that’s kind of hot. I’m surprised you don’t have a girlfriend,” Teagan states.

  “I’m very busy,” Trent sighs. “There isn’t much time to meet girls. I won’t do anything of the sort while I am on the job, and I have personal stuff to do on my free time.”

  “No going to the college bars for you? I bet you could meet some girls there,” Teagan giggles.

  Looking up at her, Trent goes, “Uh no.”

  “Well, I think you should go around saving girls every weekend. Think of all the numbers you would get. You could probably even start a fan club.”

  “Will you be the president?” Trent shoots her another look.

  “I don’t know,” Teagan exhales. “We would have to exchange numbers, and you could get all stalker like.”

  “If I wanted to stalk you, I would probably be the best person to do it.”

  Trying to be serious, Teagan whispers, “That’s kind of creepy.” A smile breaks through anyways.

  “Well, it’s true. If I wanted to stalk you, you would never know about it.”

  “So, I should close my bathroom curtains from now on?”

  Trent looks up at her and says, “You get ready with your curtains open? You must give me your address.”

  “I was only kidding,” Teagan replies with a giggle and puts her hands out. “The window in my bathroom faces a brick wall in an alley.”

  “Bummer,” Trent sighs. “That would be nice to see.”

  “Now, are you trying to flirt with me?” Teagan laughs.

  “Sweetheart,” Trent replies. “I am much smoother than that when I hit on a girl.”

  Teagan leans in. “Oh really, you think so, huh?”

  “It’s not think; it’s know.”

  “Well then,” Teagan sighs. “Maybe one day I will see these mad flirting skills.”

  “Maybe,” Trent exhales, as he looks at the menu.

  A waitress comes up next to them. “Can I get you guys something to drink?”

  “Coffee for me,” Teagan says.

  “Coffee and orange juice for me please,” Trent adds on.

  “I will be back in a second.” The waitress replies.

  Watching Trent look at the menu, Teagan smiles. Without looking up, Trent says, “Is there a particular reason why you are staring at me?”

  “I didn’t realize that I was,” Teagan does not look away. “Maybe I am studying you.”

  “For what reason?”

  “You are my hero after all, the man who saved me. I am curious as to who that guy really is,” Teagan states.

  Trent sets down his menu and looks at her. “I am a 25 year old man. I have two siblings, both younger than me: one brother and one sister. My parents are still happily married. I lived in LA most of my life. I have lived here for five years. I like to listen to rock music. I am an avid reader when I have spare time, which isn’t frequently, but I try to read two books a month if not more. And that’s about as much as you are going to get from me.”

  “Wow, okay,” Teagan mumbles.

  “I don’t usually tell a lot about myself,” Trent says.

  “You just told me about your family,” Teagan points out. “That’s personal.”

  “You can find out that information on the internet,” Trent replies.

  “Okay,” Teagan draws the word into three syllables under her breath.

  “What about you?” Trent inquires.

  “I am supposed to tell you about myself?” Teagan contemplates. “What if I don’t want to give anything away?”

  Smiling, Trent says, “Give me two days. I could find out everything there is to know about you.”

  “That’s kind of creepy,” Teagan states.

  “It is,” Trent agrees with a smirk, “but it’s what I do for a living.”

  “You’re a private eye?” Teagan asks.

  “No, not specifically, but I have to do background checks on people. So, I’ve had some practice. So, tell me Teagan Murphy. What would I find out about you?”

  “I’m 21, will be 22 in two weeks. My father is dead, and my mom remarried this bonehead of a guy when I was 16. My sisters are both older than me. Both are married with children. I have all nieces. Girls seem to run in our family. I am going to school at the university. I plan to get into book editing.”

  Trent interrupts her. “Do you write?”

  Teagan clams up and then says, “Not really.”

  He tilts his head to the side. “You’re lying.”

  “No I’m not,” Teagan harshly retorts, looking away.

  “Yes, you are. I’m like a human lie detector. Your body and eye movements are telling me that you are lying. So, why hide that you can write?”

  Blushing, Teagan says, “I don’t know.”

  “What do you write?” Trent asks.

  “Little stuff,” Teagan murmurs, not looking at him.

  “Poetry?”

  “What, no,” Teagan replies.

  “Novels?” Trent quips. She shakes her head. “Ah yes, novels it is.”

  “How would you know?” Teagan snaps a little.

  “The way your eyes lit up when I said it and your body posture. So, what do you write about?” Teagan just stares at him. He waves his hand. “I can keep asking you yes and no questions and figure it out myself.”

  “Fine,” Teagan groans. “I write fiction, mysteries to be more specific.”

  “Like who did it mysteries?”

  She nods, “Yeah, the one I am working on right now is about a kidnapped girl.”

  “Interesting,” Trent replies. “So, are you published?”

  “No,” Teagan answers. “I want to be, but I am more scared of people reading it.” She had never admitted th
is much about her writing to anyone before. What was it about this guy that made her so open? Honest, even? She couldn’t hide anything from him if she tried.

  “You don’t let people read your books?” Trent looks at her carefully.

  Teagan shakes her head. “No, Victoria has read them all, my sisters, too. My senior creative writing teacher read my first book. She praised my writing, but I thought having a college education would help move me further along.”

  “How many books have you written?” Trent asks.

  The waitress appears next to them and sets down their drinks. “What can I get you guys?”

  “Ladies first,” Trent declares.

  “I will have the chocolate chip pancakes and a side order of bacon,” Teagan orders quietly.

  “No hash browns?” The waitress inquires.

  Laughing lightly, Teagan shakes her head, “No, thank you. I plan to finish the pancakes.”

  “Okay, and for you sir?” The waitress asks.

  “I want two eggs sunny side up, American fries, wheat toast, and some sausage,” Trent replies.

  “Should have gone with bacon,” Teagan teases with a smile.

  Trent smirks and then says, “Give me some bacon, too, then. Can’t have the missus make fun of me.”

  “Oh you’re an adorable couple,” the waitress states. “You will make beautiful babies.”

  Teagan’s cheeks light on fire, and she stares at the waitress. Trent laughs, “I think she will make beautiful babies, yes.”

  “Well, I will go put your order in, if you need anything let me know,” the waitress says, before turning away, her bangles clanging on her wrists.

  “Oh my god,” Teagan hisses, covering her face. “That was embarrassing.”

  “Why? She didn’t say we would make ugly babies.”

  “Yeah, but the insinuation was there.”

  “Of what, that we could possibly be having sex? We are both adults. It could be true.”

  “You don’t know me,” Teagan retorts sharply.

  Trent chuckles deeply. “Yeah, but the waitress doesn’t know that we just met. Are you the type of girl that embarrasses when talking about sex?”

  Teagan blushes even harder. “Not that it’s any of your business, but yes, especially with guys I just met.”

  “Well, I will try to keep my perverted comments to myself then,” Trent laughs.

  Speechless, Teagan pours sugar into her coffee. “Okay, I am not embarrassed when talking about sex normally, but talking about sex involving me personally, it makes me uneasy. If Victoria wants to talk about all sorts of things, I will join in on the conversation, but I never talk about what I have done or do.” Her attention is broken by the sound of a little bell that dings as a family of five comes in the door and sits at a table across the restaurant from them. She looks at them and smiles and turns back to Trent.

  “I bet I could figure out what makes you tick just by your reactions,” Trent states, with a mischievous grin.

  Getting redder, Teagan says, “That’s not funny. Do you always talk this way with girls you just met?”

  He gets a thoughtful look on his face. “Actually, no not at all. Usually I am closed off and very guarded.” Trent shakes his head and looks out the window. “Wow, I haven’t been this relaxed with a girl in a long time.”

  “Maybe you need to do heroic actions more often,” Teagan suggests. “If it makes you more relaxed.” I haven’t been this relaxed with a guy, in like, forever.

  “I don’t think that’s it,” Trent replies, looking back at her. He stares at her. “I think it’s you.”

  “What do you mean?” Teagan squeaks. “Am I like one of your guy friends? Or too unattractive compared to the typical girls you hang out with?”

  Trent leans to the side and eyes up Teagan’s profile. She watches him closely. “I can say you are definitely too hot to be one of the guys.”

  “Oh shut up,” Teagan laughs. “That’s not what I meant.”

  “You could never work for me,” Trent states raising his eyebrows.

  “What, am I not bad assed enough?” Teagan quips.

  “No, my staff is mostly guys. They wouldn’t be paying attention to their work with you around.”

  Teagan smirks, “Your receptionist is pretty cute.”

  “That’s my little cousin. Everyone knows that. She is off limits.”

  “But she called you Mr. Grayson,” Teagan points out.

  “Yeah, at work, I am Mr. Grayson, and she is Miss Held. It’s a place of business.”

  “So, I couldn’t call you cute pet names if I worked for you?” Teagan giggles.

  “Um, no,” Trent answers.

  “Oh darn, I was thinking of love muffin,” Teagan sighs. Trent’s expression loses all humor. Teagan smiles broadly. “Oh, if I ever get your number THAT is the name I’m giving you.”

  “Remind me to never give you my number,” Trent shakes his head.

  Cocking her head with attitude, Teagan says, “I would come back and say I’ll never give you my number, but I bet you could figure it out in ten minutes.”

  “Pretty much,” Trent replies.

  “Totally not fair,” Teagan grumbles playfully crossing her arms. “You can stalk me, and I can’t do anything in return.”

  “The joys of being me,” Trent smiles.

  Suddenly, Teagan’s phone goes off. She pulls it out of her pocket and looks at the text. Seeing who sent it makes her want to throw her phone out the window. She exits out of the texts and not so carefully puts her phone on the table. “God, I need to change my number.”

  “Someone you don’t like?” Trent inquires.

  “My ex,” Teagan groans. “He started calling me again a few months ago. I don’t get it. It’s been two and a half years. I have gotten over it; why can’t he?”

  “Well, if you broke his heart, maybe he can’t let go,” Trent replies quietly.

  “Broke his heart,” Teagan sighs dramatically. “That bastard broke my heart.” Taking in a deep breath to calm herself, Teagan exhales slowly. “Okay, sorry, he’s just a hot button.”

  “Obviously,” Trent whispers. “Do you respond to him, or just ignore everything?”

  Waving her hands, Teagan exclaims, “I ignore him. I told him to leave me alone. I really think I need to change my number.”

  Trent sticks out his hand and says, “Give me your phone.”

  “What? Why?” Teagan replies.

  “You want him to stop bothering you, right?”

  “Well, yeah,” Teagan says in return.

  “I will get him to stop calling you. Give me your phone,” Trent directs, sticking his hand out farther.

  Hesitantly, Teagan picks it up and hands it to him. “What are you going to say to him?” She’s unsure about this, but if it gets her ex to go away, she’ll try anything.

  “Describe the law to him,” Trent replies, taking the phone. “What’s his name?”

  “Justin.”

  “The only Justin in here?” Trent inquires. Teagan nods. “What’s his last name?”

  Quietly, Teagan says, “Kimble.”

  Trent presses her phone and holds it up to his ear. There is a pause and then he says, “No, this is not your sweetheart. My name is Trent Grayson, I am Miss Murphy’s personal security. I wanted to talk to you. Has Miss Murphy expressed her feelings that she does not want you to contact her?” There is a break as Trent listens. “Yes, well she is expressing herself now. You need to stop contacting her. What? I don’t care if you want to talk to her. She is saying no, so any contact after this point will be viewed as harassment. If you don’t stop, there could be legal action.” Trent raises an eyebrow. “You don’t believe I am her personal security. Well, Google me. My name is Trent Grayson. I am the president of TPS. We are a security service.” Teagan has to laugh because she finds this hilarious. Trent smirks at her and then says, “Mr. Kimble, I am warning you, leave her alone. You don’t want me on your front step. Got it? All right, have
a nice day.”

  When Trent hangs up the phone, Teagan claps and exclaims, “YEAH!”

  “If he contacts you again, let me know, and I will take care of it,” Trent states, sliding her phone over to her. “Don’t respond to him.”

  “I won’t, trust me,” Teagan retorts. “You just keep on protecting me.”

  He folds his hands in front of him. “It’s my job. It’s what I do.”

  “Awww, and I thought I was something special,” Teagan pouts. Trent rolls his eyes at her. “Don’t roll your eyes, it’s rude,” Teagan snaps playfully.

  “Oh, what are you the manners police?” Trent quips back.

  “Yes,” Teagan declares dramatically. “You don’t want to see my bad side.”

  Chuckling, Trent inquires, “And what is your bad side?”

  “I get demonic, and my head spins around,” Teagan says, with a grin.

  There is a pause, and then Trent replies, “So, you are like every other girl?” Teagan’s jaw drops, and Trent bursts out laughing. “Told you I had a smart mouth.”

  “I see that,” Teagan snorts.

  “You mean you hear that,” Trent laughs some more. “You can’t see my words.”

  Teagan’s smile goes away. “Wow, you have a smart mouth and are a jerk.”

  Trent puts his hands up. “I’m sorry.” Teagan glares at him. He thrusts his hands out. “I said sorry!”

  She bursts out into giggles and yells, “Got ya!”

  “Now who’s the jerk?” Trent snips with a grin.

  Pointing to herself, Teagan answers, “Oh yeah, that would be me.” They laugh and stare at each other. Teagan exhales happily and says, “You’re fun.”

  Trent’s smile falters. “I don’t hear that a lot.”

  “Why?” Teagan asks. “You’re a riot.”

  He gives her a thoughtful look. “I have to be professional all day, every day. That overflows into every part of my life, except when I am with my family.”

  “You should show this side of yourself more often,” Teagan suggests. “It’s awesome.”

  “I don’t really open up to people,” Trent murmurs, looking down.

  “Well, I think you’re funny,” Teagan declares. “So, put that in your pipe and smoke it.”

  The corner of Trent’s mouth turns up. “I have never smoked.”