"Spud," Tristan said, his voice strained. I looked over at him and the sympathy in his warm brown eyes drew a mist of tears in my own.
"Yeah?" I worked to keep my voice even.
"Don't worry so much. You've talked to both of your parents, and they both said Heather's okay. They wouldn't lie about something like that."
While Tristan's comments were sound, I still worried. Worrying was second nature when it came to Heather. When we were kids, I'd worried about her nightmares and endless amounts of tears when our parents fought. After a while, I worried when she stopped showing outward signs of emotion.
By the time our parents' divorce was final and our dad had moved away, Heather had stopped crying. Just like that. Then, I worried when she stayed out all night partying. Not long after, she'd stay away for weeks at a time. So yeah, worrying about my sister was something I did out of habit, out of love and concern. How many times had I prayed to see her green eyes shine or her smile, or hell, even her tears?
"Elle?" Tristan's soft-spoken question brought me out of my daze. I looked up. I hadn't even noticed he moved to sit beside me on the couch. His tender gaze turned the mist in my eyes to full-on tears.
"Baby, don't cry." Tristan pulled me to him. His tight embrace helped my desperate need, and I found myself letting go, falling even deeper than I had.
A few more silent tears trickled down my cheeks. With determination, I decided to give in. Folded in his embrace, I looked up. Tristan's eyes held mine, first in sympathy but as we continued our gaze, sympathy faded, replaced by heat.
"Elle," he whispered. His eyes moved down to my lips, then back up, waiting for me to give him a sign to move forward.
Slowly, I reached up, seconds away from meeting his lips with mine. A kiss I'd dreamt of since the first time he'd confessed how he really felt. My eyes closed. His hot breath hovered over mine, and my heart raced.
The most irritating sound interrupted us. Someone banged on his front door, shattering the moment. With hesitation, I backed away.
"We should see who's at the door," I said, disappointed.
Tristan cleared his throat. "Yeah, I guess so." Without another word, Tristan moved away, the separation sank in and my body shivered.
Chapter 32
Tristan
Son of a bitch. Whoever the fuck was banging at my door was for sure getting their ass kicked. I took a deep breath, calming the thunder of beats in my chest.
"Daniels, open the door, man. I know you're in there." Bret's voice boomed.
Anger flared inside of me as I gripped the doorknob, swinging the door open wide.
"Dude, what the fuck took you so long?" Bret's expression changed at the heated look I gave him. "Oh, man, did I interrupt you?" He grinned like a dumbshit.
"No, Bret, you didn't interrupt," Elle said from behind. Her voice stayed cool and collected.
"Oh, it's just you. Hey, Elle." Bret shoved past me.
"Do you want anything to drink?" Elle acted as if nothing had happened between us. As soon as I was alone with Bret, I was going to kick his stupid ass.
"Nah, I'm about to get my drink on." Bret turned to me, still standing by the door. "Dude, we're throwing a party tonight before everyone heads out for break. You've been MIA for too long. I have strict orders to bring your ass." He paused, grinning. "Kicking and screaming if I have too."
"I'm staying here. I have one more final in the morning." I ignored Elle's stare. She and I had finished our last exam today, but more importantly, I wanted to finish what we'd started a minute ago.
"No can do." Bret crossed his arms over his chest.
"Bret, you can take him." I turned and focused on Elle. Face void of emotion, she finished. "Tristan, I need to pack for home anyway, go have fun. Bret's right, you haven't been out much since you got hurt." I continued to watch her, though she didn't reveal any sign of wanting me to stay.
"If that's what you want?" I stared her down, hoping for one goddamn minute she'd change her mind.
"Yeah, I may stop by when I'm done." She shrugged her shoulders.
"Dude, what the hell are you waiting for?"
"Nothing, I guess." Nothing.
I stalked to my room, changing into the first thing I found.
"I'm riding with you," I declared, bee-lining it from my room to the front door. I heard Bret say bye to Elle as I walked outside into the cold December air. After Elle's dismissal, I didn't plan to stay sober any longer than necessary. Wait, she asked. Fuck, I loved her, but how long was she going to take?
Bret closed my front door and ran to his car. "Ready to get hammered?"
"You have no idea."
People were crowded in both living rooms and music filled the air when we walked in. The place hadn't changed much. I'd come over a few times after practices, but didn't want to stay away from Elle any longer than I had too. Basically I'd waited until I knew she'd be home before leaving.
"Daniels," Jarred said, stumbling over.
"Good turnout," I said, ready to drink whatever he was having.
"No shit. Get a drink. We've got a game going on upstairs."
"All right, I'll be up in a minute."
"Dude, grab me a cold one while you're at it," Bret said, following Jarred.
I turned and headed for the kitchen. Inside, two chicks were taking body shots from each other. I recognized the blonde from English class. Bridget. She was always more than willing to help me…study. I pushed past a few guys from the team, heading for the already made shots.
"If it isn't Tristan Daniels," Bridget said. I looked up at the blonde vixen. The way her eyes drifted over me, I could only imagine where her thoughts were headed.
"Hey, nice shot," I said, earning me a come-fuck-me smile.
"You wanna taste?" The intent in her gaze was clear to read.
A guy from the team yelled, “Daniels, don’t be a pussy." I figured, why the hell not.
"Don't mind if I do," I said, walking closer. "What are you serving?"
"Anything you want." I noticed her friend frowning behind her and thought what the hell again.
"I'll be sure to take your shot, too." I winked. "Double the fun, what do you say, ladies?"
"Me first," Bridget said, lying down on the table. I walked over, grabbed a shot of tequila and placed the glass between her perky breasts.
"Be still," I said, salting the area between my thumb and forefinger. "Don't want to spill anything." Before she could move, I licked my hand, grabbed the shot glass with my lips, and tilted my head back. The burn of liquor heated my throat. Taking the shot glass out of my mouth, I reached down and sucked the lime between Bridget's teeth.
Pulling away, I dropped the lime in my hand and turned to her friend. "Next," I said with a smile. Bridget moved, not very willingly, and her friend took her place.
"Ready?" I licked the salt, repeated the shot, though Bridget's friend wrapped her arm around my neck and held on when I sucked the lime from her teeth.
"Easy," I said, pulling away. "There's enough of me to go around, ladies, but I've got a game to play. We can pick this back up when I'm done."
The girls whined. I grabbed a few beers from the cooler and walked away. Three shots down and more to go. Girls grabbed and pawed as I walked by and up the stairs. It seemed like forever since I'd been laid. Elle was going to drive me crazy.
"About damn time," Bret said when I made my way up the stairs.
"Sorry, man. I was doing body shots with Bridget and her friend." I handed off a beer and kept the other two for myself.
"The hot chick with perky tits?" Jarred grinned.
"Yup," I said, popping the top off my beer.
"Lucky bastard."
"Luck's got nothing to do with it."
"Enough with the egos. Let’s finish this," Jarred said, though a bit slurred.
We paired up. Bret and I stuck together waiting for our turn to go. By the time I was up, I'd downed my two beers and was on my fifth shot when I heard Robbie's voice
down stairs.
"Why the fuck is he here?"
"He's part of the team, man," Bert said. Wait, I mean Bret.
"Who the fuck cares?" I didn't give a shit that Kellie cheated on me with him. I just didn't like the cocky prick, and from the sound downstairs, neither did the girl he talked to.
Someone said, "Hey, isn't that Elle? Green's out of the picture and Robbie pounces."
I rushed over to the edge and looked down. Sure enough, there was Elle trying to push Robbie away. Reacting, I ran down the stairs two at time. As I drew closer, I caught the end of what Robbie had said. "I know you want this." That was all it took.
"Wrong thing to say, motherfucker." Not giving Robbie time to react, I swung my fist around, clocking him in his jaw. He stumbled back, but I didn't stop. Advancing on him quickly, I reared back and punched him again. This time in the nose. There was a crack and blood flowed.
"Tristan," Elle yelled. I turned, but seeing her horrified expression only fueled my anger.
“You–" I started, but was cut off. Robbie slammed into my side, shoving me against the wall. I kneed him, and he stepped back.
"I never did like you, and I'm gonna show everyone what a fucking pussy you are." Robbie smiled, wiping blood from his nose. "You can't keep your bitches satisfied," he finished with a cocky grin on his already bruised face.
"I'm going to give you one chance to walk away," I said, slowly.
"Or what?" He stood taller. "Bring–"
I swung.
Same as on the field, everything around me faded into the background. I zoned in on the person in front of me and rammed my fist into his face once and then again. Blood splattered across his teeth. He swayed back and forth, and I landed a fast uppercut under his jaw. Finally, he stumbled and fell to the ground. I should have ended things there, but didn't and began to kick his left side over and over.
His lips moved and blood spurted on the wooden floor. I couldn't stop. All the frustration and pain I'd endured exploded in a rage I'd never experienced before. Every time Elle rejected me, rejected us, I kicked. Each time I sat back and watched her with Green, I kicked him again. Kellie even filtered through my thoughts and I kicked once more.
Just before I made another move, someone restrained me from behind in a tight bear hold. "Tristan, calm down, man. It's over."
My heart hammered against my chest, and my breathing came in and out quickly. I focused on the bloody-faced guy slumped on the ground in front of me.
"If I let you go, are you going to be able to keep your shit together?" I realized it was Bret holding me back. I could feel my body shaking as the anger died down. I nodded once and he let me go. Robbie rolled to his back, groaning.
Bret turned to a group of guys in front of us. "Someone clean this piece of shit up, then get him home." No one jumped to help the prick at first, until Jarred walked over. He and a few of our linebackers picked him up and carried him out of the house.
I turned to talk to Bret and noticed Elle standing beside Alyssa. She stared at me, the shock clear to read as we stood in a trance watching each other.
"You wanna beer?" Bret's question pulled my attention away from Elle.
"No. I think I'm done for the night. You mind giving me a ride home?" The fight seemed to sober me up.
"I'll take him home, Bret."
I turned to Elle in surprise. Tentatively, I asked, "Are you sure?"
"I brought your car, so…" She shrugged a shoulder indifferently.
"Okay." Bret slapped me on the back as she walked over to Alyssa. "I'll make sure he's okay, man. Get some rest. We need you back on the field."
"Thanks." I watched Elle talk to Alyssa. A few guys passed by complementing me for showing Robbie up. I barely acknowledged them.
I needed to get my head checked or move away. I couldn't keep this shit up any longer. Tonight with Robbie, I exploded, and if Bret hadn't stopped me, I would've killed him. I didn't think Elle would ever give in and let go. I sighed. After Christmas, I'd tell her I needed space. Now I was the one screwed up, go figure.
"Spud, you ready?"
Alyssa grinned back at me. I really didn't want to hear a smartass comment right now.
"It's about time someone gave Robbie what he deserved." Alyssa's grin spread into a full smile.
"I didn't expect that. A smartass remark yes, but not a compliment."
Alyssa rolled her eyes. "Don't let it go to your head, macho guy."
"I'm ready when you are," Elle interrupted.
“Let’s go." I couldn't look at her. If I did, I'd be sucked back in.
"See ya," I said, addressing Bret and Alyssa. I headed out to my car in the cold air.
Elle
I waited until Tristan walked outside before speaking with Alyssa. When I clued her in to what happened, or almost happened between me and Tristan, she couldn't believe I let him leave with Bret.
"So what do I say to him?"
Alyssa rolled her eyes. "Do you we need to have the talk about the birds and bees?"
I swear she and Tristan were related. They were both such smartasses.
"Don't be a jerk." Averting my eyes from Alyssa, I focused on the dark wooden floor. All of a sudden, I couldn't breathe right. My lungs felt too heavy. A whoosh of air rushed out, and my pulse quickened. Regret sunk in, threatening the calm I'd been trying to hold on to. "Alyssa, he wouldn't even look at me before he walked out the door." My throat burned and tears formed. I needed to pull it together.
"Honey, just–"
I looked up. "Just what?" I took a stuttered breath.
Shaking her head she said, "Nope, I'm not telling you what to do."
She had to have a fever or something. Alyssa always told me what to do, whether I wanted her to or not.
"Are you going to die? Were you diagnosed with a rare disease and only have a month to live or something?"
Alyssa glared back at me. "I can't believe you just asked me that. And no, I'm not dying. Shit, Elle." She flung her hand out toward me. "Anyway, back to what we were talking about. Just be yourself and tell him what you want." She arched her trimmed brow and folded her arms across her chest. "Now, get out of here." She grabbed my shoulders and jerked me around to face the door. "Go," she said with a not so gentle push.
With a deep sigh, I placed one foot in front of the other and walked. I could do this. I could tell Tristan I wanted to be with him. Hell, living in his house, helping him dress and undress, nearly killed me. Even the light brush of his hand over mine heated my skin. Oh, my God, even thinking about his hands on me set me on fire.
I walked quickly to his car. As I got closer to him, I nearly tripped due to the dark, penetrating look he shot me.
"Sorry I took so long in there."
"Whatever. Can we get back already? I'm tired."
"I…" I paused, not wanting to discuss our almost kiss yet. "Yeah, sure."
Tristan stayed quiet, and as soon as I unlocked the doors, he got in without a word more. I thought back to the deadly look on his face when he found Robbie talking to me. Really, he scared the shit out of me. Robbie was lucky to be alive after the beating he got.
I wanted to ask Tristan how he was doing, but the cold vibes from him changed my mind. Carefully, I chanced a quick peek out of the corner of my eye. He remained still and stared out the window with his fists balled in his lap.
"You okay?" I tried to keep the worry out of my tone, failing.
He continued to stare out the window. "I'm great." A muscle in his jaw jerked. I decided to wait until we got back to his house to say more. Thank goodness he didn't live far, because the tension in the car made it hard to stomach. Instead of sticking to my decision to stay quiet, I changed my mind. Apparently I was a glutton for punishment. "Is there something you want to talk about?" My grip on the steering wheel tightened, along with my nerves. Why in the hell did I just ask him that?
Tristan turned his gaze from the window, looking back at me with dark humor in his eyes.
; "Nothing to talk about, Elle." With a quick snap of his head, he went back to staring out the window. We didn't speak again.
Once we got back to his house, Tristan walked straight to the couch. I closed the front door, fumbling over how to start the long overdue conversation about us. I turned slowly, my heart racing inside my chest. Tristan picked up a pillow from the couch and threw it across the living room. I opened my mouth.
"I can sleep on the couch tonight." I hoped to lighten his mood. He didn't look up as he kicked his shoes off.
"I'm good. Are you packed and ready for tomorrow?" He refused to look at me.
"Yes, I also packed a few things for you. We can leave first thing if you want."
"Whatever." I waited for him to say more, but after a few more minutes passed without so much as a look, I decided to go to bed.
But first, I tried one more time.
"Listen, I know you're upset."
Finally, he looked at me, but then I wished he'd go back to ignoring me. His chest rose with each breath he took. His jaw tightened and he balled his fists.
"I'm sorry." My words came out as shaky as I felt.
Tristan jumped from the couch and rushed up to me. With his towering height looming over me, I couldn't think. God, he was pissed.
"You're sorry?" He shot out a short laugh, and his hot breath blew pieces of hair in my face. "Sorry is one way to put what you are."
Tears pooled in my eyes as the shock and hurt of his words hit me. Slowly I backed away, afraid of what he'd say next.
"I'll leave. I-I can find my own way home tomorrow." As much as I tried to keep the tears from falling, I failed. I backed up more, but ended up against a wall. Tristan inched closer.
"I'm not stopping you from going, but answer a question before you leave." He spoke low and even, a telltale sign of how pissed off he was.
I couldn't find the words to answer and nodded instead.
He stood directly in front of me. Stretching his arms out, he caged me between him and the wall. I felt as if my heart would leap out of my chest. We stood in silence, staring into each other’s eyes. The mixture of beer and tequila hit my face.
Distraction Page 27