He replied with a curt nod, and I left, holding onto Elle's hand on the way out.
During the drive home, silence ensued. His lips nearing hers the single image on repeat inside my head, and with each replay, I gripped the wheel tighter. Pulling into the drive, I shut the engine off but didn't move.
"Tristan, say something." Her silent sobs pissed me off.
"I'm all right, Elle."
"Don't say you're okay. And do not call me that."
Even through the rising panic in her voice, I grinned. Elle hated the nickname I'd given her when we were kids, but still preferred me calling her by it more when I didn't.
The seat belt unlatched, and I shifted in her direction. Elle moved across the console to straddle me in the driver's seat. We took each other in for a minute. Her silky hair fell over her slim shoulders as she leaned in to rest her forehead against mine, calming the storm inside my head. Her scent, sweet and fruity, rushed over my face.
"I love you," she finally said.
What took place tonight never should've happened. I messed up. I gritted my teeth. "I know," I said, seething aimed at myself for setting up the situation.
"No," she said, voice filled with anger. Elle moved back, cupping my face. "No, you don't understand. There's no one else but us. You got it? No more timeouts, do you hear me?"
The strained atmosphere relaxed the longer we stayed in the car.
Elle pursed her lips, and her brows pinched together. She placed her hands to my shoulders. "Answer me, Tristan. It's just us."
Her determined fire seeped inside me, filling me with adoration. "Just us."
I rubbed my jaw as I remembered that night. Those words, "just us," resonated within me. Every bit of frustration from when I walked out the door vanished. I laughed, the sound filling up the car as I turned into the parking lot at the gym.
The image of Elle filtered through. Sliding inside Elle's warmth, her clenching around me while her fingers dug into my shoulders.
Enough of this pussy shit.
I manned up–no need to worry over stupid shit. Her spending time with Rixon was a minor hiccup because what we had together was more. Simply, Elle and I fit, always had.
Elle
My phone rang for the second time, but like the first, I couldn't reach across to the passenger seat to grab the damn thing. Ugh, whatever, I'd call whomever back in a minute.
I whipped into the parking space, grabbed my stuff, and headed to the paper when my phone went off again. "Hello?"
"Where the hell are you?"
I rolled my eyes as I shifted the books in my hands, trying to keep my purse strap from falling off. It would be Alyssa calling at the worst possible moment. "Heading to grab a few things at the paper before class. What's up?"
"Don't drop anything, plus I figured you'd be here." Her voice echoed behind me.
I turned. "Hey!" I smiled, then realized the time. "Everything okay? You're up early." I tucked my phone in the side pocket in my purse, glad to have my hands free.
"Gotta be up early if I'm ever going to see your beautiful face."
We hadn't hung out as often since living in separate houses. "Aww, miss you, too." Times like today, when Tristan was being an ass, made me miss living with Alyssa, along with our late-night talks about men, life, the most recent gossip, and everything in between.
"What's going on?" She tilted her head, squinting her eyes.
I shrugged, playing down her concern. "Nothing, really. Everything's fine." I forced a bright smile. "Seriously, what brings you by so early?"
Alyssa's teeth showed, and she shook her head. "Nope. Changing the subject won't help. Don't be stupid by lying to me."
Should've known she wouldn't let it go. "It's Tristan." I chewed on my lip, hesitating, then figured, what the hell. "This morning we made love, and we were great. It was so good, like amazing, but, I-I don't know."
"Sex makes men behave, duh. So what's the problem, 'cause in my book, you just described a pretty good morning."
I fidgeted from foot to foot. "Ah, I told him I had to work at the paper, and I'd be home late. He shut down after that."
Alyssa's lips lifted at the corner. "Did this little gray cloud come before or after you mentioned working with a particular sexy Irishman?"
I groaned, pulling the purse strap up higher on my shoulder. "After."
Her smirk got smirkier if that were even possible.
"I don't want to hear it from you, too." I turned to leave, and she followed in step beside me.
"Suit yourself, but I'd be jealous, too, if I were him."
I stopped and spun around. "What's that mean?"
She shrugged. "Thought you didn't want my opinion?"
I groaned. "Don't be an ass."
She rolled her eyes. "Listen, you spend more time with 'I want to take your clothes off and do dirty things to you' guy than with Tristan, who is taking your clothes off and doing dirty things to you. It isn't brain science, Elle." She started walking again. "New outfits aren't working for him?"
I followed, my face burning as I remembered the emergency shopping session. Earlier this year, when I'd first told Alyssa that Tristan and I were struggling, she'd dragged me to a few stores.
"That'll sober him up, trust me," she'd said, tossing outfits in my trembling hands. The scant garments spiced up things all right–for a little while.
So, I went back a few days later, sans Alyssa. Once at the checkout counter, the saleslady who'd rung up my previous purchase greeted me with a kind smile.
With a quiet and sweet voice, she asked, "You don't remember me, do you?"
Her question stunned me, to say the least. Of course, I remembered her from the last time, but something told me she hadn't meant the last time I'd shopped there. I handed over my credit card, doing my best to recall her but ended up shaking my head.
"We first met," she began, fidgeting, "at a tuxedo shop." Her gaze flickered to the ground then back up. "Uh, I'm friends with Kellie."
"Oh," I said, stumbling over what to say next. "Yes, I do remember." I forced my lips into a smile and debated if I should ask how Kellie was doing.
"Sorry, I didn't mean–" She laughed. "I've managed to make this awkward."
"No, it's fine, really." I let out a rush of air. "How's Kellie these days?"
A sad look passed over her features, but it was gone before I could be sure. She smiled. "Kellie's great." After charging the baby blue nighty, she tossed the material in an extra-small bag, then pushed it in my sweaty hands.
Nothing like running into your boyfriend's ex-fiancée's friends while loading up on lingerie. "Oh, well, that's good." I held up my purchase. "Thanks, and it was good seeing you."
She nodded, and I rushed out with heat coating every inch of flesh. From then on, I'd decided not to extend my risqué wardrobe–at least not at that store.
I hadn't told Alyssa what happened then.
"No, they did. I mean do." I sighed. "Not the point, I just hate fighting with Tristan at all." I stopped at the front door. A gust of wind blew a plastic bag across the entryway before zipping past my shoulder.
"I'll try to get home early, maybe order dinner or something."
Alyssa flipped her hair behind her shoulder. "Sounds like a plan. Bet it'll be fine."
She smiled, her cheeks tinged with pink, and I wondered if she'd been thinking of Bret. Her and Bret's relationship had taken a turn in the serious direction, but as far as I knew, those three little words were still hung in the open somewhere.
"Hope so." I grinned. "How're things between you and Bret?" I nudged her shoulder. "It's your turn to spill. I know you didn't get up just to see my beautiful face. You decide to stop being stubborn and admit anything?"
She squirmed and immediately dropped her eyes to her feet. Taking a deep breath in, then out, then in and out again, she glanced up and said, "No."
My mouth popped open, though I recovered quickly. Alyssa keeping a relationship longer than two weeks meant
progress, but she deserved so much more. If only she'd allow herself the happiness she deserved. Hopefully, in time, she would because I refused to stand by and watch her throw away what she and Bret had due to her inability to let a man in. "You're an ass."
"Someone's gotta be." She shook her head as her phone chimed. "Okay, I'm gonna let you get to class." She leaned in for a quick hug. "Call me tomorrow. We need to shop or something."
I laughed. "Or something."
Alyssa answered the call, waved, then headed to the parking lot.
An hour later, while leaving class, I was pretty sure I'd bombed the statistics test. Shit. Heading back to the communications building to work with Rixon, I tried not to think about it. Besides, hanging out with other over-caffeinated people made more sense than a dumb test on percentages. When I opened the door to the building, I smiled. Even in the hall, and regardless of the hour, it always smelled like freshly made coffee.
The door opened. "Hey, Elle," George, a fellow student, said with a short wave. His unkempt long, wavy hair that usually hung past his shoulders was fixed today.
"Hey, back. And I'm digging the braid."
Pink filled George's pale cheeks. "Um, thanks." He shoved his hands into his front pockets. "Mattie said she liked the change." He kicked at the linoleum floor. "Thanks for the advice."
I punched his shoulder. "Told ya, and I'm glad she noticed."
He nodded. "So, you got here just in time. Rixon and a few others showed up a few minutes ago."
"Cool." I thumbed over my shoulder. "I'm gonna grab some snacks before jumping in."
"Great, see you inside." George pulled out his cigarettes, heading outside.
Rixon's head popped up when I stepped inside. "Richards, read over these, would you?"
And just like that, work began.
A cramp seized my hands, and I opened and closed my fingers, working out the stiffness. The few snacks I'd gotten from the vending machine were devoured hours ago, but they hadn't filled me up.
Needing a break, I pushed my chair back and grabbed my phone to check for missed calls or texts. Not once had I heard from Tristan, and guilt set it.
As if sensing I'd been thinking of him, Tristan texted: Hungry…?
YES! What sounds good?
You ;)
Smiling, I texted back. Perv <3
Pretty boy still got you held up or you about done?
I cringed. We finished the layout but still have to tweak a few articles. Got a bit more to go over. Probably a few more hours at best. :(
Okay, shoot me a text when you're heading home.
I smiled. Will do! <3 you!
Right back at you.
Rixon and I continued working, cleaning each article up before the deadline. The others had taken off thirty minutes ago. Unfortunately, I didn't get done early. I grabbed my phone to check the time. Dammit. Well after ten, Tristan had probably eaten already. Rixon distracted my thoughts. "You did well."
I looked up and grinned. "Thanks, you too."
"Hungry?"
"Nah," I said the same time a growling noise rumbled from my stomach.
Rixon's eyes shifted to my abdomen then up to my face.
"Okay, so maybe a little?" I swiped my thumb across the screen to dial Tristan. Maybe I could salvage the evening and grab a pizza. Four rings later and his voicemail picked up.
"Earth to Elle?"
"Oh, sorry. What?"
"Let's grab a bite."
The phone felt heavy in my palm. Why in the hell hadn't Tristan picked up the phone? He'd mentioned a few tests he needed to study for. Guess he fell asleep, probably waiting for me to come home. Shit. "No thanks. I should get going; it's late."
"See if Daniels can meet us." Rixon went back to shuffling papers before I could answer. "I've got to meet the guys at the bar. Late practice tonight."
I slid my finger across the screen in an attempt to reach Tristan once more. Again, the call rang straight to his voicemail. My insides roared to life again.
Rixon turned. "Any luck with the boyfriend?"
"No. Probably fell asleep studying. How 'bout I meet you and order food to take back home."
"Good, let me lock up so we can leave."
The normally busy campus was now quiet when we headed outside to our cars, and once we made it to the bar, I pulled into the space next to Rixon. A cold breeze skirted past when I stepped outside. Mondays weren't busy enough to keep the doors opened to the public, Rixon once told me.
"They better have good food here, or you owe me one."
"That a promise?"
Ah, crap. Here we go again. "This is me picking up dinner for my boyfriend. Nothing more, Rixon. You need to be clear about what we are, or rather, what we aren't." Out of nowhere, I sneezed.
"Bless you, and this is a simple dinner with a friend and his bandmates is all."
"Thanks." I coughed.
Rixon opened the door and gestured for me to enter. The smell of stale beer and dirty air floated out into the open.
"Besides, your boyfriend packs a mean punch, and I don't plan to get on his bad side any time soon."
The tension in my neck and shoulders eased up. "Okay, so we're clear?"
"Crystal." He winked.
My food order came out fifteen minutes later, and I finished off the last of my beer. Cold fizz washed down the complimentary cheese-fries Rixon demanded I snack on while I waited for dinner. "You don't look so good. Eat," he'd demanded.
"Uh, I should be offended, but since I'm starving and these fries are amazing, I'll let your comment slide."
"Ignore this asshole, you look beautiful," said Ace, the owner's son.
"Why thank you," I said. Before I could stop it, a very unladylike sound flew out of my mouth.
The loud noise around the table turned to silence, but it only took a second before Rixon and his buddies burst into a fit of laughter.
"Compliments to the chef," I said with a shrug.
"I'll let Pop know." Ace shook his head. "Rix, I'm gonna set up. Be ready in five."
"Be right there. Let me walk Elle to her car."
Jeff, the lead guitarist, pointed at me. "He's nice when you're around. Feel free to hang any time." He paused, tapping his index finger against the metal pierced into his bottom lip. "Come to think of it, you're the only woman he's brought here. You must be someone sp–"
"Enough. Don't be a wanker," Rixon said, quickly.
The guys and I laughed, and I waved. "Thanks again for letting me join you. Had fun."
The temperature had dropped since heading inside the bar. As soon as the breeze slapped my cheeks, a shiver ran down my back. I hurried to start my car, then jumped out to say goodbye.
"Thanks for letting me tag along. Food smells fantastic. I'll probably eat Tristan's share if he's passed out."
Rixon bumped his shoulder with mine. "Glad you agreed to come with us."
A car speeding by honked, and I jumped.
"You okay?" Rixon invaded my space, standing in front of me with both hands resting on my shoulders.
Too close for comfort, I shrugged his hands off.
"Wait, Elle, I have something to say."
I froze. Shit!
Rixon inched closer, but I stopped him with a hand on his chest. "We talked about this. I'm not interested."
Head tilted, his dark, haunted eyes locked with mine. Rixon spoke to me about his past one night while the two of us worked. His mom moved with him to the States after she divorced his dad, whom Rixon never really got along with. But then before he could make amends with him, his father died. His story reminded me of the regret I carried for my sister. I understood Rixon's grief. He needed a friend, but he'd now made it clear why we as friends wouldn't be good.
"Elle, don't you see how wrong he is for you?"
"No, you're what's wrong." I sighed. "Not that it's any of your business, but since you can't get this through your head, I'll be blunt. Tristan's not only my best friend but the person I plan to sp
end the rest of my days with."
"You haven't explored all your options." Rixon's slight accent grew more pronounced when he became angry. He threw his hands in the air. "You need to step outside your comfort zone. You're too straight-laced, Elle."
"Maybe I am straight-laced, but it doesn't matter what you think!" I curled my fingers inward, nails biting into my palm.
Rixon must've assumed the brief silence as something more and leaned forward. Rather than his lips connecting with mine, his cheek said hello to the inside of my hand. He immediately jumped back. "But, I thought…?"
"Save it." I stepped around him. "And I'm not keeping this from Tristan, so if you thought last time he hit you was rough, just wait."
I'd been around him long enough to know how his manipulative mind worked. I just never thought he'd try to use it on me–dumb of me for thinking otherwise.
"I'm sorry, Elle."
"Me, too." I slid into my car, slammed the door, and reversed out of the lot.
My hands shook while thinking of Tristan. I had to tell him, but he'd unhinge. What if Rixon caused problems once Tristan confronted him? Stopping him from beating the shit out of Rixon, God, I couldn't think about those consequences.
Tristan had an exceptional football season this year, and scouts noticed, too. He deserved to live out his dream. I'd find a way to keep him away from Rixon. I had to. Tristan's future depended on it.
Other than the tremors in my hands, I remained controlled, until I entered the house. Then, I lost it.
Tristan
Bang! I shot up in bed, heart beating quickly as my head spun. Deep breaths in and out settled the surge of vertigo. I swept my hand across the mattress to find Elle, but the sheets were cold.
The alarm clock read after eleven. More clanking sounds echoed. Maybe things didn't go well tonight? I grinned. Elle spending more time at home rather than with him, yeah, loved the idea. I jerked a shirt on and headed toward the angry rattle of dishes.
"Asshole," Elle muttered, then growled low and furious. "I'm gonna kill him."
If that son of a bitch touched her, he'd die. "What's wrong?" My voice remained steady, despite the rolling tide of pissed-off building inside.
Interception (Distraction #3) Page 4