Tainted by Love

by Jones, Gillian

  “Nice try, dick, but Mom’s got standards. She’d never slum it with you,” he snickers. “Cheers,” he says, taking a swig. “Jesus, it’s like warm piss. What the hell?” Cannon scrunches his face in disgust, his brown eyes barely visible.

  “You’re late. You told me eight. I gotcha a beer twenty minutes ago. Next time, don’t take so long getting yourself dolled up.” I salute my almost empty bottle in his direction, taking a final pull. “Cheers.”

  I almost drop that bottle when my eyes land on a certain pink-haired beauty who’s making her way across the crowded dance floor.

  “I’ll be damned. There’s no way…” I mutter to myself, trying to get a better look. But I lose her. I scan the place, leaning up taller in my seat, my brain willing my eyes to get her back. Crazy, in a place littered with people, my eyes seek then find her again immediately. Like Superman to danger—I’m drawn to her. I’m there.

  “What?” Cannon asks, looking up from his phone. I ignore him, my eyes transfixed on Trinity.

  “You’ve gotta be shitting me.” Instinctively, I stand, wanting to go to her, but I don’t move. I stand and watch her as her body moves fluidly through the crowd, weaving her way to the back where I lose sight of her again amongst the dimly-lit booths and the few leather couches nestled around a fireplace and sidebar.

  “They’re here,” Cannon’s voice interrupts, shouting over The Chainsmoker’s “Don’t Let Me Down”, ending my perving. “She said they’d meet us at the back. They got us a booth, the second-to-last one. Grab your beer. Let’s go.”

  Shit, my palms suddenly feel sweaty. Trin’s over there. The last thing I want is for her to see me with Cannon’s girl’s friend and think it’s more than it is.

  Which is nothing. Especially after how good things have been going between us. Not only is Trin funny and beautiful, she’s also got a huge heart, and drives me crazy with her sass and those fucking curves of hers. I can’t wait for the day when I can finally get my hands on her. It’s fucked up, but I haven’t been with a chick since Katie. Every time I’ve gone out with the guys, the last thing on my mind was pussy. Well, other than Trinity’s. I can’t stand the thought of her seeing me out with another girl. Maybe I should tell Cannon I’ll find him in a few minutes so I can go talk to Trin first? Just so she knows it’s not a date, just a favour for a friend. Wait. Who the hell am I? Didn’t she friend-zone me? Hasn’t it been her keeping me sidelined? Right. Fuck that. Let her see me.

  Grabbing the fresh cold beer the flirty male bartender delivered moments ago, I follow Cannon as he cuts across the overly-crowded floor, nodding to people I recognize but not stopping to talk as a few guys clap me on the back, trying to get me to stop and chat. My sole focus is all on finding Trinity. I see a few girls trying to get my attention, as well, some familiar, others not, but their laughter and the loud music are barely noticeable as I continue to move, ignoring it all. Finally, at a set of four stairs, I spot Cannon waving to whom I assume is his date. Looking back over my shoulder, there’s still no sign of Trinity.

  Reaching the last step, I stop mid-stride. I can’t hide my smile when my eyes land on the booth where Cannon has stopped.

  “Well, isn’t this perfect,” I grin. It must be my lucky night.

  Cannon’s date is Trin’s friend, Shannon.

  What a small fucking world.

  And sitting in the booth across from Shannon is Trinity.

  If this isn’t some kind of sign then I don’t know what is. Man, she’s gorgeous, I think as I reach the table. Don’t get me wrong she’s always beautiful. But tonight she’s wearing a bit of makeup. Her eyes are a smoky grey, highlighted by some shimmery stuff around them. She looks sexy and sultry and I’m having a hard time not pulling her out of the booth, intent on walking us right out the front door.

  “Hey, Fruitloop.” I slide in next to her. “Fancy meeting you here.” I nudge her shoulder, her eyes widening, a sexy grin spreading across her honey-coated lips.

  “Hendrix. Hi.”

  “Wait, you all know each other?” Cannon asks, surprised.

  “Yeah, this is Trinity.” I introduce them. “Shannon is Trin’s best friend. And I’m Trin’s date,” I smile, like a fucking Cheshire cat.

  “What are you doing here?” she asks, her voice breathy, while her eyes take me in like she’s having a hard time processing that I’m here. I fucking love the hunger I see in her eyes while they linger on my mouth, then travel down to my chest before they drift lower to where I’ve got the sleeves of my white shirt rolled up to show the ink that covers most of my arms.

  “I’m here with Cannon. He promised me a hot date. And for the first time in my life, I think I’m in love with him,” I say, leaning in close to her, “’cause, damn, baby, you’re fucking smoking tonight,” I compliment. She blushes my favourite shade of Trinity. I stare at her, my gaze drifting to her bare shoulders, and I smile at the smattering of freckles that match the few I’ve noticed on her nose and cheeks. “What are you doing here?” I ask the same of her, a shit-eating grin on my face. The answer is just as obvious, but I let her go on. Damn, she’s adorable.

  “I came with Shannon,” she says, gesturing across the table to her dark-haired friend whom I met at Thanksgiving, but Shannon and Cannon appear to be in their own little world, completely ignoring us, which suits me just fine.

  I need to interrupt their breakout session, though, because the opportunity to bust Cannon’s balls doesn’t present itself very often. Once again, being the good guy that I am, I take advantage. Waving, I get their attention. “Wait, dude.” They both stop and look at me. “We need to go,” I deadpan, keeping my face serious.

  “Why? What the hell? We just got here,” Cannon says, obviously pissed.

  “Yeah, but I cannot allow you two to date,” I say, pointing between them.

  “And why not?” my little Fruitloop pipes in.

  Looking at her pretty face, I offer her a smile before I add, “’Cause, baby, we absolutely cannot have friends named ‘Shannon and Cannon’ that date. It’s too fucking ridiculous.”

  “Oh my God!” Trin claps her hands. “It never even dawned on me. Oh, God, you rhyme. I agree with Hendrix, you can never get married or have babies,” she adds, full on belly-laughing, and I adore the sound. It brings me to life. I’d have no problem if my job until the day I died was to make this woman laugh like that. Seeing her in this light—young, carefree, and happy—is a special kind of wonderful. And fuck it if I haven’t fallen hard for her.

  “Easy there, Life Coach, we haven’t even had a full date yet. You can tuck the Save the Date cards back into your breast pocket,” Shannon says, and I bust a gut laughing.

  “Oh, I like you. I forgot how funny you think you are. I get why you two are friends.” I nod from Shannon to Trin before passing them the drinks the server just delivered.

  26

  Hendrix

  The downside of going to Voltage for a date is that we know too many fucking people here. More specifically, I know way too many women here. And they most certainly know me and aren’t shy about letting it be known, either.

  First, it was Shelby. Fuck me. I was right in the middle of telling Trin a joke. I had managed to move in extremely close, had my arm wrapped around her. Hell, I’d even rubbed that soft bare shoulder a few times and she’d let me. I was on my game and it was going well. Leaning in, I’d asked her, “What does the sign on an out-of-business brothel say?”

  “Oh, God. Do I even want to know?” she’d giggled, before giving me a dirty look. It was sexy as hell, and I was completely caught up in her. “Okay, I give up, tell me,” she’d said, after taking a sip of her rye and coke and thinking about the answer.

  “Beat it. We’re closed.” I’d slapped the tabletop with my hands in a ba-da-ba way.

  “Ha! That’s hilarious!” she said, tipping her head back in laughter. It had taken all of my restraint not to lean my face into the crook of her neck and run my tongue along her slender neck,
taking in her wicked scent. Christ, I’d never seen her looking so at ease and relaxed before, I’d thought.

  I dream of this woman, I dream of touching, tasting and entwining myself with her forever. I was about to tell her another joke…and that was when I saw her. Shelby. And she was headed straight for us. Or rather, straight for me.

  I’d felt Trinity tense up when Shelby approached the table, her huge fake tits on display for all to see. I guess that’s what happens when your little black dress is a few sizes too small, a dress I might have appreciated and found sexy a few months ago, but tonight it only looked trashy. I’d rested my hand on Trin’s knee to reassure her, but I could tell it was too late. The spell we’d been under was broken. Trin’s walls had been summoned and it was my fault.

  “Henny, hiii! I’ve missed you, baby,” a drunken Shelby had slurred, toying with my hair while she staggered beside me. “How about you let me sit down? I could give you one of those special massages you like when I sit on your lap.” She’d even winked, and I swear to God Trin gasped.

  Fuck me.

  After denying Shelby’s many futile attempts, I’d finally succeeded in getting it through to her that I wasn’t the least bit interested. Luckily, I managed to get her friend Rita’s attention, and she came over and took Shelby away before things got worse.

  So, now I’m asking Trinity if she wants to hear another joke, hoping I can slide us back into our happy place.

  Then I feel a tongue licking my ear, and hands snaking their way around my neck and down to my chest from behind me. Turning my head sideways, I want to shout, “Are you fucking kidding me?” when my eyes make contact with Katie’s. Seriously, I’m never coming back to Voltage again. I really need to reevaluate the company I’ve been keeping. Never have I been so pissed about a woman’s presumptuous touch until just now. It feels dirty, and it feels wrong with Trinity beside me, her so perfect, bearing witness to the person I suddenly no longer am or want to be reminded of. Sure, we all have a past, but it seems that mine is out to fuck with me tonight.

  Watching Katie make her advances, Trinity finishes her drink, knocking her glass down on the table a little louder than normal. I know she’s uncomfortable and I know she won’t stay if I don’t stop this train wreck.

  “Hendrix, you never called me,” Katie pouts. “I’ve been coming every week. You’ve been hiding,” she says, sliding her face into the small space that exists between Trinity and me.

  Looking over at Cannon for a lifeline, the prick doesn’t say shit. He just sits back like he’s enjoying a fucking movie.

  “I was hoping I could get another dance,” Katie giggles. “I mean you and that tongue of you—”

  And that’s when it happened.

  “Well. I’m ready to dance, I think. Shannon? You ready? I’m ready, more than ready. This DJ is really good, and I love all these songs,” Trinity blurts, and my adrenaline spikes, knowing I’m losing her. “Let’s go. That way, Hendrix can visit with all his friends in privacy and we don’t need to listen to the show,” she adds, waiting for Shannon to agree, not casting a second glance my way.

  “You’re right, the music is awesome. I’m ready,” Shannon agrees, nodding her head and whispering into Cannon’s ear. The asshole smiled and agreed to whatever the hell she said before he shifted to let her out. “Come on, Trin, it smells like whore over here. We need to go. And I think we need a couple of shots before we shake our booties. We look too good to ride this booth all night, anyway. And it’s not every day my girl comes out,” she digs, and I feel it in the pit of my stomach. It’s not lost on me that Trinity doesn’t have much of a social life outside of the shop and hanging out with her family. We talk everyday. I know this, and it makes the situation even worse. Because we were having fun. She was having fun, fun with me.

  Of course, Katie misses the whole fucking thing, and only moves in closer after hearing that the girls are going to be leaving.

  “Please let me out,” Trin says, not meeting my gaze, her voice small.

  “No. I like you here just fine. I want you here. Stay.”

  “No. I don’t want to interrupt. You catch up with your…friend,” she says, over-pronouncing the word—our word—and I fucking hate it. “It seems she’s really excited to see you. Besides, I’ve monopolized enough of your time already. It’s not like this was a real match-up anyway, Hendrix. Don’t feel you need to hang with me; I’m not a pity date. Be with your friends, you obviously have a few of them here you can choose from. I’m good. I’m going to dance for a bit, then head home. I’ll see you at the shop.” She shrugs, looking a mix of pissed off and disappointed. She looks exactly how I feel.

  “Bullshit, this was a—”

  “Just let me out, Hendrix. I’m done.”

  Relenting, I give her what she wants. I stand up so she can slide out, and as soon as she does, that bitch Katie slips in.

  “Have at it,” Trin smiles ominously, watching Katie take her place. Then Trin bolts. And the worst part? I can’t blame her. I’m such an asshole. I’ve never regretted my past until tonight, when it came back to slap my Fruitloop in the face.

  I didn’t sit with Katie. I tell her where we stand, wish her a good night, and bail.

  An hour later, Cannon and I are playing pool, keeping an eye on Trin and Shannon. It turns out this night isn’t a total bust, for Cannon at least. He and Shannon are going out for dinner tomorrow night. Alone.

  “Your shot, man.” Cannon jerks his chin at the table.

  “Right, sorry.” I shake my head, planning my next move. I take the shot, sinking the yellow ball in the left corner pocket. I’m about to take my next shot when I see some dude standing with Trinity’s phone in his hand, the same guy who’s been rubbing up on her for the last few songs. The same one I’ve been allowing to dance with her because so far he hasn’t been pushing his luck. I know, because I’ve been keeping my eye on him, and he knows it, he saw me watching them. Luckily, he’s been respectful.

  Until now. It looks like he’s typing something into her phone and all I gotta say is, it better not be his number.

  Un-fucking-acceptable.

  Tossing the cue on the table, I motion for Cannon to follow.

  27

  Hendrix

  “Beat it. You’re done here, bud. I’ll take over from here,” I say, standing behind Trin’s dance partner. Her eyes go wide when she sees us approaching.

  “I’m not sure that I am done, guy. Seems to me I was gettin’ her digits. I think I’ll stay awhile longer,” the punk has the nerve to reply.

  Stepping sideways, I nudge myself between him and Trin so I can face this piece of shit. I glare at the motherfucker, my fists clenched of their own volition, my jaw tight, body rigid. I’m ready to toss his ass, but Trin’s warm hand touches my shoulder, calming me immediately.

  “Hendrix. Stop. Let him be.”

  “No,” I grit, ignoring her request.

  “Yeah, Hendrix. Stop,” the douchebag repeats, grinning.

  “Not a chance, asshole.” I step closer.

  “Hendrix, please. Let’s go talk,” she says. I bet she says it just because she knows I’ll agree. Nodding, I take a step back. This fucking gnat is lucky I’m getting my way.

  “Let’s go then.” I clasp her hand in mine, leading us off the dance floor into the dimly lit hall, where I test a few doors until I find one that leads to a staircase.

  Pushing us inside, I lock the door and take a deep breath before turning to look at her. It’s time I put myself out there. I can’t keep denying what I want, pretending I’m happy with not getting to hold or touch her every time desire strikes.

  “Hendrix, explain what that was?” She looks up at me, irritation lacing her tone and her body language.

  Well, guess what? I’m fucking irritated, too. Tired of her keeping shit from me, hiding that she feels it, too. I know it’s bullshit, and so does everyone around us. We all see what’s been brewing between us.

  Without hesitation, I mo
ve in closer, putting us chest to chest, the closeness forcing her to stare up at me. When we’re standing like this, all we can see is each other.

  “Why don’t you want me?” I ask, a little more harshly than I intend, but I can’t help it. I’m pissed and upset. “Why choose him?” I ask, my voice hoarse due to the emotions I’m feeling. The last thing I want to do is push her too hard, but I can’t risk her not hearing how I feel and ending up in another man’s arms. The thought alone guts me.

  “I didn’t choose him or anyone. It was just a dance.”

  “Bullshit. Choose me.” I run my hand along her cheek. “Please, Fruitloop. Choose me.”

  “I did. We’re friends, despite my better judgment. Not sure you really needed a new friend…” She rolls her eyes, and I want to smile at her jealousy, but she’s hiding again behind this friendship façade.

  “I wanna be more,” I respond, looking her in the eye.

  “I don’t.” She’s quick to refuse me. She looks to the side.

  “Lie.”

  “I’m not interested in you that way.”

  “Another lie. We both know it. It’s time to get real, Trin.”

  “I can’t.” She pauses. “I can’t have you, Hendrix. I can’t be what you need or deserve. I need you to see that, to respect it.” A tear cascades down her cheek.

  “Bullshit, baby. You’re all I see, and I know you see me, too. I fucking ache at the thought of you not being with me, of us not taking this chance. Shit, Trin,” I huff, exasperated, “I wanted to kill that guy. Still do. The thought that he was good enough to get your number when all I want is a chance fucks with me.” Jesus, this girl riles me up like no other. Never have I opened myself up like this—laid my shit bare. But regardless of what happens afterwards, she’s worth the risk. At least I can walk away knowing I put myself out there for her, made my intentions clear, that I took my shot.