Surrounded By Knight

by A. N. Hennessy

  I had been fighting my demons all day, and I came to realize I was falling into the trap of actually liking Trevelin. He was a completely different person than I had pictured him being. He was cocky, no doubt about that, and arrogant, but I think for the most part it was all a persona masking something deeper within, and at the same time it added to his celebrity image.

  That night we were all sitting around my parent’s dining room table for dinner. My dad sat at the head of the table like always and I was seated between Momma and Addie. Trevelin was seated directly across from me, in between Reed and Jace.

  My mom had blessed us all with her good ol’ southern comfort food. Dad, Mom, Addie and I all started laughing when the guys took their first bite and moans of appraisal left their mouths. I felt a little awkward and uncomfortable, because the moans sounded a lot more pleasurable than what would come from good cooked food.

  I sorta felt bad. They ate like they were starving to death. It was pretty gross, but I couldn’t help but smile at them.

  “So, Trevelin, what do your parents do?” my dad asked, looking up from his plate at Trevelin as he took a bite off his fork. Trevelin went stark still as his face blanched. The muscle in his jaw clenched and unclenched as he thought. I witnessed Reed and Jace look at one another, then turn to Trevelin, seemingly unnerved by my dad’s question.

  Trevelin seemed to think about whether or not he wanted to answer while both my mom and dad were staring with knowing expressions.

  “I...I don’t have any parents. My dad’s in prison, or was the last I heard and my mom...she...she, uh, OD’d when I was six. I grew up in foster care. The only family I have is these guys.” He pointed to either side of him. The pain in his voice was almost unbearable, and he never once looked at anyone while he spoke.

  I knew there was something deeper to this unrelenting handsome rock star.

  Our discussion earlier about Addie’s biological parents hit home. That was why he was so touched and heartfelt over her story. I had the uncontrollable urge to walk around the table and to hug and comfort him, but I figured pity from someone, especially me, wasn’t something he wanted. Far from it probably.

  “Oh, sweetie...” my mom started with remorse and sympathy swelling in her eyes and voice as she clutched her chest. I knew that look. It was the same look she got when she took in a neglected animal. She was now caught, looking overwhelmingly sympathetic at the Knight Raiders...minus one. “You and the rest of your band are welcome here anytime, at any and every holiday. Our home is your home. In fact, I insist. And I expect y’all here at Christmas, because there will be presents for each of you under the tree.”

  “Absolutely,” my dad added.

  God blessed both my parents with huge hearts, and it was showing very evidently right now. At my dad’s strong emphasis on his word, Trevelin looked up at both of them. In that instant I saw the unhidden pain and the strong desire for love from a family. His misty blue-green eyes glowed, overpowered with admiration and a few other emotions I couldn’t place. My heart felt like it grew a little more for him, and as bad as my brain wanted to scream and yell ‘what the hell are you thinking?’ to my parents for forever inviting him and the others to our holiday gatherings – I couldn’t. I actually hoped he would agree to come so maybe he wouldn’t feel so lonely and...abandoned.

  “Thank you. I might just take you up on that offer.” He smiled a genuine, grateful smile, then turned it toward me and winked. I rolled my eyes, biting the inside of my cheek, and fixated my confused self back on my food.

  My thoughts drifted off while conversation between the others continued. I hated this conflicting emotion I had toward the overly attractive guy across from me. One minute his arrogant and self-centered attitude made me want to knock his good looks clean off his face. Then the next I would steal a glimpse of the looming desolation in his mystical eyes that stirred my emotions into a hocus-pocus of heartfelt trickery. I didn’t know what was going on inside me, but it made as much sense as a submarine with screen doors.

  My deep concentration on the size chart of the beans on my plate and scattered thoughts was interrupted by Addie – and yes, my momma always told me to never play with my food, but it was needed as a distraction from my asinine mental activity as well as the penetrating gaze boring into me from across the table.

  “What are we singing at Buck’s tomorrow night?” she asked over the rim of her glass.

  “You’re singing somewhere?” Trevelin asked with astonishment.

  “This is an A to B conversation, so please C your way out,” I bit out playfully, looking at him with a cute smirk. His face sparkled with hilarity to my snappy remark as he licked his bottom lip before capturing it between his teeth. More than likely so he wouldn’t say something tactless in front of my parents. I had to admit, him grazing his plump lip with his teeth like that was almost as lascivious as his pouty puppy-face. Why does he have to be so freakin’ hot?

  Addie shot me one of her death glares while answering his question. “Yes, Trevelin, Izzy and I perform every other Saturday night at a local bar called Buck’s.”

  “Buck is an old college friend of mine. He claims Izzy and Addie bring him a lot of business,” Dad chuckled.

  “You boys should go watch them perform. I know y’all see that stuff all the time, but maybe you could do a duet or something. Spice the place up a bit. Besides, it’s probably their last performance there,” Mom told the guys, taking my dad’s plate and raking the table-scraps all into one plate.

  “Why is that?” Reed questioned.

  “The girls have decided to go to Nashville and tryout for some backup slots for a few country artists,” Mom replied, smacking my hand when she noticed me playing with my food, then took the plate and did the same with it as she’d done with my dad’s. She was thrilled when we had discussed our plan with her at Thanksgiving. She knew how important singing was to us, considering it was once a dream of her own. We were more than lucky to have her constant support.

  “Why don’t you tour with us? We got three months left if there aren’t any cancelations. It can give you and Addie some insight on what it’s like backstage, being in the public eye and touring across America on a bus,” Trevelin piped in adamantly.

  My head snapped up to meet his pleased grin that seemed unsure, as if he couldn’t believe what he’d just suggested.

  “No—”

  “Oh my god, yes—” me and Addie said at the same time, but in completely different tones.

  “Isabel Love Morgan,” my mom scolded. I cringed at the use of my stupid middle name. I think I heard the guys muffle a laugh. “Quit being so rude! I taught you better, and I think this is a great opportunity for you and Addison. Not to mention very thoughtful of the boys. It’s always a great idea to taste test the bottle of wine before you buy it.”

  I sighed—loudly. There was no way to hide my frustration, but maybe she was right. Trevelin was talking down on his life of fame earlier today. Maybe it wasn’t all as glamorous as it seemed to be. It might not be such a bad idea to see if that’s something Addie and I could handle before we put more of our heart, time, sweat and tears into it.

  “I’ll think about it.”

  With that being said, you would have thought I screamed yes at the top of my lungs. I got an excited hug from Addie, and I don’t know who was giving me a more absurd smile, Trevelin or Reed. Poor Jace looked like he had been smacked in the face. Either he was happy or opposed to having two girls traveling with them. No doubt the latter.

  The boys helped clean up the mess from dinner, which was a shocker to me. They didn’t seem the types to clean up after themselves, let alone help someone else with the chores. Images of Trevelin in his cowboy hat working the horse stalls kept cluttering my mind, heating places that didn’t need warmth. Maybe I just had the wrong impression, had him and the guys pegged wrong—besides Reed, he was undeniably an overly horny narcissist. Like a dog with two dicks.

  “Izzy?” My dad’s voi
ce rang from behind me. I turned from the sink to see him leaning against the kitchen island. Everyone else had gone into the living room after the kitchen was spic-and-span, but I lingered behind, needing some space from our infamous guests.

  “Hey, Daddy, do you want some coffee or something?” I asked, reaching for the cabinet that held the coffee cups.

  “No, sweetie, I’m fine. I just wanted to talk with you while your mother is distracted.” He gave me a look that told me it was something my mother wouldn’t approve of. “I am very proud of you and Addison, I really am. No matter what you choose to do, you know I will always support you, but...” he cautiously looked behind him, half expecting someone to walk in. “I don’t know if y’all traveling with this bunch is a smart idea. They are practically strangers; however, I do feel melancholy for Trevelin, the poor boy, and how he had to grow up. I just don’t believe this is a leap that is necessary. You and Addie are young, and there will be plenty of opportunities to come knocking on the door.”

  I smiled at my dad. This was the man I was looking for days ago. The one who spoke his thoughts; the one who didn’t like to upset my mom. I knew where he was coming from, because I felt the same way – well, not the plenty of opportunities will come knocking on my door part.

  “I know, but how many of those will you find broken down on the side of the road? I can’t hide the fact that it’s like this whole situation was meant to be. At the same time I’m scared to death. I don’t know them and I’m nothing like Addie, so being on a bus with four guys terrifies the crap outta me. But how many chances will we get to test the waters before we dive in head first? None. That’s the only reason I am even considering it.”

  Daddy let go of the counter and pulled me into his arms. “This smart head of yours is why I love you so much.” He kissed the top of my head.

  “The only reason?”

  “Of course not, but I like seeing that you at least got something from your ol’ man. Don’t tell your mother I said that though,” he chuckled. I shook my head, letting him know his secret was safe with me. “Promise me you will watch after Addie and not let her do anything too stupid.”

  “I promise,” I snickered.

  “Oh, and stay away from all the inappropriate dealings that take place behind the curtains. The life they lead as entertainers is a lot different from what you and Addie are looking for, baby girl. Just don’t let it influence you.”

  I reassured him of his worries over and over, smiling at the fact that he knew me so well. I hadn’t said yes, yet he knew in his heart what I would choose.

  After laying all my dad’s worries aside, I retired back to our farm house. I had taken a shower before dinner, so I went straight for my nightly wear, which consisted of sweat pants and a cami, and I was now lying on the couch wrapped in Trevelin’s canvassed arms. He had been telling me what it was like being on the bus, and his words haven’t helped my thinking ability in the slightest, and it sure hadn’t calmed my erratic nerves.

  He told me how much he liked my parents, which made me smile for numerous reasons. One being of the talk my dad and I just had, and two, because I knew parents like mine and Addie’s were becoming scarcer these days. It was something he has longed for his whole life.

  I continued to listen to him talk as my eyelids grew heavier. The last thing I remembered him saying was, “The next three months are going to be the fucking best.”

  Chapter Six

  Trevelin

  Waking up with Country’s tiny body pressed firmly against mine had to be the best feeling in the world. It definitely topped the rush I got from stepping out on stage to sing for thousands of screaming and adoring fans. I was enthralled by her. And that scared the ever living fuck out of me. Never in my life have I had spontaneous emotions for a chick.

  Country was different.

  She was a hot, little firecracker that kept my interest sparking. She didn’t fall to my feet worshipping me like I was some God, and I found it sexy as hell when she snapped at me, putting me in my place. I almost got a boner at her parent’s dinner table last night just watching her eat, and when it was mentioned that she and Addie wanted to break out and try to land a backup gig, I couldn’t keep my fuckin’ mouth shut.

  As much as I wanted her with me on the rest of the tour so I didn’t have to give her up tomorrow, I knew it was a huge fuckin’ mistake. I could barely contain myself around her now as it was, disregarding the fact that she’s about to be in a confined space with me for the next three months. No doubt I was going to break. My wit had been set on fire by her and I could only imagine what the future was going to hold for the upcoming months with her around. I was hoping it entailed me finally getting to taste the hot little fireball, and I literally meant taste. My mouth started burning and watering all at the same time just thinking about it.

  I was still pretty fucking pissed at Reed for what he had said to her grandma at Thanksgiving. I made sure he knew it too. I spat off like a madman and punched him in his overused balls, telling him that if he so much as dreamt a dirty dream about her that I would cut off his dick and make him eat it. I thought Jace was going to die of laughter, and I don’t know if it was from what I actually said to Reed or that he knew I was serious. It may have been the fact that I’d never been so territorial over some girl before. Jace and Reed had been like brothers to me, and I know Reed was just joking around – that he would never go for a girl he knew I was seriously into, but there were nuts and bolts to this situation—I’ve never been into a girl enough to tell any of the guys she was off limits to them. Sure we have the first dibs rule, but after that she was anybody’s game.

  Now that I think back on it, it’s pretty fuckin’ sick. It’s kinda like our dicks have all touched at one point or another. All but Bryson, who is hell bent on his fiancé and wouldn’t dare touch another girl if his life depended on it. I think I was starting to understand how he felt.

  I hated it and loved it all at once. I’m fuckin’ going insane. And of course I’m a fucking bastard for wondering how her perky tits would feel in my hands, how she would moan if my dick was buried balls deep inside her, or how sweet her pussy would taste. Fuck this! I didn’t desire one constant piece of ass, yet I wanted hers to the point I could damn near taste it already. Like sweet cotton candy melting in my mouth.

  Country swamped my mind last night when she asked if I would sing a duet with her at the bar tonight. I actually laughed and asked her if that was a serious fucking question. I had wanted to sing with her ever since I heard that voice of hers. Her grandma was almost right. She didn’t blow my underwear off, but her voice did pitch a tent in my pants. I couldn’t even begin to say what I would do to have her rip them off of me with her teeth and tame the swelling rod. Pretty much anything at this point.

  We went over the song we were going to sing, Just a Kiss, and practiced it with the guys for a good part of the day. I suggested the song for the simple reason that I wanted to kiss her—like fucking bad, and it wasn’t just a desire for the lips on her face.

  We all laughed, talked and cut-up together, and she finally seemed to be letting her guard down and giving into me somewhat. Thank fucking hell.

  The guys sit on the couch waiting for the girls to finish getting ready so we could leave for the bar. Both Reed and Jace had hoodies and sunglasses on and Jace has a ball-cap on backwards. I went for my usual attire, which consisted of worn tattered jeans, a plain black V-neck shirt with my black leather jacket and boots. I also had on a black beanie.

  For one, it was cold as shit outside, and two, Country didn’t want anyone to recognize us. She said, “I want our performance to be a surprise. So you and the guys will wait in the back corner while Addie and I do our set. After our last song I’ll announce, ‘I have a surprise,’ and that’s when you’ll come in.” She had smiled. She actually seemed excited, and knowing I was a part of that excitement in turn excited me. In many places.

  “What’s up with you?” Reed inquired while point
ing at my jittering leg. “Don’t tell me the big, bad Trev-dog is nervous.”

  “Shut up, fucktard.” I frowned to which he smiled.

  “You are. Dude, I’m telling you right the fuck now, she’s a no hitter. Don’t let that little Oklahoma tornado whirlwind your shit catchers into a knot. But just to cheer my boy up,” he smirked with enthusiasm as he tossed his arm around my neck, “Jace and I are going to land you some different country pussy tonight. Right, Jace?”

  “You’re damn right we are. No offense, Trev, I really like Izzy. I mean, she’s fuckin’ hot as hell and I would like to—” I gave him a warning glare and he shut up but continued to laugh. “I just don’t see you and her as being very compatible. A good fuck maybe,” he shrugged. “What’s that saying they say here in the south? You’re barkin’ up the wrong tree? You’re totally doin’ that, dude,” Jace said, morphing his face in a stupid looking scowl as if that would somehow make me understand him better.

  “What the fuck happened to wham, bam, thank you, ma’am, I’ll bang every slut around town, bro?” Reed shook me back and forth with his arm that was still around my shoulders.

  I didn’t answer his question, because I honestly didn’t know. I thought about what they said. Jace seemed to make more sense. No shocker there. Here I am... I was a nobody for the most part of my life that no one wanted. A kid that grew up in the slums of Chicago, being tossed back and forth from shithole to shithole like some mangy, infested mutt. I had a hard life, but now I’m on top of my game. A famous rock star with shit tons of money and a reputation as a notorious playboy.

  I was tainted and she was pure. We were from opposite sides of the playing field. She was center field, playing like a champ, where I was on the outer side of the chain-link fence peering in, just wanting to catch the damn ball. Looking at her was like staring at an angel from heaven directly in the face. She’s chaste and innocent with impeccable beauty, until you mess with her bad side. Then she’s a spittin’ hellcat. Fucking hottest thing ever.