by Long, Marie
“Chris? Trinity?”
Trinity turns and gasps. “Dominick!” She hops up and rushes into my arms as if I’d just rescued her from death by boredom.
I huff as she slams into me, her soft, curvy body pressing against mine.
“’Sup, dude,” Chris says, not looking up from his game.
Trinity wraps her arms around me and squeezes tight. She rests her head on my shoulder. Way too clingy for my taste.
Tensing, and smashed into her, I can’t help but look down at how her jeans pull tight across her rounded ass, and she rises up on her toes to grind against me a little bit. I gently pull away enough to breathe, and as I do, her purple, snug-fitting shirt smoothes out as her large tits bounce back into place. She falls back to her heels, her feet covered in blue socks with cartoon cats.
“It’s about time,” she mutters. “I don’t think I could take another minute of listening to him swear at that damn game.”
“Aw, come on, you son of a bitch! He ran out of bounds!” Chris yells at the TV, slamming his fingers on the controller buttons.
I unwrap Trinity’s arms from around me, march over to Chris, and swipe the controller from his hands.
“Dude! What the fuck?” Chris says.
“Sorry, man. I need the TV. Movie night.” I power off the game console.
Grumbling, Chris gets up and leaves. “Fine. I’m gonna call Adri. Keep it down in here, you two.”
I flip him off while his back is turned.
Trinity snorts and covers her mouth. “You two are hilarious.”
“He’s cool once you get to know him. He’s been my best buddy since high school. Anyway.” I look apologetically at her. “I didn’t mean for movie night to start out like this.”
“What are you talking about? I’m just glad you’re here.”
I sigh. “How long were you waiting?”
“Not long. The bus dropped me off about fifteen minutes ago.”
I retrieve the thick binder of movies from under the TV. “So what kind of movies do you like?”
“Mm … thrillers and comedy mainly.”
I idly sift through pages of white-faced discs with handwritten labels. Looks like Chris acquired some more movies. My mind drifts elsewhere. I feel like such an ass for almost standing her up. My fingers pull out a random disc. “Ever see The Shining?”
Her eyes light up. “That’s a classic! Let’s watch it.”
I pop the movie into the player. “Get comfortable. I’ll make some popcorn. Want something to drink?”
She curls up on the couch. “Some water’s fine.”
Returning to the kitchen, I search the cabinets for the box of microwave popcorn. The sound of the TV fades to a dull buzz. Tonight feels weird, as if it’s not supposed to be happening—at least, not with Trinity.
Denise is supposed to be the one on that couch.
I tear open the popcorn pack and throw it in the microwave. I know things probably won’t work with Trinity, but how the hell do I tell her? She and Denise are friends, for God’s sake. Sighing, I grab a beer from the fridge and fill up a glass of ice water.
The popcorn done, I carry it and the drinks back to the living room. I hand Trinity her water and then plop down on the couch.
“Thanks,” she says.
I put the popcorn bag between us. I don’t want to give her any ideas. But she takes the bag, sets it on the floor, and scoots close to me.
I try to enjoy the movie, my beer in hand, but her constant shifting has me nervous. What is she thinking right now?
She lays her head on my shoulder and watches the TV for a moment. “I can’t believe this is happening. Me watching movies with DJ Kevitron’s brother.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Is that all I am to you?”
“Of course not.” She idly traces her finger along the top of my thigh. “I, uh, kinda have a confession. So, I think it’s cool you’re his brother and all, but I was wondering, if, um … you can hook me up with him?”
I gawk at her. Wow, she’s obsessed with him, all right. “What?”
She smiles apologetically. “Don’t get me wrong, Dominick. You’re a pretty cool guy, but I know you’re into Denise. Let’s be real here.”
I blink. “Wait. How do you—”
“Oh, come on. It was pretty obvious when my friends and I saw you at the club, and when you talked to Denise that night outside. Judging by the way your eyes were ready to pop out of your head and the line of drool about to fall out of your mouth, we figured you have a thing for her.”
I huff. “I was not drooling.”
“You totally were.” She prods me in the tricep with her finger.
“All right. Fine. So I might have a bit of a thing for her. Does Denise know?”
She shrugs. “Maybe? I mean, we didn’t tell her anything. Not with her thing with William.”
William. I lower the TV volume and turn to face Trinity. “What’s going on with Denise and William, anyway?” I ask, trying not to dry-swallow.
She shakes her head. “I really shouldn’t say anything about her personal life, but I don’t care for William. He kinda creeps me out, y’know? But he loves Denise, and Denise loves him, too, I think, so that’s all that matters.”
“You ‘think’? What about him creeps you out?”
“He’s a frat guy. One of the obnoxious types. The ones that think girls are supposed to be nothing but arm candy.”
“What frat is he in?”
“Xi Rho Nu, I think. At least, that’s what I overheard him telling Denise before. Not sure if it’s true or not. Maybe he’s trying to impress her or something.”
I scowl. What is that asshole up to? “I have a friend in Xi, but he’s not like that.”
“Denise is my best friend. I just want her to be happy.” She fidgets with the couch cushion. “It hurt her when he had to move to Chicago.”
I lower my voice. “You have no idea how much I want to fuck up that guy.”
Her lips twist into a smirk. “You’re jealous.”
I scoff at that. “Well, how the hell does someone like William get someone like Denise?”
“He was a smooth talker in high school. And a soccer jock. Denise always had a thing for jocks.” She covers her mouth. “Oops. I wasn’t supposed to say that.”
Well, shit.
“Don’t tell her, okay?”
“Don’t worry, I won’t.” So Denise likes jocks, does she? “Y’know, I was a jock in high school, too. So was Kevin.”
“Really?” She bites her thumbnail.
I nod. “I played football. Kevin played basketball.”
“That’s cool. I like you, Dominick. You seem like you’d make Denise happy. And you’re a jock. That’s always a plus.”
“So I guess the question is, how do I get her to want me?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know. I should stay out of it. She might think I’m conspiring behind her back or something. I guess technically I am.” Her smile returns when she looks at me.
I place my hand atop hers. “You’re an amazing girl.”
She rolls her eyes. “Mhmm.”
“Seriously, you are. And thanks for telling me all this, by the way. I swear, I won’t say anything to anyone about it.”
“Thank you.” She blinks, as though suddenly coming to a realization about something. “Wait. Did you say Kevin played basketball?” Her eyes widen.
I furrow my brow. “Uh, yeah. Like two minutes ago.”
“Your brother? DJ Kevitron?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh my God. Does he still play?”
“Sometimes he plays pickup games at the parks. Why?”
“I want to watch him play. You know how sexy that is? Wait, of course you don’t. God that sounded so weird. Okay, um … never mind. So yeah, can you talk to him for me?”
I just stare at her, speechless. This girl is not only into his music but his athletic skills, too. And she’s a big girl. He loves big girls. Holy shit, mayb
e she would be perfect for him. “I’ll see what I can do.”
She beams, then kisses me on the cheek. It’s a light, gentle peck that I can tell was intended to be a friendly gesture. “Thank you.” Looking back at the TV, she reaches down and grabs a handful of popcorn. “Ooh! Turn up the volume. One of my favorite parts is coming up.”
I crank it up, but right now, not even an axe-wielding psychopath can distract me from my thoughts.
Chapter 14
Wednesday after work, I catch up with Kevin at his apartment in Eastlake. He finally got his mess straightened out, and everything’s all good. He’s not working tonight, and it’s pouring outside, so we hang out and shoot the shit. His wall-mounted TV is tuned into a basketball playoff game.
I’m sprawled on the couch, a bottle of beer sitting on the floor, as I fiddle around with the circuit board of one of his broken mixers. The mixer had finally breathed its last due to overuse, and I’m trying to repair it. It’s not the first time Kevin’s asked me to repair some of his deejay equipment. Besides, what better way to get some hands-on study time in for my circuits class? I occasionally look up from my project to the TV, but I’m not really paying attention to the game. My phone vibrates. It’s a text from Chris asking if I want to meet him over at Chauncey’s for a few drinks. I ignore it for now while I decide. “Whatcha doing tonight, bro?”
Kevin kicks his feet up in the recliner. His shirt’s off, revealing the string of tribal tattoos covering the left side of his arm, all the way up to his shoulder, across the side of his neck, and down to his pec. “I dunno. May go down to the park for a while after the weather lets up. Get in on some pickup games.”
I pause to take a long swig of beer, remembering him playing ’ball for the Huskies. “Have you thought about finishing school this fall? I mean, c’mon. It’s just one semester and that’s it. You’re done.”
He glares. “Shut the hell up about that already. I’ll finish when I finish, so get off my fucking back about it.”
I arch an eyebrow at him. He’s not usually this pissy at me. “You okay?”
He says nothing and scowls at the TV.
“Kev? Come on, man.”
His fingers dig into the fabric of the armrests and his knuckles whiten.
Now he’s starting to scare me. “Kev … ”
He looks daggers at me, bangs the footrest down, and stands. He storms out of the living room, and the door to his bedroom slams so loudly the framed basketball posters on the living room walls shake.
I set the detached circuit board aside. The hell? I jump from the couch and rush toward his bedroom. “Kev? Kevin!” I knock lightly. “Kevin.” It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him act like this. And that was when that shit happened.
He doesn’t respond, so I slowly open the door a crack. In the midst of the deejay equipment and album-filled bookshelves lining all four walls, Kevin sits on the edge of his unmade bed with his face buried in his hands.
I enter his room. “Kev,” I say softly. “Talk to me, man.”
His phone slides from next to him on the bed to the floor. When Kevin doesn’t stir from his spot, I walk over and pick it up. The screen wakes up, revealing the list of recently missed calls. I spot a name that makes me seethe.
Michael.
I haven’t talked to my oldest brother in years, and I damn sure don’t miss him.
“He called again this morning from New York,” Kevin says. “I didn’t answer.”
“Good.” I toss the phone back on the bed. “Maybe he’ll take the hint.”
“He’s got the balls to keep calling, I’ll give him that.”
“Can’t you block his number?”
“I did. Three times. But he kept calling me from a different number each time, so I gave up. He’s been calling from that number more often now, so I just saved it and make sure not to answer whenever it comes up.”
“What do you think he wants?”
“I don’t know, I don’t care. And neither should you. I’ll never forgive him for running like a scared bitch when we needed him.”
“Yeah.” I stare at the wood-grain patterns on the floor.
“Hey, sorry for freaking you out before. I’m just … Every time I see his name, I wanna punch something. I’ve been angry all day about it.”
I put my hand on his shoulder. “Let’s go to Chauncey’s.”
Kevin lies back in bed. “Ehh … ”
“C’mon, man. I think you and I can both use a couple drinks right about now. Hell, I’ll drive, if you want.”
“No. I’ll drive.” Kevin lies there with his hand over his eyes. “Gimme a minute.”
I nod and return to the living room. While waiting for my brother, I finish the rest of my beer, do as much as I can with the circuit board for the time being, and catch the final few minutes of the game.
My mind’s so numb right now, I don’t even wanna think.
* * *
Chauncey’s is pretty busy by the time we arrive. With the place being only blocks away from campus, it’s one of the most popular bars, and our favorite hangout spot. Kevin finds a space across the street to park, and we get out, hustling across the street as rain pelts us.
“You know, you look ridiculous wearing those at night.” I point at his sunglasses.
Kevin adjusts his ball cap and stuffs his hands in the pockets of his brown hoodie. “I don’t give a fuck. I’m not in the mood to deal with fans right now.”
Dim lights and the smell of stale beer welcome us as we enter. The groups of college students that frequent here are standing or sitting around in their usual spots. Kevin and I find two empty stools at the bar, near where a bunch of frat guys are playing darts.
“You’re Miss Dee Dee tonight, li’l bro,” Kevin says with a smirk, and then points out the vodka to Olivia, the bartender.
I roll my eyes. It’s an inside joke Kevin and I have whenever we go out and drink. The one who’s named “Miss Dee Dee” first is responsible for driving, so they’re not allowed to get hammered.
“Whatever you say, Miss Daisy,” I say, and order my usual.
Olivia fills three shots and slides them in front of Kevin. He downs the first one in a single gulp, and then winces and hisses through his teeth.
I spin around in my stool so my back’s against the counter and watch the crowd at the dartboard. I recognize a few guys from Xi Rho Nu. The girls watch each guy who takes aim like predators assessing their prey. I look sidelong at Kevin, who quaffs his second shot. “Hey, Kev. You still single?”
Kevin looks up. “What the hell kinda question’s that?”
“An important one, ’cause … well, I met this girl at the club the other night, right? Name’s Trinity. Pretty sexy. Thing is, she’s one of Denise’s friends. She knows you and I are brothers.”
“Mmhmm.” Kevin downs his third shot and then signals Olivia to fill up three more.
“She’s cool,” I say. “But I don’t think we’d make a pair, y’know?”
“What? You can’t like her?”
“Not anything more than friends. I mean she already knows I have a thing for Denise. But the moment I mention your name her panties practically drop.”
Kevin smirks. “I tend to have that effect on the honeys.” Three more shots slide his way. He picks one up and tips his head back, emptying shot number four.
“She’s a good girl who’s looking for love, bro. You should talk to her.”
“Naw. I’m done with relationships for a while. Not after the shit I went through with the last one.”
I shake my head. “Seriously, I don’t think she’s anything like that. She’s Denise’s best friend, and from what I’ve seen, Denise doesn’t hang out with skanks like Justine.”
“Justine was worse than a skank.” Shot number five disappears quicker than I can blink.
“Trinity loves the fact that you play basketball,” I say.
“You told her that?”
“Yeah. And she thinks it’s
hot.”
“Does she, now?” He traces his thumb across his smiling lips.
“Yup, and she said she wants to watch you play sometime.”
“Play what?”
“Basketball!”
He nods absently. Has the vodka already started to kick in?
“Oh, and she’s a bit chubby, too.”
He looks sidelong at me. “So?”
“‘So’? I thought you were into chubby girls?”
“Who told you that?” Kevin quickly reaches for a shot glass and puts it to his lips.
“You did … and that’s empty.”
He blinks and looks into the glass. “Oh, shit. So it is.” He picks up the sixth shot instead.
“Right, so”—I pull out my phone—“you should give her a chance, bro. She idolizes you. Just think how happy it would make her for DJ Kevitron, the all-star basketball player, to be her boyfriend.”
Kevin rolls his eyes. “No. She’s probably just another groupie. She only cares about DJ Kevitron, the all-star basketball player. Not plain ol’ Kevin.”
“I don’t think she’s like that. Gimme your phone.”
“No.”
Sighing, I copy Trinity’s name and number from my phone onto a square napkin sitting on the counter. While Kevin gulps his seventh shot, I stuff the napkin in the front pocket of his hoodie.
Kevin coughs. “What the hell, man?”
“Trust me, bro. Call her. Please.”
He sighs heavily but says nothing and gestures to Olivia to fill up two more shots.
I tried.
The darts crowd suddenly erupts in cheers, and I turn my head to the commotion.
“Gimme those darts! Let me show you how this shit’s done.”
William.
The asshole stands up from behind the crowd where he was sitting and swipes a handful of darts from a nearby frat guy wearing a dark green shirt with Greek letters on the front. William makes a stupid face at someone I can’t see, then looks seriously at the dartboard. He pauses, then throws a dart. It narrowly misses the bull’s-eye, but it’s the closest I’ve seen out of all who tried. He throws another, and that one makes its mark.
“Bull’s-eye, baby!” William does a fist-pump and the other players cheer and congratulate him. A frat guy wearing a Xi Rho Nu shirt hands him a full mug of beer.
