by Regina Frame
“You’re pretty too, sweetheart.” I pushed her hair off her face and lightly caressed her cheek. She closed her eyes and was snoring before I ever pulled onto the highway. Once I pulled into the drive at home, I shot Blake a message to make sure that Willow made it to Trinity’s okay and for him to sleep on the sofa if he needed to. No funny business were my last words before I shoved my phone into my pocket and collected Trinity from the passenger seat. Before we made it inside she vomited on her shirt.
“Oh God,” she moaned.
I sat her on the side of the bed and stripped her out of her shirt and jeans, leaving her in her underwear. Before I could get one of my T-shirts on her, she laid down and began to snore.
I stood beside the bed and stared down at the angel sleeping in my bed. Do I sleep in bed with her in case she wakes up sick, or should I sleep on the sofa and take a chance at not hearing her? I stripped out of my jeans and crawled into bed beside her. Even though I was still wearing my underwear and shirt, my body was very much aware that she was close by. I rolled onto my side, facing the opposite direction, and listened to her soft snores until I finally drifted off.
“I’m gonna be sick!” I sat straight up in bed in time to see Trinity running around the end of the bed and heading for the bathroom. I ran in to find her on her knees in front of the toilet, emptying the contents of her stomach. I sat on the side of the bathtub and held her hair back for her. “Oh my god,” she moaned and rested her forehead against her arm.
“Let me get you a cold cloth.” I grabbed a washcloth and wet it with cold water before placing it on the back of her neck. “I’ve got some painkillers and water for you on the vanity,” I said, rubbing small circles on her back.
“What happened last night?” She groaned around another dry heave.
“Well, you had a few beers, a couple shots of tequila and a bowl full of tequila soaked gummy bears,” I finished. She lifted her head and looked down at her black bra and panties before groaning and dropping her head again.
“You undressed me?” she mumbled with her face squished against her arm.
“I did. You got a little vomit on your shirt, and before I could get one of my shirts on you, you were asleep. I’m sorry,” I apologized.
“It’s okay, Tuck.” That’s the first time she’s called me by my nickname. “I think I need to lie back down for a bit.” She slowly stood from the tiled floor and stared at her disheveled reflection in the mirror. “Good lord, I look green.” She frowned. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Come on, let’s get you in bed. If you need anything, let me know. I’ve got some work to do this morning.”
“Oh No!” She sat straight up and clutched her chest. “We have the label party tonight. How will I ever recover in time? This is not the impression that I wanted to make on Elliott.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll fix you my hangover cure all. You’ll be fine by tonight.” Her shoulders slumped and her face fell to her hands.
I rushed downstairs and grabbed the tomato juice, Tabasco, and vodka. Nothing cures a hangover than a Bloody Mary. A little hair of the dog, as they say. I carried it upstairs and placed it on the nightstand on her side of the bed. Her side of the bed. I liked that idea.
“Drink this and if you need me, just yell. I’ll be across the hall in my office.” She gave me a nod and took a sip of her drink.
“Thank you, Tucker.” My eyes met hers “For everything,” she said.
“My pleasure.” I smiled before heading across the hall to my office.
7
TRINITY
Willow is the sister that I always wanted, but never had. She was that someone to talk about boys and whisper well past our bedtime. She shot from the hip and left nothing out. That was why I loved her so much. She’s my ride or die. That’s why I wouldn’t have anyone else helping with this event tonight. She will be an extra set of eyes and ears.
“What do you think of this dress? Does it look professional enough?” I asked Willow where she stood in the kitchen with a bottle of whiskey.
“Well,” she chewed her bottom lip. “It depends on the profession. If you’re going for the librarian you nailed it. If you ask me, it could be shorter.” She threw back her shot and grinned at me. I flipped her off.
“I’m hosting this label party. I don’t want to look like a granny, but I don’t want to come off as a slut either.”
“Well, look at it like this.” She poured us both a shot. “Think about who’s going to be there: rock stars, label executives, possibly some other industry people, and the paparazzi. They don’t dress like librarians.”
“You’re right. I’ll change into a little shorter black skirt. I stood in the bathroom and stared into the full-length mirror. “This works,” I assured myself. When I made it back downstairs, Willow was still waiting with the bottle of whiskey. She looked me over head to toe with a huge grin on her face.
“Told ya!” She slid one of the shot glasses over in my direction.
“Let’s get shit faced!” Willow ordered.
“No!”
“You’re such a party pooper.” She giggled.
“I think you’ve already had one too many. Promise me you’ll behave. I don’t want people pointing the finger at me for bringing the town drunk,” I joke.
“Hey! You know that whole prom thing wasn’t my fault. How was I supposed to know they’d spiked the punch?” She placed her hand over her heart, as if I’d wounded her with my words.
“Wow! I feel like royalty. You didn’t tell me we were going to be chauffeured.” Willow’s eyes danced with excitement.
“I didn’t know either, up until thirty minutes ago.” Tucker texted saying he was sending a car for us.
“Remind me to thank him.” Willow beamed. The Escalade rolled to a stop at the roped off entrance of the Hotel where the event was being held. There was a large gathering of paparazzi standing behind metal barriers, pushing and shoving to try and get that money shot. Then there were the fans, all with their cell phones held in the air. As soon as the door to the SUV opened, the sounds of the crowd were deafening. I grabbed Willow’s arm and lead her around the roped off area and through the staff entrance.
“What are you doing? I wanted to walk the red carpet! I wanted to feel like a celebrity,” she whined.
“Willow, I’m not a celebrity. I’m hosting this event. There’s a difference. You’ll be free to mingle all night, but I’ll be working to make sure things are going as planned.”
“It was nuts out there!” Willow admitted, a little breathless.
“Can you imagine going through that every time you step outside? I would go insane with a camera shoved in my face all the time,” I admitted.
I brushed my hands down the front of my black dress to smooth out any wrinkles. I fingered my grandmother’s diamond earrings that she’d left to me. They were too beautiful not to wear, but I was always paranoid I’ll lose one.
“You look beautiful. Stop fidgeting,” Willow said. “Everyone’s going to love you and this place looks spectacular. Wow there’s a lot of people here,” Willow said in awe.
“This is a label party, there are a lot more to arrive. Everyone signed with the label, old or new along with the media will be attending,” I said.
“Holy shit!” Willow said.
“What?”
“I think that’s Zeke Simmons from Love at First Sight! OhmyGod!” She shook with excitement.
“I have to go speak to him! He really should put me on that show. I’ll be right back.”
“Sure you will,” I said to her back as she disappeared in to the crowd of people. I made my way around the banquet area where tables were dressed with white linen cloths and fresh cut flowers adorned the middle of each one. I checked with the catering staff and the chef. After finding things were a hundred percent on track, I went in search of the band. I found them across the room surrounded by five or six men dressed in suits and ties. There were even a few people with cameras allowe
d into the mix. Tucker looked especially hot tonight in his navy-blue suit, and crisp white shirt with the top three buttons open. When our eyes met, he smiled before turning his attention back to the older man in the gray suit. It looked as if I would be spending the night alone unless Willow popped back up. I made my way over to the bar, stopping along the way to greet guests and make sure they had everything they needed.
I tiptoed to get closer to the bartender and asked for a JD neat. The bartender leaned halfway across the bar for the second time trying to hear me over the DJ’s music, and after asking for the third time, I gave up. I’d find one of the wait staff wandering around with trays of champagne, even though it always gives me a hangover. I needed something to do with my hands so that I didn’t feel so self conscious. A smooth voice sounded at my ear.
“She asked for a whiskey neat.” My eyes flew to the man standing beside me and I smiled.
“Marcus, it’s so good to see you. What are you doing here?” Damn Trinity, could you be anymore rude?
“Our band just signed with the Stealth label. He smiled, revealing a dimple in his right cheek.. His dark auburn hair was a little longer than I remembered from high school and hung just below his collar. His green eyes ate me up from head to toe, and I fidgeted with discomfort. He wasn’t as bold in high school. He was all man now, and he knows what he wants, and the look on his face says that he wants me.
“Damn, Trinity. You look good enough to eat.” He bit his bottom lip and looked me over from head to toe.
“Congratulations! Are any of the guys from school here with you? I’d love to catch up.” I tried steering the conversation in a different direction. He chuckled and tipped his glass up to his full lips. I took that opportunity to really take him in. He was no longer the gangly teen from high school. This Marcus had broad shoulders and a little line of scruff along his jaw line. Colorful ink peaked out from the neck of his white dress shirt. When our eyes met, he smirked. I had to admit that this Marcus made me nervous.
“What brings you to this area, Trinity? Last I knew you were married and living in our hometown.” My shoulders slumped, and I felt deflated. He seemed to notice because he was quick to say, “If you don’t want to talk about it is okay. I didn’t mean to bring up anything painful,” he said sincerely.
“It’s okay. It’s hard to stay in a marriage when only one person is invested in it. I tried as long as I could until I walked in on him having sex with someone else. He’s still trying to apologize for it, but it’s over. He just needs to come to terms with it,” I explained. “My friend Willow is here. You should talk with her. She’s still the same crazy joke prankster as she was in school.”
“Whoa, now. Are you taking up your mother’s match making skills?” he joked. My face went up in flames. Was I becoming my mother? Shit.
“Forget I said anything,” I laughed. “I’ll let you go mingle. I need to check on a few things myself.” I turned and placed my empty glass on the bar.
Marcus wrapped a big arm around me and hugged me tight. “It was good to see you again, Trinity. I’d really like to catch up sometime while we’re in town,” he slurred. Tucker was at my side instantly. Claiming what belonged to him. Me.
“Trinity doesn’t have a lot of free time these days while running her own business to spending her free time with me. Maybe we could all meet up at the studio one day. We could have a jam session.” Tucker’s arm slid around my waist, and he stared down at Marcus.
Marcus never flinched. He just lifted his glass in my direction and said, “See you around, Trinity.” Before disappearing into the sea of people.
“I don’t like the way he was looking at you,” Tucker growled.
“He’s an old time friend from high school. That’s all. He said his band just signed with your label. And what do you mean you don’t like the way he was looking at me?”
“He was looking at you as if he owned you,” Tucker said.
“Nobody owns me,” I said. “Why don’t you go ahead and pee on my leg so everyone else keeps their distance,” I whisper yelled. I spent a year of marriage with a man that expected me to keep to myself. I wasn’t allowed to speak to another man unless Keith was there.
“Face it, Trinity.” He leaned in close to my ear. I could feel his hot breath against my skin. It sent hot shivers through me. “You’re mine,” Tucker claimed.
I swallowed around the large lump that had formed in my throat and said, “I have to go find Willow.” I turned and walked away releasing the breath I’d been holding.
I found Willow across the room with a drink in her hand talking with Blake and the guys from Sutured Souls. “Are you guys having fun? I see Willow found you guys,” I motioned to Willow.
“They’ve been telling me all about the recording process and how it works. I’ve been invited to come to the studio while they jam one day.” Willow giggled. It was obvious Blake was into her because he never took his eyes off of her. I’ll have to make a mental note to ask Tucker about him. I don’t want Willow to get hurt.
“Really? How nice of them.” I cut my eyes over to Blake because I knew there was a hidden agenda behind that invitation. The remainder of the party went by in a blur of speeches and music from newly signed talent. I’ll have to admit that Marcus’s band sounded good.
I walked down a long hallway to the women’s restroom when Marcus stepped out and startled me. “You scared the shit out of me!” I looked over my shoulder hoping to see someone coming our way. There was just something about being in a dark hallway with someone that’s not Tucker. No such luck. I turned to walk away, but he stepped in front of me. I guess Marcus hadn’t really changed much since school. If anything, he was more of an ass. I squared my shoulders and stared up into his blood shot eyes. “Marcus, move,” I said sternly, and when he didn’t move I pressed my palm against his hard chest. “I said, move and let me pass.” My voice came out a little shaky. I looked over his shoulder hoping to catch someone’s attention, but everyone was busy either saying good night or cleaning up and putting things away.
“Oh, come on Trin.” He paused a moment and cocked a smile. “You don’t mind if I call you by the pet name I gave you in high school, do you?” I looked around, desperately searching for Willow to rescue me, but she was nowhere in sight. If I had to guess I’d say she was in a corner somewhere with Blake. A door opened somewhere behind me, and an evil smile spread across Marcus’ lips.
“What’s going on here?” Tucker asked as he stepped up beside me. Finally, I could breathe.
“Trinity and I were having a friendly chat. You know, catching up with old friends,” Marcus said licking his lips. His eyes weren’t on Tucker, they were on the black-haired beauty standing beside him. How could I have missed her? She’s gorgeous. What was this? Who was she, and what was Tucker doing with this woman? They came from the men’s room behind me. When my eyes fell on her honey-colored eyes, she licked her lips and her nose flared, and an evil sneer appeared on her face. I felt deflated. I felt as if someone had punched me in the chest, and all the air whooshed from my lungs. I dug my elbows in and pushed between Marcus and Tucker. When Tucker called my name, I kept walking. I just wanted to get home. I had a bottle of vodka in the freezer calling my name. I walked through the staff exit and grabbed one of the Uber’s waiting out front. The remainder of my crew can finish the closing cleanup. Willow was a big girl. She’d find her way home. I pulled out my phone to find a text had already been sent. It seemed that she was going to Blake’s place. That was good. At least she wouldn’t be there asking a million questions about what happened. How could I answer that when I don’t know the answer myself? I fired off a quick text to Aubrey asking her if she could meet me at my place. She said she would meet me there.
My phone began to vibrate in my hand with a call from Tucker. I let it go to voicemail, but he didn’t give up. From the time I left the hotel until I got home, the calls continued. I thanked the driver and bailed out of the car. . I couldn’t get in the
house fast enough. I closed the blinds and locked the door. I marched into my bedroom, stripped out of the black dress and threw on a pair of sleep shorts and a ratty old T-shirt. Aubrey showed up within minutes of my arrival. When I met her at the door with tears in my eyes, she wrapped her arms around me.
“Oh honey. What happened?” she asked.
“I-I caught Tucker coming out of the bathroom at the party tonight with another woman! She was beautiful Aubrey. I can’t compete with that.” I cried.
“Trinity, don’t jump to conclusions. I’m sure there is a perfectly good explanation for this. These guys have women follow them all the time but that doesn’t mean he took advantage of it. You are a beautiful woman. You have to believe that. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He only has eyes for you. I’m sure if you ask him you’ll find out it’s not as bad as it looks.” Aubrey reasoned. I took a deep breath and wiped my eyes. Maybe Aubrey is right, but that doesn’t change the fact that it hurt me deeply to see him with someone else and there’s still this Penny person that he hasn’t explained. “Thank you for coming over and talking some sense in me. You’re such a sweet friend Aubrey. I’m so glad I met you.”
“Me too.” She smiled. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Okay?” I nodded my head in agreement because I was afraid that if I spoke, my voice would crack. Once Aubrey left I went in to the bathroom and washed my face free of makeup and pulled my hair in to a messy bun before heading back downstairs.
When someone began knocking on the door, I knew who it was.
“Go away Tucker,” I said firmly to the back of the door.
“Come on Trinity. Please let me in,” he begged. He knocked again and again until I finally gave up and opened the door. He tried to step around me, but I wedged my body in the way keeping him on the porch. “Why did you leave, Trinity? I called after you, but you kept going.”
“It looked like you had better things to do, or should I say better women?” I sneered. Something ghosted across his face but disappeared just as fast. So, I wasn’t imagining things. He knew that woman.
